Calendar 2005/2006

Location

Professional Faculties Building, Room 3168

Faculty number

(403) 220-7209

Fax

(403) 210-8872

E-mail address

pfisk@ucalgary.ca

Web page URL

www.grad.ucalgary.ca/programs/interdisciplinary.htm
Please note this website is currently under construction.

Doctor of Philosophy (PhD)

Master of Arts (MA)

Master of Science (MSc)

All degrees are research and thesis-based.

Previously known as the Resources and the Environment Program, the Interdisciplinary Graduate Program can trace its founding back to 1968. The new name recognizes the breadth of the areas of interdisciplinary research undertaken in the program, which have always included studies of human and cultural resources and environments. The program emphasizes interdisciplinary research in areas not offered by other departmental and faculty programs. Over the years it has provided an intellectually enriching vehicle for many students and faculty members to pursue their specific research interests.

The Interdisciplinary Graduate Program is largely an administrative unit. It employs no academic faculty members, offers no courses and is, by mandate, both interdisciplinary and non-competitive with existing graduate programs. Its academic strength comes from the fact that all qualified academics across the university, regardless of departmental affiliation, may be thesis supervisors and students may take courses in any department. Thus while it has no faculty members by appointment, it has potentially the largest contingent of academic expertise of any academic unit on campus. The program is particularly well suited to self-motivated learners and mature, independent researchers who have a strong sense of the academic path they wish to pursue.

Students may approach potential supervisors directly or, in the case of applicants from off-campus, the Director will attempt to identify appropriate supervisors once the applicant has submitted a research proposal. Research proposals must be received in a timely fashion, well in advance of the applicable application deadline.

In addition to Faculty requirements, the Program requires:

Master of Arts and Master of Science

(a)A thesis proposal (approximately 2500 words plus preliminary bibliography), submitted after discussion with the Director

(b)A statement explaining the interdisciplinary nature of the program of study

(c)A recommendation for a supervisory committee of three people from different academic areas relevant to the research work (see section 9)

Doctor of Philosophy

(a)Normally, a grade point average of 3.50 or higher on a four point scale over a Master's program

(b)A thesis proposal (approximately 2500 words plus preliminary bibliography), submitted after discussion with the Director

(c)A statement explaining the interdisciplinary nature of the program of study

(d)A recommendation for a supervisory committee of four people from at least three different academic areas relevant to the research work (see section 9).

Deadlines for submission of complete applications for students with Canadian and US transcripts:

1 February for September admission

1 August for January admission

Deadlines for the submission of complete applications for students with international transcripts:

1 February for September admission

1 April for January admission

The applicant must make advanced credit requests as part of the admission process. Credit will not be given for course work taken as part of another completed degree/diploma or for courses taken to bring the grade point average to a required level for admission. As per Faculty of Graduate Studies regulations, advanced credit requests may not exceed one-third of the course load as identified at the Admission Seminar.

In addition to Faculty requirements, the Program normally requires:

Master of Arts and Master of Science

A minimum of four graded half-courses, as determined by the supervisory committee. It is expected that at least half of the courses in a student's program will be at the graduate level.

Doctor of Philosophy

Normally, a minimum of three graded graduate-level half-courses, as determined by the supervisory committee.

Specializations are determined by the supervisory committee in consultation with the Director.

Fieldwork and research done off-campus may be counted toward fulfilment of the full-time study and research requirement.

After an applicant's file is complete (including thesis proposal and proposed supervisory committee), an admissions seminar is held. The student, the proposed supervisory committee members, and the Director are present at the admissions seminar. If the recommendation of the admissions committee is favourable, the Director will forward the file to Graduate Studies with a recommendation for admission and approval of the supervisory committee.

In the event that an applicant cannot attend the admission seminar, special arrangements for applicant participation will be made.

Applicants are admitted to undertake the program approved by the admissions committee and the Faculty of Graduate Studies must approve any changes to that program.

None

Maximum completion time is four years for a Master's program and six years for a doctoral program.

Students are advised to select a supervisor and supervisory committee in conjunction with completion of the thesis proposal. Supervisory committees for Master's students normally consist of three people (supervisor plus two additional members). Supervisory committees for doctoral students normally consist of four members (supervisor plus three additional members). At least three different academic areas should be represented on the supervisory committee. Identification of the proposed Supervisory Committee must also include confirmation of the supervisory committee members' willingness to assume this role after review of the research proposal.

Doctoral candidacy examinations have a written and an oral component. The written candidacy examination normally consists of a set of three questions established by the supervisory committee. The student has three weeks to complete the written candidacy papers. The student will defend the written candidacy papers during an oral candidacy examination within one month of their submission. Although the written paper forms the basis of the oral candidacy examination, questions may extend beyond the written papers to areas as outlined in the notice of candidacy examination.

Final thesis oral examinations will be open.

A fully developed thesis proposal is required for admission. However, the thesis proposal may be modified in consultation with the supervisory committee.

IGP students register using the infonet system; however, course registration must be completed manually by completion of the Faculty of Graduate Studies Change of Registration form.

Limited financial assistance may be available to qualified full-time students. For information on awards, see the Awards and Financial Assistance section of this calendar.

Students applying for scholarships must submit their applications to the Program by 1 February.

Enquiries concerning the program should be addressed to the Program Administrator, Interdisciplinary Graduate Program, University of Calgary, Professional Faculties Building, Room 3168, Calgary, Alberta T2N 1N4.

Not applicable