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Course Requirements

The FHS MSc program is a research degree that is designed to incorporate a focus on one or more of the thematic areas of research expertise within FHS and to introduce students to interdisciplinary concepts in health sciences research. The minimum requirements for an MSc degree in FHS are:

  • ·       Completion of 12 units of graduate coursework
  • ·       Writing and defence of a MSc thesis proposal
  • ·       Writing and defence of a MSc thesis.

By the end of their second semester in the MSc program, and in consultation with their Senior Supervisor, students must have formed and met with their Supervisory Committee, whose composition must be approved by the FHS Graduate Studies Committee in accordance with SFU Graduate Regulations. The Supervisory Committee will normally consist of the Senior Supervisor and a minimum of two additional Faculty members whose expertise will complement the student’s research and program goals. The role of the Supervisory Committee is to oversee student curricular planning and progress in the program and to assess student performance on the Thesis Proposal, the Thesis Research, and the Thesis Defence.

Students in the MSc program are required to submit and present annual progress reports to their Supervisory Committee. In addition to an evaluation of the student's progress by the Supervisory Committee, these reports should provide a summary of courses taken and grades achieved, planned course work and research--‐related activities (e.g., conference attendance), financial support and a self--‐evaluation done by the student of his/her progress.

MSc students must maintain a minimum GPA of 3.0 during their time in the program.

MSc Course Work

The minimum requirements for all students in the FHS MSc program are 30 units of graduate course work, which consists of a minimum of:

  • ·       1 core seminar (3 units);
  • ·       3 core colloquium courses (each 1 unit; totaling 3 units); and
  • ·       2 elective courses (equaling a minimum of 6 units);
  • ·       A thesis proposal (6 units)
  • ·       A master’s thesis (12 units)

Core courses:*

  • ·       HSCI 902-3 Interdisciplinary Seminar in Health Sciences
  • ·       HSCI 903-1 Interdisciplinary Research Colloquium 1
  • ·       HSCI 904-1 Interdisciplinary Research Colloquium 2
  • ·       HSCI 905-1 Interdisciplinary Research Colloquium 3

*Note; students who are accepted into the FHS PhD program are not required to repeat these courses provided they were completed with a minimum grade of A- in HSCI 902, and a grade of “satisfactory” in each of HSCI 903, HSCI 904, and HSCI 905.

Elective courses:

Elective course work will be determined by the student in consultation with his/her Senior Supervisor and the Supervisory Committee. Elective courses may be from any of the graduate offerings at SFU, with the approval of offering units.

A student may be advised to take additional course work by his/her Senior Supervisor in consultation with the Supervisory Committee commensurate with the research interests of the student and within the scope of the student's curricular focus. Additional courses may be taken at SFU or, in select cases, at other universities that participate in the Western Dean’s Agreement.

All graduate students are expected to regularly attend the FHS Research Seminar series, HSCI 900, each Fall and Spring term.

Transferring to the FHS PhD Program

Students in the MSc program may apply to transfer to the PhD program in FHS. To do so they must demonstrate their ability to carry out innovative, independent and original PhD level research in that field, have obtained high academic standing in previous university work, and have the support of their Senior Supervisor. All university regulations governing transfers must be met (SFU Graduate Regulations 1.3.4). Transfers will normally only be considered in the second through fifth semesters after enrollment in the MSc program. Transfer applications must be approved by the student’s Supervisory Committee, the FHS Graduate Studies Committee, and the Dean of Graduate Studies. Students transferring from the MSc program will be eligible to earn only the PhD degree. Students will not be eligible to transfer to the PhD program beyond six semesters of full--‐time equivalent course work in the MSc program.

Research

A major part of the MSc program will be devoted to original research as relevant within the context of the health science discipline the student is pursuing. The results of this research work are to be presented in the form of a thesis. The thesis shall be submitted and defended in accordance with SFU Graduate General Regulations.

Anticipated completion time

The anticipated completion time of all program requirements for students enrolled in the FHS MSc program is 2-3 years (6-9 semesters) from initial enrollment, depending on the research discipline and progress in the program. In accordance with SFU's Graduate General Regulations 1.12.2, the maximum allowable time for completion of MSc requirements is 4 years (12 terms) of full--‐time equivalent enrollment. In addition, all requirements of the MSc degree must be completed within 6 calendar years of initial enrollment.

 

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