Admission to the PhD program is generally restricted to students with a recognized MSc degree in a related field obtained with a minimum academic standing of ‘B‘ (75%) in their postgraduate studies. Students who meet the minimum university requirement (70%) but not the departmental requirement (75%) may be considered for admission with provisional status. Students on provisional status must obtain a B average in at least two graduate courses during their first two semesters of study to continue in the program.

A candidate for the PhD degree is expected to have a general knowledge of fundamental aspects of biology and detailed knowledge of the specialty area. The specialty area will normally be one of the areas in which the Department of Environmental Biology is prepared to offer a graduate degree. In addition, students are encouraged to obtain a knowledge of both the theoretical and applied aspects of their specialty area.

Before the end of the student's first semester the advisory committee will meet informally with the student to discuss the student's background, interests and knowledge in the proposed research area. The advisory committee will then establish a program of prescribed courses and, if necessary, additional courses.

All PhD candidates must complete a thesis. A statement of the objectives of the thesis research program should be prepared as early as possible. A PhD program normally requires 9 to 11 semesters. The number of courses per semester should not normally exceed four. Graduate students must take the Seminar, ENVB*6710 course, unless exempted from taking this course by the advisory committee. Exemptions are subject to approval by the Graduate Education Committee.