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Doctor of Philosophy in Resources, Environment and Sustainability (PhD)

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The Institute for Resources, Environment and Sustainability (IRES) at the University of British Columbia (UBC) is a problem-focused and curiosity-driven interdisciplinary research institute and graduate program, with interest and expertise in a wide range of topics under the realm of environment and sustainability. Our mission is to foster sustainable futures through integrated research and learning about the linkages among human and natural systems, and to support decision making from local to global scales. More often than not, we achieve this through collaborations across students and faculty in a manner that recognizes our collective skills, intellectual histories and methodological approaches, and yet encourages our interdependencies as we consider real world problems.

For specific program requirements, please refer to the departmental program website

What makes the program unique?

Over fifty percent of our core faculty are Canada Research Chairs and faculty mentoring has led to a high success rate of our students winning major fellowships and scholarships. There are multi-year funding packages offered for top applicants to the RES program. RES has over 400 alumni since the graduate program started in 1994.

I explored many options with respect to doctoral studies and ultimately decided on UBC because of the close alignment of my interests and the Institute of Resources, Environment and Sustainability, and more specifically the research focus of my supervisor.

Alexa Tanner

Quick Facts

Program Enquiries

Admission information & requirements, 1) check eligibility, minimum academic requirements.

The Faculty of Graduate and Postdoctoral Studies establishes the minimum admission requirements common to all applicants, usually a minimum overall average in the B+ range (76% at UBC). The graduate program that you are applying to may have additional requirements. Please review the specific requirements for applicants with credentials from institutions in:

• Canada or the United States
• International countries other than the United States

Each program may set higher academic minimum requirements. Please review the program website carefully to understand the program requirements. Meeting the minimum requirements does not guarantee admission as it is a competitive process.

English Language Test

Applicants from a university outside Canada in which English is not the primary language of instruction must provide results of an English language proficiency examination as part of their application. Tests must have been taken within the last 24 months at the time of submission of your application.

Minimum requirements for the two most common English language proficiency tests to apply to this program are listed below:

TOEFL: Test of English as a Foreign Language - internet-based

Overall score requirement : 100

IELTS: International English Language Testing System

Overall score requirement : 7.0

Other Test Scores

Some programs require additional test scores such as the Graduate Record Examination (GRE) or the Graduate Management Test (GMAT). The requirements for this program are:

The GRE is not required.

Prior degree, course and other requirements

Prior degree requirements.

RES does not admit applicants to the PhD program unless they have completed a thesis-based master's degree prior to the RES PhD program start.

Course Requirements

There are no specific prerequisites for the RES PhD program other than you must have completed a thesis-based Masters degree from a recognized institution. As we are an interdisciplinary program, we accept applications from all disciples and backgrounds. Anyone interested in studying environmental/sustainability problems in an interdisciplinary way is encouraged to apply.

Document Requirements

The RES program requires all applicants to submit a thesis proposal with their application. Details of this can be found here: https://ires.ubc.ca/graduate-program/prospective-students/how-to-apply/

2) Meet Deadlines

3) prepare application, transcripts.

All applicants have to submit transcripts from all past post-secondary study. Document submission requirements depend on whether your institution of study is within Canada or outside of Canada.

Letters of Reference

A minimum of three references are required for application to graduate programs at UBC. References should be requested from individuals who are prepared to provide a report on your academic ability and qualifications.

Statement of Interest

Many programs require a statement of interest , sometimes called a "statement of intent", "description of research interests" or something similar.

Supervision

Students in research-based programs usually require a faculty member to function as their thesis supervisor. Please follow the instructions provided by each program whether applicants should contact faculty members.

Instructions regarding thesis supervisor contact for Doctor of Philosophy in Resources, Environment and Sustainability (PhD)

Citizenship verification.

Permanent Residents of Canada must provide a clear photocopy of both sides of the Permanent Resident card.

4) Apply Online

All applicants must complete an online application form and pay the application fee to be considered for admission to UBC.

Tuition & Financial Support

Financial support.

Applicants to UBC have access to a variety of funding options, including merit-based (i.e. based on your academic performance) and need-based (i.e. based on your financial situation) opportunities.

Program Funding Packages

All full-time students who begin a UBC-Vancouver PhD program in September 2024 or later will be guaranteed a minimum funding package of $24,000 for each of the first four years of their PhD. This guaranteed minimum doctoral funding package may consist of any combination of internal or external awards, teaching-related work (TA), Research assistantships (RA), and Graduate Academic Assistantships (GAA).

Additional funding opportunities for PhD applicants may come from UBC’s Four Year Doctoral Fellowship (4YF) : an $18,200 stipend plus full tuition coverage per year, for four consecutive years.

RES students have also been highly successful in receiving support from the most prestigious funding agencies. Many of our students are Social Sciences and Humanities Research Council (SSHRC)  or Natural Sciences and Engineering Research Council (NSERC)   recipients, and in recent years we have seen our students receive both Vanier  Canada Graduate Scholarships  and the Trudeau Foundation Doctoral Scholarship , the most highly-regarded scholarships in Canada. You can review a detailed list of the most commonly applied to scholarships on our website.

In addition to external scholarships and funding options noted above, RES typically distributes one-time entrance awards to the majority of incoming students. The amount of these awards varies year to year, however over the last three years the awards have been in the range of $3000-$5000.

It is important for applicants to the RES program to confirm the details of any funding package that may be available to them prior to accepting an offer of admission to the program.

Average Funding

• 8 students received Teaching Assistantships. Average TA funding based on 8 students was $6,018.
• 19 students received Research Assistantships. Average RA funding based on 19 students was $17,172.
• 12 students received Academic Assistantships. Average AA funding based on 12 students was $4,726.
• 32 students received internal awards. Average internal award funding based on 32 students was $13,925.
• 16 students received external awards. Average external award funding based on 16 students was $30,208.

Scholarships & awards (merit-based funding)

All applicants are encouraged to review the awards listing to identify potential opportunities to fund their graduate education. The database lists merit-based scholarships and awards and allows for filtering by various criteria, such as domestic vs. international or degree level.

Graduate Research Assistantships (GRA)

Many professors are able to provide Research Assistantships (GRA) from their research grants to support full-time graduate students studying under their supervision. The duties constitute part of the student's graduate degree requirements. A Graduate Research Assistantship is considered a form of fellowship for a period of graduate study and is therefore not covered by a collective agreement. Stipends vary widely, and are dependent on the field of study and the type of research grant from which the assistantship is being funded.

Graduate Teaching Assistantships (GTA)

Graduate programs may have Teaching Assistantships available for registered full-time graduate students. Full teaching assistantships involve 12 hours work per week in preparation, lecturing, or laboratory instruction although many graduate programs offer partial TA appointments at less than 12 hours per week. Teaching assistantship rates are set by collective bargaining between the University and the Teaching Assistants' Union .

Graduate Academic Assistantships (GAA)

Academic Assistantships are employment opportunities to perform work that is relevant to the university or to an individual faculty member, but not to support the student’s graduate research and thesis. Wages are considered regular earnings and when paid monthly, include vacation pay.

Financial aid (need-based funding)

Canadian and US applicants may qualify for governmental loans to finance their studies. Please review eligibility and types of loans .

All students may be able to access private sector or bank loans.

Foreign government scholarships

Many foreign governments provide support to their citizens in pursuing education abroad. International applicants should check the various governmental resources in their home country, such as the Department of Education, for available scholarships.

Working while studying

The possibility to pursue work to supplement income may depend on the demands the program has on students. It should be carefully weighed if work leads to prolonged program durations or whether work placements can be meaningfully embedded into a program.

International students enrolled as full-time students with a valid study permit can work on campus for unlimited hours and work off-campus for no more than 20 hours a week.

A good starting point to explore student jobs is the UBC Work Learn program or a Co-Op placement .

Tax credits and RRSP withdrawals

Students with taxable income in Canada may be able to claim federal or provincial tax credits.

Canadian residents with RRSP accounts may be able to use the Lifelong Learning Plan (LLP) which allows students to withdraw amounts from their registered retirement savings plan (RRSPs) to finance full-time training or education for themselves or their partner.

Please review Filing taxes in Canada on the student services website for more information.

Cost Estimator

Applicants have access to the cost estimator to develop a financial plan that takes into account various income sources and expenses.

Career Outcomes

71 students graduated between 2005 and 2013: 1 graduate is seeking employment; for 8 we have no data (based on research conducted between Feb-May 2016). For the remaining 62 graduates:

Sample Employers in Higher Education

Sample employers outside higher education, sample job titles outside higher education, phd career outcome survey, career options.

Our current students, alumni and faculty lead and serve on numerous international, national, non-governmental organizations (NGO) and regional bodies dedicated to protecting the environment and improving well-being.

Alumni on Success

Glen Hearns

Job Title Self Employed

Employer Self Employed

Enrolment, Duration & Other Stats

These statistics show data for the Doctor of Philosophy in Resources, Environment and Sustainability (PhD). Data are separated for each degree program combination. You may view data for other degree options in the respective program profile.

This program went through a name change in previous years that may have included curriculum changes. It was previously known as: Doctor of Philosophy in Resource Management and Environmental Studies until 2015. Historical data on this page may include data collected under the previous name(s) of the program.

ENROLMENT DATA

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• Research Supervisors

Advice and insights from UBC Faculty on reaching out to supervisors

These videos contain some general advice from faculty across UBC on finding and reaching out to a supervisor. They are not program specific.

This list shows faculty members with full supervisory privileges who are affiliated with this program. It is not a comprehensive list of all potential supervisors as faculty from other programs or faculty members without full supervisory privileges can request approvals to supervise graduate students in this program.

• Boyd, David (Human rights)
• Chan, Kai (Natural environment sciences; Human Ecology; Ecology and Quality of the Environment; Social and Cultural Factors of Environmental Protection; Applied Ethics; Values and Lifestyles; Sustainable Development; conservation finance; Conservation science; cultural ecosystem services; Ecosystem services; environmental assessment; environmental values; incentive programs; payments for ecosystem services; resilience; social-ecological systems; sustainability science)
• Chang, Stephanie (All other social sciences, n.e.c.)
• Donner, Simon (Atmospheric sciences; Oceanography; Other media and communication; Climate Science; climate change impacts; Climate policy; Coastal Ecosystems; Marine Environment; Climate modelling and prediction; Science communication; Net-zero emissions; Coral reefs)
• Gantois, Joséphine (Human Dimensions of Biodiversity Conservation)
• Giang, Amanda (Atmospheric sciences; Mechanical engineering; Natural environment sciences; Atmospheric Pollutants; Chemical Pollutants; Climate Changes and Impacts; Public Policies; Social and Cultural Factors of Environmental Protection)
• Harris, Leila (Critical identity, ethnic and race studies; Gender, sexuality and education; Human rights, justice, and ethical issues; Africa; Development Policies; Drinking Water; Environmental justice; equity and social justice; Ethics and Fundamental Issues of Law and Justice; Fresh Water; Gender Relationship; gender and social difference; Ghana; International development; participatory resource management; Resources Management; Social Contract and Social Justice; Social and Cultural Factors of Environmental Protection; South Africa; Turkey and Middle East; Water; water governance; water politics)
• Johnson, Mark (Geology; Natural environment sciences; Agriculture; Biogeochemistry; Carbon cycle; Climate Changes and Impacts; data science; Ecohydrology; Ecology and Quality of the Environment; Fresh Water; Ground Water and Water Tables; Hydrological Cycle and Reservoirs; Land and Soil; land use; Running Water Hydrosystem; Water and Sustainability)
• Kandlikar, Milind (Climate change impacts and adaptation; Product life cycle; Environmental policy; Research, science and technology policy; Environmental impacts; Air Quality and Climate Change; Technological Risk; Technology and Development)
• Kremen, Claire (Natural environment sciences; Zoology; agroecological farming systems; Reconciliation of agricultural land use with biodiversity conservation; sustainable landscapes)
• Oberg, Gunilla (History and philosophy of science (including non-historical philosophy of science); Other earth and related environmental sciences, n.e.c.; Indigenous peoples environmental knowledge; All other social sciences, n.e.c.; Science and knowledge production; Scientific controversies surrounding the evaluation of chemical risk (epistemic and ontological); Indigenous data justice as related to chemicals regulation & management; Social and cultural factors of chemicals regulation & management; Vocabulary, Knowledge, Significance and Thought Building; environmental health; The challenge of teaching science as a process and not a deliverer of irrefutable facts; The role of deliberation in science)
• Ramankutty, Navin (Natural environment sciences; Public administration; Public policy; Public security policy; Agriculture; Climate Changes and Impacts; Climate impacts; Environment and Society; Global food security; Land use change; Sustainable agriculture)
• Satterfield, Theresa (Sustainable development, environmental health, First Nation & land management, social and cultural consequences of contamination)
• Wittman, Hannah (Sociology and related studies; Farming systems research; food sovereignty; Sustainable agriculture; socio-ecological systems; Agroecology)
• Zhao, Jiaying (Natural environment sciences; Psychology and cognitive sciences)

Doctoral Citations

Sample thesis submissions.

• Examining Canadian governance of First Nations fisheries along the coast of British Columbia through a theoretical lens of food justice
• A critical physical geography of conservation, water, and scientific research in the Bale Mountains, Ethiopia
• The influence of climate change on crop yields in the Canadian Prairies
• Advancing equity in water demand management among local governments in British Columbia, Canada
• Crop yield estimation in the Canadian Prairies : assessing the relative importance of scale, satellite and biophysical data
• Agricultural data governance, data justice, and the politics of novel agri-food technologies in Canada
• Understanding relationships between people and nature in the context of privately protected areas in Peru
• Messaging for wildlife conservation : leveraging attitudes, intentions, and actions for transformative change
• Inequality in global access to food and its implications for climate change and Sustainable Development Goals
• Interactions between the land surface and the near-surface atmosphere : implications for evaporative demand and evapotranspiration under a changing climate
• Exploring complexity in changing practices of care : a mixed methods inquiry into rights, relations, and knowledge in protected area conservation
• Just in principle? : assessing the contributions of organic farming to socio-ecological sustainability in Canadian agriculture
• Multi-hazard perspectives on risk perception, disaster preparedness, and emergency management

Related Programs

Same specialization.

• Master of Arts in Resources, Environment and Sustainability (MA)
• Master of Science in Resources, Environment and Sustainability (MSc)

At the UBC Okanagan Campus

• Doctor of Philosophy (PhD), Sustainability

Further Information

Specialization.

Resources, Environment and Sustainability fosters sustainable futures through integrated research and learning concerning the linkages among human and natural systems and supports decision making for local to global scales. RES provides a home for graduate students focusing on the integration of the biophysical (ecological), socio-economic, and political realities of resource management within the context of a sustainable, healthy environment.

UBC Calendar

Program website, faculty overview, academic unit, program identifier, classification, social media channels, supervisor search.

Departments/Programs may update graduate degree program details through the Faculty & Staff portal. To update contact details for application inquiries, please use this form .

Charlotte Milne

I chose to come to UBC thanks to its unique placement as a university that advocates for and prioritizes the inclusion of Indigenous sciences alongside Western practices. I came for my fantastic supervisor Prof. Stephanie Chang, thanks to her world-renowned expertise in disaster risk and...

UBC is an incredible, world class university, and I’m so grateful to have landed here. Especially through my lab (Climate and Coastal Ecosystems) with Dr. Simon Donner and my colleagues at IRES, I have an amazing support network and a multitude of resources to access for my research. Through...

Jerry Achar

Joining UBC was a great deal for me because the University has high academic standards and a global reputation for producing cutting-edge research, competent graduate students and world leaders, and providing a conducive environment for personal and professional growth. The University has offered...

I decided to study at UBC for several professional and personal reasons. The Institute for Resources, Environment, and Sustainability at UBC is a highly interdisciplinary environment with a commitment to applied and problem-oriented research, and it is important to me that my work helps to solve...

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PhD in Environmental Sustainability

The goal of the PhD in Environmental Sustainability is to train leaders and professionals with the skills to develop, analyze and empirically assess policies and institutions that address the multiple challenges associated with the transition to sustainability. You will learn to consider environmental problems from the perspective of various disciplines (with an emphasis on science, law, economics and policy), all of which are critical to developing, implementing and evaluating solutions to environmental problems.

You will develop a strong understanding of the complexity of environmental sustainability problems, a critical awareness of the broad range of contributing factors and the methodological and communication skills you need to develop and share potential solutions.

Program information

• Program details
• Required Documents

View the  Environment sustainability program  page :

• Program requirements
• Course descriptions
• Admission requirements and criteria
• Admission deadlines for Canadian students
• Admission deadlines for International students

View specific requirements

You  must submit  these documents to complete your application:

Letter of intention

Provide an overview of your academic interests and career goals, and explain why you want to pursue this program. Describe your relevant studies or experience, and explain anything unusual in your academic history.

If your undergraduate degree is in something unrelated to environmental sustainability, indicate what background, experience or motivation you will bring to our program.

Recommendation letters

We require two (2) academic letters of recommendation. They must come from qualified academic scholars who can attest to and demonstrate your potential for graduate-level study or research.

The information about the individuals providing letters of recommendation is entered in your uoZone account, the student portal. You will receive an e-mail, with instructions,  after  your submit your OUAC application.

• Let the individuals know that the University of Ottawa’s letter of recommendation process is done online and is entirely confidential. They will receive a link by email to the secure online system.
• It is helpful to provide the individuals with a deadline in order to ensure they submit their letters of recommendation before the application deadline. Your application will not be considered complete ( and thus not evaluated ) until all your letters of recommendation are received.
• Letters of recommendation must be in English or French.
• We do not accept letters of recommendation from family members, friends, students, former or current classmates, employees or teaching assistants.
• It’s best to provide academic or work email addresses for those providing letters of recommendation. Email address from Hotmail, Gmail, Yahoo, etc. are discouraged.

Statement of Research Interests

The Statement of Research Interests shows your understanding of environmental sustainability issues, and your ability to describe the research you expect to conduct. It also helps to match you with a suitable supervisor, or to confirm that a supervisor you have contacted is right for you.

We understand that if you are admitted, your research area may change due to further research and guidance from your supervisor.

Your Statement of Research Interests should be no more than 1,000 words. It should identify an area of research in environmental sustainability that spans more than one discipline/knowledge area and has potential policy relevance.

Ensure that your statement is well written and structured. It should address the following, using sub-headings for each section (the word counts for each section are offered as guidelines only).

• Research area:   The area of research that interests you, including the problem you wish to address. (300 words) 
• Research question/hypothesis:  One or more research questions you wish to examine. Narrow your scope enough that your project can be completed. A research question like “What is the impact of climate change on Africa?” is too broad, whereas a question like “How does over-exploitation of groundwater in Africa affect girls’ attendance at school?” is clearly defined and possible to answer well. (100 words)
• Research methodology:  How you propose to go about answering your research question, with a focus on the methodological approach. (250 words)
• Relevant experience:  How your previous studies and/or your professional or community experience will help you address your proposed area of research. (150 words)
• Relevance:  How your research will improve the current state of knowledge in the proposed area, and its potential policy relevance. (200 words)

You may want to consult some of the many texts about choosing research and research methods. Two examples for introductory empirical economics and public policy are:

• Wooldridge, J.M.  Introductory Econometrics . 4th ed. South-Western, 2009. (chapter 19)
• Weimer, D. and Vining, A.  Policy Analysis: Concepts and Practice . 5th ed. Longman, 2010.   (chapters 1, 9, 14, 15)

Letter of Approval from your potential Supervisor 

A written statement from your potential uOttawa supervisor confirming their availability to act as your thesis supervisor.

An updated CV with your academic, professional and volunteer experience in environmental sustainability.

Submission of documents 

Once you have submitted your application and it has been transferred to uOttawa’s servers, you will receive an email with instructions on how to access uoZone, where you will be able to upload your documents.

You must upload a full set of documents for each program you are applying to through uoZone, the student portal.

• We  highly  recommend that you convert your documents to PDF formats.

Meet the Faculty

For questions about your application or the application process, contact us.  , institute of the environment.

University of Ottawa 120 University (6005) Ottawa, ON K1N 6N5

[email protected] 613-562-5689

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Doctorate Environmental Sustainability

The Institute of the Environment offers an MSc program in Environmental Sustainability, a collaborative master program in Environmental Sustainability, and a PhD program in Environmental Sustainability.

The PhD in Environmental Sustainability is an interdisciplinary degree that focuses on graduating professionals and academics specializing in the areas of environmental science, economics, law, and policy. The program is full time and offered in English and French. Under the regulations of the University of Ottawa, exams, assignments, or the thesis may be written in French or English. Students may also be supervised in French or English.

The objective of the PhD in Environmental Sustainability is to train leaders and professionals with the skills and capacities needed to be effective in developing, analyzing, and empirically evaluating public  policies and institutions designed to address the multiple challenges associated with the transition to sustainability. Students will be trained in considering environmental problems from the perspective of various disciplines of inquiry (with an emphasis on science, law, economics and policy) all of which are critical to the development, implementation and evaluation of solutions to environmental problems.

The program aims to develop a strong comprehension of the complexity of environmental sustainability problems, a critical awareness of the broad range of contributing factors, and the methodological and communication skills required to develop and communicate candidate solutions. 

The program is governed by the “Policies and Regulations” of the University of Ottawa, which are posted on the Administration and Governance website.

For the most accurate and up to date information on application deadlines, language tests and other admission requirements, please visit the  specific requirements  webpage.

To be eligible, candidates must:

• Hold a Master’s degree with thesis or research paper in a relevant discipline. Examples of relevant disciplines include environmental studies broadly construed, geography, economics, environmental science, political science, international development, environmental engineering, and law;
• Have obtained a minimum average of 75% (B+) calculated according to university guidelines;
• Provide two confidential letters of recommendation;
• Provide a CV and a statement of interest outlining career goals;
• Identify at least one professor who is willing and available to act as thesis supervisor; and
• Provide an outline of the proposed research project.

Language Requirements

Applicants must be able to understand and fluently speak the language of instruction (French or English) in the program to which they are applying. Proof of linguistic proficiency may be required.

Applicants whose first language is neither French nor English must provide proof of proficiency in the language of instruction.

Note: Candidates are responsible for any fees associated with the language tests.

Fast-track from Master’s to PhD

Students enrolled in the MSc program in Environmental Sustainability or other similar programs at the University of Ottawa have the opportunity to go directly to the PhD program without having to write the  thesis provided the following conditions are met:

• have successfully completed all required course work for the first two terms of MSc program (minimum 16.5 credits) with an average of at least A;
• have shown satisfactory progress in their research or have a demonstrated ability to do independent research
• provide a letter of recommendation from the proposed doctoral thesis supervisor supported by members of the Thesis Advisory Committee (see below).
• have successfully completed the mandatory coursework of the two first terms of their masters program and have successfully completed courses in at least two of the following disciplines: Law, Science, Policy or Economics with an average of at least A. The committee may require an addition of one or two electives if these conditions are not met.
• have shown satisfactory progress in their research or have a demonstrated ability to do independent research 
• have a letter of recommendation from the proposed doctoral thesis supervisor that is supported and approved by members of the Thesis Advisory Committee to be an area relevant to Environmental Sustainability.

The student must make a written request to transfer to the PhD program no later than the end of the third term of enrollment in the master and must enroll in the doctoral program in the fourth term. Once the transition is made, all the requirements of the doctoral program must be met.

The Institute may require students to take additional courses depending on their backgrounds.

Students must meet the following requirements:

EVD8901 has, as a prerequisite, an active knowledge of English and a passive knowledge of French. EVD8901 can be substituted by a detailed research methods course, related the students’ research and, approved by the thesis advisory committee, and program director.

The student must complete both the written and oral component of the Qualifying Examination (QE). The QE Evaluation Committee, using the research proposal summary as a guide, will identify two fields of knowledge related to the student’s proposed research. The written and oral component of the Qualifying Exam is usually completed no later than the end of the 5th term. Failure to meet this deadline results in a first failure of the Qualifying Exam and requires that the student register for the Qualifying Exam in the following term. Students will have one last opportunity to successfully complete both the written and oral components of the Qualifying Exam. In the event that the student should fail either of the two components, the Qualifying Exam would be considered failed for the second time; and the student would be withdrawn from the program.

Thesis Advisory Committee

The student’s Advisory Committee normally includes (i) faculty members from at least two substantively different disciplines (such as, but not limited to, economics, science, law, policy, engineering, health sciences, geography, and management), and (ii) a non-academic stakeholder who may provide practical mentorship and encourage a link between research and practice, where appropriate.

Minimum Standards

The passing grade for all courses is B. Students whose progress is unsatisfactory, or who do not meet the requirements of their program, will be withdrawn from the program. Reasons for withdrawal include a) two failures in the program, whether of courses, Qualifying Exam, thesis proposal; b) unsatisfactory performance of research or field work; or c) two unsatisfactory progress reports.

Research Fields & Facilities

Located in the heart of Canada’s capital, a few steps away from Parliament Hill, the University of Ottawa is among Canada’s top 10 research universities.

Professors affiliated with the Institute of the Environment conduct research on a variety of sustainability and environmental issues, including market instruments for environmental protection, community-based resource management, climate policy, the control of toxics as well as biodiversity loss and species at risk.

Our students can also collaborate with the Smart Prosperity Institute (SPI), a national research network and policy think tank based at the University of Ottawa's Institute of the Environment. SPI deliver world-class research and work with public and private partners - all to advance practical policies and market solutions for a stronger, cleaner economy.

With cutting-edge research, our graduate students, researchers and educators strongly influence national and international priorities

EVD 5100 Seminar in Environmental Sustainability (3 units)

Overview of environmental sustainability issues using climate change as an example. Application of integrated analyses based on concepts in science, law, economics and policy to devise policy solutions. The debate about the scientific evidence for climate change and international efforts to negotiate an agreement. The economic, political and social dimensions of climate change and measures taken both nationally and internationally to mitigate its effects.

Course Component: Seminar

EVD 5101 Economics of Environmental Law and Policy (3 units)

Environmental issues and the environmental policy framework from an economics perspective. Review of the underlying theory in relation to economic concepts such as efficiency, market failure, externalities, cost-benefit, and valuation. Overview of macroeconomic topics such as economic growth and green accounting, and their relation to law and policy. Application of these theoretical concepts to various environmental challenges, from climate change and energy regulation to managing ecosystem services and conserving biodiversity. Policy options for managing environmental challenges, from traditional “command and control” regulation to economic instruments such as environmental taxation, and cap and trade programs. Evaluation of the environmental, social, and economic effectiveness of the various policy options, and integration of economic theory into environmental policy development.

Course Component: Lecture

EVD 5109 Applied Environmental Sustainability (3 units)

Uses an environmental sustainability case study, such as climate change, to learn how to synthesize information about a problem from multiple disciplinary perspectives, to critically evaluate such information using rigorous methodological approaches, and to design and evaluate policy or regulatory solutions.

EVD 5111 Capstone Seminar in Environmental Sustainability (3 units)

Involves partnering with organization(s) working on a sustainability issue. Students work in interdisciplinary teams to identify the scientific, economic, legal and social dimensions of a particular environmental problem, evaluate a set of candidate solutions, and recommend an approach.

EVD 5113 Foundations of Environmental Policy (3 units)

Study of the key political and administrative factors affecting the formulation and implementation of environmental policy, including democratic institutions, various methods for citizen and stakeholder engagement and their influence on the decision-making process in government, public opinion and the framing of policy problems, values and the use of scientific evidence in policy-making, lobbying and the role of interest representation, federalism and multi-level environmental governance, and the international governance of environmental problems. Case studies will place Canada in a comparative context and explore the importance of political factors across areas of environmental policy.

EVD 5114 Professional Skills for Environmental Sustainability (1.5 unit)

Oral and written communications skills, including presenting to parliamentary committees, preparing memos to cabinet, writing editorials, doing media interviews, and producing interdisciplinary public policy reports. Project and process management skills, including multi-stakeholder processes.

EVD 5121 Foundations of Environmental Science (3 units)

Provides students with a thematic understanding of the current state of environmental science. Major themes include: the set of environmental issues that are currently of major concern in Canada and abroad; the range of scientific approaches currently employed to understand and predict the effects of human activities on ecosystems; the nature of environmental science evidence; and how environmental sustainability is characterized from the perspective of environmental science.

EVD 5122 Foundations of Environmental Economics (3 units)

Key elements of economics including formal models and their underlying assumptions as they relate to the development of sustainability policy. Covers concepts such as public goods, market failure, non-market valuation, incentives, welfare economics, regulation, the equity-efficiency trade-off and market-based instruments. The course explains how fundamental economic concepts, particularly their advantages and limitations, are used to analyze issues at the interface of the economy and the environment. Examines renewable (e.g., fisheries, forests) and non-renewable (e.g., oil, gas, minerals) resource management and other topics (e.g., climate change, ozone depletion, cap and trade) in applied environmental economics. Explores the institutions and trade-offs that individuals and governments face in the context of sustainability policy.

EVD 5123 Evidence Synthesis and Evaluation (3 units)

Reviews different understandings of what constitutes research, both as it pertains to the production of evidence and to the evaluation of existing evidence relating to policy, to regulatory and statutory interventions and to identifying evidence gaps. Students learn research methodologies to design research so as to maximize its evidentiary value (given existing constraints); they will also learn to synthesize and assess the evidentiary value of existing research.

EVD 5124 Foundations of Environmental Law (3 units)

Foundations of environmental law, including theory of sustainability, constitutional division of powers, approaches to regulation of environmental issues, including examples of legal frameworks for different environmental problems, and access to justice.

EVD 5500 Séminaire en durabilité de l'environnement (3 crédits)

Survol des enjeux en durabilité de l'environnement en se servant du changement climatique comme exemple. Application d'analyses intégrant des concepts en sciences, en droit, en science économique et en études politiques. Le débat au sujet de la preuve scientifique du changement climatique et les efforts sur le plan international pour négocier une entente. Les dimensions économiques, sociales et politiques du changement climatique et les mesures à ce jour pour atténuer ses effets, au niveau international et au niveau national.

Volet : Séminaire

EVD 5501 Approche économique et le droit de l'environnement (3 crédits)

Les enjeux environnementaux et le système de réglementation du point de vue de la science économique. Étude de la théorie qui sous-tend certains concepts économiques, tels l'efficacité, la défaillance du marché, les externalités et la valuation. Survol des concepts macroéconomiques, tels la croissance économique et la comptabilité environnementale. Application de ces concepts théoriques aux défis environnementaux tels le changement climatique, la réglementation de l'énergie, la gestion des services écologiques et la conservation de la biodiversité. Les divers outils de réglementation pour la gestion des défis liés à l'environnement, incluant la réglementation traditionnelle de type « commande et contrôle », les moyens économiques tels que la taxation environnementale et les systèmes de droits d'échanges. Évaluation de l'efficacité environnementale, sociale et économique des diverses approches, et intégration de la théorie économique dans le développement de la réglementation environnementale.

Volet : Cours magistral

EVD 5509 Développement durable appliqué (3 crédits)

Étude de cas en développement durable (changements climatiques, par exemple) pour apprendre à synthétiser l'information sur un problème à partir de plusieurs perspectives disciplinaires, pour évaluer l'information selon un schéma critique, en faisant usage de méthodes rigoureuses, et pour concevoir et évaluer des politiques ou règlements.

EVD 5511 Séminaire d'intégration sur le développement durable (3 crédits)

Partenariat avec des organisations travaillant en développement durable. Les étudiants forment des équipes multidisciplinaires pour étudier les dimensions scientifiques, économiques, juridiques et sociales d'un problème environnemental particulier, pour évaluer un éventail de solutions possibles et pour recommander les mesures à prendre.

EVD 5513 Rudiments des politiques environnementales (3 crédits)

Étude des principaux facteurs politiques et administratifs influençant la formulation et la mise en oeuvre des politiques environnementales, y compris les institutions démocratiques, les méthodes de participation des citoyens et des parties prenantes et leur influence sur les processus décisionnels des gouvernements, l'opinion publique et la définition des problèmes, le rôle des valeurs et de la science dans la formulation des politiques, le lobbying et la représentation des intérêts, le fédéralisme et la gouvernance multi-niveaux des enjeux environnementaux, et la politique internationale de l'environnement. Des études de cas situeront le Canada dans une perspective comparée et exploreront l'importance de ces facteurs politiques dans divers secteurs des politiques environnementales.

EVD 5514 Compétences professionnelles pour le développement durable (1.5 crédit)

Compétences orales et écrites en communication, notamment les présentations aux comités parlementaires, la préparation de mémoires au cabinet, la rédaction d'éditoriaux, les entrevues médiatiques et la production de rapports multidisciplinaires sur les politiques publiques. Gestion de projet et de processus faisant intervenir de nombreux joueurs.

EVD 5521 Rudiments des sciences de l'environnement (3 crédits)

Donne aux étudiants une compréhension thématique de l'état actuel des sciences environnementales. Principaux thèmes : éventail des enjeux environnementaux d'importance au Canada et à l'étranger; les démarches scientifiques déployées pour comprendre et prédire les conséquences des activités humaines pour les écosystèmes; la nature des preuves apportées par les sciences de l'environnement; la perspective des sciences de l'environnement sur le développement durable.

EVD 5522 Rudiments de l'économie de l'environnement (3 crédits)

Principaux éléments de l'économie, y compris les modèles économiques officiels et les présuppositions afférentes à l'élaboration de politiques de développement durable. Étude de divers concepts : patrimoine commun; échec des marchés; non évaluation des valeurs courantes; mesures incitatives; économie du bien-être; réglementation; équilibre entre équité et efficience; instruments reposant sur les mécanismes de marché. On examinera plus en détail les concepts fondamentaux de l'économie et leurs avantages et inconvénients pour l'examen des enjeux au carrefour de l'économie et de l'environnement. Étude de la gestion des ressources renouvelables (pêches, forêts, etc.) et non renouvelables (pétrole, gaz, minerai, etc.) et d'autres sujets en économie de l'environnement appliquée (ex. changements climatiques, destruction de la couche d'ozone, programmes de plafonnement et d'échange). Étude des institutions et programmes de compensation auxquels sont confrontés les individus et les gouvernements dans le contexte des politiques de développement durable.

EVD 5523 Synthèse et évaluation de données probantes (3 crédits)

La recherche vise soit à produire des données probantes, soit à évaluer les données probantes existantes en ce qu'elles ont trait à des interventions politiques, réglementaires et étatiques, y compris les lacunes en la matière. Ainsi, les étudiants acquièrent les compétences nécessaires qui leur permettent de concevoir un programme de recherche de façon à en optimiser la valeur probante (en fonction des contraintes existantes) et de synthétiser les résultats de recherches existantes et d'évaluer leur valeur probante.

EVD 5524 Rudiments du droit de l'environnement (3 crédits)

Rudiments du droit de l'environnement, y compris la théorie du développement durable, la division constitutionnelle des pouvoirs, les démarches visant à réglementer les questions environnementales, avec exemples de cadres légaux pour différents problèmes environnementaux et accès à la justice.

EVD 6001 Stage coop I / Co-Op Work Term I (6 crédits / 6 units)

Expérience en milieu de travail. Évalué P (réussite) / F (échec) par un professeur du programme selon les résultats du rapport écrit et l'évaluation du superviseur de stage. Préalable : permission du responsable des études supérieures. / Experience in a workplace setting. Evaluated P (Pass) / F (Fail) by a professor in the program based on the written report and the evaluation of the internship supervisor.

Volet / Course Component: Stage / Work Term

EVD 6002 Stage coop II / Co-Op Work II (6 crédits / 6 units)

EVD 6112 Selected Topics in Environmental Sustainability (3 units)

In-depth examination of a question or topic linked to new trends or research areas in environmental sustainability.

EVD 6512 Thèmes choisis en durabilité de l'environnement (3 crédits)

Analyse approfondie d'une problématique ou d'une question liée aux nouvelles tendances en recherche ou aux nouveaux thèmes de recherche en durabilité de l'environnement.

EVD 6912 Thèmes choisis en durabilité de l'environnement / Selected Topics in Environmental Sustainability (3 crédits / 3 units)

Analyse approfondie d'une problématique ou d'une question liée aux nouvelles tendances en recherche ou aux nouveaux thèmes de recherche en durabilité de l'environnement. / In-depth examination of a question or topic linked to new trends or research areas in environmental sustainability.

Volet / Course Component: Cours magistral / Lecture

Préalable : connaissance passive de l'anglais. / Prerequisite: passive knowledge of French

EVD 6932 Lectures dirigées en durabilité de l'environnement / Directed Readings in Environmental Sustainability (3 crédits / 3 units)

Cours individuel ayant pour objectif d'approfondir les connaissances de l'étudiant dans un domaine particulier ou de lui permettre de se familiariser avec un nouveau domaine. Le sujet est déterminé et développé en consultation avec le professeur responsable et en conformité avec les directives de l'Institut de l'environnement. Le travail remis dans ce cours doit être différent de ce qui a pu être soumis dans d'autres cours, y compris le projet de recherche, la thèse ou le mémoire. On permet un maximum d'un cours de lectures dirigées par étudiant et la permission n'est accordée que dans des circonstances exceptionnelles. / Individual course aimed at deepening a student's knowledge of a particular area or at gaining knowledge of a new area. The topic is selected and developed in consultation with the supervising professor in accordance with institute guidelines. The work submitted for this course must be different from that submitted for other courses, including the research proposal, the thesis or the research paper. Maximum of one directed readings course per student, and permission is granted only under exceptional circumstances.

Volet / Course Component: Recherche / Research

Préalable: Connaissance passive de l'anglais. / Prerequisite: Passive knowledge of French.

EVD 6999 Mémoire / Research Paper (6 crédits / 6 units)

EVD 7997 Projet de thèse / Thesis Proposal

EVD 8100 Theory and Practice in Environmental Sustainability (3 units)

Characterization of environmental sustainability from the perspective of economics, political science, environmental science, and law. Demonstration of how often-divergent perspectives and values of stakeholders from various backgrounds frame both sustainability problems themselves, and acceptable solutions.

EVD 8500 Théorie et pratique en durabilité environnementale (3 crédits)

La caractérisation de la durabilité environnementale du point de vue de la science économique, de la science politique, de la science environnementale et du droit. Démonstration de comment les perspectives et les valeurs divergentes des parties prenantes de divers horizons définissent à la fois les problèmes et les solutions acceptables en durabilité.

EVD 8901 Conception de recherche et méthodologie pour la recherche en durabilité de l’environnement / Research Design and Methods for Environmental Sustainability (3 crédits / 3 units)

Vue d'ensemble des méthodes de recherche employées dans les quatre domaines principaux de la durabilité (science de l'environnement, droit, politique et économie). À l'aide d'études de cas, examen des types d'inférences causales que l'on peut ou ne peut pas tirer d'un plan de recherche, les menaces à la déduction valable et les plans de recherche pouvant atténuer ces menaces. Accent particulier sera mis sur la relation entre les conceptions de recherche et la force de l'inférence causale. / Overview of research methods employed in the four main subject areas underlying sustainability (environmental science, law, policy and economics). Through case studies, examination of the kinds of causal inferences one can and cannot draw from a research design, threats to valid inference, and research designs that can mitigate those threats. Particular emphasis placed on the relationship between research designs and strength of causal inference.

Volet / Course Component: Séminaire / Seminar

EVD 9997 Examen d'entrée / Qualifying Examination

Examen d'entrée / Qualifying Examination

EVD 9998 Projet de thèse / PhD Thesis Proposal

Projet de thèse / PhD Thesis Proposal

Undergraduate Studies

For more information about undergraduate studies at the University of Ottawa, please refer to your faculty .

Graduate and Postdoctoral Studies

For more information about graduate studies at the University of Ottawa, please refer to your academic unit .

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The University of Manitoba campuses are located on original lands of Anishinaabeg, Ininew, Anisininew, Dakota and Dene peoples, and on the National Homeland of the Red River Métis. More

University of Manitoba

University of Manitoba Winnipeg, Manitoba Canada, R3T 2N2

Natural Resources and Environmental Management (PhD)

The PhD program is aimed at developing independent researchers in the areas of natural resources and the environment, through a holistic and interdisciplinary approach. 

Students’ programs will prepare them to pursue independent research aimed at solving the complex issues facing the world environment using a variety of tools and methods. 

Program details

• Admission requirements 

• Clayton H. Riddell Faculty of Environment, Earth, and Resources • Faculty of Graduate Studies

• PhD in Natural Resources and Environmental Management

Expected duration

A truly collaborative graduate program.

A hallmark of the program is the collaboration with other University of Manitoba academic units and other Manitoba universities through an extensive community of adjunct professors and cross-appointments.

PhD students have access to a variety of agencies external to the University of Manitoba, including:

• The Freshwater Institute
• The International Institute for Sustainable Development
• Delta Waterfowl
• Ducks Unlimited

Expected duration: 4 years

Tuition and fees:  Tuition fees are charged for terms one and two and terms four and five. A continuing fee is paid for term three, term six and each subsequent term. (Refer to Graduate tuition and fees .)

All PhD students are required to complete a minimum of 12 and a maximum of 21 credit hours of coursework at the 700/7000-level or above, beyond the master’s degree (or its equivalent). A minimum of 6 credit hours of courses must be completed within the Natural Resources Institute and must include NRI 7310 PhD Thesis Research Seminar (3).

Individual programs of study will vary from student to student depending on each student’s research interest and the recommendations of each student’s advisor and PhD advisory committee.

PhD candidates must demonstrate an ability for independent investigation, original research or creative scholarship. This is expected to be presented in a thesis with a degree of literary skill and by an oral examination wherein the candidate exhibits mastery of their field.

Sample course offerings

• NRI 7120: Mineral Resources Management and Policy
• NRI 7130: Energy Resources Management and Policy
• NRI 7180: Sustainable Development and Natural Resources
• NRI 7182: Sustainability, Economics, and Natural Resources
• NRI 7190: Natural Resources Administration and Law
• NRI 7222: Human Dimensions of Natural Resources and Environmental Management
• NR 7232: Ecological Dimensions of Resource and Environmental Management
• NR 7262: Master's Thesis Research Seminar
• NRI 7280: Regional Development in Northern Manitoba
• NRI 7290: Environmental Impact Assessment
• NRI 7302: Conservation Biology and Biodiversity Management

For full course descriptions, please visit the Academic Calendar .

Admission requirements

The following are minimum requirements for entry into the PhD in Natural Resources and Environmental Management program. Meeting these requirements does not guarantee acceptance into the program.

A candidate must normally complete a master's degree before entering the PhD program. 

PhD applicants must have a minimum GPA of 3.5 in the last 60 credit hours of study. 

Please review the  academic listing  and communicate directly with professors whose research most closely matches that of your own interests. The department will not consider applications that have not identified a confirmed program supervisor.

In addition to the admission requirements described here, all applicants must meet the minimum  admission and English language proficiency requirements of the Faculty of Graduate Studies.

How to apply

The PhD Natural Resource and Environmental Management program has only one application deadline per year and applications are accepted for September entry only. Applications must be completed online and include several parts:

• $100 application fee (non-refundable)
• Transcripts from previous institutions

Statement of intent

• Publication/writing sample
• Research proposal (optional, can be completed after student is admitted into the program)
• Letter from your advisor, indicating that they are willing to supervise your work. One letter of support should be sent from the faculty member who is willing to supervise the prospective student's PhD program. It should include a confirmation from the faculty member to supervise the student as well as a confirmation of funding the student during the first year of the student's PhD program. This letter will be provided by the faculty member to the student who will upload it as part of their application.
• Three letters of recommendation. Two letters of reference from academics who are familiar with the applicant's previous studies are required. An applicant may submit one further reference from a referee familiar with the applicant's professional work. Please note that the reference letters should not be provided by the potential supervisor.

The statement of intent should be between one and two pages and will briefly describe your intended research project, including your previous research or experience, the proposed topic, preferred methods and potential contributions.

All proposals, statements of intents, cover letters, and other documentation for the application must be written by the applicant. Similarly, writing samples must be written by the applicant; do not include submissions co-authored with other authors. Submissions that are flagged by AI-detection software as being likely to be written by AI language models such as ChatGPT may be rejected by the admissions committee.

Letters written in the format of a research proposal are strongly preferred. Applicants are encouraged to consult the graduate scholarship application instructions of their appropriate Tricouncil Agency ( NSERC , SSHRC , CIHR ) for guidance.

Research proposal

Students will not necessarily be required to develop a detailed PhD proposal or select their advisory committee prior to entering the program. Delaying creating a research proposal allows students more leeway when initially planning their PhD program.

Finding an advisor

You must find a thesis advisor before submitting an application. To find an advisor, please review the academic listing and communicate directly with professors whose research most closely matches that of your own interests.

Application deadlines

Applications are reviewed on a committee basis . The Admissions committee for Architecture reviews applications in March.

Applications open up to 18 months prior to start term.

Applicants must submit their online application with supporting documentation and application fee by the deadline date indicated.

Start or continue your application

Applications are reviewed on a committee basis . The Admissions committee for City Planning reviews applications in March.

Winter applications are accepted on a case-by-case basis.

Applications are reviewed on a committee basis . The Admissions committee for Design and Planning reviews applications in March.

Applications are reviewed on a committee basis . The Admissions committee for Interior Design reviews applications in March.

Applications are reviewed on a committee basis . The Admissions committee for Landscape Architecture reviews applications in March.

Applications are reviewed on a committee basis . The Admissions committee for Anthropology reviews applications in March/April.

Applications are reviewed on a  committee basis . Please contact the department for admission committee review timelines.

Applications open September 1 of year prior to start term.

Applications open   up to 18 months prior  to start term.

Applications are reviewed on a  committee basis . The Admissions committee for History reviews applications in February.

Applications are reviewed on a  rolling basis .

Applications open July 1 of year prior to start term.

Applications are reviewed on a  Committee basis . The Committee for German and Slavic Studies reviews applications in February/March.

Applications are reviewed on a rolling basis .

Applications are reviewed on a committee basis . The Admissions committee for Management reviews applications in February / March.

Applications are reviewed on a committee basis . The Admissions committee for Physical Therapy reviews applications in April / May.

Applications open  August 1 of the year prior to start term.

Applications are reviewed on a committee basis . Please contact the department for admission committee review timelines.

Program currently undergoing review, applications will not be opening at this time.

Select Preventive Dental Science in the Program drop-down on the application form.

Applications are reviewed on a  committee basis . The Admissions committee for Educational Administration, Foundations and Psychology reviews applications in March / April.

Applications are reviewed on a  committee basis . The Admissions committee for Education reviews applications in February / March.

Applications are reviewed after the deadline, with decisions issued in March - April.

Currently not accepting applications to this program.

Applications are reviewed on a  committee basis . Please contact the department for admission committee review timelines.

Applicants must submit their online application with supporting documentation and application fee by the deadline date indicated. Applications received by the March 1 deadline for a September start-date will receive first consideration for any available funding. Late applications will be considered on a case-by-case basis for any available funding, please contact the department for further information.

Applications are reviewed on a  committee basis . The Admissions committee for Human Rights reviews applications in January - March.

Applications are reviewed on a  committee basis . The Admissions committee for Law reviews applications in January - March.

Applications are reviewed on a  committee basis . The Admissions committee for Nursing (MN) reviews applications in April / May.

Applications are reviewed on a  committee basis . The Admissions committee for Nursing PhD reviews applications in February / March.

Applications are reviewed on a  committee basis . The Admissions committee reviews applications as per the timelines noted below each table.

Winter applications reviewed in October Summer applications reviewed in February Fall applications reviewed in June

Winter applications reviewed in June Summer applications reviewed in October Fall applications reviewed in February

Applicants must submit their online application with supporting documentation and application fee by the deadline date indicated. This includes having the support of a faculty supervisor before you apply.

Applications are reviewed on a  committee basis . The Admissions committee for Natural Resources Management reviews applications in March - June.

After the annual application deadline (see below), applications are reviewed on a committee basis by the Faculty of Social Work internal admissions committee. Once this process is complete, decisions are sent to all applicants in March / April. 

Applications open  July 1 of year prior to start term.

Applications are reviewed on a  committee basis . The Admissions committee for Social Work reviews applications in March / April.

Applications are reviewed on a  committee basis . The Admissions committee for Music reviews Fall term applications in December / January, and Winter term applications in July.

Applications are reviewed on a committee basis . The Admissions committee for Occupational Therapy reviews applications in May / June.

Master of Occupational Therapy regular program  applications open September 15 of the year prior to deadline .

Master of Occupational Therapy accelerated program  applications open October 1  of the year prior to deadline .

The name of your confirmed supervisor is required at the time of application. To identify a prospective thesis research supervisor on your application, please  contact Immunology Faculty members .

Applications are reviewed on a  committee basis . The Admissions committee for Community Health Sciences reviews applications in March / April.

Fall 2025 applications are currently closed.

The name of your preferred supervisor is required at time of application.

Applications are reviewed on a  committee basis . Students selected for in-person interview will be notified in February.

Applications are reviewed on a  committee basis . The Admissions committee for Physician Assistant Studies reviews applications in April.

Offers of admission will be released to successful applicants on May 17, 2024 from the University of Manitoba Master of Physician Assistant Studies, the same day as the University of Toronto BScPA Program and McMaster University Physician Assistant Education Program. The three institutions are pleased to provide applicants their offers on the same day to help with the decision-making process.

Applications are reviewed on a  committee basis . The Admissions committee for Pharmacology and Therapeutics reviews applications one month after the application deadline.

Applications for Pathology MSc are reviewed on a  rolling basis .

Applications for Pathologist Assistant are reviewed on a  committee basis . The Admissions committee for Pathologist Assistant reviews applications in April / May. 

The Pathologist Assistant program only admits Canadian and US students every two years. The Fall 2023 intake has been suspended. The next intake is tentatively scheduled for Fall 2025.

Applications are reviewed on a  committee basis . The Admissions committee for Statistics reviews applications in March / April.

Applications are reviewed on a  committee basis . The Admissions committee for Biological Sciences reviews applications one month after deadline.

Applications are reviewed on a committee basis . The Admissions committee for Indigenous Studies reviews applications in February and June.

Applicants must submit their online application with supporting documentation and application fee by the deadline date indicated. For those who wish to be considered for scholarships, applications must be received by January 15 of the year in which you're seeking admission.

Applications are reviewed on a committee basis . The Admissions Committee for Applied Human Nutrition reviews applications in February.

Les demandes d’admission sont évaluées par un comité . Le comité d’admission évalu les demandes durant les mois de Mars et Avril.  

Les demandes peut être surmise jusqu’à concurrence de 18 mois avant le début de premier trimestre.

Toute demande d’admission en ligne doit être déposée, avec documents à l’appui, au plus tard aux dates indiquées.

Soumettre ou continuer votre application

The Natural Resources Institute

NRI integrates knowledge from the natural and social sciences to develop holistic perspectives on environmental and natural resources management problems.

Academic advisors

Book an appointment with one of our academic advisors.

Tuition and fees

Learn about the tuition and fee requirements associated with graduate studies at UM.

Academic Calendar

Explore program requirements and detailed descriptions for required and elective courses throughout the PhD in Natural Resources and Environmental Management.

Explore the Clayton H. Riddell Faculty of Environment, Earth, and Resources

The Clayton H. Riddell Faculty of Environment, Earth, and Resources was established nearly 20 years ago to combine the resources of Earth, Environment, and Resources studies, with a strong focus on research. In addition to the environment, climate change and resource development, the faculty is focused on geography and earth sciences, as well as environmental science and environmental studies.

• Programs of study
• Student experience
• Community and partners

Explore the Faculty of Graduate Studies

Discovery happens here. Join the graduate students and researchers who come here from every corner of the world. They are drawn to the University of Manitoba because it offers the opportunity to do transformational research.

• Funding, awards and financial aid
• Graduate student experience

Keep exploring

Discover more programs

With over 140 programs across multiple faculties, schools and colleges, the University of Manitoba offers more learning, teaching and research opportunities than any other post-secondary institution in the province.

• Natural Resources Management (MNRM)
• Geography (PhD)
• Geological Sciences (PhD)

Join the students and researchers who come here from every corner of the world.

What it's like to be a UM student

Be adventurous, challenge yourself and make a difference.

Opportunities for Indigenous students

Experience a world-class education in the heart of Canada.

Why international students study with us

We offer state of the art facilities with 140 years of history.

Our campuses

Admission and application inquiries.

Faculty of Graduate Studies Room 500 UMSU University Centre 65 Chancellors Circle University of Manitoba (Fort Garry campus) Winnipeg, MB R3T 2N2 Canada

[email protected] Phone: 204-474-9377

Monday to Friday 8:30 a.m. to 4:30 p.m.

Program Inquiries

Dalia Naguib Graduate Program Administrator, NRI Clayton H. Riddell Faculty of Environment, Earth, and Resources 220 - 70 Dysart Road Winnipeg, MB R3T 2M6 University of Manitoba (Fort Garry campus)

[email protected] Phone: 204-474-8373

Environment and Sustainability

Master of Environment and Sustainability (M.E.S.) Doctor of Philosophy (Ph.D.)

credit: Michael Cavallaro

Research supervisors

Tuition and funding, admission requirements, application process.

Applications for the MES and PhD programs are open all year. Applicants must secure a SENS faculty supervisor before applying. Applications received after 15 December may not be considered for a scholarship.

Note: Any application documents that are intended to be personal statements (e.g., Statement of Intent, Statement of Research, etc.) must be written by the applicant. Any such documents that appear to be produced by generative artificial intelligence (e.g., ChatGPT) may be rejected.

Students are challenged to think outside the boundaries of traditional disciplinary programs to address environmental and sustainability challenges with regional, national, and international significance. These programs expose graduate students to a variety of unique environmental learning and research experiences, and help nurture students to become critical thinkers capable of addressing pressing challenges associated with environmental change and sustainability.

Master of Environment and Sustainability (M.E.S.)

The MES is a thesis-based program that provides students with the opportunities and skills to advance their understanding of sustainability challenges in today's world. Education in complex problem-solving and the foundations of sustainability prepares students to play a significant role in knowledge generation, translation and decision-making. Students can explore the meaning of interdisciplinary research by considering a wide range of scientific, technical, political, social, economic and institutional factors that shape environmental and sustainability problems, their management and their potential solutions. For more information about the MES requirements, please visit the Program Catalogue .

Ph.D. in Environment and Sustainability

This dissertation-based degree is for students who want an advanced education in researching 21st century sustainability challenges. Our PhD students attain a deep understanding of sustainability concepts while designing and implementing their own original research. These interdisciplinary scholars demonstrate excellence in their fields of study and are ready to become leaders in academia, industry, non-profit organizations and the public sector. For more information about the PhD requirements, please visit the Program Catalogue .

Applications for the MES/PhD Programs will not be considered without the written support of a faculty supervisor.

The applicant is responsible for contacting SENS faculty and securing a supervisor prior to submitting an application. Before you begin a formal application, we recommend that you contact the faculty who are conducting research in an area that interests you.

• Tips for finding a supervisor

Helen Baulch

[email protected] Faculty website

Areas of specialization

Water quality, Eutrophication and algal blooms, Winter limnology, Aquatic ecology, Biogeochemical cycling, Greenhouse gas emissions and climate change

Markus Brinkmann

[email protected] Faculty website

Ecotoxicology; Exposure and risk assessment modelling; Effects of contaminants in aquatic organisms

Douglas Clark

Centennial chair and assistant professor.

[email protected] Faculty website

Indigenous co-management of resources and ecosystems; Polar bear-human conflicts; Wildlife and protected area management; Environmental governance

Professor (on Sabbatical), Chemical and Biological Engineering

[email protected] Faculty website

Fluidization and Multiphase Flow Systems; Clean Energy and Sustainability; Biomass and Bioenergy; Reaction Engineering; Electrostatics in Particulate System Handling; Process Intensification; PEM Fuel Cells; Green Polymers; Particle Technology

Research interests:

• chemical reaction design, heterogeneous catalysis, biomass and bioenergy, petroleum processing, materials synthesis and characterization, gas processing, hydrotreating, sustainable energy, value-added processing, nanotechnology, gasification, Fischer-Tropsch synthesis

Grant Ferguson

Saskatchewan centennial enhancement chair & professor, civil geological and environmental engineering.

[email protected] Faculty website

Engineering geology; Geothermal energy; Groundwater modeling; Heat transport in porous media; Hydrogeochemistry; Hydrogeology

• hydrogeology
• geothermal energy
• climate change

Markus Hecker

[email protected] Faculty website

Biological effects of environmental stressors; Environmental risk assessment; Aquatic ecology/fish biology; Development of bioanalytical techniques

Andrew Ireson

Associate professor, cross appointment, school of environment and sustainability, , civil geological and environmental engineering.

[email protected] Faculty website

Groundwater modelling; Groundwater resource management; Groundwater quality; Hydrological change in northern latitudes; Integrated hydrological-epidemiological research; Integrated hydrological data improvements; Modelling flow and transport in the hydrological cycle; Sustainable development of natural resources; Water resource engineering

• modelling flow and transport in the hydrological cycle
• methods to improve collection, analysis and interpretation of integrated hydrological data

Tim Jardine

[email protected] Faculty website

River deltas as complex social-ecological systems; Freshwater food webs; Contaminant biomagnification; Stable isotope analysis in ecology

[email protected] Faculty website

Analytical and environmental chemistry; Aquatic and wildlife toxicology; Ecological risk assessment; Human impacts on northern ecosystems

Vladimir Kricsfalusy

[email protected] Faculty website

Conservation biology; Plant population ecology; Vegetation science; Education for sustainable development

Karsten Liber

[email protected] Faculty website

Mining impacts; Metal bioavailability and toxicity in aquatic ecosystems; Sediment contamination; Water quality assessment; Pesticide ecotoxicology

Karl-Erich Lindenschmidt

[email protected] Faculty website

Surface water quality modelling; River ice processes; Climate change and river morphology; Flood and flood risk management

Jeffrey McDonnell

[email protected] Faculty website

Hillslope hydrology; Runoff processes and modelling; Isotope hydrology; Hydrological theory

Greg Poelzer

[email protected] Faculty website

Comparative politics and policy around Indigenous relations; Energy and resource development; Renewable energy in northern and Indigenous communities

• Comparative politics and policy as it relates to northern regions and to Aboriginal-state relations
• Capacity-building for northern energy and mineral resource development through means such as improving access to education and creating more efficient governance
• Aboriginal policy
• Northern development
• Circumpolar north
• Governance and development

Saman Razavi

[email protected] Faculty website

Hydrologic models; Environmental and water resources systems planning and management; Surrogate modeling; Artificial intelligence; Machine learning

Maureen Reed

[email protected] Faculty website

Social dimensions of environment and sustainability; Gender, diversity and inclusion in environmental sectors; Forestry and Biosphere Reserves

James Robson

[email protected] Faculty website

Environmental governance through collective action; Commons regimes; Migration-environment-development nexus; Local approaches to conservation

David Schneider

[email protected] Faculty website

Statistical and computational modelling of complex biological and biophysical systems; Functional genomics; Biological sequence analysis

Graham Strickert

[email protected] Faculty website

Human dimensions of water security

Ryan Walker

Associate professor.

[email protected] Faculty website

Aboriginal; Indigenous; city planning; public space; urban design; urban geography

• City planning
• Urban geography
• Urban design
• Indigenous urbanism
• Public space
• Multi-level urban governance

Colin Whitfield

[email protected] Faculty website

Catchment hydrochemistry; Ecosystem biogeochemical modelling; Wetlands; Biogenic greenhouse gas emissions; Climate change; Agricultural reservoirs

Oscar Zapata

[email protected] Faculty website

Socioeconomic impacts of energy development; Relationships among individual behavior and economic and social outcomes in the context of climate change

To be considered for potential scholarship funding, students must have obtained at least 80% in the last two years of undergraduate or graduate study.

Graduate students at USask can receive funding from a variety of sources to support their graduate education.

• Scholarships

There are three terms per academic year: September to December, January to April, and May to August. Tuition is assessed each term for as long as the student is enrolled in their program.

Student fees

In addition to tuition above, students also pay fees for programs like health and dental insurance, a bus pass, and other campus services. The amount you need to pay depends on if you are taking classes full time or part time, and if you are on campus or not. The table below assumes you are on campus full-time.

Tuition information is accurate for the current academic year and does not include student fees. For detailed tuition and fees information, visit the official tuition website .

• Language Proficiency Requirements : Proof of English proficiency may be required for international applicants and for applicants whose first language is not English.
• A cumulative weighted average of at least a 70% (USask grade system equivalent) in the last two years of study (e.g. 60 credit units)
• A four-year honours degree, or equivalent, from a recognized college or university in an academic discipline relevant to the proposed field of study
• Demonstrated ability for independent thought, advanced study, and research
• Written support of a faculty supervisor

Doctor of Philosophy (Ph.D.)

• Master's degree, or equivalent, from a recognized university in a relevant academic discipline
• A cumulative weighted average of at least a 70% (USask grade system equivalent) in the last two years of study (i.e. coursework required in master's program)

Find a supervisor

Using the list above, find a potential supervisor, read about the work they are currently doing and their past publications. If you think you'd like to work with them, contact them and describe your research interests and past academic experience. If they are accepting students and are interested in working with you, they will submit a written confirmation directly to the SENS admissions office and instruct you to begin a formal application.

Submit an online application

Before beginning your online application, be sure that you have carefully reviewed all program information and admission requirements on this page.

During the application, you'll be asked for:

• Personal information such as your name, address, etc.
• For your letters of recommendation, two of your referees must be academic contacts, and the third may be academic or professional
• Your complete academic history from all previous post-secondary institutions

The application takes about 30 minutes to complete. You may save your application and return to it later.

At the end of the application, you will need to pay a non-refundable $120 application fee. Your application will not be processed until payment is received .

• Begin an application
• Detailed application instructions

Submit required documents

Once you've submitted your online application, you will have access to upload your required documents, and provide the contact information for your references. To do this, go to the "Supplemental Items & Documents" tab in your application, and upload the documents outlined below.

Transcripts

Preliminary Statement of Marks

• Once you have submitted your application for admission and paid the application fee, you will be required to upload unofficial PDF copies of your academic transcript(s) from each post-secondary institution attended. This requirement will appear as Preliminary Statement of Marks or Additional Prelim. Statement under admission requirements on your Application Summary when you  check your application status .
• The uploaded transcript can be an unofficial copy of the transcript issued by the university or college, and must include a grading key/legend.
• All pages of a transcript must be uploaded as a single PDF document.
• Uploaded transcripts will be considered unofficial or preliminary. Official copies of your transcripts will be required only for applicants offered admission. This requirement will appear as Post-secondary Transcript under admission requirements on your Application Summary when you  check your application status .

Uploading documents

Post-secondary Transcripts

If you receive an offer of admission, you will then be required to have your official post-secondary transcripts sent (by mail in a sealed envelope directly from the institution) to the address below. Please do not send official documents until we request them.

College of Graduate and Postdoctoral Studies Room 116 Thorvaldson Building, 110 Science Place  Saskatoon, SK CANADA S7N 5C9

• Transcripts usually indicate the institution’s name, grading scheme (typically on back of transcript), your name, course names, numbers, credits, and the grades you have received. Depending on the country or institution, some features may not be available.
• Transcripts in languages other than English must be accompanied by a certified translation.
• If you are a current University of Saskatchewan student completing your undergraduate program then a letter of completion of degree requirements will be required from your college.

Proof of English language proficiency (if required)

Proof of English language proficiency  may be required for international applicants and for applicants whose first language is not English.

For students who are required to provide proof of English proficiency:

• It is your responsibility to have completed an official and approved test with the appropriate score before the application deadline.
• Tests are valid for 24 months after the testing date and must be valid at the beginning of the student's first term of registration in the graduate program.
• Applicants will be required to upload a PDF copy of any required language test score. Uploaded test scores will be considered unofficial or preliminary.

If you receive an Offer of Admission you may be required to have your official language test scores sent to the address below. Please do not send official documents until we request them.

College of Graduate and Postdoctoral Studies Room 116 Thorvaldson Building - 110 Science Place Saskatoon, SK CANADA S7N 5C9

Submit additional documents

In addition to the above official documents, please  upload the following documents:

• A curriculum vitae or resume
• Specific areas of interest that could lead to a thesis or project topic.
• A description of why the applicant wants to pursue research in the interdisciplinary context of the School of Environment and Sustainability.
• A description of any employment or study experiences that relate to the research interests described.
• After you've applied

School of Environment and Sustainability Room 323 Kirk Hall 117 Science Place University of Saskatchewan Saskatoon, SK S7N 5C8

Graduate Chair Dr. James Robson Email: [email protected]

Graduate Administrator Email: [email protected]

• School of Environment & Sustainability Learn more about the academic unit offering this program
• Program and Course Catalogue To view official admission and program requirements

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Environmental Sustainability Research Centre

In this section.

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The PhD in Sustainability Science aims to cultivate a sustainable and equitable future by offering a state-of-the-art education that integrates rigorous scientific practice with an understanding of the unique linkages between humans and the environment.

Watch: PhD in Sustainability Science Information Session - November 1, 2022

Degree Requirements

Students in the SSCI program will complete the following components to earn their degree:

• Core and elective course work (2 terms)
• Comprehensive examination (1 term)
• Research proposal development (1 term)
• Dissertation writing (7 terms)
• Submission and defence of dissertation (1 term)

For information about specific course requirements and degree structuring, visit the Brock University Graduate Calendar.

The PhD in Sustainability Science is designed to be completed in  4 years (12 terms).  Students who complete these requirements will earn the designation of Doctor of Philosophy.

Each year the ESRC offers graduate level courses to students in the SSCI program, and students in other graduate programs at Brock. Please note that not all elective courses are offered every year. For a full list of current graduate course offerings, visit the Brock Graduate Registration Guide .

Core Courses

SSCI 7P01 – Research Apprenticeship in Sustainability Science Advanced training in sustainability science research. Apprentice with a mentor on a research project to further theoretical development, methodological approaches, analytical sophistication, and/or communication skills.

SSCI 7P02 – Engaging with Community in Sustainability Science Experiential education with community in sustainability science via embedded problem-based learning or internship. Note: Course taught in conjunction with SSAS 5P03 (Problem Solving in the Environment)

SSCI 7P03 – Transdisciplinary Tutorial and Seminar in Sustainability Science Students engage in transdisciplinary collaboration to probe the boundaries of sustainability science scholarship by facilitating discussions on complex sustainability issues, presenting their research, and participating in scholarly exchanges about state-of-the-art research, policy and practice. Note: Course taught in conjunction with SSAS 5P04 (Transdisciplinary Seminar)

Elective Courses

SSCI 7P80 – Directed Study Specialized study in sustainability science on an individual basis, under the direction of a faculty member, to examine a significant topic in a student’s area of concentration.

SSCI 7V80-7V89 – Selected Topics in Sustainability Science A topic in sustainability science and society that will vary by instructor.

PhD students may also register for any of our Master’s level electives .

Progression Milestone Courses

SSCI 7P91 – Comprehensive Examination Comprehensive examination as set by the Supervisory Committee, in consultation with the Graduate Program Director/Graduate Program Sub-Committee. Note: This course will be evaluated as Credit/No-Credit

Dissertation Course

SSCI 7F90 – PhD Dissertation An in-depth research undertaking involving the preparation, public defence, and examination of a dissertation which makes a unique contribution to knowledge and demonstrates capacity for independent research, integration of knowledge, and understanding of sustainability science.

Student Life

The City of St. Catharines — home to Brock University — is situated in the heart of the Niagara Region of Ontario, Canada.

With a population of approximately 130,000, St. Catharines is a friendly, mid-sized community that is within easy reach of major cities such as Toronto, Hamilton, Niagara Falls and Buffalo, New York. The local community offers a wealth of entertainment, recreational and cultural activities. St. Catharines provides Brock students with all the advantages of a prosperous urban centre located in a safe, inviting and affordable community.

Niagara has a strong public and private sector transportation infrastructure which includes bus and rail links to Toronto and Buffalo. Busing within the region includes links from the campus to surrounding communities, and a St. Catharines bus pass is included with each student’s registration package. On-campus parking is available with the purchase of a parking pass. Two international airports and two regional airports are within an hour’s drive.

This all comes together to make St. Catharines a wonderful and affordable place to live, work and study!

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We are no longer accepting applications for the Fall 2024 cohort of the PhD in Sustainability Science. The application portal for Fall 2025 will open in October 2024.

How to Apply

Ensure you meet our minimum admission requirements.

• Successful completion of a Masters-level degree (or equivalent) in environmental sciences, environmental studies, or a related field from an accredited university with an average of at least 80%.
• Successful completion of SSAS 5P01 (Foundations of Sustainability Science and Society) and SSAS 5P02 (Methods in Environmental Inquiry), or their equivalent, is also required. Applicants without these courses may take them during their initial year of study.
• Agreement of a core program faculty member to supervise your research.
• For students who must provide proof of English Language Proficiency, a minimum TOEFL iBT score of 80 (with no subtest below 19) or equivalent is required.

Please note that this program is competitive – meeting the mandatory requirements does not guarantee admission. Only applicants who are selected for interviews will be contacted.

Prepare all of the required application materials that will be considered by the SSCI Graduate Program Committee

1. written statement of intent.

Your written statement of intent must be written in English. This should be a formal essay (with cited references in text) that describes your motivation to enrol in the program, plans for your independent research and/or how this program will advance your professional and academic aspirations.

2. Curriculum Vitae

This document should include your education, employment, teaching and research activities/experience, publications (if any), and awards and/or scholarships.

3. List of Supervisors

In your OUAC application, you will be required to indicate a faculty member who has agreed to supervise your research in principle.

4. Three academic References

References should be from qualified academic scholars attesting to, and documenting, your potential for doctoral level study/research. For more information on reference requirements and procedures, click here .

5. TRANSCRIPTS

Please note that if you have an undergraduate and/or graduate degree from Brock University you do not need to send in your transcripts. Transcripts from all other post-secondary institutions are required.

6. PROOF OF ENGLISH PROFICIENCY (IF APPLICABLE)

For more information about English Proficiency requirements, click here .

Submit your application!

Complete and submit the online application .

When you have submitted the application, you will be prompted to pay the non-refundable application fee. You must pay the fee for each program to which you are applying. The application fee for the PhD in Sustainability Science program is $110 CAD. The fee is payable to the Ontario University Application Centre and can be paid by VISA or Mastercard.

Once you have submitted and paid for your application, one to two business days are required for Brock to receive your application from the Ontario Universities Application Centre.

The Graduate Programs in the ESRC, including the Sustainability Science and Society Masters Program and the Sustainability Science PhD Program are governed by a Graduate Program Committee, administered by a Graduate Program Director, and supported by a Coordinator. For detailed information about the governance of the ESRC graduate programs, including Rules of Procedure, visit our Graduate Programs Governance Webpage.

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PhD program

PhD in applied economics

Our PhD program offers students a strong foundation in economic theory and econometrics, as well as the opportunity to conduct original research alongside world-renowned scholars.

We provide training in the areas of public policy, labour economics, macro-economics, monetary economics, econometrics, natural resources, environmental and health economics. We believe in an ‘open-door’ atmosphere which engages and stimulates graduate students in their chosen paths of research.

Through our rigorous academic programs and applied research experience, students develop their communication and analytical skills and are prepared for a career in academia or the private sector upon graduation.

PhD students receive $104,000 over 12 on-campus terms, and have the opportunity to work as research and teaching assistants. For students wishing to advance their teaching skills, we also have a limited number of course instructor positions available.

Data access

Students can access the Southwestern Ontario Research Data Centre (SWORDC), one the few data centres that provides access to Statistics Canada data sets in master file form. SWORDC is conveniently housed in the PAS building adjacent to Economics in Hagey Hall.

***International PhD applicants:   Due to funding restrictions, we are not accepting any international applications for 2024-2025.***

Doctoral degrees were conferred upon Zehua Pan (pictured here with Dr. Curry) and Allison Mascella this June 2022. (Photo credit: Maureen Stafford)

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Graduate Studies and Postdoctoral Affairs

Environmental Studies (PhD)

Creatively redefine the boundaries of environmental research. Adopting an interdisciplinary lens for your PhD in Environmental Studies, you will create a unique Program Plan, to be  guided by your supervisory committee. Using various conceptual approaches to explore environmental issues in their historical and comparative contexts, you will analyze how theoretical and practical matters intersect, and how reflexive, rigorous, critical and creative thinking can inform environmental research, practice and policy. Explore conventional disciplines such as social sciences, humanities, arts and natural sciences in ways that encourage viewing issues through a broader, more contextual perspective, with an emphasis on social justice.

Students may research such vital issues as:

• Applied ecology and conservation
• Critical urban studies
• Environmental and social justice
• Environmental humanities
• Arts-based research and community arts practice
• Global political ecology and critical development studies
• Indigenous and decolonizing approaches to environmental research
• Socio-environmental health
• Environmental policy and management
• Critical approaches to energy and climate change
• Urban, Regional and Environmental Planning

Program Details

The Graduate Program in Environmental Studies at York is an exciting environment to pursue innovative, socially engaging, career-ready education. Contact our Graduate Program Assistant to learn more.

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• TRUemployee

Lead change. Learn to balance planet and profit with environmentally stable business modelling.

Meet the urgent global need for environmentally responsible and sustainable business practices by gaining your Master in Environmental Economics and Management (MEEM).

With the MEEM, you will learn the management practices and research skills required to balance economic demands with environmental sustainability. Prepare yourself to meet the needs of international public and private organizations actively seeking out managers who can build and support business models that balance planet with profit.

The MEEM prepares you to compete and make major contributions in the emerging area of environmentally sustainable economics and management in the business sector by providing you a broad understanding of the business environment, advanced management skills and specialized knowledge in the area.

Note: While similar to TRU’s Master of Science in Environmental Economics and Management (MScEEM) , the MEEM program requires additional MBA program courses instead of the thesis or project requirements of the MScEEM.

Info session

Join us on Wednesday, Feb. 8, from 6 p.m. to 7:30 p.m. for a virtual question and answer session with one of our coordinators, Bach Nguyen.

Why pursue a Master in Environmental Economics and Management at TRU?

Complete the program 100% online, off-campus!

• Students in Canada will be able to complete the MEEM program completely virtually with no on-campus requirements.
• The eight core 6000-level ECON courses, which are normally delivered face to-face on campus, are now available online during scheduled class times with all online and on-campus students in your cohort.
• Non-core courses are available online or on-campus.

YOU decide how you learn.

• In addition to the new 100% online study option, the MEEM can also be completed on-campus or a combination of both online and on-campus.
• Study part-time or full-time. As a part-time student, you must complete the program within five years of your start date.
• While courses required for the MEEM begin in September, you can choose to begin your GDBA courses in September, January or May.

Gain the business acumen you need to succeed.

• No matter what your educational background is, MEEM’s unique program structure ensures you gain the business knowledge and skills you need to successfully apply the economic sustainable management principles you’ve learned to a workplace environment.
• By gaining your Graduate Diploma in Business Administration (GDBA) before beginning year two of the MEEM program. Once you have completed the six required business courses, you can apply for your GDBA and gain access into year two of MEEM.
• Small class sizes also ensure you are consistently receiving high quality instruction and guidance from your instructors.

Access accelerated completion options.

• If your previous post-secondary courses are acceptable, you may be able to receive course waivers for some–or all–of the six GDBA courses required to access year two of the MEEM program.
• If you already have a four-year business or commerce degree from an accepted institution, you may be able to move directly into year two of the program. A degree committee will assess your recent undergraduate or graduate course work in the area and decide if you are eligible for this option.

What will I learn?

The economic sustainable management sector is set for considerable growth and prolific job opportunities. The MEEM will help you stand out to employers and land a job in the green market where you can be part of the preservation and restoration of environmental quality worldwide.

Upon graduation, you will be prepared to:

• Analyze and synthesize local, regional and global environmental, natural resource and economic development problems.
• Appraise the role of ethics and social responsibility in business organizations.
• Demonstrate leadership skills to meet fundamental challenges of moving to a sustainable economic path.
• Develop public policies relating to the regulation of the environment and sustainability.
• Employ positive and normative economics for the study of sustainable management.
• Formulate multiple and alternative solutions to problems effectively using analytical tools, individually and as a team player.
• Illustrate that knowledge can be uncertain, ambiguous and limited, and how these limitations might influence results and interpretation of environmental problems and solutions.
• Prepare and effectively communicate scholarly work, opinions and analysis, both oral and written.
• 75% Of companies plan to hire additional environmental employees in the future due to increasing government environmental regulation.
• 2022 By this date, the Government of Canada has committed to incorporating and strengthening the consideration of climate change in business continuity planning, departmental risk planning and equivalent.
• 173,000 Environmental job openings will be available by 2025 due to job growth and retirements.
• $146,676 Average salary of Environmental Economists in Canada.

Sources: Profile of Canadian Environmental Employment, Labour Market Study, 2013, Source: Greening Government Strategy: A Government of Canada Directive, Feb. 2021, Source: Environmental Labour Outlook to 2025, ECO Canada, Source: Economic Research Institute

The Master in Environmental Economics and Management (MEEM) will provide you with a broad understanding of the business environment, advanced management skills and specialized knowledge in the emerging area of sustainability.

While similar to TRU’s Master of Science in Environmental Economics and Management (MScEEM), the MEEM program requires additional MBA program courses instead of the thesis or project requirements of the MScEEM.

To view complete details of the program requirements please visit MEEM Program Details .

The MEEM program is divided into two parts:

Regardless of your educational background, by completing the GDBA in year one, you will gain the business knowledge and skills needed to successfully apply the economic sustainable management principles you will learn in the MEEM.

Year one GDBA courses* (18 credits)

• BUSN 5010 or BUSN 5011, Managerial Statistics (3)
• BUSN 5020 or BUSN 5021, Financial Accounting (3)
• BUSN 5030 or BUSN 5031, Management Accounting (3)
• BUSN 5040 or BUSN 5041, Economics for Managers/Global Economics (3)
• BUSN 5050 or BUSN 5051, Marketing Management (3)
• BUSN 5060 or BUSN 5061, Human Resource Management (3)

In order to be admitted into year two–MEEM degree–you will need to complete these six courses will an overall GPA of B (3.0) or better.

Year one accelerated completion options

• You may be eligible to receive a course waiver for some or all of the GDBA courses based on your previous academic record.
• If you have an undergraduate degree in business or commerce from an accepted institution, you may be able to move directly into year two–the MEEM portion of the program.

Year two MEEM courses (24 credits)

• ECON 6010, Principles of Environmental Economics and Natural Resource Economics (3)
• ECON 6020, Applied Microeconomics for Sustainable Management (3)
• ECON 6030, Foundations of Cost-Benefit Analysis (3)
• ECON 6040, Valuation Methods for Cost-Benefit Analysis (3)
• ECON 6050, Sustainable Community Economic Development (3)
• ECON 6060, Applications of Environmental Economics and Natural Resource Economics (3)
• ECON 6070, Sustainable Macroeconomic Development (3)
• ECON 6080, Policy and Regulation for Sustainable Management (3)

Additional required courses* (12 credits)

• BUSN 6010/6011, Ethics and Corporate Social Responsibility (3)
• BUSN 6040/6041, Leadership and Organizational Development (3)
• BUSN 6050/6051, Supply Chain Management (3)
• BUSN 6070/6071, Project Management and Consulting Methods (3)

Note: Course codes ending in "1"–such as BUSN 6011–are online courses.

Accelerated one-year program option

Want to get your career started as soon as possible?

Find out if your recent four-year undergraduate degree in business or commerce can provide you access directly into year two of the MEEM program. To qualify for this accelerated option, you must have gained a minimum B grade in specific undergraduate courses. We will evaluate your request for course waivers after you have formally applied to the program.

Here are TRU’s undergraduate courses that can help you graduate quicker:

• ECON 1900, Principles of Microeconomics
• ECON 1950, Principles of Macroeconomics
• ACCT 2210, Financial Accounting
• ACCT 2250, Management Accounting
• ECON 2320, Economics and Business Statistics 1
• ECON 2330, Economics and Business Statistics 2
• MKTG 2430, Introduction to Marketing
• ORGB 2810, Organizational Behaviour
• HRMN 2820, Introduction to Human Resource Management

Similar courses you have completed from other approved institutions may be accepted. You will need to submit an official course outline for review unless an approved equivalent already exists. You must have gained a grade of B or higher in any course you are wishing to use as a waiver.

Please note that gaining access into the accelerated one-year option is highly selective and usually given to graduates of recognized North American business degrees.

TRU’s admissions committee will review your educational background in order to determine if you will start in year one–GDBA–or placed directly into year two–the MEEM program.

In order to be considered, you must meet all of the following admission requirements.

Academic Requirements

• An acceptable three or four-year undergraduate degree in any discipline with a minimum B average (3.0 GPA) in the last 60 credits of study.
• GDBA course waivers may be granted based on previous academic record.
• Applicants with an undergraduate degree in business from an acceptable institution may be exempt from this requirement.
• Students required to complete BUSN 5040/5041 must achieve a B or better.

Language requirement

Applicants should demonstrate their language proficiency. Applicants who did not complete their undergraduate degree in an English language university in a country where the first language is English, should have a recent minimum academic IELTS score of 7.0 (with no band below 6.5) or institutional equivalent.

Interview and references requirement

Applicants should demonstrate the maturity, motivation, and communication skills to be successful in the program. This will be assessed by means of a personal written statement of purpose of study, a resume, and two letters of reference from academics or professionals. An interview and/or additional documentation may be required.

Quantitative skills requirement

Applicants should possess adequate quantitative skills assessed through successful completion of specific undergraduate courses in quantitative subjects.

Those deemed to be deficient in these areas may be accepted but required to undertake other approved courses or developmental activities to upgrade their skills.

Graduation Requirements

Once you have successfully completed each course–or received transfer credit– with an overall GPA of 3.0 and fulfilled the 18 credit TRU residency requirement, you will be awarded a MEEM credential.

You will have to complete all course and program requirements within five years from your date of admission into the MEEM program.

Your application package must include:

• Online application
• A non-refundable application fee.
• A personal resumé.
• A personal written statement of purpose of study (approximately 250 words).
• An official copy of your transcripts from all post-secondary institutions attended (including a certified English language copy if original transcripts are not in English).
• Students whose second language is English must instruct testing services to send a copy of their TOEFL or academic IELTS or iBT results to TRU (Institutional No. 8989) unless one is already on file at TRU.
• TRU graduates do not need to request TRU transcripts.
• Two reference forms completed by referees (academic or professional). Applicants will be provided with the form.

International applicants must upload all required documents at the time of application. Domestic applicants will receive an email from our Graduate Admissions office requesting supporting documentation after submitting the online application.

Students interested in online delivery–which is currently only available to students residing in Canada–should apply to the on-campus program. Access to the online delivery format sections of courses would occur after formal file assessment and seat offer.

International students are encouraged to apply early to allow sufficient time for study permit processing.

We review program applications as they are received up until the deadline for the intake requested. The selection committees make all admission decisions. You will generally be notified within four to six weeks after receipt of your completed application as to whether or not you have been accepted into the program and if you are waived from any GDBA courses.

If you have been short-listed, you may also receive an invitation for an interview.

Career Options / Laddering options

Where will this take me.

Studies increasingly show that business sectors believe environmental and social issues have implications for capital investments, corporate strategy, brand and reputation building. This belief is resulting in increased corporate focus on sustainability including sustainable business, corporate environmental and social responsibility, ethics and initiatives to make lasting and effective changes that support social and environmental stability.

What does this mean for you, the MEEM student?

Job security!

Green job opportunities within the business sector are expected to see continued growth as corporate leadership is increasingly requiring extensive sustainability experience and knowledge.

The top five green employment sectors in Canada include:

• Environmental protection
• Green services
• Renewable or green energy
• Resource conservation
• Sustainability planning including design and urban design

MEEM graduates will be qualified to work in any of these sectors within government, non-profit, for-profit businesses or as a consultant:

• Building sustainable development indicators, plans and strategies.
• Developing corporate environmental sustainability policies and procedures.
• Implementing and monitoring sustainable development strategies and programs.
• Interpreting, enforcing and complying with environmental regulation and standards.
• Partnering with stakeholders.

MEEM graduates work as:

• Environmental managers in the private or public sector.
• Industry analysts and market or policy analysts.
• Managers for a not-for-profit sustainability organization.
• Managers or operators of consulting firms.
• Managers of sustainability policy development projects at various government levels.
• Marketing and sales positions for sustainability products and practices.
• Researchers and developers within corporations, research and funding agencies

Further study

Upon graduating from the MEEM program, you can enter a PhD program in a related field or law degree with a focus on environmental law. You can also work towards your MBA.

Program Fees

Please visit our program cost page on the MEEM website.

MEEM Tuition

Program Details

Requirements, admission requirements, program requirements, faculty highlights, tuition & fees, cost for this program per semester:.

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Choose the number of courses:

Does not include a lab fee of $23.03 that may apply to some courses.

These are only estimates - your actual cost may vary.

Specific questions about this program?

Request more information, visit the program website.

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PhD in Economics

McMaster’s community of scholars includes faculty, postdoctoral fellows, research assistants, and graduate students. Through this program, students will become independent, professional economists using state-of-the-art methods to analyze economic phenomena. Areas of specialization include Econometrics, Growth and Monetary, Health, International, Labour, Population, and Public Economics.

We admit 5-8 PhD students each year, which results in small classes and intensive interaction between students and faculty. PhD students may choose a co-op option (formally called Work Integrated Learning) associated with this program after passing the comprehensive exams.   

About the Program

Graduates of the PhD program in economics become professional and independent economists able to analyze economic phenomena using state-of-the-art techniques. Graduates primarily pursue one of two career tracks. One is to become an economics professor. We regularly place our graduates in academic positions, both in departments of economics and in interdisciplinary settings with a strong economics focus, such as schools of public policy. A second option is a career in the public or private sector. We place our graduates in high-quality research positions within government ministries and agencies, such as the Department of Finance and the Bank of Canada, in international organizations, and, less frequently, in the private sector.   

Faculty members of the department are affiliated with or lead a number of research facilities and centers at McMaster. These centers and facilities support economics research by graduate students.  Secure Empirical Analysis Lab (SEAL) houses a wide range of confidential micro-data that can be used to conduct research in the areas of education, charities, and public services, with data holding expanding on a continuous basis. Statistics Canada Research Data Centre (RDC) (Mike Veall, Director), houses the master files of a large variety of Statistics Canada survey data plus an increasing array of public-sector administrative microdata (e.g., census data, vital statistics, employment data, justice system data) that support economic research. Canada’s first computer-mediated experimental economics laboratory, the  McMaster Decision Science Laboratory (McDSL) (Bradley Ruffle, Director) provides the capability for conducting controlled economic experiments across a wide range of economic fields. The Faculty of Social Science is committed to developing state-of-the-art facilities for empirical research, including expanded microdata analysis and economic experiments in the L.R. Wilson Hall.  

Requirements and Timelines

The first phase is passing the comprehensive macroeconomic and microeconomic theory exams. To accomplish this, students must complete the following coursework:    

• two microeconomics theory courses (ECON 721** and ECON 722)   
• two macroeconomic theory courses (ECON 723** and ECON 724)   
• two econometrics courses (ECON 761* and ECON 762)   
• ECON 765 (as it is a required course)   
• elective courses must be passed prior to writing comprehensive examinations in any area (see phase 2)     

Students entering the PhD program from our MA in Economics program will already have completed the required courses and two electives; these students would require approximately six more electives. The Economics waiver exam may allow PhD students who enter the PhD program from another university to receive credit for ECON 761. Electives must be chosen so that the student satisfies the coursework requirements of his or her chosen fields for comprehensive exams (see the list below). Most electives are taken from courses offered by the economics department, but a student may also take up to two courses from other departments, with the approval of the graduate chair (economics) and the course instructor. Students in recent years, for example, have taken finance courses offered by the DeGroote School of Business , health-related courses offered by the Faculty of Health Sciences , and statistics courses offered by the Department of Mathematics and Statistics .   

After the successful completion of the first year of coursework, comprehensive exams in micro and macro theory are typically given in May or June.  

Phase 2    

The second phase involves passing comprehensive exams in two areas of specialization and writing a research paper. The field examination committee may require that candidates complete specific courses before taking these exams. Below are the typical areas of specialization and the typical courses required for each. A graduate chair may, however, permit additional specializations in areas where the department has a research strength provided they are based on courses offered by the department.   

The fields currently available are:  

• Econometrics  
• Experimental Economics  
• Growth and Monetary Economics   
• Health Economics   
• International Economics   
• Labour Economics   
• Macroeconomics  
• Microeconomics  
• Population Economics   
• Public Economics   

Field exams are normally written after the second year of coursework has been successfully completed. Candidates have two chances to pass each comprehensive exam. Within 18 months of starting the program, students must pass the micro and macro theory comprehensive exams. The exams must be completed within 24 months of beginning the program. Within 27 months of entering the doctoral program, the student must complete a research paper. The research paper will be presented in the Fall term during the PhD workshop discussed below. The research paper must be accepted by the supervisory committee.     

Phase 3    

The thesis is the third phase. At this point, students may choose to enroll in additional courses if they are relevant to their proposed research. With the approval of the Graduate Chair, up to four half courses may be taken outside of the department. In addition to writing a thesis and taking courses, students must achieve the Active Researcher Milestone which involves participating in the department’s research activities (for example, by attending seminars, PhD workshops and meeting with visiting speakers) and regularly presenting their research. The Active Researcher Milestone must be achieved annually until graduation.     

At this stage, students are required to complete the following seminar courses. Students who have passed all their comprehensive examinations should register for ECON 798 in the Fall term that immediately follows and present the research paper. Doctoral students typically take a total of 12-14 graduate courses at this university.     

ECON 798: Workshops in Economics I   

ECON 799: Workshops in Economics II     

Co-op Option: Students in the PhD program who have successfully completed the comprehensive examinations may apply for the co-op option associated with this degree program. The number of students who will be accepted will be small and will depend on available placements. To complete the PhD co-op option, the student must work a total of eight months in either one or two placements and successfully complete both ECON 796 Economics Co-op Work Term I and ECON 797 Economics Co-op Work Term II.   

*A student who has a particularly strong background in econometrics can elect to write the econometrics waiver exam. Students who pass the waiver exam are allowed to replace ECON 761 (term 1 of econometrics) with an elective course. These students take ECON 762 in term 2 and complete the econometrics project. Credit for ECON 761 will appear on their transcripts.  

**All students registering in ECON 721 (Micro Theory 1) or ECON 723 (Macro Theory 1) are encouraged to take the mathematics preparation course ECON 765, an intensive ten-day refresher course in mathematics (MATH CAMP). Math camp is given in August, prior to the start of regular graduate courses for the fall term. After the completion of this course, students are tested regarding their mathematics preparation. The course has two parts. Part I covers topics related to ECON 721-Micro Theory I and part II covers topics related to ECON 723-Macro Theory I and matrix algebra. Each part has its own final exam. Students registered in ECON 721(ECON 723) must write the exam related to part I (part II). A student’s score on the part I (part II) exam counts as 10% of the student’s final grade in ECON 721-Micro Theory I (ECON 723-Macro Theory I).   

***Incoming students are strongly encouraged to enroll in ECON 4T03 so they are well prepared for first term micro.  

Admissions and Applications

The application portal opens on November 15 th and closes on January 14th . 

Learn more about the graduate studies application process and how to apply .

As a minimum, a standard Canadian entrant into our PhD program will have a Master’s degree in economics from a recognized university and will have maintained B+ average in their master’s study. We emphasize that these are minimum standards; those admitted typically have stronger academic records.  

Students from foreign universities are expected to have equivalent backgrounds. Although equivalency is difficult to determine, here are some guidelines for a few countries from which we commonly receive inquiries:  

• India: First-class standing for the Bachelor’s degree and upper-second-class standing for the Master’s degree.  
• Bangladesh and Pakistan: First-class standing in both the bachelors and master’s degrees.  
• China: A four-year degree with an average of at least 85%. The subject area must be ECONOMICS, not business. Strong skills in mathematics and statistics/econometrics are expected.  

A student whose native language is not English, and who has not completed an English-language degree in a predominantly English-speaking country, must submit a TOEFL or IELTS score. The minimum acceptable TOEFL score for the Dept of Economics is 580 (237 on the computerized exam; 92 iBT); the minimum acceptable IELTS score is 7.5 . Please note, the minimum requirement for the Dept of Economics is higher than the School of Graduate Studies minimum of 6.5.  

If you have any questions email them to [email protected] . Please be patient all emails will be answered.  

**If your transcript states the medium of instruction was English or you submit a letter with your application from the University stating your medium of instruction was English then that will waive your ELP requirement and a test result will not be required**  

Please note if you submit a score lower than 7.5, your application will not be reviewed. It is imperative that you meet the testing requirements noted above.   

Required Document Checklist:  

• Application Form and Fee  
• Two letters of reference  
• Academic transcripts  
• Statement of interest  
• Writing Sample (Paper or Essay – there is no minimum words and it must be single author)  
• CV/ Resume  

As reference links are sent after your application is submitted, it is highly recommended that you apply at least one week before the January 15th deadline, as this will allow for references and other documents be received in time.  

Financial Information, Scholarship and Awards

Information on Graduate Program fees can be found on the Office of the Registrar website.

Financial Aid  

Students to whom we offer admission are automatically considered for financial assistance – no special forms need be filled out. Funding is awarded on academic excellence and the availability of funds. Funding is open to all domestic and international students.  

All students admitted to the PhD program are offered two forms of financial assistance. The first is a Teaching Assistant (TA) position, which normally requires the student to perform 130 hours of marking or tutoring in each of the fall and winter terms. The second is scholarship support. In addition, many upper-year PhD students receive support in the form of a Research Assistantship (RA) in lieu of a TA, in which they work on a research project with a faculty member. The minimum annual financial assistance provided to a PhD student is $17,500 during each of first four years of doctoral study. If a student’s study extends beyond four years, financial assistance as a TA or RA may be available, but it is not guaranteed. Finally, in addition to the financial assistance provided in a letter of offer, students are eligible for TA and RA positions during the spring and summer terms, which provides support above that available during the Fall and Winter terms.  

Trudeau Scholarship: Students in the 1st or 2nd year of the doctoral program or those applying to the doctoral program are eligible. For more information regarding eligibility and the application process, please click here .  

Additional information on external scholarship support can be found at the following sites:  

• Student Financial Aid and Scholarships  
• SSHRC Doctoral Scholarships and Fellowships  
• School of Graduate Studies Scholarship Information  
• Commonwealth Scholarships  

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PhD Job Candidates

McMaster’s Department of Economics has a long history of preparing PhD graduates for the competitive job market.

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Email: [email protected]

Upcoming Events

AWSOME: 4th Annual Workshop of Southern Ontario Macro Economics

May 08, 2023

Weekly Seminar Series: Stefan Sperlich

July 12, 2023 12:30 pm.

We're Hiring: Exam Invigilators

August 02, 2023.

Canadian Econometrics Study Group (CESG) 38th Annual Meeting

October 27, 2023 6:00 pm.

33 Best universities for Environmental Economics in Canada

Updated: February 29, 2024

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Below is a list of best universities in Canada ranked based on their research performance in Environmental Economics. A graph of 277K citations received by 8.81K academic papers made by 33 universities in Canada was used to calculate publications' ratings, which then were adjusted for release dates and added to final scores.

We don't distinguish between undergraduate and graduate programs nor do we adjust for current majors offered. You can find information about granted degrees on a university page but always double-check with the university website.

1. University of Waterloo

For Environmental Economics

2. University of British Columbia

3. University of Toronto

4. University of Calgary

5. Ontario Tech University

6. Ryerson University

7. McGill University

8. Simon Fraser University

9. McMaster University

10. Dalhousie University

11. University of Alberta

12. Queen's University

13. York University

14. Laval University

15. Western University

16. HEC Montreal

17. University of Ottawa

18. University of Victoria

19. Concordia University

20. Polytechnic School of Montreal

21. University of Regina

22. University of Saskatchewan

23. University of Guelph

24. Carleton University

25. School of Higher Technology - University of Quebec

26. Memorial University of Newfoundland

27. University of Manitoba

28. University of Windsor

29. Wilfrid Laurier University

30. University of Quebec in Montreal

31. University of New Brunswick

32. University of Montreal

33. University of Sherbrooke

The best cities to study Environmental Economics in Canada based on the number of universities and their ranks are Waterloo , Vancouver , Toronto , and Calgary .

Economics subfields in Canada

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Subscribe to our mailing list Subscribe to Robert Stavins' blog Environmental Insights Podcast

Ph.D. Programs

The Harvard Environmental Economics Program (HEEP) does not grant degrees. Rather, students pursue a Ph.D. degree in Economics, Business Economics, Business Administration, Political Economy and Government, Public Policy, or Health Policy. Those whose dissertation interests focus on environmental and natural resource economics are invited to become Pre-Doctoral Fellows of HEEP.

If you are interested in pursuing a Ph.D. degree at Harvard focused on environmental economics, we encourage you to contact one or more of the following doctoral programs directly.

The Economics Ph.D.  program is the most traditional route for students interested in environmental economics. It is recommended for those applicants who wish to pursue an academic career in an economics department. It is one possible path for students who desire academic positions in professional schools or research positions in national or international agencies and research centers. The program is based in Harvard University’s Department of Economics in the Graduate School of Arts and Sciences. For general information about the Department, see its website . The Doctoral Program—including admissions requirements— is described here .

Business Economics

The Business Economics Ph.D.  program is offered jointly by the Department of Economics , in the Faculty of Arts and Sciences, and Harvard Business School, and combines economic analysis with practical aspects of business. This degree is primarily intended to prepare students for careers in research and teaching in business administration and related fields of economics. The general management approach of the Harvard Business School is an important ingredient in the program. For more information on the Business Economics program and for admissions requirements, please see the  Business Economics website.

Health Policy

The Health Policy Ph.D.  program is co-sponsored by the Graduate School of Arts and Sciences, the Kennedy School of Government, the Harvard Medical School, and the Harvard School of Public Health. Students interested in environmental economics should consider the “Economics” track of the program. This program is recommended for students with a particular interest in the intersection of health and environmental policy and who desire academic and/or research careers in health policy. For more information on the Health Policy program and for admissions requirements please see the Health Policy website.

Political Economy and Government

The Political Economy and Government  (PEG) program is co-sponsored by the  Department of Economics and the  Department of Government in the Graduate School of Arts and Sciences —and the Harvard Kennedy School . The PEG program is appropriate for the select group of students whose breadth of academic interests is not well served by doctoral studies confined to economics, political science, or public policy. The program is recommended for students whose research interests span the intersection of economics and political science and who desire academic careers in professional schools or research careers with national or international agencies and research centers. For more information on the PEG program and for admissions requirements, please see the program’s web page.  

Public Policy

The Ph.D. in Public Policy  is granted by the  Graduate School of Arts and Sciences and administered by the Harvard Kennedy School . This program is recommended for students who are interested in environmental economics as applied to the policy world and whose career goals include academic careers in professional schools, research positions in national or international agencies and research centers, or professional positions of various kinds in policy organizations. For more information on the Public Policy program and for admissions requirements and materials please see the program’s web site.

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Research Assistant

In the appointment of Research Assistant, your general duties and responsibilities will be: ·  Assess a) the economic benefits to Canadian meat/milk producers and b) the  environmental benefits, in

REES Department Chair

invites applications for the position of Chair, Department of Resource Economics and Environmental Sociology (REES), a tenured position at the rank of Associate or Full Professor. The appointment as Chair

Tier 1 or Tier 2 Canada Research Chair in Geoscience of Critical Minerals for a Sustainable Future

of critical minerals to advance economic , environmental , and social priorities and to help achieve sustainable development goals. Canada hosts an enormous variety of critical mineral deposits across its vast

Centre for Outcomes Research and Evaluation manager - CORE (Research Institute)

scientists across the different research sites of the MUHC and the Montreal General Hospital. Our researchers study the genetic, environmental , and behavioral causes of health and disease, assess the impact of

Assistant Professor - Journalism Studies Research and Practice

of similar faculty searches in Anthropology, Arts, Culture & Media, Biological Sciences, Computer & Mathematical Sciences, Management, and Physical & Environmental Sciences. New colleagues will have

Applied Research Chair in Materials Circularity

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CSFS Research Manager

related to equity, diversity, and inclusion Preferred Qualifications Graduate degree (MSc or PhD ) is preferred, in a relevant discipline or mix of disciplines (education, agriculture, environmental sciences

Postdoctoral Fellow - Modelling Land Use Change with Emphasis on Peatland

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Canada to introduce new rules around off-campus work hours for international students

From: Immigration, Refugees and Citizenship Canada

News release

International students enrich Canada’s social, cultural and economic fabric. That is why, in recent months, Immigration, Refugees and Citizenship Canada has introduced reforms to the International Students Program, to ensure system integrity while protecting students from fraud and financial vulnerability.

April 29, 2024—Ottawa— International students enrich Canada’s social, cultural and economic fabric. That is why, in recent months, Immigration, Refugees and Citizenship Canada has introduced reforms to the International Student Program, to ensure system integrity while protecting students from fraud and financial vulnerability.

The Honourable Marc Miller, Minister of Immigration, Refugees and Citizenship, announced today that the temporary policy allowing students to work more than 20 hours per week off campus will come to an end on April 30, 2024, and it will not be extended. This fall, we intend to change the number of hours students may work off campus per week to 24 hours.

Students who come to Canada must be here to study. As such, allowing students to work up to 24 hours per week will ensure they focus primarily on their studies, while having the option to work, if necessary.

As we head into the summer session, students who have a scheduled academic break can continue working unlimited hours.

In developing this change, we looked at the needs of students, policies in other countries, as well as research that has shown that academic outcomes suffer the more a student works while studying. It also strikes the appropriate balance so students have the option to work without compromising academic outcomes. More details will be shared in due course.

We also continue to develop the new Recognized Institutions Framework to reward post­secondary institutions that set high standards for selecting, supporting and retaining international students. We will continue to support and protect international students from financial vulnerability and keep protecting the integrity of the International Student Program.

“Working off campus helps international students gain work experience and offset some of their expenses. As international students arrive in Canada, we want them to be prepared for life here and have the support they need to succeed. However, first and foremost, people coming to Canada as students must be here to study, not work. We will continue working to protect the integrity of our student program.” – The Honourable Marc Miller, Minister of Immigration, Refugees and Citizenship

Quick facts

Recent studies conducted in the US and Canada have shown that there is a considerable decline in academic performance for students working more than 28 hours per week, and that working more than 24 hours per week increases the chances that a student will drop out of their program.

Most countries that welcome international students set limits on the number of hours they may work while they study. Australia recently changed its policy to allow a student to work 48 hours every 2 weeks. In the US, students must meet additional criteria before being permitted to work off campus at all.

In December 2023, the Government of Canada raised the cost-of-living threshold that students must meet to be approved for a study permit so they are financially prepared for life in Canada and are not as dependent on working.

International students who begin a college program delivered through a public-private curriculum licensing arrangement on or after May 15, 2024, will not be eligible for a post-graduation work permit when they graduate. Those who already started this type of program prior to May 15, 2024, will still be able to access a post-graduation work permit, provided they meet all other criteria .

The new letter of acceptance (LOA) verification process has been a success. Since its launch on December 1, 2023, through April 1, 2024, IRCC has

•  received almost 162,000 LOAs for verification
• confirmed nearly 142,000 LOAs as valid directly with designated learning institutions (DLIs)
• identified almost 9,000 LOAs that didn’t match any LOA issued by a DLI or that the DLI had already cancelled before the foreign national applied for a study permit

Associated links

• Statement: Minister Miller issues statement on international student allocations for provinces and territories
• Notice: Update on public-private college partnership programs for international students
• Notice: Additional information about International Student Program reforms
• News release: Canada to stabilize growth and decrease number of new study permits issued
• News release: Revised requirements to better protect international students
• News release: Changes to International Student Program aim to protect students
• Website: Work off campus as an international student

Aissa Diop Director of Communications Minister’s Office Immigration, Refugees and Citizenship Canada [email protected]

Media Relations Communications Sector Immigration, Refugees and Citizenship Canada 613-952-1650 [email protected]

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