Civil and Mineral Engineering: Civil Engineering PhD

The Doctor of Philosophy (PhD) program is designed for outstanding individuals interested in a rewarding career in fundamental or applied research. This program involves advanced courses and an intensive research program culminating in a thesis.

Applicants may enter the PhD program via one of three routes: 1) following completion of an appropriate master's degree in engineering, mathematics, physics, or chemistry; 2) transfer from the University of Toronto MASc or MEng program; 3) direct entry following completion of a bachelor's degree.

PhD Program

Minimum Admission Requirements

  • Applicants are admitted under the General Regulations of the School of Graduate Studies. Applicants must also satisfy the Department of Civil and Mineral Engineering's additional admission requirements stated below.

  • A completed undergraduate degree equivalent to a four-year University of Toronto program with a minimum final-year grade point average (GPA) of B+ (3.3 out of 4.0 or 78%), and successful completion of a master's degree with an overall average of at least B+ (or equivalent).

  • Applicants whose primary language is not English and who graduated from a university where the language of instruction and examination was not English must demonstrate proficiency in English. See General Regulations section 4.3 for requirements.

  • Applicants must satisfy the department of the ability to undertake advanced research.

Completion Requirements

  • Students with an MASc degree (or equivalent in the same area of study) must complete a minimum of 2.0 full-course equivalents (FCEs) (four half courses).

  • Students with an MEng degree must complete a minimum of 4.5 FCEs (nine half courses). Up to 3.0 FCEs (six graduate half courses) may be used from the MEng program towards the PhD course requirements.

  • Comprehensive examination after completing most of the coursework and preferably within one year after first enrolment in the PhD program. This examination consists of a four- to five-day take-home written examination, followed approximately a week later by an oral examination. The examination is administered by a Comprehensive Examination Committee created and supervised by the department's Graduate Studies Committee.

  • Residence. Students normally must spend at least two academic years of their program on campus on a full-time basis.

  • The academic program must be approved by the department's Graduate Studies Committee.

  • Students must participate in the non-credit seminar course JDE1000H Ethics in Research.

  • Students have the option of completing an emphasis in Sustainable Energy as part of their degree program. Please see details in the Civil and Mineral Engineering Emphases section.

Mode of Delivery: In person
Program Length: 4 years full-time (typical registration sequence: Continuous)
Time Limit: 6 years full-time

 

PhD Program (Transfer)

Transfer Requirements

  • Very strong MASc and MEng students may apply to transfer to the PhD program with approval of the Associate Chair. Please contact the department for more information.

Completion Requirements

  • Students enrolled in the MASc or MEng degree program who transfer to the PhD program must complete a minimum of 4.5 full-course equivalents (FCEs) (nine half courses). Courses taken during the master's program may be applied to the PhD program.
  • Comprehensive examination after completing most of the coursework and preferably within one year after first enrolment in the PhD program. This examination consists of a four- to five-day take-home written examination, followed approximately a week later by an oral examination. The examination is administered by a Comprehensive Examination Committee created and supervised by the department's Graduate Studies Committee.

  • Residence. Students normally must spend at least two academic years of their program on campus on a full-time basis.

  • The academic program must be approved by the department's Graduate Studies Committee.

  • Students must participate in the non-credit seminar course JDE1000H Ethics in Research during their first or second session of registration.

  • Students have the option of completing an emphasis in Sustainable Energy as part of their degree program. Please see details in the Civil and Mineral Engineering Emphases section.

Mode of Delivery: In person
Program Length: 5 years full-time (typical registration sequence: Continuous)
Time Limit: 7 years full-time

 

PhD Program (Direct-Entry)

Minimum Admission Requirements

  • Applicants are admitted under the General Regulations of the School of Graduate Studies. Applicants must also satisfy the Department of Civil and Mineral Engineering's additional admission requirements stated below.

  • A completed undergraduate degree equivalent to a four-year University of Toronto program with a minimum final-year grade point average (GPA) of A– (3.7 out of 4.0 or 80%).

  • Applicants whose primary language is not English and who graduated from a university where the language of instruction and examination was not English must demonstrate proficiency in English. See General Regulations section 4.3 for requirements.

  • Applicants must satisfy the department of the ability to undertake advanced research.

Completion Requirements

  • Coursework. Students must successfully complete a minimum of 4.5 full-course equivalents (FCEs) (nine half courses).

  • Comprehensive examination after completing most of the coursework and preferably within one year after first enrolment in the PhD program. This examination consists of a four- to five-day take-home written examination, followed approximately a week later by an oral examination. The examination is administered by a Comprehensive Examination Committee created and supervised by the department's Graduate Studies Committee.

  • Residence. Students normally must spend at least two academic years of their program on campus on a full-time basis.

  • The academic program must be approved by the department's Graduate Studies Committee during the student's first session.

  • Students must participate in the non-credit seminar course JDE1000H Ethics in Research.

  • Students have the option of completing an emphasis in Sustainable Energy as part of their degree program. Please see details in the Civil and Mineral Engineering Emphases section.

Mode of Delivery: In person
Program Length: 5 years full-time (typical registration sequence: Continuous)
Time Limit: 7 years full-time

 

PhD Program (Flexible-Time)

Minimum Admission Requirements

  • Applicants are admitted under the General Regulations of the School of Graduate Studies. Applicants must also satisfy the Department of Civil and Mineral Engineering's additional admission requirements stated below.

  • A completed undergraduate degree equivalent to a four-year University of Toronto program with a minimum final-year grade point average (GPA) of B+ (3.3 out of 4.0 or 78%), and successful completion of a master's degree with an overall average of at least B+ (or equivalent).

  • Applicants whose primary language is not English and who graduated from a university where the language of instruction and examination was not English must demonstrate proficiency in English. See General Regulations section 4.3 for requirements.

  • Applicants must satisfy the department of the ability to undertake advanced research.

  • In addition, applicants must demonstrate that they are actively engaged in professional activities related to their proposed program of study.

Completion Requirements

  • Students with an MASc degree (or equivalent in the same area of study) must complete a minimum of 2.0 full-course equivalents (FCEs) (four half courses).

  • Students with an MEng degree must complete a minimum of 4.5 FCEs (nine half courses). Up to 3.0 FCEs (six graduate half courses) may be used from the MEng program towards the PhD course requirements.

  • Comprehensive examination after completing most of the coursework and preferably within one year after first enrolment in the PhD program. This examination consists of a four- to five-day take-home written examination, followed approximately a week later by an oral examination. The examination is administered by a Comprehensive Examination Committee created and supervised by the department's Graduate Studies Committee.
  • Residence. Students normally must spend at least two academic years of their program on campus on a full-time basis.

  • The academic program must be approved by the department's Graduate Studies Committee.
  • Students must participate in the non-credit seminar course JDE1000H Ethics in Research.

  • Students have the option of completing an emphasis in Sustainable Energy as part of their degree program. Please see details in the Civil and Mineral Engineering Emphases section.

Mode of Delivery: In person
Program Length: 6 years full-time (typical registration sequence: Continuous)
Time Limit: 8 years full-time