A PhD student shall pursue a program of study and research in French Literature/Linguistics approved by the Department. The timetable of the PhD program and the nature of the Field Examination are as follows:
1. Course work
- A student admitted on the basis of a bachelor's degree must complete 4.0 full-course equivalents during the first year of the PhD program and 3.5 additional full-course equivalents during the second year. In exceptional circumstances only, and with the permission of the Associate Chair, Graduate & Coordinator, Graduate Admissions and Funding, the student may take up to one full-course (1.0 FCE) equivalent outside the Department in each of the two years of courses. Any student wishing to take a course outside the Department must make an appointment with the Associate Chair, Graduate & Coordinator, Graduate Admissions and Funding to discuss this matter in person. Students in literature take FRE1202H, FRE1203H, FRE1204H and FRE1201H as part of their PhD program; students in linguistics take FRE1103H, FRE1104H, FRE1141H, and FRE1201H as part of their PhD program. To remain in good academic standing and to continue in the PhD program, a student must complete 4.0 full-course equivalents, with an average grade of at least an A–, by the end of the first year of the PhD program and complete the remaining 3.5 full-course equivalents by the end of the second year, while maintaining an average of at least an A–.
- A student admitted on the basis of a master's degree must complete 3.5 full-course equivalents during the first year of the PhD program. In exceptional circumstances only, and with the permission of the Associate Chair, Graduate & Coordinator, Graduate Admissions and Funding, the student may take up to one full-course (1.0 FCE) equivalent outside the Department. Any student wishing to take a course outside the Department must make an appointment with the Associate Chair, Graduate & Coordinator, Graduate Admissions and Funding, to discuss this matter in person. Students in literature take FRE1202H, FRE1203H, FRE1204H, unless these courses or their equivalents have already been completed, and FRE1201H as part of their PhD program; students in linguistics take FRE1103H, FRE1104H, and FRE1141H unless these courses or their equivalents have already been completed, and FRE1201H as part of their PhD program. To remain in good academic standing and to continue in the PhD program, a student must complete 3.5 full-course equivalents by the end of the first year of the PhD program with an average grade of at least an A–. Essays for half-courses are to be between 3,500 and 5,000 words in length.
2. Constitution of the Thesis Committee
By June 15 of the first year of registration, in the case of a student admitted to the program on the basis of a master’s degree, otherwise by June 15 of the second year in the case of a student admitted to the PhD program on the basis of an appropriate bachelor's degree, each PhD student must submit a completed Thesis Committee Form indicating the members of his/her supervisory committee and the provisional title of the thesis. The Thesis Committee Form must be signed by the faculty member who has agreed to act as the primary supervisor for the thesis and by the two other faculty members who will serve on the student’s supervisory committee.
3. Thesis topic
By September 15 of the second year of registration, in the case of a student admitted to the PhD program on the basis of a master’s degree, otherwise by September 15 of the third year of registration, each student must register a thesis topic with the Department and file a completed Thesis Subject Form. The Thesis Subject Form must be signed by the faculty member who has agreed to act as the primary supervisor for the thesis and by the two other faculty members who will serve on the student’s supervisory committee.
4. Language requirement
By the end of the first year of the PhD program, in the case of a student admitted on the basis of a master’s degree, otherwise by the end of the second year of the PhD program, each student must demonstrate a reading knowledge of Old French or of another language (excluding French and English), as approved by the Department.
5. Field Examination
Please visit Degree of Doctor of Philosophy for more info about field exam
6. After the Completion of the Field Examination
Between the completion of the Field Examination components and the final oral examination of the thesis, the student will meet with the supervisory committee at least once a year, and more frequently if required.
7. Thesis and Oral Examination on the Thesis
Periodically, the Department of French organizes a workshop on how to prepare for the thesis defence.
Failure to satisfy and complete the above requirements in a manner consistent with the Department's timeline for completion of the PhD degree will result in loss of good academic standing and guaranteed funding.