École de technologie supérieure Information for new students enrolling in a PhD program or a Master’s with dissertation Winter 2015

What should I know about registration? At ETS, the courses are offered all year long (there is no “break” in the summer). The academic year consists of three 15-week terms, Summer, Autumn and Winter. During your studies (PhD or Master’s with dissertation), you must register for each term. To be considered a full-time student, you must be enrolled in courses or research equaling at least 9 credits. You must register for courses and research credits yourself on the Cheminot system (available through the Interactive portal). The Cheminot system allows you to choose from a list of graduate courses. Cheminot Interactive portal You must register on Cheminot during the specified registration periods listed in the University calendar. Outside of these periods, the system does not allow for updates by students.University calendar

What should I know about registration? NOTE: In some circumstances, you may have to register or modify a registration outside the periods indicated in the schedule, or to register (with the permission of the program director) to a course that is not listed in your program and therefore does not appear on Cheminot. If this is the case, you can send an to the agent de gestion des études who handles your program at the Registrar’s office; this person will register you manually.

For a Master’s During the first term, you must:  Register your research director and your research subject at the Graduate studies office. This must be done before you can register for research credits.  Establish a course plan for the following terms, together with your research director. For a PhD  It is recommended to register for DGA1005 – Lectures dirigées (Supervised readings) in your 1st term (with the approval of your research director) to start the literature review for your research.  It is compulsory to register for the first part of the doctoral examination (DGA Research Issues) in your 2 nd term.  The two following steps of the doctoral examination (DGA1032 and DGA1033) must be taken thereafter (i.e. in your 3 rd and 4 th terms). What should I know about registration?

Tuition credits (15 credits) Master’s: 15 credits (5 courses completed) PhD: 6 credits (2 courses completed) + 9 credits for your doctoral examination The doctoral examination is divided into three distinct courses taken over three terms: DGA1031 – Problématique de recherche (Research topic) (3 credits) DGA1032 – Examen écrit (Written exam) (3 credits) DGA1033 – Examen oral (Oral exam: defending your research project) (3 credits) Research credits Master’s (30 credits): you must register for “crédits de mémoire” in sets: (i.e.: MEM03, MEM06, MEM09…). PhD (75 credits): you must register for “crédits de recherche” in sets: (i.e.: RECHER03, RECHER06, RECHER09…). How many credits do I need?

Academic calendar

Course planning and schedule

Course listings

For the PhD and Master’s with dissertation programs, ETS does not offer internships. However, some scholarship programs promote research in industrial environments (BMP-Innovation; MITACS), allowing students to complete part of their doctoral research while working in the industry. If you are interested in doing your research in an industrial environment ( and being paid for it), please discuss this with your supervisor. You will find information on these types of scholarships on the ETS website under Étudiants actuels → Cycles supérieurs → Coût et financement des études. Can I do an internship during my studies?

The role of the program director The program director manages the academic and administrative aspects of the program. The program director: is in charge of program admissions; can authorize certain course selections (i.e.: courses offered by another institution, courses not offered in your program); is in charge of the first part of the doctoral examination (for PhD students) DGA Research topic.

The role of the research supervisor The research supervisor guides you as you undertake your research project. The research supervisor can also: advise you on what courses to take in your program; help you identify a strategy to finance your studies (working as a teacher assistant or research assistant, lecturing, performing sponsored research, etc.).

What about scholarship programs? See also the « InfoBourse$ » that will be send to your ETS

Need help organizing the steps of your program? At the Office of graduate studies (Bureau des cycles supérieurs), located at the Dean’s office in room A-1700, three academic advisors and a career guidance advisor provide: Thesis supervision and evaluation (deposit for evaluation, jury selection, defense, final deposit). Administrative monitoring of graduate students (in collaboration with the Registrar’s office), assisting with deviations from planned program paths, leaves of absence, extensions of study periods and other issues related to the progress of your studies. Support in organizing the stages of the doctoral examination (filing the research topic form, choosing the doctoral jury, organizing the written test, etc.).

English-language web resources (you can switch language in the upper right corner of the ETS web page)

A step-by-step approach to doctoral studies

Where can I find the forms I need?

Can I write my thesis in English? ETS is a French-speaking university, and theses are generally written in French. However, given the need to ensure optimal dissemination of scientific results in journals and international forums where English is the primary language, you are permitted to write your thesis or dissertation in English. Regarding everyday life at ETS, you will be able to access most services in English (departments, registrar, student services, etc.), but we cannot guarantee that every staff member will be able to communicate in English. Non-French speakers are encouraged to take the time to learn some basic French, or to take beginner French courses during your first terms of studies.

Problems to avoid when conducting graduate studies Problems that may affect the course and duration of studies: Lack of funding. Long periods of work without meeting with your research director. Steps that drag on when writing a thesis or dissertation (literature review, data collection). Substantial modification of your research subject. Change of director during research. Another threat to success: difficulty drafting your thesis This may entail simple problems with syntax and grammar, or more complex issues regarding how to present your arguments or organize your ideas, and how to present your research in a clear, concise way.

Strategies to avoid these problems It is very important to address the following points with your research director at the beginning of your studies: Talk about opportunities for funding (i.e.: scholarship from the director or from a grant agency, lecturing, etc.). Clearly establish expectations, roles and responsibilities of both the student and the director; set up a supervisory framework to monitor progress (i.e.: frequency and duration of coaching meetings, assessment methods, etc.). Talk about the output expected by your director (i.e.: weekly progress report, summary of readings, etc.). Draft a schedule of main steps required to complete your studies (writing the literature review, conducting research, interpreting results, writing a journal article, writing the thesis). Getting help when writing your thesis: It is important to take action as soon as you realize that you may have a problem with your writing skills; consider this a learning opportunity that will affect your whole career.

Student services

Important links Who to contactWho to contact : This link allows you to identify and contact the person in charge of your program at the Registrar’s office and the Graduate studies office. University calendar Step-by-step approach Forms Financing your studies Educational and technological support Student’s services