The doctoral (PhD) program provides a candidate, with demonstrated academic and research ability, an opportunity to develop and strengthen his/her research capabilities and knowledge to a more advanced level. The doctoral thesis involves intensive research resulting in an original and scholarly contribution to knowledge in a field of study. The candidate is expected to initiate and conduct the research program under the general direction of a supervisor and supported by a graduate supervisory committee. The program, because of its comprehensive nature, normally requires 4 to 5 years for completion.
Timeline for completion of an RES PhD program.
Required Doctoral (PhD) Coursework
- RES 699 (12cr)
- This is your thesis course. You must be registered in RES 699 for every term of your program, including summer terms.
- RES 602 (3 cr)
- An approved methods course (3cr) to be selected in consultation with your supervisor.
Your supervisor(s) and/or supervisory committee may assign other courses.
Beyond these courses, we expect our doctoral students to attend advanced courses deepening their expertise in their chosen field of research. We also expect them to hone their advanced methods skills with guidance from their supervisor(s).
UBC Academic Calendar – RES Program
For RES Doctoral students who have completed an RMES/RES Masters degree prior to Sept 2018:
RES doctoral students who have completed an RMES/RES Masters degree must complete the credit equivalencies of the RES doctoral course requirements (i.e., six credits of coursework at the graduate level). Course selection will typically emphasize methods, and may also include enrolling in an RES 502-like if the RES doctoral student’s research areas are significantly different from their RMES/RES Masters research areas. Courses must be selected in consultation with the RES doctoral student’s supervisor and should also be reviewed by the RES Graduate Advisor.
For RES Doctoral students who have completed an RMES/RES Masters degree after Sept 2018:
All RES Doctoral students must register in RES 602 and a methods course.
Additional course options to consider:
- Popular Non-RES courses: https://ires.ubc.ca/graduate-courses/popular-non-rmes-courses/
- Methods Courses: https://ires.ubc.ca/graduate-courses/methods-courses/
- Under the Western Dean’s Agreement (WDA), graduate students of the member institutions may take courses at another member institution without having to pay the host university’s tuition fees. Students may be required to pay student, activity, application, or other ancillary fees to the host institution, according to general policies in effect at the host institution. Wherever possible, these fees will also be waived. Note: Courses taken by UBC PhD students under the Western Deans’ Agreement will not be credited to their degree programs.
- Under the Graduate Exchange Agreement, graduate students in good standing at UBC, McGill University, University of Toronto and University of Montréal may take courses at another member institution without having to pay the host university’s tuition fees. Note: Courses taken by UBC PhD students under the Graduate Exchange Agreement will not be credited to their degree programs.
By the end of an RES PhD program, a student should have:
- Mastery of the domain of their research comparable to a specialist.
- Mastery of advanced qualitative or quantitative methods (whichever is appropriate to their research methods).
- More than a passing familiarity with the complementary methods to those above.
For RES PhD students with IOF supervisors admitted in Sept 2016, Sept 2017 and Sept 2018
You are eligible to follow the alternative RES PhD program requirements for IOF students, if you so choose. This option is only open to RES PhD students with an IOF supervisor admitted Sept 2016-Sept 2018.
RES PhD students admitted in Sept 2019 or future years are required to take the regular RES program requirements (above).
The Alternative RES PhD Program Requirements for IOF students
Course # | Course Name | Credits | Notes |
RES 699 | Thesis Course | 12 | You must enroll in the thesis course for every term of your program, including summer terms. |
FISH 520 | Fisheries Conservation, Governance and Evaluation | 6 | Required Course. |
Methods | FISH Methods Course | 3 | Required, must be approved by your supervisor. |
For the Alternative Program Requirements for RES Masters students with IOF supervisors admitted between Sept 2016-Sept 2018, please see here.
For student admitted to the RMES program in Sept 2015 or earlier
You have the ability to complete your degree and graduate under the previous RMES PhD program requirements or the new RES PhD program requirements. Students admitted to the RES program for Sept 2016 and later will be subject to the RES doctoral program requirements or the Alternative RES PhD program requirements (if you have an IOF supervisor, see above section for details).
Important: It is the RMES student’s responsibility to review the RMES and RES program requirements, determine which program you would like to pursue, and confirm this with your supervisor(s). Once you have completed either your RMES or RES program and applied for Graduation, the IRES Graduate Program Manager will confirm which program you wish to graduate under.
RMES PhD Program Requirements (from old website):
The RMES PhD coursework requirements are:
- RMES 501 (3cr)
- RMES 502 (3cr)
- Methods course (to be selected in consultation with your supervisor).
It is also recommended that students take at least 1 of the 3 foundation courses (RMES 507, RMES 510 or RMES 550).
The supervisory committee may assign other courses.
Beyond these courses, we expect our PhD students to attend advanced courses deepening their expertise in their chosen field of research. We also expect them to hone their advanced methods skills with guidance from their supervisors.
For RMES-Fisheries Stream students, please consult your program requirements found in the RMES – UBC Academic Calendar.