Doctor of Philosophy (PhD) in Sustainability Management - Water

The program information below was valid for the spring 2023 term (May 1, 2023 - August 31, 2023). This is the archived version; the most up-to-date program information is available through the current Graduate Studies Academic Calendar.

The Graduate Studies Academic Calendar is updated 3 times per year, at the start of each academic term (January 1, May 1, September 1). Graduate Studies Academic Calendars from previous terms can be found in the archives.

Students are responsible for reviewing the general information and regulations section of the Graduate Studies Academic Calendar.

Program information

  • Admit term(s) 
    • Fall
  • Delivery mode 
    • On-campus
  • Program type 
    • Collaborative
    • Doctoral
    • Research
  • Registration option(s) 
    • Full-time
    • Part-time
  • Study option(s) 

Admission requirements

  • Minimum requirements 
    • A Master’s degree with distinction (typically an overall average of at least 80%, or equivalent).
    • Facility with research methods is expected, whether through the presentation of specific graduate courses or original research at the graduate level.
  • Application materials 
    • Résumé
    • Supplementary information form
    • Transcript(s)
  • References 
    • Number of references:  3
    • Type of references: 

      academic references are required unless a professional reference is specified.
  • English language proficiency (ELP) (if applicable)

Degree requirements

    Thesis option:

  • Graduate Academic Integrity Module (Graduate AIM)
  • Courses 
    • Students must complete the following courses:
      • SUSM 701 Advanced theories
      • SUSM 702 Research design and methods
      • WATER 601 Integrated Water Management
      • WATER 602 Integrated Water Management Project
    • This degree is offered through the Collaborative Water Program. This program, jointly offered by a range of departments across several academic Faculties, promotes the development of interdisciplinary perspectives on water. Collaborative Water Program students complete their specialist training in their respective home departments, while working with colleagues from a variety of other departments in core interdisciplinary courses (WATER 601 and WATER 602).
    • Students who have already completed WATER 601 and WATER 602 as part of their Masters Water degree, must complete the following course requirement:
      • 1 graduate level water course from outside the student’s home Faculty agreed to by the student’s Supervisor and the Collaborative Water Program Director.
    • Students may request permission from the SEED Graduate Advisor to enrol in elective courses in other graduate programs that will complement their program of study.
  • Link(s) to courses
  • Collaborative Research Seminar I
    • Students are required to present a seminar on their thesis or major paper research proposal and, if appropriate, early stage results to current and past Water students and Water Institute faculty members. Seminars will normally occur following the completion of WATER 601 and WATER 602. Seminars will provide the opportunity for students to discuss how learnings from Water courses were applied in, or influenced, research proposals or research work in the student’s home department. Seminars will normally be poster presentations at Water Institute organized events. The seminar is not an oral examination of the thesis or paper; rather, its purpose is to develop the student's ability to communicate their research in an organized and informative manner.
  • Collaborative Research Seminar II
    • Students who have completed the Collaborative Research Seminar 1 as part of their Masters Water degree, must complete the Collaborative Research Seminar 2.
    • Students are required to present a seminar on their PhD thesis proposal to current and past Water students and Water Institute faculty members. Seminars will normally occur following the completion of required courses and the comprehensive exam. Seminars should present how learnings from the Collaborative Water Program were applied in, or influenced, thesis proposals. Seminars will normally be poster presentations or talks at Water Institute organized events. The seminar is not an oral examination of the thesis proposal; rather, its purpose is to develop the student's ability to communicate their research in an organized and informative manner.
  • Collaborative Academic Contribution
    • Students who have completed the Collaborative Water Program Research Seminar 1 as part of their Masters Water degree, must complete the Collaborative Academic Contribution milestone.
    • Students are required to make an academic contribution to the Collaborative Water Program. The proposed contribution will be documented by the student and approved by the student’s Supervisor and the Collaborative Water Program Director. Potential contributions may include, but not be limited to:
      • Development of new or improved curricula or course content;
      • Delivery of a lecture(s);
      • Preparation of a publication;
      • Preparation of a case study;
      • Mentorship of a group of students.
  • PhD Professional Development Seminar I and PhD Professional Development Seminar II
    • PhD professional development seminars allow students to gain skills suitable to knowledge mobilization and careers outside of academia.
    • Students are required to complete two professional development seminars.
    • Normally seminars should be completed before the PhD qualifying examination.
  • PhD Qualifying Examination
  • PhD Thesis Proposal
    • Students are required to develop a written PhD thesis proposal by the end of the term following completion of the qualifying examination.
    • Students must present and defend their thesis proposal in an oral examination by the student's PhD advisory committee.
    • The examination, including any oral presentation associated with the examination, will be open to members of the University community.
    • The thesis proposal must be approved by the advisory committee and constitutes an agreement with the student regarding their plan of doctoral research.
    • Further details are available from the School of Environment, Enterprise and Development (SEED) website.
  • PhD Thesis
Approved Doctoral Dissertation Supervisors (ADDS) list
School of Environment, Enterprise and Development (SEED) website
Doctor of Philosophy (PhD) in Sustainability Management - Water future students program page