Doctor of Philosophy in Earth Sciences (Water)
The University of Waterloo offers a unique research-based Masters and Doctor of Philosophy (PhD) collaborative program in Water. This program, jointly offered by eight departments across the Faculties of Arts, Engineering, Environment, Mathematics and Science, is intended to promote multi- and inter-disciplinary perspectives related to water. The goal of the program is to supplement disciplinary (specialist) training offered in individual departments with perspectives from a variety of water-related disciplines. Students graduating from the collaborative program will be better equipped to work in multidisciplinary teams to solve increasingly complex water issues.
The over 130 faculty members involved in water research at the University of Waterloo represent international excellence and leadership in the field. The faculty cohort includes a Canada Excellence Research Chair, eight Canada Research Chairs, two NSERC Industrial Research Chairs and several University Chairs. The University’s water programs are diverse and collectively comprehensive, creating a dynamic research and learning environment. Core disciplinary expertise includes:
- Hydrological (groundwater, surface water) science and engineering;
- Water/wastewater treatment and technology;
- Ecohydrology;
- Aquatic ecology and ecotoxicology;
- Water management, policy and governance.
The collaborative program in Water represents tremendous opportunity for graduate students to train within their chosen disciplines while being exposed to perspectives of water research, innovation and management from other fields.
Admissions Requirements
Interested students should apply to the collaborative program in Water in one of the following departments via the regular university application process:
The collaborative program is available to students who are applying to thesis or major paper-based research programs in the home department and whose program of study will have a substantial focus on water. Admission requirements are the same as home department programs, who must approve the application. Students will be required to submit a brief statement of their research interests in water with their application.
Degree Requirements
Students must fulfill all of the requirements of their home department, including any specific courses, thesis or seminar milestones, and all of the requirements of the Water program. Whether or not collaborative program courses can be used as electives in the home department will be determined by the department, and may differ from department to department. It is therefore possible that students will need to take additional courses beyond those prescribed by the home department in order to meet the specific requirements of the Water program.
Students with an MSc degree will be required to complete a minimum of two one-term (0.50 unit weight) 600 level courses, pass a comprehensive examination, present a 30 minute seminar (PhD thesis Proposal), and submit and successfully defend a PhD thesis.
A grade of a least 70% must be obtained in all graduate level courses. If a lower grade is obtained, the course(s) must be repeated or other requirements met as specified by the Supervisory Committee.
In addition to completing the minimum of required courses, students are strongly encouraged to take additional courses outside of their specialty in order to broaden their perspective in science, mathematics, or engineering.
In addition to completing the minimum of required courses, students are strongly encouraged to take additional courses outside of their specialty in order to broaden their perspective in science, mathematics, or engineering.
Grades from any designated extra courses will not be included in the calculation of the 70% minimum-average requirement.
If the student has taken additional courses during the Master of Science program, these might be credited to the PhD requirements upon recommendation by the Supervisory Committee. Requests should be made at the time the student is applying.
Comprehensive Examination
The purpose of the Comprehensive Examination is two-fold:
- To assess the candidate's general competence in their discipline, subdiscipline, and area of specialization, at a level considered by the Examining Committee to be appropriate for the PhD degree.
- To assess the candidate's ability to complete their PhD program.
Questions may cover the entire spectrum of scientific knowledge which the candidate is expected to be familiar with and will probe his/her in-depth expertise in his/her area of specialization. In particular, the candidate will be expected to demonstrate a thorough grasp of the fundamental principles underlying his/her branch of science.
Core Courses
Core courses are designed to provide fundamental multidisciplinary knowledge and experience to complement the student’s specialist courses and water-related research in the home department.
The two required core courses are:
WATER 601: Integrated Water Management (0.50 credit)
This course provides an overview of various water-related disciplines, including fields within water science and engineering, water technology, aquatic and terrestrial systems and water planning and management. Modules cover key concepts, methods, tools and terminology from a wide variety of perspectives, providing students with a multidisciplinary foundation for communicating and problem solving in the water resources sector.
WATER 602: Integrated Water Management Project (0.50 credit)
This course addresses current local, national or international water issues from an integrated, multi-disciplinary perspective. Building on WATER 601, students work in multi-disciplinary teams under the supervision of a faculty member to identify issues, challenges and opportunities to effectively address current water problems, integrating knowledge from a variety of perspectives. This course may have a field component in which full participation will be required.
Research Seminar
Students will make a formal presentation on their research at an annual symposium or other designated event. This will be an opportunity to interact with a very broad multidisciplinary audience that crosses all areas of research in the collaborative programs.
Other opportunities
Students enrolled in the collaborative program will be offered other learning opportunities, such as participation in seminars and workshops and access to visiting fellows and scholars, which will enhance the learning experience.
Applying for the collaborative program in Water
For more information about the collaborative Water graduate programs, please contact the Graduate Studies Coordinator of a participating department or:
Dr. Mark Servos
Program Director
Phone: 519-888-4567 x36034
Email: mservos@uwaterloo.ca
Interested students should visit the Graduate Studies Office website.
If you need further assistance with the application, please email the Graduate Studies Office.