A) Reading Course
A true individual reading or research course is a course created when an individual student (or a very small group of students) wishes to explore a topic not currently offered as a graduate course. The student is responsible for finding a faculty member who is willing to work with the student(s); together they will decide the learning goals, deliverables, resources, timeline, and mechanism for feedback. The supervising faculty member must have a Graduate Faculty (SGS) Appointment through the Institute of Health Policy, Management and Evaluation.
The basic requirements for a reading course in IHPME are as follows:
- A reading course is equivalent to a half credit (0.5 FCE).
- At least 24 hours of instruction time required.
- The student is responsible for finding an IHPME faculty member who has an active IHPME appointment to work with the student.
There should be a structured method for evaluating the student. Student and faculty should create the learning goals, deliverables, resources, timeline, and mechanism for feedback.
Sample assignment marking scheme (on the course form) for the reading course is as follows:
- Literature review 35%
- Proposal 25%
- Final report 40%
- With input from the supervising faculty member, each student should complete and return their approved “SGS Request for Reading and/or Research Course form” along with other accompanying documents (e.g. project outline including proposal, deliverables, resources, timeline, etc.) to the Program Assistant for approval by the IHPME Graduate Coordinator.
- Students should officially enroll in the course on Acorn by the SGS course add deadline. Students can reference the SGS Sessional Dates Calendar for deadlines.
- Once the course is over, the course instructor should submit a final grade to the respective Program Assistant at the end of the term.
B) Pilot Course
A pilot course (also designated as a reading course) is a course that a faculty member creates for a specific one-time only offering, or in order to develop course content and determine the student interest for a permanent course. The course may be offered to a small group of students to start, with the intention of converting the course to a regular numbered course following the pilot phase.
Procedures for Pilot Course
- The pilot (reading) course should be equivalent in terms of reading, organized academic activities and written assignments to a regular graduate course.
- The pilot course requires a course syllabus, including rationale, readings, assignments, grading policy, and academic integrity statement. A syllabus template has been developed to assist instructors with the preparation of course syllabi and act as a guideline during the creation of new courses.
- The syllabus, scheduling details and reading course form must be submitted to the relevant Program Assistant in advance of enrolling in the course.
- For Fall/Winter courses – please submit by end of prior March
- For Spring/Summer courses – please submit prior December
- The syllabus, scheduling detail and proposal for the course will be submitted by the Program Assistant to the Graduate Coordinator, and reviewed by the Curriculum Committee.
- Ideally, a pilot course may be offered in its “pilot” form for two academic years, after which the faculty member should consider its suitability for approval for a permanent course number and name.
- The instructor should meet with the relevant Program Director to consider its suitability for approval for a permanent course, after the Program Director has reviewed the course evaluations and enrollment numbers.
Course Codes
HAD6360H and HAD6361H (CEHCR) *please refer to the research internship guidelines here.
HAD7001H (HPER, HSR, MHSc)
HAD4000H (HSLI, QIPS)