Research Dissertation | 2022-2023 FGS Academic Calendar /gradstudies/academiccalendar/2022-2023 Mon, 24 Jun 2024 13:38:34 +0000 en-CA hourly 1 https://wordpress.org/?v=6.9.10 Dance Studies /gradstudies/academiccalendar/2022-2023/dance-studies/ Wed, 17 Aug 2022 18:06:08 +0000 /gradstudies-academiccalendar-2022-2023dev/dance-studies/
LocationEmail AddressProgram Website
301 Accolade Eastdance@yorku.ca

Admission Requirements

Doctor of Philosophy Program

To be admitted to the PhD in Dance Studies, applicants should hold a master’s degree with at least an A- average in dance or a related field in the fine arts (such as music), the humanities (such as history or women’s studies) or the social sciences (such as anthropology). Applications are evaluated on the basis of transcripts, three letters of reference, two examples of scholarly writing and a 1000-word statement of research interest or potential dissertation topic.

Proof of language proficiency is required for students who do not meet one of the following criteria:

  1. their first language is English, OR
  2. they have completed at least one year of full-time study at an accredited university (or institution) in a country where English is the official language of instruction. A minimum Test of English as a Foreign Language score of 600 (paper based) or 250 (computer based) or 91ÑÇÉ« English Language Test score of Band 1 or equivalent is required.

The program accepts only those qualified applicants who are able to benefit from the faculty and facilities available.

The PhD program can be completed on a full-time basis. Entry is fall term.

Degree Requirements

Doctor of Philosophy Program

Students must complete course requirements, comprehensive examinations and the dissertation. During their first two years, they are also required to attend the non-credit Dance Colloquium series, which is strongly recommended for the entire time students are active in the program. In the required Dance 6200 3.0: Advanced Research and Dissertation Seminar, faculty members offer students advice on all facets of the dissertation research and writing process, including finding a committee, preparing the proposal, conducting research, writing the dissertation and getting the work published. During these sessions, students present their work in progress and interact with fellow students and faculty at regular intervals.

Students are required to successfully complete five three-credit courses and Dance 6200 3.0: Advanced Research and Dissertation Seminar. They must take at least one 6000-level course in both fields in the program. Students may be allowed to take one three-credit course outside the program and up to two three-credit courses as directed readings in dance studies, with the permission of the Graduate Program Director. Students are encouraged to consider taking the Faculty of Graduate Studies’ course FGS 5000 3.0: University Teaching and Learning.

The comprehensive examinations require doctoral students to engage in both written and oral academic inquiry. The three examinations (major, specific, minor) require students to demonstrate contextual knowledge and mastery of relevant methodologies and resources, both of the field in which they propose to write the dissertation as well as in the minor field. The comprehensive examinations normally are written in the fall term of second year (term 4). The comprehensive examination committee is comprised of the three faculty members who guide the student through the three examinations.

The oral examination, normally completed at the beginning of term 5, consists of a set of questions selected by the comprehensive examination committee members based on the student’s examination submissions. All committee members read all three parts of the examination. The committee, through consensus, decides if the candidate has passed each part of the examination. If consensus is not possible, the Graduate Program Director and examination committee member(s) in the relevant area of expertise make the final decision. If the committee fails the candidate on one or more parts of the examination the student must rewrite the part(s) failed within six months. The examination may be retaken one time only. If the candidate does not pass the second time the candidate is required to withdraw from the program.

To remain in good standing, students must pass the comprehensive examinations before completing year three of their studies.

Students demonstrate their specialized knowledge and research plans through a dissertation proposal and bibliography. They develop the proposal in Dance 6200 3.0: Advanced Research and Dissertation Seminar. Dissertation proposals are reviewed and approved by the program’s Executive Committee as well as the Faculty of Graduate Studies. Students then proceed to research, write and defend a dissertation that embodies the results of original investigation and represents a significant contribution to knowledge in the field. The regulations of the 91ÑÇÉ« Faculty of Graduate Studies for regular reporting on student progress and procedures for the evaluation of dissertations apply.

Doctoral students are required to be in residence for at least two years during which they are expected to participate in the Dance Colloquium series. Attendance at other specified workshops, lectures and events is also part of the residency requirement.

Language requirements are determined in relation to individual project needs. The supervisor or supervisory committee may require the student to verify proficiency in reading, speaking and/or writing in the language(s) necessary to conduct research.

The PhD program is only available on a full-time basis.

The length of time required to complete the PhD is normally four years (12 terms). Doctor of Philosophy students must register and pay fees for a minimum of the equivalent of six terms of full-time registration. All requirements for a doctoral degree must be fulfilled within 18 terms (6 years) of registration as a full-time or part-time doctoral student in accordance with Faculty of Graduate Studies’ registration policies.

]]> Biology /gradstudies/academiccalendar/2022-2023/biology/ Wed, 17 Aug 2022 18:05:57 +0000 /gradstudies-academiccalendar-2022-2023dev/biology/

LocationEmail AddressProgram Website
102D Life Sciences Buildingbiogpa@yorku.ca

The Graduate Program in Biology offers programs leading to the Master of Science degree (by research thesis) and the Doctor of Philosophy degree (by research dissertation). Details of each program are described herein.

Areas of Research

Research in the Biology graduate program is focused on several broad areas including cell and molecular biology; physiology; neuroscience; and ecology and evolution. This focus ensures that within each area there is a critical mass of interacting people and shared resources to produce a strong research environment. Within the research areas, faculty members work on a diversity of research problems, the range of which can best be seen by consulting the detailed descriptions on the Biology website.

Admission Requirements

MSc

PhD

At the master’s level, students work closely with a supervisor and their research is supported by that supervisor. Thus, no student is accepted into the program unless a faculty member agrees to supervise that student.

Graduates with a four-year bachelor’s degree in biological science or its equivalent, with at least a B+ average in the last two years of study, may be admitted as candidates for the Master of Science degree. Each candidate selects a faculty supervisor on the basis of their mutual research interests and a supervisory committee (usually consisting of the supervisor and one other faculty member with similar research interests) is appointed by the graduate program to supervise and monitor the student’s progress.

Qualifying Year

Graduates lacking the necessary undergraduate preparation may qualify for admission as undergraduate special students in the Faculty of Science. These admissions are dealt with by the undergraduate Admissions Office. Students are advised to take the equivalent of at least three, and up to five full courses. Students are advised to consult with potential graduate supervisors in selecting the courses to be taken, and are advised to have at least a C average before attempting such a program.

Note: Successful completion of a year as a Special Student does not guarantee admission to the graduate program.

At the PhD level, students work closely with a supervisor, and their research is supported by that supervisor. Thus, no student is accepted into the program unless a faculty member agrees to supervise that student.

Graduates from a recognized university with a master’s degree or equivalent in biological sciences, with at least a B+ average, or with a medical degree, may be admitted as candidates (PhD I) in a program of study and research leading to the PhD degree. Each candidate selects a faculty supervisor on the basis of their mutual research interests and a supervisory committee (usually consisting of the supervisor and two other faculty members with similar research interests) is appointed by the graduate program to supervise and monitor the student’s progress.

Graduates with an honours bachelor’s degree, or equivalent, in one of the biological sciences, who have at least a B+ standing at the undergraduate level may be considered for admission to the PhD program. Normally, however, such graduates must first register as candidates for the MSc degree. MSc students may request advancement in status to candidates (PhD 1) for the PhD degree, without completing the requirements for the MSc degree. Their progress during the first year must be deemed excellent by their supervisory committee and the Graduate Program Director. Candidates wishing to make this change must pass the PhD preliminary examination within 20 months of registering for the MSc degree.

Degree Requirements

MSc

PhD

MSc Degree by Research Thesis

Candidates for the MSc degree by research thesis must fulfil the following requirements:

a) All entering students plan a research program with their supervisor at the start of their degree studies. Progress in research is monitored by the supervisory committee through meetings with the student and by a progress report consisting of a written paper. Satisfactory progress in research results in credit for Biology 6021 3.0/6022 3.0: MSc Research Evaluation and a statement of the student’s progress in the student’s record. In the event of failure to achieve satisfactory progress, the student will normally be required to withdraw from the program.

b) In addition to MSc Research Evaluation, each MSc student must take a minimum of six credits from Biology graduate courses including one of Biology 5038 1.5: Current Topics in Molecular and Cellular Biology, Biology 5086 1.5: Critical Skills in Ecology and Evolution, or Biology 5100 1.5: Critical Skills in Animal Physiology. MSc students in the Graduate Diploma in Neuroscience may take Biology 5146 3.0: Fundamentals in Neuroscience I in lieu of Biology 5038 1.5, Biology 5086 1.5 or Biology 5100 1.5.

c) Students may be required to take up to two full undergraduate courses (or equivalent) in biological science if this is necessary to strengthen the student’s background.

Candidates must conduct a laboratory or field research project and report the results in appropriate thesis form. The research and thesis should demonstrate the candidate’s independence, originality, and understanding of the area of investigation. While the thesis results may not be publishable as is, the research should be presented according to publication-quality standards in the field of study. After the formal submission of the thesis, an oral examination is held, normally centering on the thesis and matters related to it. The total length of the thesis does not normally exceed 100 pages, excluding appendices. Prior to submission to the graduate Faculty, the thesis must be presented to, and approved by, a majority of the program members of the examining committee.

The MSc program can be completed on a full- or part-time basis. Entry is fall term.

Full-time candidates should normally complete all requirements for the MSc degree in biology within two years of full-time study.
Subsequent years will be permitted only as a part-time student. If a student completes degree requirements earlier than 3 terms, they must register and pay fees for a minimum of the equivalent of 3 terms of full-time study. All requirements for a master’s degree must be fulfilled within 12 terms (4 years) of registration as a full-time or part-time master’s student in accordance with Faculty of Graduate Studies’ registration policies.

PhD

All Candidates for the PhD degree program must fulfil the following requirements:

a) All entering students plan a research program with their supervisor at the start of their degree studies. Progress in research is monitored by the supervisory committee through meetings with the student and by a progress report consisting of a written paper. Satisfactory progress in research results in credit for Biology 7021 3.0/7022 3.0/7023 3.0/7024 3.0: PhD Research Evaluation and a statement of the student’s progress in the student’s record. In the event of failure to achieve satisfactory progress, the student will normally be required to withdraw from the program.

b) Students may be required to take a maximum of six credits of graduate courses (or equivalent) in biological sciences, if this is deemed necessary to strengthen the student’s background. Students who transfer internally from the MSc to PhD program must have completed the 6 credit course requirements for the MSc.

c) Students may be required to take a maximum of two full undergraduate courses (or equivalent) in biological sciences, if this is necessary to strengthen the student’s background.

Candidates (PhD II) must satisfactorily pass a preliminary examination before advancing in status to candidates (PhD III). The objectives of this examination are to determine whether:
a) the Candidate has adequate background and intellectual ability to pursue independent research in the field approved by the supervisory committee;
b) the proposed research is suitable for a PhD research program; and,
c) the candidate has demonstrated aptitude for conducting the proposed research by means of adequate progress and productivity.

During the two to three hour oral examination, based on a substantial written proposal and progress report, students must demonstrate adequate knowledge and understanding of the proposed research field, and the broader areas of knowledge related to the field. The examination will be conducted by the student’s supervisory committee plus two other faculty members from within the program. For students entering the program with a master’s degree, the examination must be held within 18 months after the student becomes a candidate (PhD I). For students converting from a master’s to a PhD program, the examination must also be held within 20 months of first registering in the master’s program. The examination in this case is conducted by the student’s supervisory committee plus three other faculty members from within the program. If the preliminary examination falls within two months of the annual progress reports, the student is exempt from such a report that year.

Candidates must prepare and submit a suitable dissertation based on original research carried out under the supervision of a supervisory committee. The research should demonstrate the candidate’s independence, originality, and understanding of the area of investigation at an advanced level. Some, or all, of the dissertation is expected to be sufficiently meritorious to be published in a peer-reviewed scientific journal. The dissertation research is not required to be submitted for publication, or published, prior to the oral examination. After the formal submission of the dissertation, an oral examination is held, normally centering on the dissertation and matters related to it. Prior to submission to the graduate Faculty, the dissertation must be presented to, and approved by, a majority of the program members of the examining committee.

The PhD program can be completed on a full- or part-time basis. Entry is fall term.

Candidates entering with an MSc degree are expected to complete their PhD degree requirements within five years (fifteen terms).

Doctor of Philosophy students must register and pay fees for a minimum of the equivalent of six terms of full-time registration. All requirements for a doctoral degree must be fulfilled within 18 terms (6 years) of registration as a full-time or part-time doctoral student in accordance with Faculty of Graduate Studies’ registration policies.

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