Admission into the Ph.D. program in Fisheries Science is normally restricted to applicants holding a Master's Degree or its equivalent. In exceptional circumstances, an applicant with a B.Sc. Degree who has spent not less than 12 months in an M.Sc. Degree program may be recommended for transfer into a Ph.D. program. For this transfer to be accepted, the applicant must demonstrate, to the satisfaction of the Supervisor and Supervisory Committee, the ability to pursue research at the doctoral level.

In addition to completing a thesis of original research, a student will normally be required to take FISH 6000 and 6001. A student will normally be required by the Supervisor and Supervisory Committee to take two of FISH 6002, 6003, 6004, and/or 6005.

Within three months of the first registration in the Ph.D. degree program, the student will meet with the Supervisory Committee. It is the function of a Supervisory Committee to have regular meetings, at least annually, with its graduate student. A meeting report, signed by all members of the Supervisory Committee and student, must be given to the Academic Unit. A copy will be sent to the graduate student and to the Dean of Graduate Studies.

At the first committee meeting, the Supervisory Committee shall discuss the student's program and will explore areas of weakness in the student's knowledge, especially where these relate to the intended areas of research. The Supervisory Committee may require the student to take additional courses.

The student and the Supervisory Committee will agree on a written thesis proposal outlining the objectives, methods, timetable and funding for the project, and provide the proposal (signed by the student and the Supervisory Committee) to the Head for inclusion in the student’s file. This proposal should be no more than five pages in length.

The student will present a research seminar to the Academic Unit, normally by the end of the fourth semester following admission, to describe the research topic being investigated and the methodologies to be employed. This seminar provides an opportunity for the student to receive constructive input from the broad research community.

A student must successfully complete a Comprehensive Examination, as outlined under General Regulations, Comprehensive Examinations, Ph.D. and Psy.D. Comprehensive Examination. The comprehensive examination will be both written and oral.

A theses shall conform to General Regulations, Theses and Reports of the School of Graduate Studies.