phd geology scholarships in canada

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Doctor of Philosophy (PhD)

Thesis-based program

Program overview.

Formed in 1963, the Department of Geoscience - Canada's largest - is a vibrant cornerstone of the University of Calgary. The program is a wellspring of Canada's geoscience research and industry professionals, with close ties to the resource industry that has established Alberta's reputation as a global energy leader. Many students participate in field schools during their program, and benefit from working on the doorstep of a fantastic geological laboratory: the Rocky Mountains. Our vision is an improved understanding of Earth systems through innovative and impactful geoscience research, interdisciplinary learning and discovery, empowered and inspired teaching, and effective communication that not only raises our profile as a geoscience centre of excellence, but also creates a brighter future for our world.

Completing this program

• Core Courses: Geology and Geophysics of Western Canada and either an Advanced Independent Study course or Readings in Geology or Geophysics.
• Thesis: Students will be required to submit and defend an original research thesis.
• Candidacy: Students will complete both oral and written candidacy exams.
• Field Schools : Many students participate in field schools for 12-16 days in late summer or early spring. Activities include orienteering, mapping surficial deposts, measuring sections in sedimentary rocks, and mapping geologic structures in places like the Canadian Shield, Alberta prairies, Rocky Mountains and deserts of southwest USA.

Post-Secondary Teaching and Research, Oil and gas, Resource exploration, Resource Management, Environmental Consulting, Geo Hazards, Renewable Energy, Policy and Regulation.

A PhD in geoscience is usually considered a final degree.

Students are required to prepare a thesis and successfully defend in an open oral defense.

Four courses; some courses may be waived for students with MSc degrees

Learn more about program requirements in the Academic Calendar

Classroom delivery

Time commitment.

Three years full-time; six years maximum

A supervisor is required; potential supervisors must be listed when applying to the program.

See the Graduate Calendar for information on  fees and fee regulations,  and for information on  awards and financial assistance .

Virtual Tour

Explore the University of Calgary (UCalgary) from anywhere. Experience all that UCalgary has to offer for your graduate student journey without physically being on campus. Discover the buildings, student services and available programs all from your preferred device.

Supervisors

Learn about faculty available to supervise this degree. Please note: additional supervisors may be available. Contact the program for more information.

Benjamin Barst

Jan Dettmer

David Eaton

Eva Enkelmann

Rob Ferguson

Charles Henderson

Stephen Hubbard

Steve Larter

Bernhard Mayer

Admission requirements

A minimum of 3.0 GPA on a 4.0 point system, over the past two years of full-time study (a minimum of 10 full-course equivalents or 60 units) of the undergraduate degree.

Minimum education

MSc or equivalent in geology or geophysics, or a related field such as physics or mathematics from a recognized institution.

Work samples

A concise statement outlining the applicant’s research interests and reasons for wishing to attend the University of Calgary

Reference letters

Test scores, english language proficiency.

An applicant whose primary language is not English may fulfill the English language proficiency requirement in one of the following ways:

• Test of English as a Foreign Language (TOEFL ibt)  score of 97 (Internet-based, with no section less than 20).
• International English Language Testing System (IELTS)  score of 7.0 (minimum of 6.0 in each section).
• Pearson Test of English (PTE)   score of 68, or higher (Academic version).
• Canadian Academic English Language test (CAEL)  score of 70 (70 in some sections – up to the program, 60 in all other).  
• Academic Communication Certificate (ACC)  score of A- in one or two courses (up to the program), “B+” on all other courses.  
• Cambridge C1 Advanced or Cambridge C2 Proficiency  minimum score of 191.

*Please contact your program of interest if you have any questions about ELP requirements.

For admission on September 1:

• Canadians and permanent residents: Jan. 15 application deadline
• International students: Jan. 15 application deadline

If you're not a Canadian or permanent resident, or if you have international credentials, make sure to learn about international requirements

Are you ready to apply?

Learn more about this program, department of geoscience.

Earth Sciences Building Room 118 2500 University Drive NW Calgary, ABT2N 1N4 403.220-3254

Contact the Graduate Program Administrator

Visit the departmental website

University of Calgary 2500 University Drive NW Calgary, AB, T2N 1N4

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Related programs

If you're interested in this program, you might want to explore other UCalgary programs.

Thesis-based MSc

Course-based MSc

Chemical and Petroleum Engineering

Thesis-based MEng

Course-based MEng

Course-based MEng (Petroleum only)

Civil Engineering

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Physics and Astronomy

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• Doctor of Philosophy in Geological Sciences (PhD)
• Graduate School
• Prospective Students
• Graduate Degree Programs

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Go to programs search

Geologists study the materials that make up the earth, the features and structures found on Earth as well as the processes by which these features and structures formed. Our department has a wide range of expertise in geological sciences, including field-based studies (e.g., mineral deposit research, volcanology, sedimentology, tectonics, petrology, hydrogeology), experimental research (e.g. hydrofracking, rock deformation, volcanic processes, C02 sequestration), and laboratory analyses (e.g. petrography, petrology, geochronology).

For specific program requirements, please refer to the departmental program website

What makes the program unique?

• The Geological Science program in EOAS is consistently ranked as one of the best geological science programs in Canada, and in the top 20 internationally.
• We house world-class instrumentation for isotopic and geochemical research (PCIGR), the Mineral Deposit Research Unit (MDRU), and Vancouver is the world headquarters for Mineral deposit exploration.
• British Columbia is an ideal natural laboratory to foster combined field and laboratory research.
• Industry and government collaborations are extensive and many graduate students are funded by Industrial partnerships, which typically lead to fulltime employment.

I originally applied for my MSc at UBC because I had heard that living in Vancouver was a dream. Then I really liked the people, the city, the research topic and it was a perfect fit.

Katrin Steinthorsdottir

Quick Facts

Program enquiries, admission information & requirements, 1) check eligibility, minimum academic requirements.

The Faculty of Graduate and Postdoctoral Studies establishes the minimum admission requirements common to all applicants, usually a minimum overall average in the B+ range (76% at UBC). The graduate program that you are applying to may have additional requirements. Please review the specific requirements for applicants with credentials from institutions in:

• Canada or the United States
• International countries other than the United States

Each program may set higher academic minimum requirements. Please review the program website carefully to understand the program requirements. Meeting the minimum requirements does not guarantee admission as it is a competitive process.

English Language Test

Applicants from a university outside Canada in which English is not the primary language of instruction must provide results of an English language proficiency examination as part of their application. Tests must have been taken within the last 24 months at the time of submission of your application.

Minimum requirements for the two most common English language proficiency tests to apply to this program are listed below:

TOEFL: Test of English as a Foreign Language - internet-based

Overall score requirement : 100

IELTS: International English Language Testing System

Overall score requirement : 7.0

Other Test Scores

Some programs require additional test scores such as the Graduate Record Examination (GRE) or the Graduate Management Test (GMAT). The requirements for this program are:

The GRE is not required.

Prior degree, course and other requirements

Prior degree requirements.

Students admitted to the Ph.D. degree program normally possess a master's degree in an area of science or applied science, with clear evidence of research ability or potential.

2) Meet Deadlines

September 2025 intake, application open date, canadian applicants, international applicants, january 2026 intake, september 2026 intake, deadline explanations.

Deadline to submit online application. No changes can be made to the application after submission.

Deadline to upload scans of official transcripts through the applicant portal in support of a submitted application. Information for accessing the applicant portal will be provided after submitting an online application for admission.

Deadline for the referees identified in the application for admission to submit references. See Letters of Reference for more information.

3) Prepare Application

Transcripts.

All applicants have to submit transcripts from all past post-secondary study. Document submission requirements depend on whether your institution of study is within Canada or outside of Canada.

Letters of Reference

A minimum of three references are required for application to graduate programs at UBC. References should be requested from individuals who are prepared to provide a report on your academic ability and qualifications.

Statement of Interest

Many programs require a statement of interest , sometimes called a "statement of intent", "description of research interests" or something similar.

• Supervision

Students in research-based programs usually require a faculty member to function as their thesis supervisor. Please follow the instructions provided by each program whether applicants should contact faculty members.

Instructions regarding thesis supervisor contact for Doctor of Philosophy in Geological Sciences (PhD)

Prospective students are encouraged to read about the research interests https://www.eoas.ubc.ca/research/areas of individual faculty members to identify who would be a suitable supervisor and to contact this person before applying to the department.

Citizenship Verification

Permanent Residents of Canada must provide a clear photocopy of both sides of the Permanent Resident card.

4) Apply Online

All applicants must complete an online application form and pay the application fee to be considered for admission to UBC.

Research Information

Research focus.

Research within our program includes: - the effects of climate change on landscapes, surface processes, and terrestrial sedimentary deposits - carbon sequestration processes at and near the surface of the Earth - processes involved in the genesis of mineral deposits - composition and thermal structure of the mantle underlying the oldest portions of the earth (cratons) - reservoir characterisation of unconventional petroleum resources - strain localization and processes in structural geology - processes operating in subduction zones - the origin and evolution of silicate magmas and mineralization potential - the reconstruction of the elevation of mountain belts through time - constraining the dynamics and geochemistry of the lithosphere through time - the distribution of elements and isotopes in Earth systems - volcanology and igneous petrology as related to the formation, transport and eruption of magma

Research Facilities

Our Geological Science program is housed in the recently constructed Earth System Science Building. Research facilities include, the Pacific Centre for Isotopic and Geochemical Research (PCIGR); the Electron Microbeam and XRD Facility (EMXDF), the Centre for Experimental Studies of the Lithosphere (CESL), and the Mineral Deposit Research Unit (MDRU).

Tuition & Financial Support

Financial support.

Applicants to UBC have access to a variety of funding options, including merit-based (i.e. based on your academic performance) and need-based (i.e. based on your financial situation) opportunities.

Program Funding Packages

Ph.D. students are guaranteed minimum funding of CAN $26,530.20 (plus tuition) per year for the first four years, which can consist of research assistantships (RAs) to help professors with their grants and contracts, teaching assistantships (TAs) to help teach courses and labs and grade assignments, scholarships and prizes, and combinations of all of the above.

Average Funding

• 18 students received Teaching Assistantships. Average TA funding based on 18 students was $5,436.
• 20 students received Research Assistantships. Average RA funding based on 20 students was $13,269.
• 8 students received Academic Assistantships. Average AA funding based on 8 students was $2,817.
• 20 students received internal awards. Average internal award funding based on 20 students was $15,111.
• 7 students received external awards. Average external award funding based on 7 students was $17,667.

Scholarships & awards (merit-based funding)

All applicants are encouraged to review the awards listing to identify potential opportunities to fund their graduate education. The database lists merit-based scholarships and awards and allows for filtering by various criteria, such as domestic vs. international or degree level.

Graduate Research Assistantships (GRA)

Many professors are able to provide Research Assistantships (GRA) from their research grants to support full-time graduate students studying under their supervision. The duties constitute part of the student's graduate degree requirements. A Graduate Research Assistantship is considered a form of fellowship for a period of graduate study and is therefore not covered by a collective agreement. Stipends vary widely, and are dependent on the field of study and the type of research grant from which the assistantship is being funded.

Graduate Teaching Assistantships (GTA)

Graduate programs may have Teaching Assistantships available for registered full-time graduate students. Full teaching assistantships involve 12 hours work per week in preparation, lecturing, or laboratory instruction although many graduate programs offer partial TA appointments at less than 12 hours per week. Teaching assistantship rates are set by collective bargaining between the University and the Teaching Assistants' Union .

Graduate Academic Assistantships (GAA)

Academic Assistantships are employment opportunities to perform work that is relevant to the university or to an individual faculty member, but not to support the student’s graduate research and thesis. Wages are considered regular earnings and when paid monthly, include vacation pay.

Financial aid (need-based funding)

Canadian and US applicants may qualify for governmental loans to finance their studies. Please review eligibility and types of loans .

All students may be able to access private sector or bank loans.

Foreign government scholarships

Many foreign governments provide support to their citizens in pursuing education abroad. International applicants should check the various governmental resources in their home country, such as the Department of Education, for available scholarships.

Working while studying

The possibility to pursue work to supplement income may depend on the demands the program has on students. It should be carefully weighed if work leads to prolonged program durations or whether work placements can be meaningfully embedded into a program.

International students enrolled as full-time students with a valid study permit can work on campus for unlimited hours and work off-campus for no more than 20 hours a week.

A good starting point to explore student jobs is the UBC Work Learn program or a Co-Op placement .

Tax credits and RRSP withdrawals

Students with taxable income in Canada may be able to claim federal or provincial tax credits.

Canadian residents with RRSP accounts may be able to use the Lifelong Learning Plan (LLP) which allows students to withdraw amounts from their registered retirement savings plan (RRSPs) to finance full-time training or education for themselves or their partner.

Please review Filing taxes in Canada on the student services website for more information.

Cost Estimator

Applicants have access to the cost estimator to develop a financial plan that takes into account various income sources and expenses.

Career Outcomes

35 students graduated between 2005 and 2013: 2 graduates are seeking employment; for 4 we have no data (based on research conducted between Feb-May 2016). For the remaining 29 graduates:

Sample Employers in Higher Education

Sample employers outside higher education, sample job titles outside higher education, phd career outcome survey, career options.

Our Ph.D. program in Geological Science is designed to prepare students for employment in the public or private sector. Recent graduates have taken positions in mineral exploration companies, such as Teck and Barrick. Others have become bedrock mapping geologists with government geological surveys (for example, the Geological Survey of Canada, the British Columbia Geological Survey and the Yukon Geological Survey. Many former Ph.D. students are faculty members at Earth Science departments worldwide!

Enrolment, Duration & Other Stats

These statistics show data for the Doctor of Philosophy in Geological Sciences (PhD). Data are separated for each degree program combination. You may view data for other degree options in the respective program profile.

ENROLMENT DATA

Completion rates & times.

• Research Supervisors

Advice and insights from UBC Faculty on reaching out to supervisors

These videos contain some general advice from faculty across UBC on finding and reaching out to a supervisor. They are not program specific.

This list shows faculty members with full supervisory privileges who are affiliated with this program. It is not a comprehensive list of all potential supervisors as faculty from other programs or faculty members without full supervisory privileges can request approvals to supervise graduate students in this program.

• Ameli, Ali (Geology; Applied Hydro-geochemistry; Climate Changes and Impacts; Environmental Tracer; Ground Water and Water Tables; Groundwater Ecohydrology; Groundwater-Surfacewater & land Interaction; Hydro-geological Engineering; Hydrological Cycle and Reservoirs; Numerical analysis; Watershed Management)
• Barker, Shaun
• Beckie, Roger (Other environmental engineering and related engineering; Hydrogeology; Mine drainage; physical hydrogeology; groundwater geochemistry; groundwater contamination)
• Bustin, Robert Marc (Unconventional Petroleum Reservoirs)
• Chritz, Kendra (Anthropocene, Onset, tempo, and trajectory of human impacts on biological processes and environmental change)
• Crowe, Sean (Geobiology, biogeochemistry, microbial evolution)
• d'Arcy, Mitch (Earth and related environmental sciences; Geomorphology; Climate/palaeoclimate; Sedimentology; Geochronology; remote sensing)
• Eberhardt, Erik (Geotechnical engineering; Mining engineering; Rock Mechanics and Rock Engineering; Deep Underground Excavations; Rock Slope Engineering; Block Cave Mining)
• Groat, Lee (Mineralogy and crystallography (except soil mineralogy and chemicals aspects of crystallography); Inorganic geochemistry; Economic geology; mineralogy; crystal chemistry; Geochemistry; economic geology; gem deposits; pegmatites)
• Hickey, Kenneth (understand the processes involved in the genesis of mineral deposits from a multidisciplinary perspective; Post-mineralization weathering, denudation and subsequent burial of Carlin-type Au-mineralization at the Cortez Hills deposit: Implications for finding Au-deposits in bedrock under cover.)
• Jellinek, Mark (Volcanology, Geodynamics, Planetary Science, Geological Fluid Mechanics)
• Johnson, Mark (Geology; Natural environment sciences; Agriculture; Biogeochemistry; Carbon cycle; Climate Changes and Impacts; data science; Ecohydrology; Ecology and Quality of the Environment; Fresh Water; Ground Water and Water Tables; Hydrological Cycle and Reservoirs; Land and Soil; land use; Running Water Hydrosystem; Water and Sustainability)
• Kopylova, Maya (diamond ore deposits, Diamond exploration, petrology and volcanology)
• Lukes, Laura (Earth and related environmental sciences; Psychology and cognitive sciences; Education; Geoscience Education Research (Discipline-Based Education Research); Self-regulated Learning; field-based experiential learning; learning in informal settings (e.g., museums, parks, science centers); crowdsourced and citizen science; teacher beliefs; motivation, emotion, and beliefs in learning; Equity, Diversity, and Inclusion in STEM; learning engineering)
• Mayer, Ulrich (Geology; groundwater contamination; groundwater remediation; hydrogeology; low-temperature geochemistry; mine waste management)
• McDougall, Scott (Other earth and related environmental sciences, n.e.c.; Geotechnical engineering; Debris flows / floods; Geohazards; Landslide-generated waves; Landslides; Natural and man-made geological hazards; Rock avalanches; Shoreline erosion; Tailings dam breaches)
• Peacock, Simon (Natural sciences; metamorphic petrology; Tectonics; earthquakes)
• Russell, Kelly (Physical sciences; volcanology; petrology; magma rheology; geochemical thermodynamics)
• Saylor, Joel Edward (Paleoaltimetry; Paleoclimatology; Tectonic Basin analysis; Quantitative sediment provenance analysis; Rivers; Tectonics; Sedimentary Basins; Structural Geology; Field Geology; Sedimentology; Stratigraphy; Sequence Stratigraphy; Sediments; Geology)
• Scoates, James (Igneous petrology; Geochronology; Economic geology; magmatic evolution; layered intrusions; flood basalts; large igneous provinces; Proterozoic anorthosites; magmatic ore deposits)
• Smit, Matthijs (1) timing and duration of)
• Tarling, Matthew (structure, deformation behaviour & evolution of large faults and shear zones over the seismic cycle)
• Weis, Dominique (Isotope geochemistry; Environmental geochemistry; Earth Structure and Composition; Geodynamics; Chemical Pollutants; Earth Sciences; Geochemistry; High-precision/sensitivity geochemical analyses; Indigenous studies; Oceanic islands and mantle plumes)

Doctoral Citations

Sample thesis submissions.

• Zircon and apatite in the Skaergaard intrusion, East Greenland : trace element, isotopic, and geochronological constraints on crystallization of a closed-system magma reservoir with implications for magmatism in the North Atlantic Igneous Province
• Geochemistry of shield basalts from Kaua‘i, Hawai‘i : exploring the emergence of the Hawaiian geochemical trends : [supplementary material]
• Constraining sources of mass bias in multi-collector inductively coupled plasma mass spectrometry
• Geochemistry of shield basalts from Kaua‘i, Hawai‘i : exploring the emergence of the Hawaiian geochemical trends
• Reactive transport modelling of soil-plant interactions

Related Programs

Same specialization.

• Master of Science in Geological Sciences (MSc)

Same Academic Unit

• Doctor of Philosophy in Atmospheric Science (PhD)
• Doctor of Philosophy in Geological Engineering (PhD)
• Doctor of Philosophy in Geophysics (PhD)
• Doctor of Philosophy in Oceanography (PhD)
• Graduate Certificate in Applied Geological Engineering (GCAGE)
• Master of Applied Science in Geological Engineering (MASc)
• Master of Applied Science in Geophysics (MASc)
• Master of Engineering in Geological Engineering (MEng)
• Master of Science in Atmospheric Science (MSc)
• Master of Science in Geophysics (MSc)
• Master of Science in Oceanography (MSc)

Further Information

Specialization.

UBC and the Province of British Columbia offer exceptional opportunity for combined field and laboratory research. The Canadian Cordillera offers research opportunities in:

• petrology of intrusive and volcanic rocks of many kinds, and of metamorphic rocks of all grades
• structural studies of complex metamorphic terrains exposed in three dimensions
• metalliferous deposits of varied genetic types
• mineral exploration methods; mineralogy associated with many different environments
• complexly folded and faulted successions of bedded rocks in the mountain belts and plateaus, and in virtually undisturbed coal- and gas-bearing strata of the north-eastern province
• numerous problems of engineering, environmental geology-related to water, slope stability, natural geological hazards, and hydrogeology (lakes, fjords, deltas, tidal flats, continental shelf, and oceanic depths provide a wide range of aquatic environments for students interested in sedimentology, geochemistry, biostratigraphy, and geological oceanography)

UBC Calendar

Program website, faculty overview, academic unit, program identifier, classification, social media channels, supervisor search.

Departments/Programs may update graduate degree program details through the Faculty & Staff portal. To update contact details for application inquiries, please use this form .

Serena Formenti

UBC hosts the Pacific Centre for Isotopic and Geochemical Research (PCIGR), directed by my current research supervisor, Dr. Dominique Weis. The PCIGR supports users from academia, government, industry and non-profit organizations, across Canada and internationally, with a dedicated team of research...

Annie Borch

I decided to study at UBC because I have a lot of family on the West Coast, and was already attending UBC as a non-degree student in order to pick up a few more undergraduate courses for professional designation. I appreciated the quality of instruction in my department, and the resources available...

I completed my undergrad at UBC and what attracted me was how interdisciplinary the research done on campus was. I wasn't exactly sure what I wanted to pursue, because I had so many interests, I just couldn't choose. I was able to double major in Earth and Ocean Sciences as well as Classical and...

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Earth & Planetary Sciences (PhD)

Program description.

The Doctor of Philosophy (Ph.D.) in Earth and Planetary Sciences offered by the Department of Earth & Planetary Sciences in the Faculty of Science is a research-intensive program that emphasizes interdisciplinary learning opportunities that combine field, laboratory, and computational research to study the Earth and other planets. The program's objective is to equip students with skills in critical thinking, data analysis, information synthesis, and scientific communication to pursue professional opportunities in a wide range of fields including academia, natural resource exploration, and environmental consulting.

Keywords: Geology, Geophysics, Geochemistry, Environmental Change, Geobiology, Natural Resources, Natural Hazards, Planetary Dynamics

Unique Program Features

• Students receive funding from a combination of tuition subsidies, research stipend, expected salary from employment (e.g., Teaching Assistantship), and external or internal scholarships/awards (if applicable).
• Students benefit from access to analytical facilities which include an Electron Microprobe Microanalytical Facility, an Atomic Absorption Lab, an Inductively Coupled Plasma (ICP) Lab, and a Stable Isotope Laboratory.
• Faculty members conduct research in: the geochemistry of the mantle; the nature of processes concentrating metals in hydrothermal mineral deposits; the controls of viscosity in magmas and the mechanisms of volcanic eruption; the fate of carbon in marine and freshwater sediments; greenhouse gas emissions in natural and anthropogenic environments; the nature of changes in atmospheric and oceanic chemistry during Earth’s history; earthquakes and fault mechanisms; geomicrobiology; the movement of water and nutrients within complex ecohydrological systems; wetland hydrogeology; interactions between the cryosphere, solid Earth, and climate systems; global human processes and their relationship to planetary boundaries. 
• Graduates pursue careers in the public sector (e.g., universities and government-funded research institutes) and in the private sector (e.g., mineral and petroleum exploration, environmental consulting, climate change mitigation).

University-Level Admission Requirements

• An eligible Bachelor's degree with a minimum 3.0 GPA out of a possible 4.0 GPA
• English-language proficiency

Each program has specific admission requirements including required application documents. Please visit the program website for more details.

Visit our Educational credentials and grade equivalencies and English language proficiency webpages for additional information.

Program Website

PhD in Earth and Planetary Sciences website

Department Contact

Graduate Program grad.eps [at] mcgill.ca (subject: PhD%20in%20Earth%20%26%20Planetary%20Sciences) (email)

Available Intakes

Application deadlines.

Note : Application deadlines are subject to change without notice. Please check the application portal for the most up-to-date information.

Application Resources

• Application Steps webpage
• Submit Your Application webpage
• Connecting with a supervisor webpage
• Graduate Funding webpage

Application Workshops

Consult our full list of our virtual application-focused workshops on the Events webpage.

Department and University Information

Graduate and postdoctoral studies.

The University of Manitoba campuses are located on original lands of Anishinaabeg, Ininew, Anisininew, Dakota and Dene peoples, and on the National Homeland of the Red River Métis. More

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University of Manitoba

University of Manitoba Winnipeg, Manitoba Canada, R3T 2N2

Earth Sciences (PhD)

The Department of Earth Sciences in the Clayton H. Riddell Faculty of Environment, Earth, and Resources is recognized worldwide as one of Canada's leading geoscience departments. Our faculty members have garnered numerous university, national, and international awards in recognition of their research contributions, excellence in teaching, outreach activities and commitment to the geoscientific community.

Program details

• Admission requirements 

• Clayton H. Riddell Faculty of Environment, Earth, and Resources • Faculty of Graduate Studies

• Doctor of Philosophy

Expected duration

 • 4 years 

Graduate students in the Department of Earth Sciences enter a vibrant scientific culture and find themselves in a department with a strong sense of identity and community.

Research topics include:

• Mineralogy and crystallography
• Environmental mineralogy and geochemistry
• Sedimentology and quaternary studies
• Invertebrate paleontology
• Crustal and mantle geophysics
• Applied/environmental geophysics; petrology and tectonics
• Mineral deposits
• Arctic, marine and freshwater systems

Research facilities

Extensive analytical laboratories with state of the art equipment—all conveniently located in one building:

• Stable Isotopes for Innovative Research Lab
• Secondary Ion Mass Spectrometer (SIMS) Laboratory
• ICP Mass Spectrometer Laboratory
• Microprobe and SEM Research Facility
• Argon Argon Mass Spectrometer Laboratory (under construction)
• X-Ray Diffraction and Mössbauer Laboratories
• Sedimentology Laboratories
• Invertebrate Paleontology Laboratory
• Geophysical Laboratories
• Nellie Cournoyea Arctic Research Facility 

Expected duration: four years

Tuition and fees:  Tuition fees are charged for terms one and two and terms four and five. A continuing fee is paid for term three, term six and each subsequent term. (Refer to Graduate tuition and fees .)

Coursework is normally completed in the first two years, and thesis is normally completed in years four to five. Adjustments may be made with the supervisor’s consultation and approval.

Thesis proposal

Students are required to complete a PhD thesis proposal, normally within 12 months of start of program. The proposal must include an introduction with citation of relevant literature, research objectives, proposed methodology including a timetable, anticipated significant of the research and references. A proposed budget must be appended to the proposal.

Students are required to submit a progress report to the department head on or before February 1 annually.

Thesis 

Students must produce a thesis that is appropriate for the PhD degree being sought and must successfully defend their thesis as determined by the assigned examining committee.

Sample course offerings

• GEOL 7200: Earth Systems of Central Canada
• GEOL 7230: Geophysics of the Earth's Crust and Mantle
• GEOL 7350: Remote Sensing in the Earth and Planetary Sciences
• GEOL 7470: Advanced Petroleum Geology and Geochemistry
• GEOL 7480: Advanced Seismology 1
• GEOL 7540: Isotope Geology and Geochronology
• GEOL 7550: Hydrothermal Petrochemistry
• GEOL 7590: Advanced Paleontology 1
• GEOL 7700: Advanced Clastic Sedimentology
• GEOL 7720: Geophysical Imaging and Data Processing
• GEOL 7740: Workshop in the Geological Sciences 1
• GEOL 7780: Advanced Carbonate Sedimentology
• GEOL 7790: Advanced Instrumental Techniques in Geology
• GEOL 7810: Electromagnetic Methods in Geophysics
• GEOL 7820: Environmental Geophysics

For full course descriptions, please visit the Academic Calendar .

Admission requirements

The following are minimum requirements for entry into the earth sciences PhD program. Meeting these requirements does not guarantee acceptance into the program.

The normal entry requirement is the equivalent of an MSc in earth sciences. Students with MSc degrees in related fields may be accepted by the Graduate Admissions Committee providing their planned degree program involves studies in the earth sciences.

Direct entry into the PhD program from an honours bachelor’s degree is permitted only for outstanding students (GPA well above 3.0 in the last two full years of undergraduate study). This route is at the discretion of the Graduate Admissions Committee and is intended only for those students that the committee considers adequately prepared for immediate PhD-level studies.

Students applying should have a GPA of 3.0 (B or equivalent) in the last two full years (60 credit hours) of study

In addition to the admission requirements described here, all applicants must meet the minimum admission and English language proficiency requirements of the Faculty of Graduate Studies.

How to apply

Applications are submitted online and must include the following before they will be reviewed by the admissions committee: 

• Application fee (non-refundable)
• Statement of intent 
• Statement of funding 
• GRE (optional) 
• The name of your preferred supervisor
• Three letters of recommendation from academic sources different from advisor

Please read the  Faculty of Graduate Studies online application instructions  before beginning your application.

Statement of intent

The statement of intent should be between one and two pages and will briefly describe your intended research project, including your previous research or experience, the proposed topic, preferred methods and potential contributions.

Letters written in the format of a research proposal are strongly preferred. Applicants are encouraged to consult the graduate scholarship application instructions of their appropriate Tricouncil Agency ( NSERC , SSHRC , CIHR ) for guidance.

Statement of funding

A brief statement to indicate that you have a major external grant or scholarship support or that you require departmental financial assistance.

Finding an advisor

We encourage you to contact a potential thesis advisor before submitting an application to ensure that there are openings for new graduate students on specific research projects and funding available for research support. Students who have contacted a prospective supervisor and who have received an encouraging response increase their chances of a successful application.

Guidance for prospective graduate students (PDF)

Application deadlines

Applications are reviewed on a committee basis . The Admissions committee for Architecture reviews applications in March.

Applications open up to 18 months prior to start term.

Applicants must submit their online application with supporting documentation and application fee by the deadline date indicated.

Start or continue your application

Applications are reviewed on a committee basis . The Admissions committee for City Planning reviews applications in March.

Winter applications are accepted on a case-by-case basis.

Applications are reviewed on a committee basis . The Admissions committee for Design and Planning reviews applications in March.

Applications are reviewed on a committee basis . The Admissions committee for Interior Design reviews applications in March.

Applications are reviewed on a committee basis . The Admissions committee for Landscape Architecture reviews applications in March.

Applications are reviewed on a committee basis . The Admissions committee for Anthropology reviews applications in March/April.

Applications are reviewed on a  committee basis . Please contact the department for admission committee review timelines.

Applications open September 1 of year prior to start term.

Applications open   up to 18 months prior  to start term.

Applications are reviewed on a  committee basis . The Admissions committee for History reviews applications in February.

Applications are reviewed on a  rolling basis .

Applications open July 1 of year prior to start term.

Applications are reviewed on a  Committee basis . The Committee for German and Slavic Studies reviews applications in February/March.

Applications are reviewed on a rolling basis .

Applications are reviewed on a committee basis . The Admissions committee for Management reviews applications in February / March.

Applications are reviewed on a committee basis . The Admissions committee for Physical Therapy reviews applications in April / May.

Applications open  August 1 of the year prior to start term.

Applications are reviewed on a committee basis . Please contact the department for admission committee review timelines.

Applications are reviewed on a committee basis . The Admissions committee for Orthodontics reviews applications in August/September and holds interviews in September/October.

Program currently undergoing review, applications will not be opening at this time.

Select Preventive Dental Science in the Program drop-down on the application form.

Applications are reviewed on a  committee basis . The Admissions committee for Educational Administration, Foundations and Psychology reviews applications in March / April.

Applications are reviewed on a  committee basis . The Admissions committee for Education reviews applications in February / March.

Applications are reviewed after the deadline, with decisions issued in March - April.

Currently not accepting applications to this program.

Applications are reviewed on a  committee basis . Please contact the department for admission committee review timelines.

Applicants must submit their online application with supporting documentation and application fee by the deadline date indicated. Applications received by the March 1 deadline for a September start-date will receive first consideration for any available funding. Late applications will be considered on a case-by-case basis for any available funding, please contact the department for further information.

Applications are reviewed on a  committee basis . The Admissions committee for Human Rights reviews applications in January - March.

Applications are reviewed on a  committee basis . The Admissions committee for Law reviews applications in January - March.

Applications are reviewed on a  committee basis . The Admissions committee for Nursing (MN) reviews applications in April / May.

Applications are reviewed on a  committee basis . The Admissions committee for Nursing PhD reviews applications in February / March.

Applications are reviewed on a  committee basis . The Admissions committee reviews applications as per the timelines noted below each table.

Winter applications reviewed in October Summer applications reviewed in February Fall applications reviewed in June

Winter applications reviewed in June Summer applications reviewed in October Fall applications reviewed in February

Applicants must submit their online application with supporting documentation and application fee by the deadline date indicated. This includes having the support of a faculty supervisor before you apply.

Applications are reviewed on a  committee basis . The Admissions committee for Natural Resources Management reviews applications in March - June.

After the annual application deadline (see below), applications are reviewed on a committee basis by the Faculty of Social Work internal admissions committee. Once this process is complete, decisions are sent to all applicants in March / April. 

Applications open  July 1 of year prior to start term.

Applications are reviewed on a  committee basis . The Admissions committee for Social Work reviews applications in March / April.

Applications are reviewed on a  committee basis . The Admissions committee for Music reviews Fall term applications in December / January, and Winter term applications in July.

Canadian and US applicants

International applicants.

Starting with the Winter 2026 intake, the application deadlines are changing to:

Canadian, US, and International applicants

Applications are reviewed on a committee basis . The Admissions committee for Occupational Therapy reviews applications in May / June.

Master of Occupational Therapy regular program  applications open September 15 of the year prior to deadline .

Master of Occupational Therapy accelerated program  applications open October 1  of the year prior to deadline .

The name of your confirmed supervisor is required at the time of application. To identify a prospective thesis research supervisor on your application, please  contact Immunology Faculty members .

Applications are reviewed on a  committee basis . The Admissions committee for Community Health Sciences reviews applications in March / April.

Canadian, US and International applicants

The name of your preferred supervisor is required at time of application.

Applications are reviewed on a  committee basis . Students selected for in-person interview will be notified in February.

Applications are reviewed on a  committee basis . The Admissions committee for Physician Assistant Studies reviews applications in April.

Offers of admission will be released to successful applicants on May 17, 2024 from the University of Manitoba Master of Physician Assistant Studies, the same day as the University of Toronto BScPA Program and McMaster University Physician Assistant Education Program. The three institutions are pleased to provide applicants their offers on the same day to help with the decision-making process.

Applications are reviewed on a  committee basis . The Admissions committee for Pharmacology and Therapeutics reviews applications one month after the application deadline.

Applications for Pathology MSc are reviewed on a  rolling basis .

Applications for Pathologist Assistant are reviewed on a  committee basis . The Admissions committee for Pathologist Assistant reviews applications in April / May. 

The Pathologist Assistant program only admits Canadian and US students every two years. The next intake is tentatively scheduled for Fall 2026.

Applications are reviewed on a  committee basis . The Admissions committee for Statistics reviews applications in March / April.

Applications are reviewed on a  committee basis . The Admissions committee for Biological Sciences reviews applications one month after deadline.

Applications are reviewed on a committee basis . The Admissions committee for Indigenous Studies reviews applications in February and June.

Applicants must submit their online application with supporting documentation and application fee by the deadline date indicated. For those who wish to be considered for scholarships, applications must be received by January 15 of the year in which you're seeking admission.

Applications are reviewed on a committee basis . The Admissions Committee for Applied Human Nutrition reviews applications in February.

Les demandes d’admission sont évaluées par un comité . Le comité d’admission évalu les demandes durant les mois de Mars et Avril.  

Les demandes peut être surmise jusqu’à concurrence de 18 mois avant le début de premier trimestre.

Toute demande d’admission en ligne doit être déposée, avec documents à l’appui, au plus tard aux dates indiquées.

Soumettre ou continuer votre application

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Academic advisors

Book an appointment with one of our academic advisors.

Tuition and fees

Learn about the tuition and fee requirements associated with graduate studies at UM.

Explore program requirements and detailed descriptions for required and elective courses throughout the PhD in earth sciences.

Explore the Clayton H. Riddell Faculty of Environment, Earth, and Resources

The Clayton H. Riddell Faculty of Environment, Earth, and Resources was established nearly 20 years ago to combine the resources of Earth, Environment, and Resources studies, with a strong focus on research. In addition to the environment, climate change and resource development, the faculty is focused on geography and earth sciences, as well as environmental science and environmental studies.

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Admission and application inquiries

Faculty of Graduate Studies Room 500 UMSU University Centre 65 Chancellors Circle University of Manitoba (Fort Garry campus) Winnipeg, MB R3T 2N2 Canada

[email protected] Phone: 204-474-9377

Monday to Friday 8:30 a.m. to 4:30 p.m.

Program Inquiries

Celia Mellinger Graduate Program and Alumni Coordinator Clayton H. Riddell Faculty of Environment, Earth, and Resources Room 440 Wallace Building 125 Dysart Rd Winnipeg, MB R3T 2M6 University of Manitoba (Fort Garry campus)

[email protected] 204-474-6183