Amended by Faculty Council December 6, 2001
Approved by Senate May 23, 2002
TABLE OF CONTENTS
1. PhD Faculty Advisors
2. PhD Program Requirements
- PhD Program Plan Stage
- PhD Comprehensive Exam Stage
- PhD Dissertation Stage
- Registration Requirements
- Award of the PhD Degree
3. PhD Examinations
- Comprehensive Examination
- Dissertation Proposal Exam Examination
- Final Dissertation Review
- PhD Dissertation Examination
4. PhD (Graduate) Courses
5. PhD Student Records
6. PhD Program Monitoring
D1. PhD FACULTY ADVISORS
D1.1 The Graduate Program Director shall appoint an interim Faculty Advisor to guide each student through to the development of a first PhD Program Plan.
D1.2 Following submission of the first PhD Program Plan, the student shall be assigned by the Graduate Program Director to an Advisory Committee consisting of a Faculty Advisor and two additional members, at least one of whom must be a faculty member. The advisory committee members shall together have responsibility for guiding the student through to the submission of the first and subsequent Program Plans, and then on to the Comprehensive Examination and Dissertation Proposal Examination.
D1.3 Changes in assignment of Faculty Advisor and members of the Advisory Committee may be made only by the Graduate Program Director, upon written request from the student or the Faculty Advisor indicating that the matter has been discussed between them. The Graduate Program Director will normally seek comment from the present and prospective Faculty Advisors and members of the Advisory Committee before deciding whether to make a new assignment.
D2. PhD PROGRAM REQUIREMENTS
D2.1 The program of study leading to the PhD degree is constructed individually by each student in conjunction with the Faculty Advisor and the Advisory Committee and, later, the PhD Dissertation Supervisor and the Dissertation Supervisory Committee, and is subject to review by the PhD Program Subcommittee and to approval by the Committee of Instruction.
D2.2 The program of study shall consist of three stages:
(a) PhD Program Plan Stage (first version along with comprehensive questions due at the end of second term);
(b) PhD Comprehensive Examination Stage (anticipated completed after 6 terms); and
(c) PhD Dissertation Stage.
PhD Program Plan Stage
D2.3 The PhD Program Plan Stage is intended to provide an opportunity for students to demonstrate their capacity to develop a satisfactory PhD Program Plan.
D2.4 Normally, this Stage shall last no longer than two terms.
D2.5 During the first term of study, each student shall submit, with the endorsement of the Interim Advisor, a first PhD Program Plan to the PhD Program Subcommittee.
The first PhD Program Plan can take the same format and length as the proposed activities outlined in the Social Sciences and Humanities Research Council doctoral applications which all doctoral candidates are encouraged to submit during the first term of study.
D2.6 The first PhD Program Plan shall be considered for acceptance by the PhD Program Subcommittee.
D2.7 Following acceptance of the first PhD Program Plan, the Advisory Committee shall meet as required with the student to assist in the development of the subsequent PhD Program Plan and to monitor the student's progress in general.
D2.8 Normally, not later than the end of the second term of study, the student shall submit the second PhD Program Plan which shall be a refinement of the first Plan, an elaboration of the comprehensive areas of study, and at least a detailed and precise statement on how to complete one comprehensive area.
D2.9 The Advisory Committee shall recommend action on the PhD Program Plan via the PhD Program Subcommittee to the Committee of Instruction.
D2.10 Upon acceptance by the Committee of Instruction, the individual PhD Program Plan becomes an undertaking between the student and the Faculty with respect to the requirements to be fulfilled by the student to obtain the PhD degree.
D2.11 The student shall enter the PhD Comprehensive Examination Stage upon approval of the PhD Program Plan by the Committee of Instruction.
PhD Comprehensive Examination Stage
D2.12 The PhD Comprehensive Stage is intended to provide the student with an opportunity to study in depth the proposed areas of research and to prepare for the Comprehensive Examination and the Dissertation Proposal Examination.
D2.13 Normally, this Stage shall last no longer than one year.
D2.14 The student, the Faculty Advisor, and the Advisory Committee shall devise the areas of research, research questions and readings or activities for the Comprehensive Examination, for further consideration by the PhD Program Subcommittee and the Committee of Instruction.
D2.15 During the PhD Comprehensive Examination Stage, the Advisory Committee shall recommend, via the PhD Program Subcommittee to the Committee of Instruction, a proposal for the scope, format, and timing of the Comprehensive Examination and the Dissertation Proposal Examination (which may be coincident).
D2.16 The Committee of Instruction shall decide whether the student has satisfied the requirements of the Comprehensive Examination and Dissertation Proposal Examination (including ethical review of research involving human participants - see Appendix Four and Appendix Five).
D2.17 If the Dissertation Proposal is acceptable, the Graduate Program Director shall recommend a Dissertation Supervisor, a Dissertation Supervisory Committee and the Dissertation Proposal to the Dean of the Faculty of Graduate Studies; upon appointment of the Supervisory Committee, the Advisory Committee shall cease to function.
D2.18 The Dissertation Supervisory Committee shall consist of at least three members, including (a) a minimum of two faculty members in FES; and (b) a minimum of one York University graduate faculty member from outside FES; or, if appropriate, (c) a minimum of one member from outside York University*. The Dissertation Supervisor is the chair of the Dissertation Supervisory Committee.
*with permission of the Faculty of Graduate Studies
D2.19 The Dissertation Supervisory Committee shall meet as required with the student to assist in the development of the dissertation and to monitor the student's progress in general.
D2.20 The student shall enter the PhD Dissertation Stage upon successful completion of the Comprehensive Examination and the Dissertation Proposal Examination.
PhD Dissertation Stage
D2.21 The PhD Dissertation Stage emphasises research and the writing of the dissertation.
D2.22 Ideally, this Stage shall last no longer than two years.
D2.23 The Dissertation Supervisory Committee shall be responsible for:
(a) guiding the student in the conduct of the research and preparation of the dissertation; and
(b) reporting on the student's progress, in writing, to the PhD Program Subcommittee; and
(c) advising the PhD Program Subcommittee, in writing, when the student is prepared for the Final Dissertation Review.
D2.24 The prefatory material of the dissertation shall contain:
(a) an abstract of the dissertation, not exceeding 350 words; and
(b) a foreword that explains the nature and role of the dissertation in fulfilling the requirements of the PhD degree.
D2.25 The title page of the dissertation shall contain:
(a) the title of the dissertation,
(b) the name of the author,
(c) the date of submission,
(d) "A Dissertation submitted to the Faculty of Environmental Studies and the Faculty of Graduate Studies in partial fulfilment of the requirements for the degree of Doctor of Philosophy in Environmental Studies" or "A Dissertation submitted to the Faculty of Environmental Studies and the Faculty of Graduate Studies in partial fulfilment of the requirements for the Doctorate in Philosophy in Environmental Studies,"
(e) "York University, Toronto, Ontario, Canada."
D2.26 Beyond the requirements of the title page and the prefatory material, the format of the dissertation document is governed by specifications prescribed by the Faculty of Graduate Studies.
D2.27 At least one term prior to the scheduled completion of the dissertation, the Supervisory Committee shall report via the PhD Program Subcommittee to the Committee of Instruction that either:
(a) the schedule is confirmed; or
(b) a revised schedule or required withdrawal of the student from the PhD program is recommended.
D2.28 Following the Final Dissertation Review, the PhD Program Subcommittee shall determine whether:
(a) the dissertation is suitable for a Dissertation Examination; or
(b) a revised schedule for revision of the dissertation is approved; or
(c) the required withdrawal of the student from the PhD program is recommended to the Committee of Instruction.
D2.29 When the PhD Program Subcommittee determines that the dissertation is suitable for a Dissertation Examination, the Graduate Program Director shall submit the dissertation to the Faculty of Graduate Studies for examination in accordance with the Regulations of the Faculty of Graduate Studies.
D2.30 Upon receipt of the report of the Dissertation Examination noting that the dissertation is accepted, the Committee of Instruction shall consider the student for recommendation for award of the PhD degree.
Registration Requirements
D2.31 Continuously through the individual program of study the student must register in each term, in one or other of the following mutually exclusive categories:
(a) full-time student; or
(b) part-time student; or
(c) leave of absence (not using the services of the university).
D2.32 Normally, the student shall be required to be registered as a full-time student for the first year of study.
D2.33 After completing the Program Plan Stage, students shall enrol in the Comprehensive Examination Stage as an activity without course credits.
D2.34 After completing the Comprehensive Examination Stage, students shall enroll in the PhD Dissertation Stage as an activity without course credits.
D2.35 Students may apply for leave of absence on personal or family grounds. Leave of absence shall be granted on maternity grounds. Leave of absence will not be granted to pursue academic work, nor to undertake employment for Field Experience. Leave of absence will not be granted beyond three consecutive terms.
D2.36 In each term of study the student must register both in the Faculty of Environmental Studies and in the Faculty of Graduate Studies. Registration and course enrolments are subject to the approval of the PhD Program Subcommittee and the Committee of Instruction.
D2.37 Registration in each term consists of the following:
(a) FES registration, including:
- the prescribed forms for course enrolment, signed by the student, the director of a course or supervisor of an individual activity course (i.e., Field Experience, PhD Independent Research, Comprehensive Research,Dissertation Research), and the Faculty Advisor; and
- if applicable, the prescribed form for request to take a course outside the Faculty, in York University or in another university, signed by the Faculty Advisor and the course instructor.
(b) Submission of the prescribed form for registration in the Faculty of Graduate Studies, together with payment of fees.
(c) Submission of such supplementary information as may be required by the Dean.
D2.38 The only required course shall be ENVS 8102 PhD Research Seminar (to be held during the Fall and Winter Terms), in which each student shall be required to enroll until the approval of the Program Plan during the first year of study. In subsequent years, it is expected that students still attend sessions relevant to their program.
D2.39 For each term the Dean shall set a final date by which every student must complete registration and a subsequent date by which all changes in course enrolments must be made. In order to register or to change a course enrolment or to withdraw from a course after the final date for these purposes, the student must successfully petition the Committee of Instruction.
Award of the PhD Degree
D2.40 The Committee of Instruction shall review the report of every Dissertation Examination and shall receive the decision of the examining committee. Students who have met the Dissertation Examination requirement shall be recommended by the Committee of Instruction for award of the PhD degree provided all other requirements for the degree have been met by the student.
D3. PhD EXAMINATIONS
Comprehensive Examination
D3.1 The Comprehensive Examination, which shall focus on the areas of knowledge specified in the PhD Program Plan, shall consist of:
(a) examination of written submissions as required by the Committee of Instruction; and
(b) an oral examination.
D3.2 The Comprehensive Examination Committee, which shall consist of the members of the Advisory Committee, shall recommend via the PhD Program Subcommittee to the Committee of Instruction on:
(a) the student's knowledge in the substantive areas of research; and
(b) the student's capability of embarking on dissertation research.
Dissertation Proposal Examination
D3.3 The Dissertation Proposal shall include:
(a) the working title of the dissertation; and
(b) nomination of a Dissertation Supervisor and a Dissertation Supervisory Committee; and
(c) a statement of the proposed topic of the dissertation; and
(d) a detailed research design; and
(e) a detailed outline of the dissertation; and
(f) a proposed schedule of activities; and
(g) a statement indicating the relationship of the dissertation in the individual PhD Program Plan; and
(h) the completed form "Application for Ethical Approval of Research Involving Human Participants" (see Appendix 5).
D3.4 The Dissertation Proposal Examination Committee, which shall consist of the members of the Advisory Committee and any new member(s) of the Dissertation Supervisory Committee, shall recommend via the PhD Program Subcommittee to the Committee of Instruction on:
(a) the quality of the Dissertation Proposal; and
(b) the appropriateness of the proposed research schedule.
Final Dissertation Review
D3.5 When the student has submitted the final draft of the dissertation, the Supervisory Committee shall examine the final draft of the dissertation, and recommend to the PhD Program Subcommittee whether:
(a) the dissertation is suitable for a Dissertation Examination; or
(b) a revised schedule including required revisions of the dissertation or the required withdrawal of the student from the Faculty is recommended.
PhD Dissertation Examination
D3.6 Each student, in partial fulfilment of the requirements of the PhD degree, must pass a Dissertation Examination under the joint auspices of the Faculty of Environmental Studies and the Faculty of Graduate Studies.
D3.7 The Dissertation Examination shall be taken following certification by the Supervisory Committee that the dissertation is suitable for a Dissertation Examination.
D3.8 The Examination shall be oral.
D3.9 The Dissertation Examination shall be attended by the student and an examining committee consisting of:
(a) the members of the Dissertation Supervisory Committee; and
(b) one York graduate faculty member from outside the program who will be at arm’s length from the dissertation;
(c) one external examiner from outside York University; and
(d) the Dean of the Faculty of Environmental Studies or the Dean of the Faculty of Graduate Studies or their delegate (who shall be at arm’s length from the supervision of the dissertation).
D3.10 The Dissertation Examination shall be scheduled by the Graduate Program Director after consultation with the Dissertation Supervisor and shall be held following the elapse of at least four weeks from the date on which examination copies of the completed Dissertation are deposited in the Office of Student and Academic Services for distribution to the members of the examining committee.
D3.11 The Dissertation Examination requirement is met (a) if the decision is unanimous to accept with or without specified revisions; or (b) if there is not more than one vote for major revisions or failure, or more than one abstention. Abstentions are not to be regarded as votes for failure. If the dissertation is accepted subject to specified revisions, it is the responsibility of the Dissertation Supervisor to ensure that these revisions are made. If the dissertation is accepted subject to major revisions, it is the responsibility of the Dissertation Supervisor and the Dean of the Faculty of Graduate Studies or delegate to ensure that the changes are made. The candidate fails the dissertation oral examination if a majority of the examining committee vote for failure.
D3.12 The Dissertation Examination shall be adjourned if the decision of the examining committee is that the Dissertation requires major revision. In the case that the Dissertation requires major revision, the examination may be reconvened, by the Graduate Program Director in consultation with the Dissertation Supervisor, within a period not exceeding twelve months.
D3.13 The decision of the examining committee shall be immediately communicated by the chair of the examining committee, in writing, to both the FES Dean and the Dean of the Faculty of Graduate Studies.
D4. GRADUATE COURSES
D4.1 All regulations in Section C: MES Program, Subsection 4, Graduate Courses, apply to students in the PhD Program.
D4.2 All graduate courses in FES are open to PhD students, where appropriate, with the exception of those courses which are specifically designed for students in the MES Program.
D4.3 Only PhD students may enroll in courses at the 8000 level.
D5. PhD STUDENT RECORDS
D5.1 With the exception noted below, all regulations in Section C: MES Program, Subsection 5, MES Student Records, apply to students in the PhD Program.
D5.2 Where those regulations refer to the MES Plan of Study, the terms “PhD Comprehensive Examination Stage”, “PhD Program Plan”, and “PhD Dissertation Proposal” shall apply.
D6. PhD PROGRAM MONITORING
PhD Program Stage
D6.1 In the event that a PhD Program Plan is not submitted by the end of the second term of study or that a submitted PhD Program Plan is not approved by the Committee of Instruction, the student shall submit a revised PhD Program Plan prior to registration for the subsequent term.
D6.2 In the event that a PhD Program Plan is not approved by the end of the first year of study, the PhD Program Subcommittee shall submit a recommendation that the student either:
(a) be required to withdraw from the PhD program; or
(b) continue in the PhD program, with specific requirements for action including a final date for approval of a PhD Program Plan, failing which the student shall be required to withdraw from the PhD program.
Comprehensive Examination and/or Dissertation Proposal Examination
D6.3 In the event that the Committee of Instruction decides that a student has not satisfied the requirements of the Comprehensive Examination and/or Dissertation Proposal Examination, the Advisory Committee shall submit a recommendation via the PhD Program Subcommittee to the Committee of Instruction that the student either:
(a) be required to withdraw from the PhD program; or
(b) continue in the PhD program, with specific requirements for action including a final date for a reconvened Comprehensive Examination and/or Dissertation Proposal Examination, failing which the student shall be required to withdraw from the Faculty.
D6.4 If, on the grounds of procedural irregularity, the student disagrees with the decision of the examining committee, the student may appeal to the FES Appeals Committee within the period of two weeks following the examination. As soon as possible after receiving the appeal and in any case no later than 60 days, the Appeals Committee shall either reject the appeal or direct the Dean forthwith to appoint a substitute examining committee and to convene a new examination not later than one month following the decision of the Appeals Committee. Subsequent appeals shall be made to the Faculty of Graduate Studies.
Registration Requirements
D6.5 The regulations in Section C: MES Program, Subsection 6, MES Program Monitoring referring to Registration Requirements shall apply to PhD students.
Incomplete Course Work
D6.6 The regulations in Section C: MES Program, Subsection 6, MES Program Monitoring referring to Incomplete Course Work shall apply to PhD students.
Withdrawn Course Enrolments
D6.7 If the Student History contains the symbol W (Withdrawn) for three or more courses, the PhD Program Subcommittee shall assess the student's progress and advise the Committee of Instruction of the situation.
Unsatisfactory Course Work
D6.8 If the student has received the grade of Unsatisfactory for more than one course or for nine or more course credits, the PhD Program Subcommittee shall either (a) recommend to the Committee of Instruction that the student be required to withdraw from the PhD program or (b) establish the conditions upon which the student may continue with the program.
Plagiarism and Cheating
D6.9 The regulations in Section C: MES Program, Subsection 6, MES Program Monitoring referring to Plagiarism and Cheating shall apply to PhD students.
Unreported Grades and Evaluations
D6.10 The regulations in Section C: MES Program, Subsection 6, MES Program Monitoring referring to Unreported Grades and Evaluations shall apply to PhD students.