PhD Program

Minimum Admission Requirements

• Applicants are admitted under the General Regulations of the School of Graduate Studies. Applicants must also satisfy the Faculty of Dentistry's additional admission requirements stated below.

• Students are normally admitted to a PhD program with a Doctor of Dental Surgery (DDS) or equivalent, with at least an A– standing (3.7 out of 4.0 grade point average [GPA]) in the final year from a recognized university. Students may also be admitted with an appropriate master's degree in a discipline appropriate to the intended field of doctoral study.

Completion Requirements

• Students undertake customized programs, approved by an advisory committee and the Associate Dean, Graduate Education, comprising advanced study and original research culminating in the defence of a thesis. After consultation with the Associate Dean, Graduate Education, a committee will be appointed to plan and arrange students’ coursework and research programs, approve the course of study, and monitor progress as part of an annual report to the Associate Dean for approval and continuance of candidacy.

• Students must successfully complete a total of 2.0 required full-course equivalents (FCEs), 2.0 elective FCEs, and a thesis as follows:

  • Year 1:

    • DEN1010H Research Ethics

    • DEN1015H Introduction to Biostatistics

    • DEN1101H Introduction to Research Methods and Dissemination

    • Develop a thesis proposal, form a supervisory committee, and complete an ethics review (if applicable)

  • Years 1 to 4:

    • DEN1100H Graduate Research Dissemination Seminars

  • Year 2:

    • 2.0 elective FCEs in clinical, epidemiological, or basic science research methodology appropriate for clinical or public health practice

    • Successfully pass a qualifying oral examination between 12 and 24 months to demonstrate an adequate capacity for oral health sciences research through previous work. Students will be examined on their thesis proposal and their breadth of knowledge relative to the research project.

    • Continue with thesis research (RST9999Y)

  • Year 3:

    • Continue with thesis research (RST9999Y)

  • Year 4:

    • Complete any outstanding coursework

    • Continue with thesis research (RST9999Y)

  • Year 5: Successfully submit and defend the thesis at the Doctoral Final Oral Examination.

• Participate in all graduate research activities of the advisor's research group.

• Present at meetings and publish original research findings in a timely fashion.

• Participate as a member of departmental and student committees as applicable.

• Residency. Students must meet a minimum residency requirement of one year, though it is the Faculty of Dentistry's expectation that students will normally remain on campus for four years.

Mode of Delivery: In person
Program Length: 5 years full-time (typical registration sequence: Continuous)
Time Limit: 7 years full-time

 

PhD Program: Transfer

Transfer Requirements

• Highly qualified MSc students may be considered for transfer to the PhD program. MSc students who transfer to the PhD must fulfil the admission requirements listed under the PhD program and successfully complete the transfer examination.

Completion Requirements

• Students undertake customized programs, approved by an advisory committee and the Associate Dean, Graduate Education, comprising advanced study and original research culminating in the defence of a thesis. After consultation with the Associate Dean, Graduate Education, a committee will be appointed to plan and arrange the student's coursework and research programs, approve the course of study, and monitor progress as part of an annual report to the Associate Dean for approval and continuance of candidacy.

• Students must successfully complete a total of 2.0 full-course equivalents (FCEs), 2.0 elective FCEs, and a thesis as follows:

  • Year 1:

    • DEN1010H Research Ethics

    • DEN1015H Introduction to Biostatistics

    • DEN1101H Introduction to Research Methods and Dissemination

    • Develop a thesis proposal, form a supervisory committee, and complete an ethics review (if applicable)

  • Years 1 to 4:

    • DEN1100H Graduate Research Dissemination Seminars

  • Year 2:

    • 2.0 elective FCEs in clinical, epidemiological, or basic science research methodology appropriate for clinical or public health practice

    • Successfully pass a transfer examination between 12 and 24 months to demonstrate an adequate capacity for oral health sciences research through previous work. Students will be examined on their thesis proposal and their breadth of knowledge relative to the research project.

  • Year 3:

    • Continue with thesis research (RST9999Y)

  • Year 4:

    • Complete any outstanding coursework

    • Continue with thesis research (RST9999Y)

  • Year 5: Successfully submit and defend the thesis at the Doctoral Final Oral Examination.

• Participate in all graduate research activities of the advisor’s research group.

• Present at meetings and publish original research findings in a timely fashion.

• Participate as a member of departmental and student committees as applicable.

• Residency. Students must meet a minimum residency requirement of one year, though it is the Faculty of Dentistry's expectation that students will normally remain on campus for four years.

Mode of Delivery: In person
Program Length: 5 years full-time (typical registration sequence: Continuous)
Time Limit: 7 years full-time