The main goal of the PhD program is to provide students with the opportunity to design, conduct, and write about a collection of substantial, inter-related, independent research projects. Students' projects cover the full range of topics listed in the Overview (above) and may include field work, lab work, molecular biology, bioinformatics, eco-informatics, statistics, mathematical theory, computer simulations, or some combination of these approaches.
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PhD students are expected to complete an original independent research program that makes substantial and innovative contributions to their field of research. It is expected that PhD candidates will publish multiple primary scientific articles based on their research.
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A thesis is completed under the direction of the student's supervisor(s), assisted by a supervisory (advisory) committee, and defended at an oral examination.
Applicants may enter the PhD program via one of three routes: 1) following completion of a recognized MSc degree in ecology and evolutionary biology; 2) transfer from the University of Toronto's EEB MSc program; or 3) direct entry, typically following completion of a BSc degree.
PhD Program
Minimum Admission Requirements
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Applicants are admitted under the General Regulations of the School of Graduate Studies. Applicants must also satisfy the Department of Ecology and Evolutionary Biology's additional admission requirements stated below.
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Applicants will not be admitted until they have secured an agreement with a graduate faculty member to sponsor and supervise the student's research and the applicant has been offered a graduate position by EEB.
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Applicants to this pathway of the EEB PhD program may be accepted after completion of a four-year BSc degree in biology and a research-based MSc degree in the fields of ecology or evolutionary biology. Applicants must have a grade average equivalent to at least a University of Toronto A– during the MSc and an average of at least B+ in the final two years of the bachelor's program.
Completion Requirements
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Coursework. Students must successfully complete a total of 1.5 graduate full-course equivalents (FCEs). These courses or course modules are chosen from those offered by the EEB department, or with the permission of the supervisor(s) and supervisory committee, offered by other U of T departments.
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During an appraisal exam, students are examined on both their mastery of concepts in ecology and evolutionary biology and a submitted research proposal. Students are examined 14 to 20 months into the program.
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Students must deliver two public seminars in the department based on their thesis research.
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Students must submit a thesis and defend it at a Doctoral Final Oral Examination conducted by the School of Graduate Studies.
Program Length: 4 years full-time (typical registration sequence: Continuous)
Time Limit: 6 years full-time
PhD Program (Transfer)
Transfer Requirements
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Applicants may be accepted first into EEB's MSc program from an appropriate bachelor's degree program and, conditional upon evidence of research excellence as judged by the thesis supervisory committee through the EEB transfer exam process and an interview, may transfer into the PhD program.
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Transfers will not be permitted until the student has secured an agreement with a graduate faculty member to sponsor and supervise the student's research.
Completion Requirements
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Coursework. Students must successfully complete a total of 2.0 graduate full-course equivalents (FCEs). These courses or course modules are chosen from those offered by the EEB department or, with the permission of the supervisor(s) and supervisory committee, offered by other U of T departments.
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Students transferring into the PhD program from the MSc may apply 0.5 graduate FCE towards the PhD course requirement.
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Doctoral students must successfully complete an appraisal exam, separate from the transfer exam used for admission into the doctoral program through the transfer pathway. During an appraisal exam, students are examined on both their mastery of concepts in ecology and evolutionary biology and a submitted research proposal. Students are examined 14 to 26 months into the program from the initial MSc program start date.
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Students must deliver two public seminars in the department based on their thesis research.
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Students must submit a thesis and defend it at a Doctoral Final Oral Examination conducted by the School of Graduate Studies.
Program Length: 5 years full-time (typical registration sequence: Continuous)
Time Limit: 7 years full-time
PhD Program (Direct-Entry)
Minimum Admission Requirements
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Applicants are admitted under the General Regulations of the School of Graduate Studies. Applicants must also satisfy the Department of Ecology and Evolutionary Biology's additional admission requirements stated below.
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Applicants will not be admitted until they have secured an agreement with a graduate faculty member to sponsor and supervise the student's research and the applicant has been offered a graduate position by EEB.
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Applicants may be accepted for direct entry into the PhD with a BSc degree with an average grade equivalent to a University of Toronto A– or better across the final two years of bachelor's coursework and in any postgraduate work, including courses in ecology and evolutionary biology, and evidence of research potential. Applicants may be considered through this entrance pathway if they do not have a recognized research-based MSc degree in the fields of ecology or evolutionary biology, or if they completed a BSc in a discipline other than biology.
Completion Requirements
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Coursework. Exceptional students admitted to the PhD program without an MSc degree must successfully complete a total of 2.0 graduate full-course equivalents (FCEs). These courses or course modules are chosen from those offered by the EEB department, or with the permission of the supervisor(s) and supervisory committee, offered by other U of T departments.
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During an appraisal exam, students are examined on both their mastery of concepts in ecology and evolutionary biology and a submitted research proposal. Students are examined 14 to 26 months into the program.
-
Students must deliver two public seminars in the department based on their thesis research.
-
Students must submit a thesis and defend it at a Doctoral Final Oral Examination conducted by the School of Graduate Studies.
Program Length: 5 years full-time (typical registration sequence: Continuous)
Time Limit: 7 years full-time