Program Overview

PhD Program in Forestry and Environmental Management

The PhD program in Forestry and Environmental Management is designed for individuals who wish to earn an academic degree of the highest level and become experts in their field. This program allows students to work alongside professors who are renowned in their disciplines and embark on a major research program exploring a specific aspect of forestry or environmental management.

Program Description

Students in this program will have the opportunity to tailor their research to their interests, including forest management, natural disturbance, silviculture, climate change, soil science, water quality management, wildlife conservation, and more. The program requires the development of a research proposal based on the student's interests, completion of a thesis, and an approved course program. The PhD program generally takes a minimum of three years of full-time study, with the option to study full-time or part-time.

Admission and Application Requirements

To be admitted to the PhD program, applicants must:

• Hold a Master's degree in a recognized field, or have an excellent honours undergraduate degree.
• Take Research Methods (FOR6913) in their first year and be registered in their Thesis (FOR6998) every year of their program.
• Register for Graduate Seminar (FOR6910) in both Fall and Winter Terms and participate in a research symposium.
• Secure a faculty member supervisor for their thesis, and typically have 3 additional members on their supervisory committee.
• Successfully complete an oral qualifying examination typically within the first year of their program.
• Present a research proposal within the first year of their program, and successfully defend their Thesis to complete the program.
• International applicants whose first language is not English must submit language scores that meet or exceed international English language testing system (IELTS) band 7.
• Interested students must first contact a faculty member in their area of interest prior to applying to secure research supervision.

Research Areas

The PhD program in Forestry and Environmental Management offers a wide range of research areas, including:

• Forest management
• Natural disturbance
• Silviculture
• Climate change
• Soil science
• Water quality management
• Wildlife conservation

Program Structure

The program structure includes:

• Development of a research proposal
• Completion of a thesis
• An approved course program
• Participation in a research symposium
• Oral qualifying examination
• Defense of the Thesis

Supervisory Committee

Students will have a supervisory committee consisting of:

• A faculty member supervisor
• Typically 3 additional members

Course Program

Students and their supervisory committee will together select a course program that suits their needs. The program includes:

• Research Methods (FOR6913)
• Graduate Seminar (FOR6910)
• Thesis (FOR6998)