Purpose and Authority
The purpose of this committee is to:
- Recommend to the Graduate and Postdoctoral Studies Graduate Council (GPSGC) program decisions requiring GPSGC and Senate approval.
- Present substantive changes to graduate and postdoctoral programs, including new courses, major curricular changes, and changes requiring material increase in resources, to the Faculty Executive Committee for consultation and endorsement before formally recommending them to the GPSGC.
- Consult on best practices and develop guidelines enabling graduate programs to create and support an excellent training and mentorship environment for graduate students and postdoctoral fellows.
- Liaise with the Health Professions Programs Committee and the Clinical Investigator Program regarding issues shared across all graduate programs.
Scope
The scope of this committee is focused on the following graduate and postdoctoral programs:
- Biomedical research programs:
- PhD in Audiology, PhD in Speech-Language Pathology, thesis-option MSc in Audiology, and thesis-option MSc in Speech-Language Pathology
- MSc and PhD in Biochemistry and Molecular Biology
- MSc and PhD in Cell and Developmental Biology
- MSc and PhD in Experimental Medicine
- MSc and PhD in Interdisciplinary Oncology
- MSc and PhD in Medical Genetics
- MSc and PhD in Neuroscience
- MSc and PhD in Pathology and Laboratory Medicine
- MSc and PhD in Pharmacology and Therapeutics
- MSc and PhD in Rehabilitation Sciences
- Master of Rehabilitation Sciences (MRSc)
- MSc and PhD in Women+ and Children’s Health
- MSc in Surgery
- Population and Public Health Programs*
- Master of Health Administration (MHA)
- Master of Health Sciences (MHSc)
- MSc in Occupational and Environmental Hygiene
- MSc and PhD in Population and Public Health
- Master of Public Health (MPH)
- Master of Global Surgical Care (MGSC)
- Joint research programs
- Master of Physical Therapy / PhD in Rehabilitation Sciences (MPT/PhD)
- Medical Doctor / PhD (MD/PhD)
- MASc, MEng, and PhD in Biomedical Engineering
*Note: Programs delivered through Schools (the School of Audiology and Speech Sciences, the School of Biomedical Engineering, and the School of Population and Public Health) have the ability to recommend directly to the GPSGC. However, Schools are encouraged to participate in this committee and bring proposals for discussion and input from representatives of other Faculty of Medicine graduate programs.
While representatives from graduate-level entry-to-practice health professions programs are welcome to participate in the committee, their formal pathway for approvals is through the Health Professions Program Committee.
Composition
This committee is made up of ex officio and appointed members.
The Faculty of Medicine’s commitment to equitable and diverse membership on its committees and advisory councils guides its nomination and selection process.
Voting Members
Ex officio
- Associate Dean, Graduate and Postdoctoral Education (chair) (1)
- Vice Dean, Research, or delegate (1)
- Vice Dean, Education, or delegate (1)
- Graduate Advisors and Program Directors for in-scope programs as noted above, or delegate (21)
Appointed
- Three graduate students (3)
- Two postdoctoral fellows (2)
Non-voting Members
Ex officio
- Dean, Graduate and Postdoctoral Studies, or delegate (1)
- Graduate Advisors and Program Directors for graduate-level entry-to-practice health professions programs (MPT, MOT, MSc Genetic Counselling, MSc SLP, MSc AUD) (3)
Guests may be invited to join specific meetings or portions of specific meetings at the chair’s discretion.
Appointment Process
Ex officio members are members by virtue of their administrative appointment.
Appointed members are appointed by the Dean through the annual process initiated by the Dean’s Office.
Term
Ex officio members are members as long as they hold their administrative appointment.
Appointed members are members for a one-year term and are eligible for renewal.
Chair
Chaired by the Associate Dean, Graduate and Postdoctoral Education.
Meeting Schedule and Administration
Normally meets bimonthly and at the call of the chair.
All meetings will be recorded.
All members are expected to attend all meetings in person or via videoconference or phone.
A staff member from the Office of the Associate Dean, Graduate and Postdoctoral Education will capture meeting minutes. Minutes will be circulated to all members and posted at https://mednet.med.ubc.ca/committees/graduate-postdoctoral-education-committee-terms-of-reference/
Records will be maintained in accordance with the UBC and Faculty of Medicine records retention procedures.
Quorum and Decision Making Process
Quorum consists of 50% plus one of voting members.
Decisions are typically made by consensus. When consensus does not emerge, decisions will be made by vote, requiring 50% plus one of voting members present to pass.
Lines of Accountability and Communication
This committee:
- Presents an annual report summarizing the year’s activities to the Faculty Executive Committee.
- Seeks input from the Department Heads and School Directors Committee before presenting recommendations to the Faculty Executive Committee, as appropriate.
- Makes recommendations to the Faculty Executive Committee on substantive changes to graduate and postdoctoral programs, including new courses, major curricular changes, and changes requiring material increase in resources, for consultation and endorsement before formally recommending them to the GPSGC.
- Makes recommendations to the GPSGC for decision.
- May delegate responsibilities to subcommittees and/or ad hoc groups to make recommendations on, or conduct, specific aspects of the committee’s mandate.
- Shares relevant information with leadership of all in-scope programs.
- Maintains close communication and collaboration with the Health Professions Programs Committee.
Representatives of this committee liaise with other academic and administrative committees and advisory councils, as needed.
Responsibilities
This committee:
- Consults on best practices and develops guidelines enabling in-scope graduate programs to create and maintain a supportive training and mentorship environment for graduate students and postdoctoral fellows.
- Through best practices and guidelines, promotes recognition of excellence/outstanding performance of graduate students and postdoctoral fellows in the in-scope FoM programs.
- Provides an academic review of CAT 1 curriculum changes and new graduate program proposals for recommendation to the GPSGC.
- Defines criteria for eligibility and adjudication for graduate student and postdoctoral awards in the FoM, except for those related to health professions programs.
- Reviews and evaluates in-scope graduate programs on a regular 5-year basis and/or during the internal/external review of Departments/Schools/Centres in the Faculty of Medicine.
- Adheres to the FoM General Responsibilities of Standing Committees.
Approval
This version of these terms of reference has been approved by the Faculty Executive Committee on September 12, 2023, and Full Faculty on November 21, 2023.
Version History
- Approved by the Faculty of Medicine (Full Faculty) on November 14, 2017
- Approved by Faculty Executive Committee on September 26, 2017
- Name changed approved by Faculty Executive, January 18, 2014
- Composition approved by Faculty Executive: November 1, 2009