Earth and Planetary Sciences (Ph.D.)

Offered by: Earth & Planetary Sciences (Faculty of Science)
Degree: Doctor of Philosophy

Program Description

Highly qualified B.Sc. graduates may be admitted directly to the Ph.D. 1 year. Students with the M.Sc. degree are normally admitted to the Ph.D. 2 year.

* Students are required to take four graduate-level courses in the Ph.D. 1 year, and two courses plus a comprehensive oral examination in the Ph.D. 2 year.

Note: For information about Fall 2025 and Winter 2026 course offerings, please check back on May 8, 2025. Until then, the "Terms offered" field will appear blank for most courses while the class schedule is being finalized.

Thesis

A thesis for the doctoral degree must constitute original scholarship and must be a distinct contribution to knowledge. It must show familiarity with previous work in the field and must demonstrate ability to plan and carry out research, organize results, and defend the approach and conclusions in a scholarly manner. The research presented must meet current standards of the discipline; as well, the thesis must clearly demonstrate how the research advances knowledge in the field. Finally, the thesis must be written in compliance with norms for academic and scholarly expression and for publication in the public domain.

Required Courses

Complementary Courses

Two to six courses (6 to 18 credits) approved at the 500, 600, or 700 level selected in consultation with the student's supervisor and approved by the Academic Standing Committee.