The Degree of Doctor of Philosophy (Interdisciplinary) is offered by part-time and full-time study.

The General Regulations of the School of Graduate Studies and the regulations outlined below will apply.

1. The program shall be administered by a Director, together with the School of Graduate Studies Interdisciplinary Ph.D. Committee (ID Ph.D. Committee).

2. The program of study of each student will be guided for the duration of the program by a Supervisory Committee of either three (3) or five (5) faculty members, appointed by the Dean of Graduate Studies on the recommendation of the ID Ph.D. Committee at the time of admission.

   In addition, the Director shall be an ex officio member of each Interdisciplinary Ph.D. Supervisory Committee.

   Duties of this Committee shall involve supervising the overall program of study, including the recommendation of appropriate courses, the setting and scheduling of comprehensive examinations, the development of a research proposal, and the thesis-writing and final examination.

   The Supervisory Committee is also responsible for recommending fellowship support to the ID Ph.D. Committee and to the Dean of Graduate Studies at the time of admission and throughout the student’s program.

3. Normally, the “academic home” for the student is in the Department or faculty/school of the primary Supervisor.

1. The deadline for fall admission is March 1 for commencement in September, October 1 for commencement in January, and February 1 for commencement in May. Students seeking admission to the program should start preparing their admission file well in advance of the application deadline.

   Admissions shall be considered by the ID Ph.D. Committee and recommendations shall be made to the Dean of Graduate Studies.

1. Prospective students should normally hold a Master’s Degree and have an excellent academic record. Applications for admission must include:

   1. Three letters of reference

   2. A detailed research proposal

   3. Letters expressing a commitment to the research project and to supervisory duties from three Memorial University faculty members, one of whom is prepared to assume the role of academic Supervisor or co-supervisor and at least one whose unit of primary responsibility is a Ph.D. granting Department.

   4. Letters of endorsement from the administrative heads of each of the units involved in the proposed program.

   5. A statement from the University Librarian indicating the adequacy of Library resources to satisfy the demands of the research program.

1. 1. Students will normally be required to take 12-18 credit hours of courses to be determined by the Supervisory Committee. These must include at least one course from each participating discipline. Directed reading courses may be included to support the development of the thesis work.

   2. Where appropriate, extra language and/or methodology courses may be prescribed. See Evaluation, Evaluation of Graduate Students, 4. concerning language(s) requirement.

2. Comprehensives

   The scope, format, and number of required comprehensive examinations shall be determined by the Supervisory Committee in consultation with the student and in accordance with the needs of his/her particular program of study. Students will be required to take a comprehensive examination after the completion of all required course work, which can be no later than the end of the seventh semester of study. Comprehensive examinations shall follow procedures in accordance with General Regulation, Comprehensive Examinations, Ph.D. Comprehensive Examination, with the exception of 2.

3. Thesis

   1. A thesis proposal, including a working title, statement of purpose and research scope, outline of theoretical and methodological approach, working plan and preliminary bibliography must be submitted to the Supervisory Committee no later than the end of the fifth semester of study. If approved by the Committee, the proposal shall be recommended to the ID Ph.D. Committee for final approval.

   2. Students must complete a thesis, examined and defended in accordance with General Regulation, Theses and Reports of the School of Graduate Studies. The thesis shall give evidence of the candidate’s ability to develop independent and original research.