Please note:
To view the Fall 2024 Academic Calendar, go to www.sfu.ca/students/calendar/2024/fall.html.
Individualized Interdisciplinary Studies
Individualized interdisciplinary studies doctor of philosophy program is for students who wish to pursue a doctoral degree and their proposed course of studies is interdisciplinary in nature and cannot be pursued in any one existing program. The home department is normally the department of the proposed supervisor and will provide the applicant with a mailbox and access to other services and facilities normally available to students enrolled in graduate programs in that department. Students, together with their supervisors, will create a customized interdisciplinary program plan that reflects the individualized aspect of the program prior to admission.
Admission Requirements
Applicants must satisfy the University admission requirements as stated in Graduate General Regulation 1.3 in the SFU Calendar. Application information and additional admission requirements are available from the Individualized Interdisciplinary Studies website. Applicants should have a completed master's degree in a field related to their intended home department.
Program Requirements
This program consists of course work, a comprehensive examination and a thesis for a minimum of 30 units. Course work must be from at least two different SFU academic units.
Students must complete two graduate on-campus courses
and two additional graduate courses
and a comprehensive examination
and a thesis
Program Length
Students are expected to complete the program in 12 terms.
Other Information
Supervision
Students are required to have their supervisory committee formed prior to applying into the program. The committee has to consist of at least two additional committee members besides the supervisor, one of which needs to be from a different department.
Graduate Progress Report
Students are required to complete the Graduate Progress Report annually and submit it by the indicated deadline in order to receive internal funding or awards.
Course Work
Students must follow their approved program plan from admission. Any substitutions to the plan need to be approved prior to the change. All Directed Readings (maximum of two) must be taken through INS.
Academic Requirements within the Graduate General Regulations
All graduate students must satisfy the academic requirements that are specified in the Graduate General Regulations, as well as the specific requirements for the program in which they are enrolled.