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 in that unit.
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)* |
| Adjunct (Scholar) Postdoctoral |
PhD |
No |
No |
Yes** |
| Adjunct (Scholar) Postdoctoral |
Master's |
No |
Yes** |
Yes** |
* An Adjunct (Scholar) may serve on only one committee or co-supervise only one student in total.
** An Adjunct (Scholar) Postdoctoral Researcher may co-supervise Master's students and serve on supervisory and examining committees. They 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 |
Need Adjunct |
Adjunct not required |
* Cross-listing in the non-appointment unit is necessary.
** Adjunct (Retired) and Adjunct (FGS) members must seek an additional appointment 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.