Defense Examination Attendees

Below are FGSR’s requirements for defense examination attendees. Some academic units may have additional requirements.

Masters Defense

For a Masters defense to be held, the following must be in physical attendance in the room:

• Candidate*
• Either supervisor or co-supervisor
• Chair

And the following must attend (either physically or remotely):

• At least one member (not a supervisor or co-supervisor) of the committee who has signed off on the acceptability of the thesis for defense.
• External Examiner

Doctoral Defense

For a Doctoral defense to be held, the following must be in physical attendance in the room:

• Candidate*
• Either supervisor or co-supervisor
• Chair

and the following must attend (either physically or remotely)

• Two members of the supervisory committee (who are neither a supervisor or co-supervisor) who have signed off on the acceptability of the thesis to go to defense.
• External Examiner.

FGSR must be notified prior to the defense if the External Examiner or the required number of examiners will not be in attendance, as the defence may have to be cancelled.

*In extenuating circumstances, the Dean of the Faculty of Graduate Studies and Research (FGSR) may approve a remote oral examination for the candidate.  A recommendation from the academic unit for a remote defense is to be sought in advance.  Guidelines for remote oral examinations are available.