Glossary

Graduate Studies Definitions

CIHR: Canadian Institutes of Health Research, a Federal Government agency which provides funding for research in Health.

Defense (Thesis/Major Research Paper): Is the final step towards completion of some Masters degrees or a PhD. Students must pass an oral examination before a committee in defense of their thesis or MRP.

Directed Studies: An individualized study course, which allows students to explore a subject specific to their program of study and research interest.

Examination Committee: A committee normally consisting of a student’s Supervisor Committee, External Examiner and Chair, who makes a decision regarding the outcome of a Student’s MRP or Thesis oral defence.

Faculty Advisor: Faculty Advisors assist students with the development of their research topic outline for a research based route.

Graduate Coordinator/Chair: Each graduate program has a Graduate Coordinator or Graduate Chair. The Graduate Program Coordinators/Chairs are very important contacts for all graduate students and the main liaison between the graduate program and the School of Graduate Studies (SGS). Questions regarding a specific program should be directed to the Graduate Program Coordinator or Chair.

Leaves of Absence: An interruption in a student’s studies for a compelling reason (medical or personal matter such as parental leave) requiring temporary absence from the university for a minimum of one term to a maximum of three terms.

NSERC: Natural Sciences and Engineering Research Council, a Federal Government agency which provides funding for research in natural sciences and engineering.

Research Supervisor: For research-based programs, graduate students are assigned a Research Supervisor. Depending upon the program, the Supervisor may be assigned at the time of acceptance into the program, or within a specified period once the student has commenced her/his program.

Residency Period: All students must successfully complete a prescribed number of credits at Nipissing University. Consult the graduate regulations for more information about program-specific residency requirements.

SSHRC: Social Sciences and Humanities Research Council, a Federal Government agency which provides funding for research in social sciences and humanities.

Supervisory Committee: For research-based programs, and depending upon the program, a Supervisory Committee normally consists of one to three other faculty members, aside from the Supervisor, who aids in the supervision and ultimately, the examination of the thesis research.

Thesis: A written work of research culminating in a Masters degree or PhD. The thesis is based on an individual research conducted by a student and supervised by their Faculty Advisor/Research Supervisor. The Thesis must be defended before an Examination Committee.

Time-to-Completion: The normal time allowed for completion of a graduate program. This period includes the residency period, plus time allowed for the completion of the thesis, MRP/Thesis or course work. Time-to-completion varies for each program. 

Tri-Council: The Federal Government’s three research fund (scholarship & grant) granting councils, NSERC, SSHRC, and CIHRC. The councils are responsible to the Government of Canada for the administration of research funds.

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