Ph.D. in Environmental & Life Sciences

Admission Requirements

Prospective Ph.D. students should normally hold a M.Sc. (or equivalent) degree in the natural or physical sciences, at least a B+ (77%) or equivalent standing in the fourth year of undergraduate studies, and must satisfy the program that he/she has an acceptable academic background for the Environmental & Life Sciences. Prospective Ph.D. students should normally be exceptional students with a clear plan of study. Prior to acceptance a faculty member must have been identified who is able and willing to act as a Supervisor and to provide the required level of financial support.

• A statement of research interests must be included in application.  It is helpful to include names of prospective faculty supervisors.
• A student for whom English is not a native language, must have acceptable proof of facility in English (e.g., an undergraduate or graduate degree from a university at which English is the language of instruction) or a TOEFL score of at least 580 (written) or 237 (electronic).

For more detailed information on how to apply to EnLS, visit Trent University’s Graduate Studies page for more details.

 

Degree Requirements

Ph.D. students are required to take the equivalent of 2 half-courses and submit a thesis based on original research. Students must attain at least second-class standing (B-minus or 70%) in all courses to remain registered in the program. Students are permitted to take a maximum of one reading course (ENLS 5090H) or one senior undergraduate course (ENLS 5095H). Forms are available in the EnLS program office.  Ph.D. students are also required to present a seminar.  Students should approach the program office to schedule this seminar once they are nearing completion of their dissertaion.

 

For more information about graduate courses, please refer to Trent University’s Academic Calendar.

 

Thesis

To obtain candidacy, Ph.D. students must undertake an oral Qualifying Examination.  The examination will establish, to the satisfaction of the program, that the student has an effective grasp of his/her research area.  The student should submit a research proposal to the Director 12-16 months after enrolment. 

Full-time Ph.D. students are required to submit and defend their theses within four (4) years of enrolling (8 years for Part-time students). Candidates must pass an oral examination in defence of their thesis research. Detailed regulations governing the preparation of the thesis are contained in the Graduate Studies Calendar and the Handbook for Graduate Students. Please visit http://www.trentu.ca/gradstudies for more information.