The Department of Microbiology has several internal guidelines for graduate students, which are detailed below. We also invite you to consult McGill's Policies and guidelines for graduate studies for further graduate guidelines.
- Program requirements – M.Sc.
- Transfer from M.Sc. to Ph.D. program
- Program requirements – Ph.D.
- Ph.D. students comprehensive examination
- Ph.D. students advisory committee
- Theses
- Dispute Resolution Procedures
Program Requirements for M.Sc.
A minimum of three terms in residence and 45 credits is required for the M.Sc. degree.
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M.Sc. Seminar Courses
(6 credits)(MIMM 611, MIMM 612)
Candidates for the M.Sc. degree must present two scientific seminars. All M.Sc. students who are scheduled to give a seminar during the academic year should be registered for the courses MIMM 611 or 612. Grading procedures are as follows: 95% for the presentation, and 5% for timely submission of an abstract. The abstract must be submitted to Jennifer DiMassimo, Student Affairs Officer, one week prior to the date of presentation.
The first seminar (MIMM 611) is given during the first or second term in residence. The objective of the library research seminar is to encourage graduate students to read and assimilate knowledge from a broader perspective with respect to their fundamental discipline. With this objective in mind, the seminar cannot be directly related to the student’s research project.
The second seminar (MIMM 612) is given during the third or fourth term in residence, and must be a summary of the student's proposed M.Sc. thesis. This seminar may be used as a “switch” seminar for M.Sc. students who will proceed directly to the Ph.D. program (see the section “Transfer from M.Sc. to Ph.D. program”).
Students should be familiar with the guidelines of the Seminar Courses.
graduate_student_seminars_guidelines.pdf
Attendance of 70% of the graduate seminars is mandatory for all registered students. One letter grade will be deducted from a student's final mark if more than 30% of seminars are missed (Example: A becomes A-; A- becomes B+, etc). If more than 40% of seminars are missed the student will fail the course.
Seminar attendance is mandatory for supervisors whose students are presenting. Supervisors who cannot attend must provide a McGill academic staff member as a replacement.
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M.Sc. Current Topics Seminars
(9 credits) (MIMM 613, 614, 615)
M.Sc. students are required to attend three terms of the Current Topics in Microbiology and Immunology seminars given by invited speakers from the research community. Students are required to attend 50% of the Current Topics Seminars for which they are registered. Attendance is determined by a sign-in sheet that the students are required to sign for every Current Topics Seminar that they attend.
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M.Sc. Reading and Conference Courses
(6 credits) (MIMM 616, 617, 618, 619)
All graduate students in the M.Sc. program are required to take at least two Reading and Conference courses offered by the department. Topics change from term to term and are forwarded to the students by the Graduate Program Coordinator. Students may substitute a Reading and Conference course with other pertinent 500-600 level courses. Requests should be presented to the Graduate Program Committee and must include the syllabus of the course.
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M.Sc. Research Project
(24 credits) (MIMM 697, 698, 699)
M.Sc. candidates must also register for the Master's Research Project course, for each of their first three terms in residence. This course carries a total weight of 24 credits, which will be awarded as a block upon completion and acceptance of the M.Sc. thesis.
Advisory Tracking Committee for M.Sc. students
Each M.Sc. student has an Advisory/Tracking Committee consisting of his/her supervisor and a departmental representative. The departmental representative should be an academic staff member in a tenure-track position at McGill University. It is the student’s responsibility to schedule meetings of the Advisory/Tracking Committee and complete the forms below, every year.
Tracking Form 1
[Tracking_form_1.pdf - PDF - 112.12 KB]
Tracking Form 2
[Tracking_form_2.pdf - PDF - 114.79 KB]
Tracking Form 3
[Tracking_form_3.pdf - PDF - 538.29 KB]
Students should be familiar with the guidelines for the M.Sc. Advisory/Tracking Committee.
msc_advisory_committee_guidelines.pdf
(Please see Graduate Student Research Project Tracking for further details.)
Switching from the M.Sc. to the Ph.D. program
Students in the M.Sc. program may transfer into the Ph.D. program after completion of a minimum of three semesters, upon application to the Graduate Program Committee. Usually, students would be expected to request transfer after having given their second graduate seminar (MIMM 612). Students must apply on-line (application fee applicable). Deadline for January admission is September 15 and June 1 for September admission to Ph.D. 2 program.
One month before the second seminar in the M.Sc. program, the student must submit to the Graduate Program Director nominations for the members of his/her Ph.D. Advisory Committee. Refer to the “Ph.D. Advisory Committee Nominations” document for the procedure to follow (phd_advisory_committee_nominations.pdf). The Advisory Committee members will become part of the grading panel for that seminar, in addition to the regular members of the panel.
At least one week before the scheduled seminar presentation, the transferring student must submit to the Advisory Committee members an outline of their research Ph.D. project that should include their progress to date and a clear description of their Ph.D. research plans, including the experimental approaches to be used. This outline will not exceed 6 double-spaced, typewritten pages, excluding references and figures. Students should include an abridged and clear description of the methods used in each figure legend. The written outline, as well as the oral presentation, will constitute the basis for questioning and evaluation by the Ph.D. Advisory Committee.
The student's supervisor must then submit a letter to the Graduate Studies Committee, detailing the student's research progress and recommending the student's promotion to the Ph.D. program. The Graduate Committee's decision to promote a student will be based on the student's performance in courses and seminars, their progress in research, as well as the Advisory Committee recommendation.
Seminars given and courses passed by M.Sc. candidates who subsequently switch to the Ph.D. program are counted as seminars and courses required for the Ph.D. program.
Ph.D. Advisory Committee
For students intending to apply for promotion to the Ph.D. program, the Committee will be formed in advance of the second seminar in the M.Sc. program, during which the student will report on research accomplished to date and on future research plans. The Committee members will become part of the grading panel for that seminar, in addition to the regular members of the panel.*
phd_advisory_committee_nominations.pdf
*Please see main section below for more information on the Ph.D. Advisory Committee.
The second M.Sc. seminar (MIMM 612) of a student who expects to transfer or was directly admitted to the Ph.D. program (MIMM 612) must also include a description of their future research plans.
Additionally, the transferring student must submit to the Graduate Committee an outline of their progress to date and their proposed Ph.D. research topic, at least one week before the scheduled seminar presentation. This outline will not exceed 6 double-spaced, typewritten pages, excluding references and figures. It should clearly spell out the research goals, describe the approaches to be used, refer to specific methods, and explain the significance of the research project. This report, as well as the oral presentation, will constitute the basis for in-depth questioning and evaluation by the grading committee, which will be expanded to include the student's supervisor for this occasion.
Seminars given and courses passed by M.Sc. candidates who subsequently switch to the Ph.D. program are counted as seminars and courses required for the Ph.D. program.
Program requirements- Ph.D.
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Ph.D. Seminar courses
(9 credits) (MIMM 611, MIMM 612, MIMM 713)Candidates for the Ph.D. degree must present three scientific seminars. All students who are scheduled to give a seminar during the academic year should be registered for the courses MIMM 611, 612 or 713. Grading procedures are as follows: 95% for the presentation, and 5% for timely submission of an abstract. The abstract must be submitted to Saleema Nawaz, Student Affairs Coordinator, one week prior to the date of presentation.
The first (MIMM 611) and second Ph.D. seminars (MIMM 612) are identical in timing and subjects to the first and second M.Sc. seminars. The third Ph.D. seminar (MIMM 713) is given during the final year of a student's program, and should be a comprehensive summary of the results of the student's Ph.D. research project.
Students should be familiar with the Guidelines of the Seminar Courses.
Attendance of 70% of the graduate seminars is mandatory for all registered students. One letter grade is deducted from a student's final mark if more than 30% of seminars are missed (Example: A becomes A-; A- becomes B+, etc). If more than 40% of the seminars are missed the student fails the course.
Seminar attendance is mandatory for supervisors whose students are presenting. Supervisors who cannot attend must provide a McGill academic staff member as a replacement.
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Ph.D. Current topics seminars:
(9 credits) (MIMM 613, MIMM 614, MIMM 615)Ph.D. student are required to attend three terms of the Current Topics in Microbiology and Immunology seminars given by invited speakers from the research community. Students are required to attend 50% of the Current Topics Seminars for which they are registered. Attendance is determined by a sign-in sheet that the students are required to sign for every Current Topics Seminar that they attend.
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Ph.D. Reading and Conference courses:
(9 credits) (MIMM 616, 617, 618, 619)Ph.D. candidates are required to take three Reading and Conference courses offered by the department. Topics change from term to term and are forwarded to the students by the graduate program coordinator. Students may substitute a Reading and Conference course with other pertinent 500-600 level courses. Requests should be presented to the Graduate Program Committee and must include the syllabus of the course.
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Ph.D. Research progress:
(3 credits) (MIMM 721, 722, 723)Ph.D. candidates must register for the Doctoral Research Progress courses, for each of their first three or four years in residence. The Ph.D. student’s Advisory Committee (see below) will evaluate and advise upon the students’ progress each year. These courses carry a total weight of 3-4 credits, which will be awarded as a block upon completion and acceptance of the Ph.D. thesis.
Comprehensive examination:
(0 credits) (MIMM 701)
Ph.D. candidates entering the program with a M.Sc. degree must take a comprehensive exam within 2 years of their initial registration as a graduate student in the Department.
Ph.D. candidates who have internally switched to the Ph.D. program must take a comprehensive examination within 3 years of their initial registration as a graduate student in the Department.
The comprehensive examination includes submission of a written research proposal, an oral presentation of the research accomplishments to date and an oral testing on their understanding of their research area and of relevant areas related to their research project. Students are expected to demonstrate a comprehensive understanding of their research area and a good understanding of relevant areas related to their project.
Students should be familiar with the guidelines for the Comprehensive Examination:
Recent changes include:
1. Student and Supervisor are now responsible for organizing the comprehensive exam, including committee members and exam date.
2. Questioning period is now weighted 50% of grade.
3. Student may arrange comprehensive exam during any time of the year.
Comprehensive Examination Committee
The committee is composed of the following:
- A member of the Graduate Program Committee of the Department as chairman. The primary function of the chairman is to preside at the examination, to see that the general directives are carried out with fairness to the candidate and with respect to the academic standards of the department.
- Two other Faculty members, at least one of whom should be external to the Department.
- The student's Research Supervisor – non-voting member.
- The co-supervisor (optional) – non-voting member.
The student in consultation with the supervisor should suggest names for the members of the Comprehensive Examination Committee. The Graduate Program Committee takes such names into consideration during the final selection of the Comprehensive Examination Committee membership. Students should be familiar with the Comprehensive Examination Committee Nominations procedure.
comprehensive_committee_nominations.pdf
Comprehensive examination grading
Based on the student’ s performance in the written proposal, the oral presentation and questioning, the committee decides whether the student passed or failed by consensus or, if a disagreement occurs, by majority vote. These decisions are recorded on the grading sheet. If the student has passed, the grade is assigned by the average of the marks given by the voting members of the committee. No change of grade is permitted after the committee has made a decision.
If the student has failed his comprehensive examination at their first attempt, the student receives a grade of "incomplete" (HH). In the case of an incomplete grade, the student shall be required to repeat the comprehensive examination within 6 months of the date of the first examination.
In the event that the student fails her second attempt, a grade of "fail" (F) is assigned and the student is required to withdraw from the program.
In case of a fail, a written report of the comprehensive examination and subsequent deliberations of the committee shall be prepared by the committee Chair and provided to the Graduate Program Committee of the Department, the student and the student's supervisor.
Ph.D. students’ advisory committee
Each Ph.D. student is assigned an Advisory Committee, which consists of:
- the student's research supervisor
- two other faculty members
Students in consultation with their supervisor should suggest names to the Graduate Program Director for the members of their Ph.D. Advisory Committee. Refer to the “Ph.D. Advisory Committee Nominations” document for the procedure to follow.
phd_advisory_committee_nominations.pdf
For M.Sc. students applying for promotion to the Ph.D. program, the committee is formed in advance of the second seminar in the M.Sc. program, during which the student reports on research progress accomplished to date and on future research plans. The Committee members will become part of the grading panel for that seminar, in addition to the regular members of the panel.
Once the student is promoted to the Ph.D. program, the Committee meets with the student once per academic year prior to the first week of May. It is the student's responsibility to schedule meetings of his/her Advisory Committee. The first meeting may take place on the same day the student gives his/her switch seminar.
For each meeting, the student should prepare a brief outline, no longer than 8 double-spaced pages (including references and figures) describing the student's progress made during the year towards the research objectives.
The outline shall be distributed to the members of the Committee at least one week before the meeting is held. At the meeting, the student will present his/her research project and results to the Committee. Rather than being a formal presentation, the meeting should be a discussion and exchange among the participants. The meeting should last approximately 1 hour.
The student's research supervisor will then prepare a brief report of the meeting (≈1 page), in which the major points and suggestions brought up are noted. The report should clearly indicate whether the Committee has judged progress satisfactory. Copies of this report are distributed to the student, to the Committee members, and to the student's file.
phd_advisory_committee_report.doc
A grade of PASS is assigned following deposition of the supervisor's report to the Student Affairs Officer. In the event that such a report is not provided prior to the deadline, a grade of incomplete (HH) is assigned. In the event of an incomplete grade, the student must ensure that an Advisory Committee meeting takes place, and report submitted, prior to Aug. 1st at which point a PASS is assigned. According to the regulations of the Faculty of Graduate Studies, two unsatisfactory progress reports, may lead to the student being required to withdraw from the program. In addition, in the event that an Advisory Committee Meeting does not take place within the required time, a grade of FAIL is assigned and the student is required to withdraw from the program.
Nominations to Ph.D. Advisory Committees Committee members will be approved by the Graduate Committee, taking into account the suggestions of the student and the student's research supervisor.
phd_advisory_committee_nominations.pdf
Committee members should if possible, have ongoing research programs, and should themselves be supervising graduate students at the time of their nomination.
As far as is possible, the research interests of the member should be related to the research interests of the student. Professors from other departments or universities can be named to committees. The chair of the department, in consultation with Graduate Studies Committee, receives many nominations for advisors and examiners to serve as members of a doctoral student’s advisory committee, a doctoral comprehensive examining committee, or a doctoral thesis examining committee.
The graduate student and research director are requested to provide a profile of the nominee’s by noting the following: academic rank, university, primary and/or secondary departmental affiliation, present themes of research, number of graduate students currently supervised, title and citation of a recent publication.
The graduate student must submit this data at least one month before the first meeting of the committee. Such timing therefore permits review of nominees by the Graduate Studies Committee and approval by the Chair.
Theses
Graduate and Postdoctoral Studies has defined the scope of M.Sc. and Ph.D. theses as follows:
Thesis for Research Master's Degree:
"A thesis for the Master's degree, while not necessarily requiring an exhaustive review of work in the particular field of study, or a great deal of original scholarship, must show familiarity with previous work in the field and must demonstrate ability to carry out research and to organize results, all of which must be presented in good literary style. The thesis will not normally exceed 100 pages; in some disciplines, shorter texts are preferred."
Thesis for a Ph.D. Degree:
"The thesis for the Ph.D. degree must display original scholarship expressed in satisfactory literary form and must be a distinct contribution to knowledge."
Thesis Preparation and Submission
Regulations concerning the preparation and submission of M.Sc. and Ph.D. theses are outlined in detail on the Graduate and Postdoctoral Studies website:
http://www.mcgill.ca/gps/students/thesis/guidelines/
See also the calendar of the Graduate and Postdoctoral Studies:
http://coursecalendar.mcgill.ca/gradgi201011/wwhelp/wwhimpl/js/html/wwhelp.htm
These regulations should be strictly observed.
Manuscript-based Ph.D. Theses
Ph.D. candidates may include as part of their theses the texts of original papers suitable for submission to learned journals for publication. In this case, students should read carefully and follow strictly the regulations available at:
http://www.mcgill.ca/gps/students/thesis/guidelines/preparation/
Theses not adhering to these guidelines may be returned to the student by the Ph.D. Thesis Examination Committee for revision.
DEPARTMENTAL DISPUTE RESOLUTION PROCEDURE FOR GRADUATE STUDENTS
These procedures are intended to aid in the resolution of conflicts between graduate students and their supervisors (or supervisory committees) as outlined in the Graduate Student Calendar.
It is important to remember that students should always attempt to resolve such conflicts within their department before seeking outside assistance. The confidentiality of the issues raised at each step will be ensured to the greatest extent possible. If you find yourself in a conflict with your supervisor or supervisory committee, you should follow these steps, in this order:
- Informal discussions with your supervisor. Discuss the matter tactfully with the supervisor – he/she is often unaware of the problem and will usually be happy to help find a satisfactory solution.
- Discussion with the Student Affairs Officer.
- Discussion with the Graduate Program Director.
- Discussion with the Department Chair. The chair should attempt to resolve the conflict, either by providing mediation or making alternative arrangements in consultation with the Graduate Committee if necessary for the continued supervision of the student if the student is otherwise performing satisfactorily in the program. If your supervisor is also the Graduate Program Director or Department Chair and you cannot resolve the problem with him/her, then you should skip the corresponding step.
- Informal meeting with the Associate Dean (Graduate and Postdoctoral Studies) or the Ombudsperson. Under these circumstances, an informal meeting outside the department is often all that is required for both sides to reach an agreement. If further steps are warranted, the Associate Dean or Ombudsperson will then advise you to that effect.
Mentorship Program
The Graduate Program Committee has instituted a mentorship program. Graduate students are highly encouraged to contact any member of the Committee at anytime throughout the course of their graduate studies to discuss personal, administrative or academic issues. The list of the members of the Graduate Program Committee is posted on the departmental website.