The University of British Columbia

The Doctoral (Ph.D.) program is designed to develop the candidates ability for independent research. Applicants to the program must have a high scholastic standing and demonstrated an aptitude for research to be admitted to the Ph.D. program. A minimum of 24 credits of approved courses is required for adequate completion. For those holding a Master's degree or transferring from a Master's program, appropriate credit will be given for courses completed. Courses are intended to provide both a general intellectual proficiency and specialization in a selected area.

Ph.D. students will normally be required to spend a minimum of three winter sessions at the University, although in some circumstances it is possible to complete in 2 years following a Master's degree. Substantial completion of the Ph.D. requirements is expected within three years for students with a Master's degree, and within 4 years for those students who have transferred from the M.A.Sc. program. The University requires that the Ph.D. program be completed within 6 years of initial registration. For further details concerning the Ph.D. program, consult the Faculty of Graduate Studies website.

Students or prospective students looking for specific information should be sure to check the Policies and Procedures page of the website. Any further information can be provided by emailing help [at] ece [dot] ubc [dot] ca. 

Program Structure

A Qualifying Exam must be taken within 15 months of registration for a Ph.D. program following submission of the thesis proposal. This examination is based on the student's oral defence of a thesis proposal, which will state the objectives of the proposed research, summarize its significance and its relation to previous work, and outline the methods to be pursued during the course of the research.

In the final step of the Ph.D. program students are required to complete a Final Oral Defence. Ph.D. students will be required to defend their dissertation and its underlying assumptions, methodology, results and conclusions in a manner consistent with that of the doctoral degree being sought.

Admissions and Applications

Applicants to the Ph.D. program must have a course and thesis-based Master's degree and references must include a detailed letter from the thesis supervisor. Applicants who have completed a course-based only Master's program are not generally eligible for the Ph.D. program. Applicants who have completed a degree by research only may have to complete a year of additional coursework as part of their Ph.D. program.

Applicants should review both program requirements and UBC requirements to ensure they qualify before submitting an application. These can be found under admissions.

Applications

Graduate program application deadlines are as follows:

December 1, 2011 – International Students and Domestic (Citizens and Permanent Residents) Students requiring financial support.

January 31, 2012 – Domestic (Citizens and Permanent Residents) Students not requiring financial support.

Applicants should ensure that all necessary documents are included:

• Official Transcripts from each post-secondary institution (PDF version and two university endorsed, sealed copies)
• Curriculum Vitae (CV)
• UBC-specified Statement of Purpose
• English proficiency exam (if required)
• Scan copy of Permanent Residence card or Student Visa

Further detailed application information is available under admissions.

Tuition

Further information about cost and living in Vancouver is available under admissions.