¶¡ÏãÔ°AV

Beedie School of Business
¶¡ÏãÔ°AV Calendar 2012 Spring

In a small cohort, students benefit from sharing experience with others studying in various areas of business through a small number of common core courses. In addition, students study in their area of specialization and research methods that are tailored to the needs of individual students and the research strengths of the faculty. Also included is a teaching development component involving a certificate program. This is for graduate students without substantial teaching experience, or for experienced teachers who wish to upgrade their skills.

The PhD program develops outstanding students in research and teaching for future employment at leading international academic institutions by designing a unique program of study under the guidance of their supervisor and the academic chair.

¶¡ÏãÔ°AV Requirements

The minimum doctoral admission university requirements are provided in 1.3.4 ¶¡ÏãÔ°AV to a Doctoral Program . Students are admitted in the fall term only. A minimum GMAT score of 600 and 5 on analytical writing is required. Interviews and a statement of interest is used to determine fit between students and faculty.

Application

Students must submit the following when applying.

• ¶¡ÏãÔ°AV’s graduate application form
• official transcript of undergraduate and graduate grades (mailed directly from the granting institution). It is advisable to include an unofficial copy of your transcript(s) with your application
• three confidential letters of reference using the Beedie School of Business PhD Reference Form, at least two of which are completed by faculty members at universities that comment on the student’s ability to conduct original research
• Beedie School of Business PhD Application Supplemental Information Form and Check List
• official score on the graduate management admissions test (GMAT). It is highly advisable to schedule testing well in advance of the application deadline. If available, please include an unofficial copy of the test result upon application.

English Language Competence

English is the language of instruction and communication at the University. An applicant whose primary language is not English or whose previous education was conducted in another language must demonstrate command of English that is sufficient to pursue graduate studies.

Applicants normally will achieve a satisfactory score on a standardized English test that is acceptable to the University. This test must include a writing component. The Test of English as a Foreign Language (TOEFL) combined with the Test of Written English (TWE) are acceptable for this purpose. The International English Language Testing System (IELTS) is also acceptable. The minimum University requirements are as follows.

• IELTS with a minimum score of 7 on the academic modules; or
• TOEFL iBT (internet-based TOEFL test) with an overall score of 88 or better with a minimum score of 20 in each of the four components (listening, speaking, writing, reading); or
• TOEFL CBT (computer-based TOEFL test) with a minimum score of 230 including a minimum essay score of 5

Program Requirements

The program combines a small number of cohort courses, a research methodology minor, and specialty courses selected by the senior supervisor and the doctoral candidate’s committee to create a curriculum which will be flexible within certain limits.

Candidates typically complete three core courses, three courses in the research methods minor, and three to five courses in their specialized area as determined by their senior supervisor and doctoral committee.

A research project with a pass/fail grade is required in the third term, and a candidacy exam. The candidate must fulfil the university qualifications regarding a thesis and its public defence.

Those who lack a business degree may, at the discretion of the PhD director, be asked to complete qualifying courses (see qualifying courses).

Core Courses

Students complete all of

• BUS 980-4 Theory Development in Business Administration
• BUS 981-4 Research Methods in Business Administration
• BUS 982-4 Dissertation Development Workshop

Core courses will be offered once a year.

Core Courses (for finance students only)

Finance students only complete all of

• BUS 815-4 Portfolio Theory

or

• ECON 815-4 Portfolio Theory
• ECON 803-4 Microeconomic Theory II
• ECON 837-4 Econometric Theory I

Core courses will be offered once a year.

Research Methods

The research methods minor area requires three research methods courses approved by both the PhD program director and the student’s senior supervisor. These courses are deemed pertinent to the student’s specific research. Other courses will be considered if they meet the needs of the PhD candidate. Examples of some possible courses are as follows.

• ECON 835-4 Econometrics
• ECON 836-4 Applied Econometrics
• ECON 837-4 Econometric Theory I
• ECON 838-4 Econometrics Theory IIA
• ECON 863-4 Fisheries Economics 4
  
• ECON 867-4 Regional Development Problems

• PSYC 911-3 Research Design II: Research Studies
• STAT 602-3 Generalized Linear and Nonlinear modelling
• STAT 801-4 Statistics
• STAT 802-4 Multivariate Analysis
• STAT 805-4 Non-parametric and Discrete Data Analysis
• STAT 806-4 Lifetime Data Analysis

These three required research methods courses will be completed in the first five terms. The student’s supervisor can add to, or substitute, minor courses in consultation with the director of the PhD program.

Course Specialization

These three to five courses are set and administered by the senior supervisor in consultation with the student’s supervisory committee and the PhD program director. These courses can include Beedie School of Business graduate courses, directed studies courses, special topics, as well as approved graduate courses in other programs or universities. It is highly recommended that at least one of the major courses be given by the student’s senior supervisor. In special cases, the senior supervisor can recommend, in consultation with the PhD director, that the student complete fewer, or more, courses than required in the major. At least two courses should be completed at ¶¡ÏãÔ°AV.

Qualifying Courses

Students without prior business education or those who lack some specific background, or combination of education and experience, may be required to complete qualifying courses after PhD program admission. These requirements are at the discretion of the PhD director in consultation with potential senior supervisors. The number of qualifying courses may vary widely depending on the student’s specific background and their intended area of study.

Third Term Project (Summer Project)

PhD students will generate a research project in their third term that will be graded by the senior supervisor on a pass/fail basis. The student can rewrite the project once. If the grade is still deficient, they will be asked to withdraw from the program. Those who pass the research project will present it in an open research presentations. Questions and answers emerging in this context should assist the student to develop their research.

PhD Comprehensive Exam

PhD students must pass a comprehensive exam in the sixth term of the program. This will include written examinations in each student’s major and methodology minor, followed by an oral exam.

Dissertation Proposal Defence

Prior to registration in BUS 992, the candidate presents an oral thesis proposal defence. The PhD director assigns a faculty member who is external to the candidate’s committee, but within the faculty, to join in the examination.

The exam will probe a written thesis proposal and may extend into the area in which the candidate intends to do their work. The senior supervisor, committee and external examiner will confer a pass/fail grade upon the candidate’s presentation and written work. Evaluator suggestions concerning improvement are expected.

Those who fail the proposal defence are given one further opportunity at which to defend. A second failure requires withdrawal from the program. No candidate, unless given special permission, is permitted to complete an oral thesis proposal defence after the eighth term.

Thesis/Thesis Defence

Following Graduate General Regulation 1.9, the thesis will focus on original research in one long narrative/empirical work or a series of papers.

Residence Requirement

The candidate must be enrolled and in residence at the University for a minimum of five terms (see Graduate General Regulation 1.7.3).

Teaching Experience Optional Program

PhD students without substantial teaching experience may complete the Certificate Program for Graduate Students in University Teaching and Learning — instructional development, teaching enhancement and a practicum — offered by the Learning and Instructional Development Centre.

The program enhances and develops teaching skills. The practicum involves developing and delivering an undergraduate course in the Beedie School of Business.

Academic Requirements within the Graduate General Regulations

All graduate students must satisfy the academic requirements that are specified in the Graduate General Regulations (residence, course work, academic progress, supervision, research competence requirement, completion time, and degree completion), as well as the specific requirements for the program in which they are enrolled, as shown above.

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