Public Health Sciences (Water) - Doctor of Philosophy (PhD)

Lyle S. Hallman Institute for Health Promotion

Lyle S. Hallman Institute for Health Promotion located on Waterloo's main campus

Become an expert and tackle some of the biggest health concerns and global water challenges of today’s world with the PhD in Science Public Health Sciences – Collaborative Water program. Work alongside leading researchers, integrating perspectives from multiple disciplines and using research as a tool to design, implement, and evaluate health programs, policies, and services.

The collaborative approach of this program provides access to more than 140 faculty members involved in water research across Waterloo's campus, encouraging you to push the boundaries of your research. Along with developing expertise in public health and health systems, two interdisciplinary courses will capture both theoretical and practical components. This includes in-class lectures, fieldwork, interdisciplinary group work, and individual research seminars. 

You’ll be prepared for a career in research (industry, government and academia), the public sector or private industry. Develop in-demand skills such as problem-solving and the ability to work in teams and communicate across disciplines. 

Learn more about the Collaborative Water Program →

Research project opportunities for this program

Human Biomonitoring of Environmental Chemicals in Northern First Nations

A Masters or PhD student is being recruited to analyze the levels and determinants of these chemicals among participating communities. The student will complete biostatistical analysis of biomarker and survey data to answer key research questions raised by community partners. In addition, the student will assist with the knowledge mobilization of biomonitoring results.

Exploring the Impact of Finite Sample Size and Missing Data on Statistical Modeling Decisions

Statistical models play a critical role in data applications for explanatory and predictive purposes. The model-building process involves use of various statistical tools, some of which make certain assumptions to yield good statistical properties like consistency. Such properties enable researchers to make reliable statistical inferences. However, when samples are small to moderate in size, issues arise when applying common model-building tools due to deviations from underlying assumptions. Such deviations can lead to unreliable parameter estimates, reduced statistical power, thereby affecting data-driven decisions. The process of model-building and conducting statistical tests is further impeded when data are incomplete due to missing values.

Program overview

Department/School: School of Public Health Sciences
Faculty: Faculty of Health
Admit term(s): Fall (September - December)
Delivery mode: On-campus
Program type: Collaborative, Doctoral, Research
Length of program: 48 months (full-time)
Registration option(s): Full-time, Part-time
Study option(s): Thesis

Application deadlines

  •  February 1 (for admission in September)

Key contacts

Program Contact
sphs.grad.admissions@uwaterloo.ca

Considerations for international students before submitting an application:

While the Faculty of Health at the University of Waterloo values international students in our graduate programs, we can only accept a small proportion of these students. 

Guaranteed funding packages may not be able to cover all tuition and living expenses incurred during a graduate program and students are encouraged to understand more about the cost of completing their graduate program before applying.

Your requested supervisor may also be required to fund your studies for your application to be successful.

Natalie Doan

Everyone is privileged and disadvantaged in so many different ways. And it doesn’t really make sense to view people as singly disadvantaged or advantaged. So I wanted to do research that would build on that nuance.

Natalie Doan, PHD Student, School of Public Health Sciences

Supervisors

  • Review finding a supervisor resources to learn how to reach out to potential supervisors.
  • While it is not required to reach out to potential supervisors prior to applying, it is strongly recommended to ensure that the faculty member you are interested in working with is accepting new students and your research interests align.

Admission requirements

  • Students applying to the program are required to complete a Master of Science (MSc) degree (or its equivalent) with content related to health, public health, health systems, or areas relevant to the impacts of water on human health with a minimum 75% average in master's level coursework.
  • Completion of a master's thesis.
  • Submit a letter indicating reasons for pursuing graduate studies and a written statement outlining research interests.

Degree requirements

Application materials

  • Resume/Curriculum vitae
  • Program-specific questions (PSQ)
    • These are questions specific to the program you’re applying to. They can be viewed once you’ve started an application and are completed through a form in the online application.
  • Transcript(s)
  • Writing sample
    • Students must submit a copy of previous academic work, such as copies of preprints, reprints, or master's thesis, or other evidence of written scholarly work.
  • References
  • Proof of English language proficiency, if applicable

    • TOEFL 100 (writing 26, speaking 26), IELTS 7.5 (writing 7.0, speaking 7.0)

    • The School of Public Health Sciences does not consider international applications whose English language proficiency scores fall below the minimum requirements.

Tuition and fees