General Guidelines
Overview
The Institute of Parasitology offers thesis research degrees at the MSc and PhD levels. A thesis based MSc degree should be completed within 2 years of initial registration. A PhD should be completed within 4 or 5 years from initial registration. Students transferring from the MSc to PhD programs must make this request within the first three semesters from initial registration in the MSc program. Students who successfully transfer should complete their degree within 4 years from this point. The official time limitation policies of McGill can be found in the eCalendar and limit registration at the MSc level to the end of MSc 3 and at the PhD level to the end of PhD 7.
All students are required to complete two courses: PARA 655, Host-Parasite Interactions and PARA 635 Cell Biology and Infection. Students must present their research work in a seminar every year in which they are registered. The first and last seminars have specific course numbers (PARA 606/607 and PARA 710/711) and are graded. PhD students must complete a PhD Candidacy exam (PARA 701) by the end of PhD 3 that consists of a written thesis proposal and an oral examination.
Supervisors and Advisory Committees are charged with the responsibility to ensure that the proposed course work and experiments are likely to be completed within a reasonable period of time. To this end, formal course requirements are kept to a minimum. The research facilities at the Institute of Parasitology are excellent and allow students to work efficiently. Students, together with their supervisor and Advisory Committee, should keep in mind the expected duration of their degree program when planning experiments.
Supervision
Each graduate student (MSc and PhD) must have a Thesis Supervisor to remain in the Graduate Program. The role of the supervisor is to ensure proper execution of the research project, provide guidance to the student in their selection of courses and in all matters pertaining to the student's program.
Each graduate student must also have an Advisory Committee that consists of your supervisor(s) plus one (MSc) or two (PhD) additional Professor(s). A Post-Doc can take part in Advisory Committee meetings in addition to the regular members. The Committee should be formed within the first month of registration and the members chosen by the supervisor in consultation with the student. The formation of the Committee form can be found here. Advisory Committee members who are absent due to a leave of absence, sabbatical leave or any other reason should be replaced. Membership of the Committee can be changed at any time, with justification, with approval of the supervisor, student and the Graduate Program Director.
The role of the Advisory Committee is to evaluate progress of the student through their graduate program and to fill out the Progress Tracking form found here. It is required that Advisory Committees submit a Progress Tracking form at least every six months for MSc students and at least every year for PhD students. Meetings are often coordinated to immediately follow the student’s yearly seminar. When Advisory Committee members are from outside the Institute, students should make sure they are invited to attend student seminar presentations. Committee meetings can also be held in addition when deemed necessary by the supervisor or student. Students may request a Committee meeting as frequently as they feel would be appropriate and are also encouraged to seek advice as necessary from individual committee members. An Advisory Committee Progress Tracking Form must be completed by the supervisor immediately following an Advisory Committee meeting and be signed by committee members and the student. The form must be submitted to the Graduate Program Director for their signature a copy placed in the student’s file.
Satisfactory Progress
Students who receive an Unsatisfactory Progress Tracking form must receive an explanation of why in writing. They must also be given a written set of objectives that will bring them back into satisfactory standing. Progress will be reviewed again in six months. If the student has achieved the required objectives and maintains adequate performance they should receive a Satisfactory evaluation. If the student fails to meet any of the written objectives or fails to maintain adequate performance, they may receive a second Unsatisfactory evaluation. Students who fail two courses, who fail their PhD Candidacy exam twice or who have two Unsatisfactory evaluations may be Withdrawn from the University.
Difficulties
Many problems encountered during the course of a Graduate degree can be resolved in consultation with the supervisor.
If problems arise that cannot be resolved by the Supervisor, they should be brought to the attention of the Graduate Program Director. They are responsible for overseeing the progress of all Graduate Students registered with the Institute of Parasitology. The role of the GPD is to mediate on behalf of the student and to try and find an appropriate resolution. If necessary this may involve the Director of the Institute, the Associate Dean for Graduate Studies of the Faculty of Agriculture and Environmental Studies and the McGill University Graduate and Postdoctoral Studies Office.
Students may consult with the University Ombudsperson (Prof. Patricia Faison Hewlin, email: ombudsperson [at] mcgill.ca, tel: 398-7059) at any time during this process.
