Interdisciplinary Studies
- Degrees Offered: M IDST, PhD IDST
- Application Deadline: March 1 annually
- Funding: See financial information
- Study Options: Thesis
- Length: M IDST two years, PhD IDST four years
- Entry Terms: Fall
Our program enables students to pursue individualized and innovative interdisciplinary research outside the boundaries of existing discipline-specific graduate programs. The IDST PhD program has grown rapidly and with over 70 students is now the single largest PhD program at UNB.
The M IDST and PhD IDST programs are supported by over 75 faculty members at UNB Fredericton and UNB Saint John across all major disciplines. The program is recognized for its high quality students, and its program diversity and flexibility.
Previous graduates of the program are employed in academia and in the private and public sector. Recent PhD IDST graduate include:
- Dr. Michelle Cardoso, who was immediately hired as a Postdoctoral Fellow to assist a France company with airplane seat design;
- Dr. Linda Duffett-Leger is now an Assistant Professor of Nursing in Calgary, with interests that include community nursing and population health, maternal mental health, and web-based approaches to learn and technology in classrooms;
- Dr. Michael Maynard is now Dean of Seneca College;
- Dr. Ken Seaman is now a Senior Instructor in Kinesiology at UNB; and
- Dr. Karen Stote is now Assistant Professor in Women’s Studies at Wilfrid Laurier University.
Current student research projects
Our Interdisciplinary students work with a wide range of faculty across both campuses. Our current students are researching topics such as:
- Transgender advocacy
- Nurse staffing and adverse events in acute care settings
- Evaluation tools used in early education in Latin America
- Decolonization of knowledge production in heritage management
- Smart grid consumption displays
- Exercise response of individuals with health risks
- History of public audits in New Brunswick
- Forensic taphonomy (study of human decomposition) and stable isotopes
- Levels of worry and awareness of community support services among Canadian adults
- Women’s experiences as service providers and recipients during economic austerity in Greece
- University management of contingent faculty
Master's in Interdisciplinary Studies (M IDST)
A course of study for the M IDST degree includes:
Coursework: Relevant courses are selected from those offered by IDST and in the graduate programs and faculties across the university. Coursework normally includes five graduate courses, two of which may be independent study/directed reading courses with a maximum of two courses taken at another university.
Research Proposal: The proposal outlines the research question, relevant literature, methodology, and research design of the proposed study. An oral presentation of the proposal is also required. The Supervisor and Interdisciplinary Advisory Committee must approve the proposal and oral examination, and Ethics approval (if appropriate) must be obtained before the research can proceed.
Master's Thesis: The thesis incorporates all of the elements of the research proposal outlined above plus the documentation and analysis of a student's actual research project. The presentation of the thesis and subsequent oral examination must meet all of the requirements as outlined in the UNB Calendar, 22 A.
PhD in Interdisciplinary Studies (PhD IDST)
A course of study for the PhD IDST degree includes:
Coursework: Relevant courses are selected from those offered by IDST and in graduate programs and faculties across the university. Coursework normally includes four graduate courses, two of which may be independent study/directed reading courses and two courses may be taken at another university.
Research proposal: The proposal outlines the research question, relevant literature, methodology, and research design of the proposed study. An oral presentation of the proposal is also required. The Supervisor and the Interdisciplinary Advisory Committee must approve the proposal and oral examination, and Ethics approval (if appropriate) must be obtained before the research can proceed.
Comprehensive examinations: The comprehensive examinations are intended to ensure students are prepared in at lease two substantive relevant areas prior to engaging in doctorial research.
Doctoral dissertation: The doctoral dissertation involves all of the elements of the proposal outlined above plus the documentation and analysis of the candidate's research project. The dissertation and subsequent oral examination must meet all of the requirements and regulations as outlined in the UNB Calendar 21 (A).
Application requirements
- Applicants must secure a research supervisor before applying. A letter from the supervisor must be uploaded as part of the application process prior to your application being reviewed.
- Masters applicants require a 4 year program (preferably honours or equivalent) with at least an A- average. PhD applicants require a Masters degree with thesis, or equivalent research experience, and at least an A- average.
- International student whose first language is not English must provide language test score results. If applicable, a TOEFL score of 100, TWE 5.5, or IELTS of 7 (must indicate ‘academic’ not ‘general’).
- Applicants are to submit:
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- A background statement that includes an explanation of the different disciplines the candidate will bring to their research topic and how they plan to use them in their research.
- A statement of research consisting of a five-page thesis/dissertation proposal (with working bibliography), which includes a paragraph explaining why they wish to pursue a masters or doctoral degree in IDST.
- A letter from the supervisor indicating their willingness to supervise the applicant (email is acceptable)
- Three academic references
- A sample of a sustained piece of academic writing (e.g.,term paper of 15-20 pages, or thesis chapter), solely authored by the candidate
- Official transcripts of all undergraduate and graduate work taken at any postsecondary institution attended
- A completed IDST application questionnaire
- A completed application form
Contact us
For more information contact Sanhita Biswas, Graduate Program Assistant.
Office: Sir Howard Douglas Hall, Rm. 317 (Fredericton) | Hazen Hall, Rm. 112 (Saint John)
Phone: 1-506-458-7558 (Fredericton) | 1-506-648-5647 (Saint John)
