Program Overview

Soil Science (PhD) Program

The Soil Science PhD program is a three-year thesis-based program consisting of coursework and a substantial research component. The program is focused on the sustainability and productivity of the land base, enhancement of crop and livestock production, and maintenance of soil, water, and food quality as affected by agriculture and other human activities.

Program Details

• The program is offered by the Faculty of Agricultural and Food Sciences and the Faculty of Graduate and Postdoctoral Studies.
• The expected duration of the program is 3 years.
• 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.

Coursework

• Each student's program is individually tailored, though it must satisfy the requirements of the Department of Soil Science.
• Students admitted directly from an MSc program must complete a minimum of six credit hours at the 7000 level or higher with at least three credit hours from the Department of Soil Science.
• Students admitted directly from an honours bachelor degree or equivalent must complete a minimum of 18 credit hours with at least 12 credit hours at the 7000 level (of which six must be from the Department of Soil Science).
• Sample course offerings include:
  • SOIL 7170: Agricultural Micrometeorology
  • SOIL 7180: Environmental Chemistry of Pesticides and Related Compounds
  • SOIL 7210: Topics in Soil Fertility
  • SOIL 7220: Principles of Scientific Research and Communication
  • SOIL 7230: Topics in Landscape Processes I
  • SOIL 7240: Topics in Landscape Processes II
  • SOIL 7250: Topics in Soil Science
  • SOIL 7270: Advanced Soil Ecology

Thesis

• Students must demonstrate competence in completing thesis research and pass an oral examination on their subject.

Graduation Requirements

• To meet graduation requirements, all students must demonstrate strong communications skills and hold (from their current program or in previous studies):
  • 12 credit hours in fundamental and applied soil sciences at the senior undergraduate or graduate level
  • Three credit hours in experimental design and statistical analysis at the senior undergraduate or graduate level

Research

• Research in the faculty is focused on the sustainability and productivity of the land base, enhancement of crop and livestock production, and maintenance of soil.
• Some of the current research programs include:
  • Sustainable food production and communities: Sustaining and increasing the production of crops by enhancing soil management practices and reducing soil degradation that threatens food production.
  • Climate-smart soils: Exploring and promoting soil processes and management practices to better improve crop production in the evolving climate of the Canadian prairies.

Facilities

• The network of facilities can be found both on campus and around the province of Manitoba.
• Researchers and students have access to equipment to conduct specialized research in a variety of areas.

Community Outreach

• The Manitoba Agriculture and Food Knowledge Exchange (MAKE) is a resource for faculty scientists and collaborators to share research shaping agriculture and food production in Manitoba and around the world.

Admission Requirements

• The minimum requirements to be considered for entry into the Soil Science (PhD) program include:
  • Normally, the completion of a Master's degree or equivalent from a recognized university
  • A cumulative GPA of 3.0 or equivalent in the last two years of full-time university study
• In addition to the admission requirements, all applicants must meet the minimum admission and English language proficiency requirements of the Faculty of Graduate and Postdoctoral Studies.

Application Deadlines

• Applications are reviewed on a rolling basis.
• Applications open up to 16 months prior to the start term.
• Annual application deadlines for Canadian and US applicants:
  • Fall (September): June 1
  • Winter (January): October 1
  • Summer (May): February 1
• Annual application deadlines for international applicants:
  • Fall (September): January 15
  • Winter (January): March 30
  • Summer (May): September 1

Scholarships and Awards

• The faculty offers nearly $900,000 in awards and bursaries each year, as well as support for student-led programming and initiatives.