Doctor of Philosophy in Nursing - Thesis Planning

Planning for your PhD Thesis

The PhD thesis is an original work that offers you the opportunity to hone your research skills, to become expert in a specialized area of knowledge, and to contribute to your field of scholarship. It will set the stage for your future research career.

By the completion of the first year of coursework, you should confirm a thesis supervisor.

In consultation with your supervisor, you will establish a thesis supervisory committee comprised of at least three members, two of whom must be tenure-track faculty members within the School of Nursing, holding the rank, assistant professor or higher. The composition of each committee must conform to the requirements set out by the Faculty of Graduate Studies.

Working with your supervisor and committee you will develop a research proposal, which must be publicly defended through an oral candidacy examination.

Once you have been recommended to candidacy (i.e., your proposal has been approved), you will seek ethical approval for your research from the appropriate research ethics boards and agencies, if applicable, commence data collection and proceed to analysis, interpretation and representation. The completed thesis must be approved by your supervisor and committee before it is submitted to the Faculty of Graduate Studies. Planning for your final oral examination ('the defense') requires foresight and knowledge of relevant policies and deadlines. Students are advised to discuss their plans for program completion well in advance with their thesis supervisors. The Graduate Advisor is available to assist in planning and interpreting the relevant policies.

The Faculty of Graduate Studies has set out the policies and procedures for thesis completion and submission. Please see: "Doctoral Thesis Preparation and Submission." The Faculty has developed an excellent and extensive handbook that "will help you get the most out of the supervisor-graduate student relationship at UBC. It provides in-depth advice on roles and responsibilities, communications, learning styles, time management, and many other issues." You will find it helpful if you visit the Faculty of Graduate Studies' website on a regular basis.