Ph.D. Program

Admission Requirements

For more detailed information on how to apply to EnLS, visit the Trent University Graduate Studies info page.

Degree Requirements

Ph.D. students are required to take the equivalent of 1 half-course and submit a thesis based on original research. Students must attain at least second-class standing (B-minus or 70%) in the course to remain registered in the program. Students are permitted to take a maximum of one half-credit reading course (ENLS 5090H). 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 dissertation.

For more information about graduate courses, please refer to the Trent University 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 enrollment. 

Full-time Ph.D. students are required to submit and defend their theses within 4 years of enrolling (8 years for part-time students). Candidates must pass an oral examination in defense 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 the Graduate Studies page for more information.