Students who are applying for admission to the PhD program, and who have completed an MSc in another program (at Guelph or at a different University), will follow the application procedures prescribed by Graduate Program Services. Students lacking the same level of understanding across fields and within fields as graduates from the MSc program will be expected to correct this deficiency early in their PhD program.

Students intending to continue directly into a PhD program after the completion of an MSc within the program must complete a full application for the PhD degree. This application should be submitted at least two months before meeting the requirements of the MSc degree. Superior MSc students may be permitted to transfer to the PhD program without completing the master's degree.

Students must pass a qualifying examination and successfully prepare and defend a thesis, as specified under the general regulations for the PhD degree. Students must complete the following courses as the minimum course requirements. Additional courses will be determined by the advisory committee.

Students are encouraged to develop an advanced level of understanding of two or more additional areas of specialization which are related to the area of their research and to participate in cross-disciplinary or collaborative research programs where opportunities permit.