1. a Bachelor's degree with First Class Honours (or equivalent); or
2. a Bachelor's degree with one year of study in a Master's program with 12 credits of First Class average, of which normally at least 9 credits must be of First Class standing, and clear evidence of research ability. (Transfer directly into a Doctoral program is not normally permitted beyond the first year of study and will not be permitted after the completion of the second year in a Master's program); or
3. a Master's degree (or equivalent).

1. (a) Honours in a field related to the proposed Master's courses with First Class standing in at least 12 credits of Third and Fourth Year course work in that field; or
2. (b) First Class standing in at least 12 credits of the course work and at least Second Class standing in the remaining course work at the Third and Fourth Year level prescribed by the department concerned as prerequisite to the Master's program.

PROGRAM OF STUDY

Please refer to the Calendar of The University of British Columbia for a full explanation of UBC regulations. The following selected statements are provided to answer questions often asked by students.

Ph.D. Program

A Ph.D. student admitted with a Bachelor's degree normally will spend a minimum of four years in full-time status at the University. During the first year the student will normally complete the required course work (see below) and begin research in his/her Supervisor's laboratory. The student's Supervisory Committee gives ongoing advice and guidance, and may recommend further course work. In the second year the student will meet his/her Examining Committee and begin to prepare for his/her Comprehensive Examination, while at the same time continuing research work. A student normally will be Admitted to Candidacy when he or she has completed the residency period, completed all required course work, and passed the Comprehensive Examination, which includes approval of the thesis Research Proposal. Once the thesis has been approved by the Supervisory Committee and the External Examiner, the student presents his/her oral Defence before the University Examiners and the academic community.

A Ph.D. student admitted with a Master's degree normally will spend a minimum of three years in full-time study at the University. Course work requirements are normally completed during the first year of study. Ensuing studies follow the schema outlined above.

M.Sc. Program

A Master's student must spend at least one year, and will normally spend two years, in full-time study at the University. In the first year, the student takes the required course work and begins research under the Supervisor's direction. The student's Supervisory Committee gives ongoing advice and guidance, and may recommend further course work. By the start of the second year, a provisional thesis research proposal should be approved by the Supervisory Committee, while the student continues research for the thesis. Following submission of the written thesis and a successful oral defense, the student is eligible for graduation.

The minimum course requirements are 30 course credits of which at least 24 must be numbered 500 to 699 (including a 12 credit research thesis). A maximum of 6 credits at the undergraduate level in courses numbered 300 to 499 may be counted toward the requirements of a master's degree.

Transfer to the Ph.D. program may be permitted after one year of study in a Master's program with 12 credits of First Class average, of which normally at least 9 credits must be at the 500 level or above and at least 9 credits must be of First Class standing, and clear evidence of research ability. Transfer directly into a Doctoral program is not normally permitted beyond the first year of study and will not be permitted after the completion of the second year in a Master's program.