IX. Thesis Supervisors and Supervisory Committees - 9.1 Qualifications of the Supervisor
9.1 Qualifications of the Supervisor
A thesis Supervisor or Co-supervisor must be a member of the Faculty of Graduate Studies.
Regular members and Adjunct (Retired) members may solely supervise students. Adjuncts in all other categories may only co-supervise students. Regular members wishing to supervise/co-supervise students in units other than their unit of appointment may do so by seeking a cross-listing with the other academic unit. Cross-listing is not required for members to serve on graduate committees in other units. Adjunct (Retired) and Adjunct (FGS) members wishing to supervise or co-supervise students in another academic unit must seek an adjunct appointment through that unit. Adjunct (Retired) and Adjunct (FGS) members may serve on supervisory and/or examination committees in that unit without an adjunct appointment.
See the following tables for specific details:
Serving on a Supervisory Committee (Unit of Appointment)
| Appointment |
Type of Committee |
Supervisor |
Co-supervisor |
Serve on Committee |
| Regular Member |
PhD |
Yes |
Yes |
Yes |
| |
Master’s |
Yes |
Yes |
Yes |
| Adjunct (Retired) |
PhD |
Yes |
Yes |
Yes |
| |
Master's |
Yes |
Yes |
Yes |
| Adjunct (FGS) |
PhD |
No |
Yes |
Yes |
| |
Master’s |
No |
Yes |
Yes |
| Adjunct (Scholar) |
PhD |
No |
No |
Yes (one only)* |
| |
Master’s |
No |
Yes (one only)* |
Yes (one only)** |
* An Adjunct (Scholar) may serve on only one committee or co-supervise only one student in total.
** An Adjunct (Scholar) Postdoctoral Researcher may not serve on the supervisory or examining committees of their supervisor’s students. Only one Adjunct (Scholar) Postdoctoral Researcher may serve on a given Master’s or PhD supervisory or examining committee.
Serving on a Supervisory Committee (non-Appointment Unit)
| Appointment |
Type of Committee |
Supervisor |
Co-supervisor |
Serve on Committee |
| Regular Member |
PhD |
Needs Cross* |
Needs Cross* |
Cross-listing not required |
| |
Master’s |
Needs Cross* |
Needs Cross* |
Cross-listing not required |
| Adjunct (Retired) |
PhD |
Need Adjunct** |
Need Adjunct** |
Adjunct not required |
| |
Master's |
Need Adjunct** |
Need Adjunct** |
Adjunct not required |
| Adjunct (FGS) |
PhD |
No |
Need Adjunct** |
Adjunct not required |
| |
Master’s |
No |
Need Adjunct** |
Adjunct not required |
| Adjunct (Scholar) |
PhD |
No |
No |
No |
| |
Master’s |
No |
No |
No |
| Adjunct (Scholar) Postdoctoral |
PhD |
No |
No |
No |
| |
Master's |
No |
No |
No |
* Cross-listing in the non-appointment unit is necessary.
** Adjuncts Retired and FGS must seek an additional appointment as an Adjunct in the non-appointment unit.
Depending on the unit, experience on supervisory or examining committees, teaching graduate courses, or acting as a co-supervisor may be necessary before undertaking the role of thesis or project supervisor. Most natural science and engineering departments require faculty research funding as a criterion for supervision. All programs must maintain a copy of their criteria for supervision.
A Doctoral student must be supervised by a faculty member with a PhD or its equivalent, and a Master’s student must be supervised by a faculty member with at least a Master’s degree or its equivalent. Equivalency must be based on a faculty member’s record of research activity and supervisory experience. In the case of co-supervision of a Doctoral student, at least one of the supervisors must have a PhD or its equivalent (or in the case of a Master’s thesis, a Master’s degree or its equivalent). See the FGS website for membership details.