Earth Sciences - Doctor of Philosophy (PhD)

Science Buildings

Science Teaching Complex (STC) and Quantum-Nano Centre (QNC) Buildings Located on Waterloo's Campus.

Get a quantitative and scientifically rigorous education in water sciences, sustainable mining, earth processes and geohazards with the PhD in Earth Sciences program 

Join one of the leading groundwater hydrology research groups in the world, focusing on characterization of biogeochemical, hydrogeologic and geological systems, and the response of these systems to human interference, while learning from award-winning faculty members.  

You’ll gain a deeper understanding of our impact as humans on earth’s systems, both at the surface and deep underground, by exploring the mechanisms behind our currently changing climate.  

Program overview

Department/School: Earth and Environmental Sciences
Faculty: Faculty of Science
Admit term(s): Fall (September - December), Winter (January - April), Spring (May - August) 
Delivery mode: On-campus
Program type: 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)
  • June 1 (for admission in January of the following year)
  • October 1 (for admission in May of the following year)

Key contacts

Sue Fisher at sfisher@uwaterloo.ca
519-888-4567, ext. 35836

Supervisors

  • Review the finding a supervisor resources
  • Before applying to the program, students are strongly advised to establish contact with potential supervisors. It is a good strategy to identify whether the potential supervisors that students would like to undertake research with have available positions and funding.

Admission requirements

  • The program is open to students who have completed a Master of Science (MSc) degree with a 75% average and who have outstanding academic credentials and a demonstrated ability to do original scholarly work.
  • A normal requirement is a background in geology or geological engineering, but other experience relevant to a candidate's research interests will be considered. Candidates will be evaluated on an individual basis.
  • Before applying to the program, students are strongly advised to establish contact with potential supervisors. It is a good strategy to identify whether the potential supervisors that students would like to undertake research with have available positions and funding.
  • Admission from the BSc degree to the Doctoral program: in exceptional cases where a student demonstrates academic excellence including: research potential, scientific maturity and good writing skills, they may be allowed, at the discretion of the Graduate Committee, to proceed directly to the PhD degree from the BSc, without the completion of the MSc.

Degree requirements

Degree requirements

Application materials

  • Resume

  • Supplementary information form (SIF)
    • The SIF contains questions specific to your program, typically about why you want to enrol and your experience in that field. Review the application documents web page for more information about this requirement
    • If a statement or letter is required by your program, review the writing your personal statement resources for helpful tips and tricks on completion

  • Transcript(s)

  • References
  • Proof of English language proficiency, if applicable
    • TOEFL 90 (writing 25, speaking 25), IELTS 7.0 (writing 6.5, speaking 6.5)

Tuition and fees