Ph.D.

To be admitted to the PhD program, an applicant must have completed either a Master of Arts or a Master of Science degree, or its equivalent, in Geography or a related discipline. In exceptional circumstances, a candidate who has completed either a BA (Honours) or BSc (Honours) degree, and who has spent not less than 12 months in a MA or MSc degree program may apply for transfer into a PhD program. A successful application for transfer will require that the candidate demonstrate to the satisfaction of the Department an ability to pursue research at the doctoral level. Admission requirements are set forth in the GENERAL REGULATIONS of the School of Graduate Studies and Degree Regulations for PhD programs .
The deadline for submission of applications for admission is January 15. Candidates will normally commence their programs in the Fall semester.
Research areas for graduate study at the Doctoral level are cultural and historical geography, economic geography, resource management, physical geography and geographic information sciences.
An applicant will be admitted to a doctoral program only if a faculty member agrees to act as supervisor, and at least two other individuals are willing to serve on the supervisory committee.
All candidates must successfully complete Geography 6000 if that course, or an equivalent course, has not been included in their Master’s program. In addition, all candidates are required to successfully complete a minimum of 6 credit hours in graduate program courses.
The supervisory committee may decide that a candidate must successfully complete an examination for reading or speaking a language other than English.
After the successful completion of all required courses, candidates must take a comprehensive examination which will have both a written and an oral component.
Following successful completion of the comprehensive examination the candidate will submit a written research proposal to the supervisory committee. The proposal must then be approved by the Committee prior to the commencement of research by the candidate.
Each candidate will be required to present a seminar on their research to the Department.
The PhD program will conclude with the examination and oral defense of the completed thesis in accordance with the appropriate sections of the GENERAL REGULATIONS governing the School of Graduate Studies.