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ENVll<ONM

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ATTENTION

Wade

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Chair,

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on

Graduate

Stud

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FROM

W

o

lfgang Haider,

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Graduate Studies Curriculum

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PhD

DATE

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FENV - REM Nov. 30/09

FROM: SFU Calendar 2009

Degree Requirements

Admission Requirements

To qualify for admission, an applicant must satisfy all university admission

requirements

as outlined in the graduate general regulations. Applicants must have:

-the ability to carry out innovative, independent and original PhD level research in

~field

-high academic standing in previous university work

-a master's degree in a related discipline

All applicants

must submit the following with their application:

-all university transcripts

-a short curriculum vitae providing evidence of awards, academic performance,

publications and relevant research and

work experience

-a 500-1,000 word statement of interest describing how this program fits into the

applicant's research and career objectives

-three letters of reference (using the form provided in the application package) from

respected academics/researchers who have first-hand knowledge

of the applicant's

research capabilities and academic training

-results from the

GRE Test and

-official results

of the TOEFL and TWE or IELTS exams (for applicants whose first

language is not

English and whose previous education has been conducted in another

language)

Applicants must

be accepted by an identified senior supervisor prior to admittance.

PhD applicants are strongly advised to visit the University for an interview prior to

February

1

of the year of requested admission. See

"1.3.4

Adffiission to a Doctor-a-l

Prograffi" on page220.

Transfer from the Master's Program to the

PhD program

An

~4R~4

student who shows exceptional ability may apply to transfer to the PhD

program only if the student has the ability to carry out innovative, independent and

original PhD-level research in

that field, and has obtained high academic standing in

previous university work. and has the

support of their master's research supervisor.

All university regulations governing transfers

must be met. Transfers are only

permitted when the

student has been in the master's program for two but not more

than

four terms.

Transfer applications

must be approved by the student's supervisory committee, the

REM graduate Studies Committee, and the senate graduate studies committee.

Transfer students will be eligible to earn only the

PhD degree.

Courses

All

REM PhD students must complete and maintain aft-A- average in the following

.REP4 611 5 Population and COffiffiunity Ecology

REP4 621 5 Ecological Econoffiics

REP4 644 5 PUBlic Policy Analysis and Adffiinistration

REP4 698 3 Field Resource

~4anageffient

Workshop

REP4 802 5 Research Approaches for REP4 PhD Students

1/6

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FENV - REM Nov. 30/09

The student's supenrisopt committee may recommend that the student completes

elective

courses in addition to the required COUFSes in order to strengthen the

student's background in areas directly related to their thesis research. Elective

courses ff1ay be completed outSide REP4, if approved by tl'le student's supervisopt

committee.

Students 'I\'ho transferred from the REP4 master's program into the REP4 PhD may

obtain a course waiver Fer REP4 611, 621, and 698 if they have received credit witA

an

A

average. If a student receives a course waiver, the student is not required to

replace the course Fer 'A'hich the waiver was received with another course.

Comprehensive Examinations

To complete the PhD degree the student must pass the

REP4

PhD comprehensive

e)(amination

that e)(amines the candidate's IEnm'lledge and abilities in disciplinary

areas

that are different from but related to the student's thesis research. The

comprehensive e)(amination includes three disciplinary areas, i.e .

• eflviroflmental sciences

.policy and planniflg in resource and environfflental ff1anagefflent

.natural resource and en'Iironmental economics

To

eOfflplete the comprehensive e)(amination, the student ff1ust prepare a written

integrative paper 'Nhich addresses issues in these three areas. The integrative paper

is evaluated by the comprehensive e)(aminatiofl committee in accordance with the

policies and procedures of the School of Resource and Environmental P4anagement.

Students

must pass an oral e)(am based on the integrative paper which is

admiflistered by the

cOfflprehensive e)(amining committee, The integrative paper will

normally be completed in the first three terffls in the PhD program and the oral e)(am

will normally be cOfflpleted early in the student's fourth term in the program. If the

candidate fails the

comprehensive exam, and this assessment is approved by the

graduate studies committee, the

student will be required to withdraw from the PhD

program.

Detailed information about the compreheflsive e)(amination procedures, dates, and

deadlines are

provided in the PhD Handbook of the School of Resource and

Environmental P4anagement.

Thesis Prososal

PhD candidates ff1ust submit a written thesis proposal by the end of the fifth term of

full time program enrolment. In conjunction '1..ith the supervisory committee,

students develop a detailed

'A'ritten research proposal which must be defended

before this committee. This thesis

proposal is ifltended to demonstrate that the

candidate's research abilities are adequate

Fer PhD level research and to determine

that the proposed research is feasible and has merit. The student ff1ust pass the

thesis

proposal defence to remain in the prograffl.

Thesis

A

written thesis based on the candidate's original research in resource and

environmental science and management is the final PhD program requirement and

must include aspects of at least two disciplinary areas (sueh as ecology and policy, or

to)(icology and law). The topiC must be approved as noted above and the student's

2/6

---

FENV -REM Nov.

30109

progress will be e¥aluated annuall'f in accordance with the graduate general

regulations.

WAen tAe thesis is essentially complete, the student must first present it

to a departmental colloquium prior to proceeding to the formal thesis defence. This

presentation shall form the basis of the supervisory committee's recommendation

about defence readiness,

All PhD candidates must then pass the formal thesis

defence,

'Nhich is conducted in accordance with

Uni'~'ersity

regulations. All ether PhD

general reqUirements are as outlined in the graduate general regulations,

Residence Requirement

A

PhD candidate must be enrolled and in residence at Simon Fraser University for the

minimum number

of terms as described in the "Graduate General Regulations" on

page 219.

TO: SFU Calendar 2010 - 2011

REM - PhD Program

The purpose of the REM PhD program is to provide students with an environment in

which they can demonstrate

their competence in independent and original scientific

research in the interdisciplinarv

field of resource and environmental management.

The

PhD program in REM focuses on developing innovative scholars with broad

interdisciplinary training in

applied environmental problem solving and strong skills in

independent. integrative research. Through

their program of studies and research. all

PhD students gain exposure to three core areas: environmental sciences. resource

and environmental policy and planning. and

ecological and environmental economics.

Their research

must integrate elements of two of these three areas.

Admission Requirements

To qualify for admission, an applicant must satiSfy all university admission

requirements

as outlined in the graduate general regulations. Applicants must have:

• the ability to carry out innovative, independent and original PhD level research in

their

fleld~

• high academic standing in previous university work. and

• a Master's degree in a related discipline ...

All applicants must submit the following with their application:

• all post-secondary transcriptsA.

•

a short curriculum vitae providing evidence of awards, academiC performance,

publications and relevant research and work

experience~

• a 500-1,000 word statement of interest describing how this program fits into the

applicant's research and career objectivesA.

•

three letters of reference (using the form provided in the application package) from

respected academics/researchers who have first-hand

knowledge of the applicant's

research

capabilities and academic training,

• results from the GRE test ... and

• offiCial results of the TOEFL and TWE or IELTS exams (for applicants whose first

language is not English and whose previous education has been conducted in another

language).

3/6

---

FEN V - REM Nov. 30/09

Applicants must be accepted by an identified Senior Supervisor (REM Faculty

member) prior to admittance.

PhD applicants are strongly advised to visit the

University for an interview

prior to February 1 of the year of requested admission.

Transfer from the Master's Program to the PhD Program

A student in our Master's degree program (MRM), who shows exceptional ability may

apply

for transfer to the PhD program only if the student has the ability to carry out

innovative, independent and original PhD-level research in that field, has obtained

high

academiC standing in previous university work, and has the support of their

Masters' research supervisor. All university regulations governing transfers must be

met. Transfers are only permitted when the student has been in the Master's

program

for at least two, but not more than four terms. Transfer applications must

be approved by the student's supervisory committee, the REM Graduate Studies

kommittee, and the University ,Senate Graduate Studies ,ommittee. Students

transferring from

the Master's program will be eligible to earn only the PhD degree.

Supervisory Committee

With guidance from the Senior Supervisor, upon admission, each student will be

aSSigned an Initial Supervisory Committee (the supervisor plus at least one

additional

REM Faculty member). The Initial Supervisory Committee must be either

modified

or confirmed as the student's Supervisory Committee by the beginning of

the second term (at the latest when starting in REM 802). The Supervisory

Committee shall reflect the student's evolving research direction and consist

of the

Senior Supervisor and

at least one other SFU Faculty. Both the Initial and the

subsequent regular Supervisory Committees

must include representation from two of

the three REM core research areas.

Degree Requirements

Courses

All

REM PhD students must complete and maintain a minimum A- average across all

courses.

Required for

PhD students:

Students are required to take 5 courses.

REM 698-3 Field Resource Management Workshop (normally taken in the first Fall

Term in the program)

REM 802-5 Research Approaches for REM PhD Students (normally taken in the

student's second

term)

Students will also take at least one course in each of the three core areas

(enVironmental sciences, resource and environmental

policy and plannjng, and

environmental economics), Although

it is strongly recommended that PhD students

take all three core courses

in their first fall semester, the timing will be determined

by the student and the Senior Supervisor in conjunction with the

Initial or continuing

Supervisory Committees. The recommended courses

to fulfill this reguirement are

normally:

REM 611-5 Applied Population and Community Ecology

REM 621-5 Ecological Economics

4/6

---

FENV -REM Nov. 30/09

REM 644-5 Public Policy Analysis and Administration

One of these REM core courses may be waived on the basis of substantial prior

experience, with agreement from the Supervisory Committee, the course instructor,

and the GSc.

If a student receives a course waiver, the student is not required to

replace the course

for which the waiver was received.

Course

selection must be approved by the Senior Supervisor or the Supervisory

Committee, who

may recommend additional courses to be taken during the first year

in order

to strengthen the student's background in areas directly related to their

thesis research.

Elective courses may be completed outside of REM. Students who

transfer from the

REM Master's program into the REM PhD program are not required

to re-take

REM 611. 621. 644 and 698 if they have completed these courses with

minimum

A- average across these courses.

The student's progress will be evaluated annually in accordance with the

SFU

graduate general regulations.

Comprehensive Examinations and Thesis Proposal

REM 802 emphasizes the preparation of PhD students for completing the

comprehensive examination and defense

of their thesis proposal. The student must

complete REM 802 successfully in their second term. except in exceptional

circumstances.

REM 802 course reqUirements include:

1) a

draft thesis research proposal containing a strong interdisciplinary direction. and

2) an

oral examination of the draft research proposal with the REM 802 course

instructor and the Supervisory Committee.

No later than at the end of their 4th term in the program, each student must

successfully defend

their PhD thesis research proposal during a comprehensive exam

in

front of an approved Oral Examination Committee comprised of the student's

Supervisory Committee

plus additional REM faculty as needed to provide coverage

for the three core research areas. The thesis research proposal must show how at

least two of the core areas will be incorporated into the student's research. Through

the thesis

proposal and oral defense. the student must demonstrate 1) their general

preparedness in disciplines related to their research, 2) their specific readiness to

conduct the proposed research, and 3)

that the proposed research is feasible, has

merit, and

could form the basis of a thesis if completed adeauately.

If a student requires further background in either general or specific preparation, the

examining Committee

may recommend further courses of study and/or background

preparation

after the Proposal Defense. If the candidate fails this examination. and

this assessment is approved by the

REM Graduate Studies Committee, the student

will be required to withdraw from the PhD program. Detailed information about the

examination procedures, dates. and deadlines are provided in the

REM PhD

Handbook.

Thesis

A written thesis is based on the candidate's original research. and must meet the

requirements

of interdisciplinarity outlined above. When the thesis is substantially

complete. the student

must first present it at a REM colloquium prior to the formal

thesis defence. This presentation shall form the basis of the Supervisory Committee's

5/6

---

FENV - REM Nov. 30/09

final recommendation about whether the student is ready for the final defence

readiness.

All PhD candidates must then pass the formal thesis defence, which is

conducted in accordance

with University regulations. All other PhD general

requirements are as outlined in SFU's graduate general regulations.

Residence Requirement

A

PhD candidate must be enrolled and in residence at Simon Fraser University for the

minimum number

of terms as described in the "Graduate General Regulations".

6/6