Doctorate in Philosophy Interdisciplinary Research in Music

The School of Music core faculty and affiliated professors offer a PhD in Interdisciplinary Research in Music. The program is based on an interdisciplinary approach in which music studies are placed at the heart of the program and are combined with a complementary research discipline.

This program prepares our graduates for leadership roles in a society where musical culture is undergoing rapid changes. The interdisciplinary doctoral design of this program reflects the intricate combination of different methodological approaches often applied in music research today. Through a rigorous and interdisciplinary research training program, our students will be better prepared to meet the challenges of a world where all aspects of the music industry and music research are in constant and rapid evolution.

The University of Ottawa can play a key role in helping to meet the various challenges faced by all participants within the complex world of musical culture, by training the next generation of leaders and professionals with the skills and abilities needed to solve a variety of problems.

Note(s)

A combination of courses in music and in a secondary discipline in order to deepen knowledge and acquire skills relating to a student’s specific needs. The choice of these courses is approved by the Thesis Advisory Committee (TAC).

Many graduate seminars offered at the School of Music already include strong interdisciplinary components with such offer as Brain and music; Pain and injury preventions for musicians; Music, gender and sexuality; Media and music; Music and politics; Music and philosophy.

The Comprehensive Examination is a two-part examination (written and oral) and is overseen by the TAC. The content of the questions will be relevant to the student's general area of research and will include questions typically covering theory, application, and methodology. In the case of failure on the written portion of the exam, a student is given a second opportunity to re-submit revised essays. After a second failure on the written exam, a student is withdrawn from the program. Once the written comprehensive exam has been successfully completed, a student may proceed to an oral defense of the essays. In case of failure of the oral defense, a student is given a second opportunity. After a second failure of the oral defence, a student is withdrawn from the program. A student is therefor given two chances on the written exam and two chances on the oral exam. If a student fail either portion of the exam twice, a student is withdrawn from the program. Successful completion of the Written and Oral Comprehensive Examination is a prerequisite for the presentation and defense of the PhD thesis proposal.

During the first trimester, a Thesis Advisory Committee (TAC) is formed for each student. Committee members are chosen in accordance with the student’s interests. This committee is composed of the PhD supervisor and 2 or 3 professors. The TAC will include professors from at least two different disciplines to reflect the interdisciplinary nature of the program. The TAC's role is to guide and assist students during their program, including selection of courses, comprehensive exam, thesis proposal and thesis defense.

An active knowledge of English is essential. Students whose first language is other than French or English must provide proof in their application of their level of competence in English. The School of Music reserves the right to conduct an interview and to require a language test. If a student’s research interests require comprehension of a language other than French or English, the School of Music may require proof of such competency. In accordance with the University of Ottawa regulation, students have a right to produce their work, their thesis, and to answer examination questions in French or in English.