Program Overview

Natural Resources and Environmental Management (PhD)

The PhD program is aimed at developing independent researchers in the areas of natural resources and the environment, through a holistic and interdisciplinary approach.

Program Details

• Expected duration: 4 years
• Tuition and fees: Tuition fees are charged for terms one and two and terms four and five. A continuing fee is paid for term three, term six and each subsequent term.
• Degree: PhD in Natural Resources and Environmental Management
• Faculty: Clayton H. Riddell Faculty of Environment, Earth, and Resources, Faculty of Graduate and Postdoctoral Studies

A Truly Collaborative Graduate Program

A hallmark of the program is the collaboration with other University of Manitoba academic units and other Manitoba universities through an extensive community of adjunct professors and cross-appointments.

• PhD students have access to a variety of agencies external to the University of Manitoba, including:
  • The Freshwater Institute
  • The International Institute for Sustainable Development
  • Delta Waterfowl
  • Ducks Unlimited

Program Requirements

• All PhD students are required to complete a minimum of 12 and a maximum of 21 credit hours of coursework at the 700/7000-level or above, beyond the master's degree (or its equivalent).
• A minimum of 6 credit hours of courses must be completed within the Natural Resources Institute and must include NRI 7310 PhD Thesis Research Seminar (3).
• Individual programs of study will vary from student to student depending on each student's research interest and the recommendations of each student's advisor and PhD advisory committee.

Thesis

• PhD candidates must demonstrate an ability for independent investigation, original research or creative scholarship.
• This is expected to be presented in a thesis with a degree of literary skill and by an oral examination wherein the candidate exhibits mastery of their field.

Sample Course Offerings

• NRI 7120: Mineral Resources Management and Policy
• NRI 7130: Energy Resources Management and Policy
• NRI 7180: Sustainable Development and Natural Resources
• NRI 7182: Sustainability, Economics, and Natural Resources
• NRI 7190: Natural Resources Administration and Law
• NRI 7222: Human Dimensions of Natural Resources and Environmental Management
• NR 7232: Ecological Dimensions of Resource and Environmental Management
• NR 7262: Master's Thesis Research Seminar
• NRI 7280: Regional Development in Northern Manitoba
• NRI 7290: Environmental Impact Assessment
• NRI 7302: Conservation Biology and Biodiversity Management

Admission Requirements

• A candidate must normally complete a master's degree before entering the PhD program.
• PhD applicants must have a minimum GPA of 3.5 in the last 60 credit hours of study.
• Please review the academic listing and communicate directly with professors whose research most closely matches that of your own interests.
• The department will not consider applications that have not identified a confirmed program supervisor.
• In addition to the admission requirements described here, all applicants must meet the minimum admission and English language proficiency requirements of the Faculty of Graduate and Postdoctoral Studies.

Application Process

• The PhD Natural Resource and Environmental Management program has only one application deadline per year and applications are accepted for September entry only.
• Applications must be completed online and include several parts:
  • Application fee (non-refundable)
  • Transcripts from previous institutions
  • CV/Resumé
  • Statement of Intent/Brief research proposal
  • Publication/writing sample
  • Letter from your advisor, indicating that they are willing to supervise your work.
  • Three letters of recommendation.

Statement of Intent/Brief Research Proposal

• The statement of intent is a written document in which an applicant for admission to the PhD program reflects on their past, present, and future academic and professional experiences as they relate to the NREM PhD degree program.
• The statement of intent should be followed by a brief research proposal describing the applicant's intended research project, proposed topics, preferred methods of data collection, and the potential contributions of the work.
• Proposals written in the standard research proposal format are strongly preferred.
• Applicants are encouraged to consult the graduate scholarship application instructions of the relevant Tricouncil Agency (NSERC, SSHRC, CIHR) for guidance.
• The combined length of the statement of intent and brief research proposal should not exceed 5 pages.

Finding an Advisor

• You must find a thesis advisor before submitting an application.
• To find an advisor, please review the academic listing and communicate directly with professors whose research most closely matches that of your own interests.