StudyQA — PhD: Environmental Design

Photos of university / #myucalgary

Description Contents Requirements Funding

The PhD in Environmental Design (EVDS) allows master’s degree holders the opportunity to become a practitioner of interventionist, professional, and interdisciplinary environmental design. The program challenges candidates to conduct quantitative and qualitative research at an advanced level, developing and demonstrating knowledge and skills in interdisciplinary settings, synthesizing related research findings, and then communicating one’s findings to those outside the field who will use and apply them. Collaboration with the private sector, communities, and/or government organizations is expected.

Interdisciplinary Seminar
Two half course electives at the graduate level that are relevant to their area of research, chosen in consultation with their Interim Advisor or Supervisor (see courses webpage for course descriptions; courses from outside of EVDS are also eligible if supervisor approval is obtained). Students who did not do a Master's thesis are strongly encouraged to take EVDS 753 Research Skills & Critical Thinking.
Ethics: Students must obtain Ethics Approval before they can conduct their research, i.e. before admission to Candidacy. More information can be found on the Grad Studies website.
Candidacy examinations: in their second year, students prepare for their candidacy examinations which entail a written examination followed by an oral examination. Candidacy examinations must be completed within 28 months of entering the program. EVDS requires that the student’s research proposal be submitted and approved by the Supervisory Committee before the Candidacy exams commence.
Thesis: students spend the remainder of their program on research and writing.
Thesis defense: an oral examination based on the thesis

Requirements

Applicants to the PhD require a Master`s degree from the University of Calgary or another recognized institution. Degrees and grades from foreign institutions are evaluated for their equivalency to those of the University of Calgary.
Admission is highly competitive and a limited number of places are available each year. Applicants to the PhD program must possess a grade point average (GPA) above 3.50 on a 4-point scale. The online application system opens on September 1, and the application deadline is February 1.
In order for an applicant to be considered for admission, there must be a qualified supervisor within EVDS. It is strongly encouraged to have some contact whether in person, by phone or via e-mail with faculty members who may share similar research interests. Research topics are listed on our web site and are linked to faculty working those areas.
Non-refundable application fee: CDN $125 for Canadian citizens and permanent residents, and CDN $145 for international students who will be attending on a Study Permit.
One official transcript from all post-secondary institutions attended. (If you attended University in another country, please check ourinternational admissions requirements.)
Three appropriate letters of reference (at least two should be academic) dated within 12 months of the date of application. Referees will be notified by email (once the applicant's online form has been submitted) and provided a link to complete an online reference. Only if the online form cannot be completed, referees may use this form.
Research Funding Plan
Research Proposal (see above) - uploaded through online application.
Example(s) of work: at least one example of the applicant's previous academic or professional productivity such as a written essay, published paper, thesis, design project, consulting report - uploaded through the online application. A design portfolio is optional, and would be additional to the required written example of work.
A Curriculum Vitae, uploaded to the online application.
Individuals applying to EVDS from countries where English is not the official language are required to demonstrate proof of English language proficiency, prior to admission. By achieving a score of at least 600 (written test) or 105 (internet-based test) on the Test of English as a Foreign Language (TOEFL), including at least 5.0 on the Test of Written English (TWE), and by achieving a score of at least 50 on the Test of Spoken English (TSE); or By achieving a minimum score of 7.5 in the International English Language Testing System (IELTS);