The PhD program provides a candidate, with demonstrated academic and research ability, an opportunity to develop and strengthen his/her research capabilities and knowledge to a more advanced level. The PhD thesis involves intensive research resulting in an original and scholarly contribution to knowledge in a field of study. The candidate is expected to initiate and conduct the research program under general direction of a supervisor and general supervision by a graduate supervisory committee. The program, because of its comprehensive nature, normally requires 4 to 5 years for completion. Click here to see the suggested timeline for completion of a PhD program.
PhD Coursework
Please note these requirements are for currently enrolled students. All those entering from September 2011 onwards are encouraged to take our new curriculum, information on this can be found here.
The only specified requirements for course work at UBC for the PhD are RMES (Resources Management Environmental Studies) 501 and RMES 502, as well as an approved Methods course. The supervisory committee may assign other courses.
PhD Comprehensive Examination
Upon completion of the academic course requirements, and normally at least two years before the candidate is expected to complete requirements for the PhD, the Comprehensive Examination takes place.
This examination consists of a written examination with questions submitted by the supervisory committee, followed by an oral examination or the candidate prepares a comprehensive document that outlines the theory, methods and analytical framework of the thesis. For more information on the IRES Comprehensive Exam process, please visit the IRES Handbook, here.
Thesis
The thesis in Resource Management and Environmental Studies is a fundamental and essential component of the program. It is the main evidence that is available to the academic community by which the candidate is assessed in his/her abilities to synthesize and integrate biophysical and socio-economic sciences into new paradigms or knowledge.
Although there is debate about ‘how’ research is done, the concept of the thesis research in RMES is, in general, the same as in any graduate program. That is, there is a statement of an issue, a rationale of the significance of the issue, a set of research questions (these may be presented as hypotheses, objectives, questions, propositions), a set of methods or tools from various disciplines that will be brought to bear to address the research questions, a discussion of theoretical and analytical frameworks relevant to the issue, research tools selected, expected results, a summary and/or conclusions of the research and a discussion of how the research has contributed to the overall issue.
Specifics among the various sections will vary by the nature of the research topic, the graduate student and the supervisor/ supervisory committee.
It is important that discussion take place early in a graduate student’s program on the issues of how to do the research and what will be expected from the dissertation. These discussions should be re-examined at formal meetings of the graduate student’s supervisory committee.
The following guidelines are from the Faculty of Graduate Studies and can be consulted in more detail at http://www.grad.ubc.ca/current-students/dissertation-thesis-preparation
Degree Completion
Comprehensive Exam
In order to advance to candidacy, PhD students are required to pass a comprehensive exam, defend their dissertation proposal and all required coursework must have been successfully completed.
The comprehensive exam and dissertation proposal processes should, as with every other process in RMES, be student driven, and conducted in dialogue with their supervisor and supervisory committee.
More detailed information regarding the comprehensive exams process can be found here in the IRES Handbook.
PhD Thesis Defense
The PhD thesis defense is open to the public and arranged through the Faculty of Graduate Studies.
