The Environmental Science Program is an interdisciplinary graduate program involving the departments of the Faculty of Science, the Faculty of Humanities and Social Sciences, the Faculty of Medicine and the Faculty of Engineering and Applied Science. There are three Environmental Science Graduate Degree streams: the Master of Science (M.Sc., Environmental Science), Master of Environmental Science (M.Env.Sci.), and the Doctor of Philosophy (Ph.D., Environmental Science). The program is available on a full or part-time basis.

The program is administered by a Board of Studies appointed by the Dean of Science. Supervisors of graduate students in the program include faculty from the Faculty of Science, the Faculty of Humanities and Social Sciences, the Faculty of Engineering and Applied Science, the Faculty of Medicine, and the Environmental Science Program at the Grenfell Campus, as well as adjunct appointees to the program (as a co-supervisor).

The Doctor of Philosophy (Ph.D., Environmental Science) is a research degree which includes a doctoral dissertation and course work. Normally, students entering the Ph.D. program in Environmental Science will have a M.Sc. degree from an institution recognized by the Senate. Students in the Master of Science (Environmental Science) program, after a minimum of 12 months in their program of studies, may request a transfer to the Ph.D. program. Final decision for transfer from the M.Sc. program to the Ph.D. program rests with the Dean of the School of Graduate Studies. There are two courses (6 credit hours) required for the doctoral program. All students take Environmental Science 6010 and those with a disciplinary M.Sc. degree in Science from a recognized university also take Environmental Science 6000. Other courses tailored for individual students are included in the student’s program by the Dean of Graduate Studies on the recommendation of the Chair of the Board of Studies.

The comprehensive examination should be taken on completion of all course work. An Examination Committee will be struck in accordance with the General Regulations. At least two members of the Board of Studies must be on the Examination Committee. The student’s Supervisor will be on the Examination Committee and will be the only examiner from the student’s Thesis Supervisory Committee. The Head of the Department of the Supervisor or delegate is invited to serve on the Comprehensive Examination Committee. The Examination Committee is chaired by the Chair of the Environmental Science Program. The examination will be both written and oral. The topic is assigned by the Examination Committee, which also determines the submission date for the paper, and the date of the examination. Normally, the student will write the paper within four months, and the oral examination will occur within six weeks of the paper’s submission. This paper will form the basis of a public seminar. The Examination Committee will question the student about the paper, the topic and its broader relationship with Environmental Science.

The doctoral thesis is based on the results of systematic, independent research on an approved scientific topic. To ensure the research is interdisciplinary, the supervisory committee must be made up of members from at least two different departments. The student will be required to present a Ph.D. research proposal to the supervisory committee. The completed thesis will be evaluated according to the General Regulations of the School of Graduate Studies. It must contribute significantly to knowledge in the field of Environmental Science.