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Health Sciences
This doctor of philosophy (PhD) in Health Sciences program trains students in advanced research in health sciences, and provides them with the skills, content area expertise, and analytical and critical thinking capabilities required to pursue original research relevant to health. Consistent with the mandate and objectives of the Faculty of Health Sciences (FHS) mission, the program will introduce students to interdisciplinary approaches to research that will encourage them to develop cross-disciplinary research skills.
Areas of disciplinary emphasis in the faculty include: social science, epidemiology, biostatistics, policy analysis, ethics, and laboratory-based biomedical science. Research areas in the faculty are interdisciplinary and include: global health; environmental health and toxicology; maternal and child health, epidemiology and disease prevention; chronic and infectious diseases; population and public health; mental health and addiction; social inequities and health outcomes; adolescent and child development; reproductive health; and health policy.
間眅埶AV Requirements
Applicants must satisfy the University admission requirements as stated in Graduate General Regulations 1.3 and the requirements on the Faculty of Health Sciences website.
See Graduate General Regulation 1.3.7b transfer from master's to PhD, which is possible for exceptional students in the first 6 semesters of their master's.
Supervision
An FHS faculty member who has agreed to serve as the applicant's supervisor must be identified prior to submitting an application for admission. Applicants who do not have a confirmed supervisor at the application deadline will not be considered.
Program Requirements
This program consists of course work, a comprehensive exam and thesis proposal, research, and a thesis for a minimum of 24 units.
Students must complete all of
Foundational elements to introduce MSc/PhD students to basic knowledge and skills needed for an interdisciplinary approach to the study of health sciences, drawing from a wide range of methods and approaches used in laboratory sciences, clinical research, health services, policy, social sciences, humanities and public health research.
Philosophical, disciplinary, and social groundings for inquiry, evaluation, and interdisciplinarity in health sciences research. Issues in research design, professionalism, engagement, and higher education. Prerequisite: HSCI 902.
and a comprehensive exam and thesis proposal
and thesis
Course Work
A student may be advised to complete additional course work by his/her supervisor in consultation with the supervisory committee commensurate with the research interests of the student and within the scope of the student's curricular focus.
Students who enter the PhD program from FHS MSc, and who receive an A- or higher in 902 or 903 do not need to repeat the courses.
Comprehensive Examination
The comprehensive examination may be retaken only once. If a student fails the comprehensive examination, progress in the program is considered unsatisfactory and will trigger a review by the faculty's graduate studies committee as outlined in Graduate General Regulation 1.8.2.
Doctoral Thesis Proposal
PhD candidates will normally submit the thesis proposal in their second year. The proposal and oral defence will be graded on the same basis, with the same possible outcomes as the comprehensive exam.
Program Length
Faculty of Health Sciences PhD candidates are expected to complete in 3-5 years.
Academic Requirements within the Graduate General Regulations
All graduate students must satisfy the academic requirements that are specified in the Graduate General Regulations, as well as the specific requirements for the program in which they are enrolled.