Geography and Environmental Studies

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Geography and Environmental Studies

Doctoral Program Requirements

Doctoral Program Requirements

Program requirements for the Ph.D. degree are outlined in the General Regulations section of this Calendar. The specific program requirements of the Department of Geography and Environmental Studies are:

  • 10.0 credits
  • GEOG 6000/GEOG 6001
  • Either GEOG 6003/GEOG 6004 or GEOG 6006/GEOG 6007
  • One written comprehensive examination in either GEOG 6906 or GEOG 6907
  • Presentation and oral defence of the thesis proposal as outlined below
  • A thesis equivalent to 8.0 of the required 10.0 credits which must be defended at an oral examination

Comprehensive Examination
Each doctoral candidate is required to write a comprehensive examination:

  • GEOG 6906 or 6907, according to the chosen field of specialization

The comprehensive examination must be completed after course requirements for the Ph.D. have been completed. The examination will normally occur no later than the winter term of second year of registration in the Ph.D. program. Failure to complete the examination successfully will result in denial of permission to continue in the program.

Thesis Proposal
Candidates normally register in the thesis on entry to the program and work actively to define their research topic during the first term of registration. The thesis proposal is normally presented after comprehensive requirements have been fulfilled. Candidates normally submit and defend the thesis proposal at an oral examination no later than the end of the winter term of the second year of registration in the Ph.D. program. Continuous registration is required after initial registration in the thesis.

Residence Requirements
All Ph.D. candidates must be registered full time in a minimum of six terms to satisfy the residence requirement.

Physical Geography and Geotechnical Science
The Department of Geography continues to offer doctoral supervision in the field of geotechnical science and physical geography within the joint Ph.D. program in Geoscience of the Ottawa-Carleton Geoscience Centre.

NOTE: The individuals appointed as Adjunct Professors in the Department of Geography and Environmental Studies and faculty members in other departments may serve as co-supervisors or as advisors on a candidate’s advisory committee.

Note: The ultimate authority on all program requirements is the University Calendar.