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 Geography and Planning's additional admission requirements stated below.

• An appropriate master's degree from a recognized university, with a minimum standing equivalent to at least a University of Toronto A–.

Completion Requirements

• Complete a minimum of 1.5 full-course equivalents (FCEs) in coursework as follows:

  • 0.5 FCE core course GGR1200H Physical Geography Core Course. Students who have taken GGR1200H at the master's level may take an alternative geography course;

  • 0.5 FCE in geography courses or from a list of approved courses available from the department;

  • 0.5 FCE in elective courses which may be taken in any departments.

  • Students who hold an appropriate master's degree but are changing disciplines or require further preparatory work may be required to complete additional coursework.

• Submit a research statement concerning the proposed PhD topic and the scope of the PhD examination by the end of April in Year 1.

• Pass a PhD examination in the general field in which research is being undertaken between June of Year 1 and no later than December of Year 2. The scope and areas of concentration of the exam are to be determined jointly by the supervisory committee and the student. There are two components of the PhD exam:

  • A written exam (options are an eight-hour closed room exam on campus in one day or over two days, or a five-day off-campus exam).

  • An oral exam to take place within one week of the written exam.

• A student who fails the PhD examination may retake the exam once within six months. Failure of the second exam may result in a recommendation for termination from the program.

• Acquire knowledge of a foreign language necessary for research upon the recommendation of the supervisory committee.

• Submit a research proposal that is acceptable to the supervisory committee, normally by the end of June of Year 2 and no later than September of Year 3.

• Unless otherwise specified, two years of residence are required whereby the student is required to be on campus full-time and consequently in such geographical proximity as to be able to participate fully in University activities associated with the program.

• Complete a thesis embodying the results of original investigation, conducted by the candidate, on the approved topic from a major area of study. The thesis shall constitute a significant contribution to the knowledge of the field and must be conducted while the student is registered in the PhD program.

• See the Graduate Geography Handbook and visit the department's website.

Mode of Delivery: In person
Program Length: 4 years full-time (typical registration sequence: Continuous)
Time Limit: 6 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 Geography and Planning's additional admission requirements stated below.

• In exceptional cases and at the discretion of the department, admission to the PhD program by direct entry may be approved for applicants with an overall A average and an appropriate bachelor's degree from a recognized university.

Completion Requirements

• Complete a minimum of 3.0 full-course equivalents (FCEs) as follows:

  • 0.5 FCE core course GGR1200H Physical Geography Core Course;

  • 0.5 FCE in geography courses or from a list of approved courses available from the department;

  • 2.0 FCE in elective courses which may be taken in any department.

• Submit a research statement concerning the proposed PhD topic and the scope of the PhD examination by the end of April in Year 1.

• Pass a PhD examination in the general field in which research is being undertaken between June of Year 1 and no later than December of Year 2. The scope and areas of concentration of the exam are to be determined jointly by the supervisory committee and the student. There are two components of the PhD exam:

  • A written exam (options are an eight-hour closed room exam on campus in one day or over two days, or a five-day off-campus exam).

  • An oral exam to take place within one week of the written exam.

• A student who fails the PhD examination may retake the exam once within six months. Failure of the second exam may result in a recommendation for termination from the program.

• Acquire knowledge of a foreign language necessary for their research upon the recommendation of their supervisory committee.

• Submit a research proposal that is acceptable to the supervisory committee, normally by the end of June of Year 2 and no later than September of Year 3.

• Unless otherwise specified, two years of residence are required whereby the student is required to be on campus full-time and consequently in such geographical proximity as to be able to participate fully in the University activities associated with the program.

• Complete a thesis embodying the results of original investigation, conducted by the candidate, on the approved topic from a major area of study. The thesis shall constitute a significant contribution to the knowledge of the field and must be conducted while the student is registered in the PhD program.

• See the Graduate Geography Handbook and visit the department's website.

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