PhD Integrative Biology
The PhD in Integrative Biology at the University of Guelph provides research, training, and scholarship in both plant and animal sciences. Our graduate students study a wide variety of organisms, from microbes to plants and animals, at multiple levels of organizations, from molecules and cells to entire ecosystems.
Graduate students’ programs are tailored depending on their interests and background.
Degree Details
Most of PhD students' time will be devoted to research in fulfillment of the thesis requirement. Students can choose to pursue research in one of three areas:
Ecology
Evolutionary Biology
Comparative Physiology
The three areas of emphasis focus on (but are not restricted to), experimental approaches in field and laboratory settings and a strong linkage between theoretical and applied investigations. Learn about the program’s expected learning outcomes. The department encourages students to pursue interdisciplinary research and take advantage of faculty expertise from across campus.
The department does not require that PhD students with an MSc degree take any courses. Students entering directly into the PhD program are required to take 1.0 course credits, which must include IBIO*6630: Scientific Communication in their first or second semester.
The PhD program requires the successful completion of a qualifying exam and the completion and defence of a research-based thesis.
Collaborative Specializations
A collaborative specialization is an intra-university graduate field of study that provides an additional multidisciplinary experience for students enrolled in and completing the degree requirements for an Integrative Biology graduate program. Opportunities for collaborative specializations are available in the areas of Neuroscience, Toxicology, and One Health.
Facilities and Fieldwork
The University of Guelph is home to diverse, state-of-the-art facilities that contribute to research and graduate training. Extensive freshwater and saltwater holding facilities are available in the Hagen Aqualab. The university is home to one of the largest herbariums in Canada and has a strong partnership with the Royal Botanical Gardens. The Biodiversity Institute for Conservation Synthesis provides first-class facilities to investigate the genetic diversity of organisms and the Limnotron enables experimental manipulation of aquatic food webs.
The department engages in fieldwork throughout the world, including local, Arctic, African, and tropical sites. The department has access to field sites, extensive greenhouse and plant growth facilities across campus. Graduate students have access to facilities in the Advanced Analysis Centre, including those for genomics, mass spectrometry, NMR, x-ray crystallography, and facilities for the growth of bacteria, yeast, mammalian, and plant cells.
Choosing an Advisor
Check out Before You Apply for helpful advice on identifying and reaching out to faculty members.
Review current graduate student opportunities in the Department of Integrative Biology.
Visit our ReSearch CBS database to search by research topic.
Review the full list of graduate faculty or search for faculty by area of research:
PhD applicants require an MSc (or equivalent) in a related area, including integrative biology, ecology, evolution, marine and freshwater biology, biochemistry, cell biology, and molecular biology and genetics, with minimum academic standing of A- (80%) in their postgraduate studies, and the endorsement of a potential thesis advisor.
Under exceptional circumstances, admission directly to a PhD program with an appropriate honours degree alone or transfer from MSc to PhD program without completing the MSc thesis requirements, is also possible.
Graduate students are an important and valued component of the department and we welcome inquiries from students with the appropriate academic qualifications. Before completing and submitting an official application, potential graduate students must find a faculty member who shares their research interest and is willing to be their advisor. Once they've agreed, the advisor can recommend which semester they should apply to.
When contacting faculty, applicants should consider including the following information:
a transcript of their academic record (an unofficial copy will suffice)
a description of any relevant research and/or work experience
whether they have applied for or have a scholarship
names, phone numbers and email addresses of two to three academic or research references
the reason they would like to work with that particular faculty member
Applications should be uploaded at least one full semester (four months) prior to the expected date of admission. Applications from international students should be uploaded at least eight months prior to the expected date of admission. Each applicant must obtain the support of a faculty member willing to serve as their thesis advisor.
Graduate student applications to programs in the College of Biological Science are handled by the Office of the Associate Dean, Research (ADR). Before submitting an application, applicants are strongly encouraged to review the information found on the CBS website to learn more about the application process.
Complete application instructions may also be found on the Office of Graduate Studies webpage or in the Graduate Calendar.
Contact Us
Dr. Cortland Griswold, Graduate Program Coordinator
519-824-4120 ext. 56240
cgriswol@uoguelph.ca
Kate Artuso, Graduate Program Assistant
519-824-4120 ext. 56097
cbsib@uoguelph.ca
Karen White, Graduate Admissions Assistant
519-824-4120 ext. 52730
white@uoguelph.ca