phd program in university of toronto

• Engineering Home
• Giving Opportunities
• Prospective Students
• Undergraduate Studies
• Graduate Studies
• Pre-University / Outreach Programs
• Engineering Alumni & Friends
• Engineering CONNECT
• Current Students
• Undergraduate Students
• Faculty & Staff
• Faculty & Staff Hub
• Departments
• Department of Chemical Engineering & Applied Chemistry (ChemE)
• Department of Civil & Mineral Engineering (CivMin)
• Division of Engineering Science (EngSci)
• The Edward S. Rogers Sr. Department of Electrical & Computer Engineering (ECE)
• Department of Mechanical & Industrial Engineering (MIE)
• Department of Materials Science & Engineering (MSE)
• Institute of Biomedical Engineering (BME)
• Institute for Aerospace Studies (UTIAS)
• Institute Transdisciplinary Engineering Education & Practice (ISTEP)

Doctor of Philosophy (PhD)

MIE PhD students produce a thesis of original work with the support of world-renowned researchers and facilities.

MIE Doctor of Philosophy (PhD) students work with world renowned faculty members to gain the knowledge and competencies needed for a career in research or industry leadership. The keystone of the doctoral program is a thesis of original work, supervised by a professor.

Students entering the PhD program typically have a Master’s degree. Outstanding applicants coming directly from a bachelor-level program can also apply for direct entry into the PhD program. Full-time PhD students receive funding during the program and can apply for various scholarships.

Admission Requirements

Direct entry phd, flex-time phd, tuition fees, program requirements, specializations, qualifying exam, annual progress review meetings, thesis & final oral examination, phd funding, teaching assistantships, helpful links.

Please note that meeting the minimum requirements does not guarantee admission . The Graduate Office cannot provide assessments of credentials prior to application.

• A master's degree with high academic standing from a recognized university (see Alternate Paths to PhD below)
• Minimum GPA requirement of 3.3 (B+; 77-79%) in the previous two years of graduate study. View U of T's Grade Scale for reference. International students should use the International Degree Equivalencies Tool to see which international credentials are required
• Evidence of exceptional research ability
• To be considered for admission, all applicants that require proof of ELP must meet the minimum score requirement for every component of the English language proficiency exam including reading, writing, speaking and listening
• All test components must be completed and passed at the same time (applicants cannot combine scores from different exams)
• For more information, including approved test centres, visit the School of Graduate Studies website

Alternate Paths to PhD:

• Direct Entry PhD: Exceptionally strong applicants (GPA: A- or higher) with a bachelor's degree may be nominated by an MIE professor for direct entry to the PhD program. Learn more about Direct Entry PhD below.
• MASc Fast-Track and Retroactive Transfer to PhD: Exceptional MASc students (GPA: A- or higher and no grade lower than B+) may request to transfer to the PhD program before completing all of the MASc program requirements. Learn more about transferring from MASc to PhD

Exceptionally strong applicants with a bachelor's degree may apply directly to the PhD program.

Additional admissions requirements:

• GPA: A- or higher
• An MIE professor must nominate the student for the Direct Entry PhD program by submitting a one page summary outlining the reasons for the nomination and indicating whether they are able to supervise the student to the Graduate Coordinator: gradchair@mie.utoronto.ca

The Flex-time PhD program offers the flexibility for professionals who want to continue to work while pursuing their PhD part-time.

The program requirements for the Flex-time PhD are the same as the full-time program with the following exceptions:

• The qualifying exam must be taken within 16 months of registration rather than 12 months
• PhD candidacy is achieved if all requirements have been met by end of 3rd year rather than end of 2nd year

Please note:

• the Flex-time PhD program is not eligible for funding support
• Transfers between the full-time and flex-time PhD programs are not permitted

View a the PhD Flex-time Program Requirements checklist

Those interested in applying to the Flex-time PhD program must:

• a thesis topic
• the extent to which the employer will provide time and resources for the student to work on their Ph.D.
• a proposal on how the IP policies of the University will be respected.
• If the Committee is satisfied that the prospective student, his/her employer and an MIE professor are all committed to the success of the student’s program, the student will be invited to submit a formal application

The information below is for reference only and is subject to change annually. Registered students should check their fee balance on their ACORN account . View the U of T Student Accounts website for more information about fees.

Pay annually:

• Domestic students: $8,489.52/year
• International students: $9,113.52/year

Pay per session:

• Domestic students: $4,272.26/session
• International students: $4,896.26/session

Applicants to MIE's PhD program must complete the School of Graduate Studies (SGS) Online Admissions Application  by the deadline indicated below.

• Application window: October 1 - January 1 (application fee deadline)
• Document deadline January 15
• Application window:- June 1 - October 1 (application fee deadline)
• Document deadline October15

Same application deadlines for Canadian Citizens, Permanent Residents and International Students.

PhD Application Instructions

Students are not required to submit paper copies of their documents unless requested by the Graduate Office.

• Create an  SGS applicant profile and pay the application fee (non-refundable/transferable, regardless of the circumstance). See application deadlines above.

Once your profile has been created, the following is required:

• 2 references. Email addresses for referees must be institution-based (not GMail, Hotmail, etc.). Both referees must hold academic appointments and it is required that one or both of the referees be a previous thesis supervisor. References from friends and family will not be accepted. Instructions will be sent to each referee by email via the SGS system on how to submit a reference letter.
• Complete (or most up-to-date) academic record / transcript(s). Upload post-secondary institutional transcripts as PDF files. Every transcript must include its respective grading scale . You are not required to submit official paper transcripts unless requested by the Graduate Office.
• Resume/C.V.
• Letter of Intent: explain why you want to join our program. Describe your research interest, career goals, the courses you intend to take, etc. The letter should be 650 – 1000 words.
• Field of Study:  Students must indicate up to three fields of study.
• If the student’s admitting degree was issued by a country  not listed under Exemptions on the  School of Graduate Studies  website, the student is required to provide English Language Proficiency (ELP) exam results electronically. MIE requires proof of ELP even if their language of instruction and examination was English. Please note that all test components (reading, writing, speaking and listening) must be completed and passed at the same time (applicants cannot combine scores from different exams). For minimum requirements and approved test centres visit the School of Graduate Studies website. Important : If ELP exam results are required, an application is not considered complete until the results are submitted electronically from the testing institution.

Students are not required to submit official paper transcripts unless it is requested by the Graduate Office. The review process will take place using your electronic transcripts.  Please note that a request for an official transcript is for verification purposes and does not mean acceptance into the program.

If you are receive an email request for paper documents, mail to:

PhD Program Graduate Studies Office, MC108 Department of Mechanical and Industrial Engineering 5 King’s College Road Toronto, ON M5S 3G8 Canada

After application submission

Admission into the PhD programs is extremely competitive: we only offer admission to a small fraction of applicants, because these students must be funded, either by external scholarships or by a professor's research funds. As a result, PhD applicants are strongly encouraged to contact professors with whom they would like to work, either before or after submitting an application. Without funding, we cannot offer admission.

Students can review the status of their application on the SGS Online Admissions Application website .

Documents Pending

Additional documents required. A student's application is not considered complete until all of the required documents have been submitted. Once all documents have been submitted, status will not automatically update to Under Review. Statuses are updated manually on an ongoing basis.

Under Review

Application complete. Faculty members will review applications and may contact students about offering supervision. Students should actively pursue confirming a supervisor as admission can only be granted to students who have secured a supervisor. Students can contact MIE Faculty members directly to inquire about potential supervision.

If the faculty member has confirmed a student's supervision, the student will be notified of next steps including submission of official final transcripts. Confirmation from the supervisor to the Graduate Office is required to proceed in the PhD program.

Students will then be notified of the results of their application and their status will update to Decision Made.

Graduate Research Days

Select applicants will be invited to learn more about research at MIE at Graduate Research Days .  Applicants will be notified if they have been selected to attend.

Winter Orientation was held on December 10, 2024. The presentation is available here .

• Transfer credit may be requested for up to two previously completed Half Credit Equivalent (HCE) courses (grade of at least A-) that were not used for credit towards a degree
• PhD students must remain in good academic standing by
• maintaining an average GPA of A-
• no grade lower than B- (No failure, FZ, is permitted)
• completing yearly requirements (see below)
• progress review meetings (including the Qualifying Exam ) must be held at least every twelve months from the initial date of registration to get feedback on the progress and quality of their work

Note: Failure to remain in good academic standing will result in various sanctions such as student ineligibility for funding and registration in the program.

Yearly requirements

Download Yearly Requirements Checklist

• at least three MIE courses
• at most one APS or TEP course
• at most one 500 level course
• at most one Reading course (assigned by supervisor)

Note: Fast-track students must complete seven graduate HCE courses (at least four MIE courses) in the first two years of their PhD program

• Attend JDE1000H Ethics in Graduate Research seminar
• Attend 70% of MIE's Distinguished Seminar Series (SRD4444Y). Attendance recorded with student's T-card
• Hold Qualifying Exam (within 12 months of PhD registration)
• Preliminary work on thesis under supervision of MIE faculty member
• Complete fifth graduate level HCE course (if not completed in Year 1)
• Hold first PhD Committee meeting (within 24 months of PhD registration)
• Continue work on thesis

Candidacy will be achieved upon completion of Year 1 & 2 requirements. Candidacy status appears on ACORN.

• Hold second PhD Committee meeting (within 36 months of PhD registration)
• Hold third PhD Committee meeting (before end of fourth year of program)
• Hold MIE Departmental exam after thesis submission to committee (may skip this exam and go directly to Final Oral Exam with committee's vote)
• Hold Final Oral Exam (before end of fourth year of program)

View the Program Requirements section above for required courses.

View the  Courses  page to view all offered MIE courses.

PhD students may pursue collaborative specializations in the following areas:

• Engineering Education
• Psychology and Engineering

In MIE, the purpose of the qualifying exam is to assess the prospects that the student will complete a quality PhD thesis and will develop the ability to operate as an independent researcher. The date and time of the qualifying exam is coordinated between the student and their supervisory committee. The committee consists of the student’s supervisor and at least two other professors appointed as SGS Graduate Faculty with expertise relevant to the thesis topic. The majority of committee members should be MIE faculty members.

Requirements : In order to schedule a qualifying exam, the PhD student must meet the following requirements:

• successfully complete at least four Half Credit Equivalent courses (at least five for Fast-Track PhD), with at least an A- average
• obtain one credit on ACORN for attending JDE1000H Ethics in Graduate Research seminar
• obtain one credit on ACORN for attending 70% of MIE's Distinguished Seminar Series  (SRD4444Y). Attendance recorded with student's T-card

A student who does not meet the above requirements may be required to delay the qualifying exam until requirements are met.  A substantial delay (1 term or more) without Grad Office permission will result in a request to SGS to terminate the program.

Program Requirement : To maintain good academic standing, doctoral students are expected to hold their qualifying exam according to the following schedule from time of admission:

• 12 months - PhD students with a completed Master's degree
• 8 months - Fast Track PhD students (after fast-tracking from a Master's degree).
• 16 months - Direct entry from a Bachelor's degree
• 24 months - Flex-time PhD students.

Process before exam: At least 10 business days before the scheduled qualifying exam, the student must:

• book a room for the exam by contacting  reception@mie.utoronto.ca
• Notify the Graduate Office of their qualifying exam via the Graduate Management System (GMS)
• This document is typically double-spaced and no longer than 10 pages (including figures, tables, and a short list of references). Consult with your supervisor for specific expectations. Read about how to write a good qualifying exam research proposal

Procedure during exam:

• The qualifying exam begins with a student presentation of no more than 20 minutes that summarizes their research proposal.
• This is followed by questions from the committee. (note: MIE PhD qualifying exams are open to other students, unless otherwise requested).
• Following the exam, the committee assesses progress to date and suitability for the PhD program.
• the committee decides whether to adjourn the exam and allow the student another opportunity to pass the exam within three months ,
• or to fail the student and recommend termination of the PhD program.

Following a successful qualifying exam, a PhD student must meet his/her supervisory committee for a progress review meeting at least every twelve months . These meetings allow the committee to assess the progress of the student, in order to decide whether the student remains in good academic standing (see Program Requirements ).

At least ten business days before the scheduled PhD committee meeting, the student must:

• book a room for the exam by contacting  reception@mie.utoronto.ca
• no more than 10 double-spaced pages
• summary of recent progress in the research
• major tasks that remain and a timetable for completion of the program
• papers (journal and conference, published and submitted) and presentations that have resulted from the work
• The student may include additional material as appendices to the report (and should refer to this material in the report), however, the committee is not obligated to read any additional material.

Similar to the qualifying exam, a progress review meeting begins with a student presentation of no more than 20 minutes, followed by questions from the committee. Following the meeting, the committee assesses progress since the last exam/meeting. If the assessment is “unsatisfactory”, another meeting must be scheduled within three months, to determine whether to allow the student to remain in the program.

Exams maybe conducted remotely via video conferencing, in-person, or a combination (hybrid).

The PhD program culminates in the presentation of an oral and written thesis.

A student is ready to defend the thesis once:

• The student's course requirements have been met
• or the thesis committee has decided to forgo the Departmental via Ballot on GMS
• Supervisor must trigger the vote to bypass by selecting the Ballot button on the supervisor's student listing on GMS.
• The written thesis has been submitted to their supervisor

Once the thesis is ready for the external examiner's appraisal, a member of the supervisory committee must submit the Examiner Nomination Form .

Examiner Nominations

A member of the supervisory committee must submit an External Nomination Form to the Graduate Studies Office via the nomination form at least 10 weeks before the proposed exam date.

The date and time of the oral exam is coordinated between the student and the FOE committee.

SGS will approve the external examiner. Approval criteria can be found in the Guidelines for the Doctoral Final Oral Examination .

Approval of the External Examiner

An external examiner nomination form must be submitted to initiate the approval process.  Form must be accessed with a UofT/MIE email address.

C.V. format: website link or document (word, .pdf).

The external examiner's c.v. must contain the following:

• Examiner's current title (academic position)
• Year current title was attained

If not included on the c.v., a link to the researcher's website must include the following:

• If at UofT, supervisor must be identified.
• A list of current and graduated research students (Masters and PhD).
• A list of publications.

Once the examiner is approved, the written thesis may then be sent to the external examiner.

The candidate may use UTsend , Dropbox , OneDrive , etc to distribute the thesis to the examiner and other members of the committee.

Scheduling the Final Oral Exam

A committee member or the student should use a scheduling tool to arrange the meeting date (e.g. Doodle , Calendly , etc) in order to minimize the interactions with the examiner before the exam.

Once the date is set, the student must submit the PhD Final Oral Scheduling Form at least 8 weeks before the exam date.

Once the scheduling form is received, the Graduate Program Administrator will:

• Distribute the examiner's instructions to the approved examiner.
• SGS requires a minimum of 20 business days (excluding weekends, holidays and winter break) to fulfill a chair request.

A member of the supervisory committee must arrange video conferencing details for virtual exams.

The candidate cannot host a virtual final exam.

After the Exam

Following a successful FOE, and once the thesis has been finalized, the PhD student must submit their corrected, final thesis to their supervisor for approval. If the student's supervisor requests a printed copy, visit the SGS website for standard formatting requirements.

I f a printed report is requested by the supervisor:

• the binding of theses should be good quality buckram hard-cover, with gold lettering. Colour of PhD thesis cover must be blue.

SGS does not require a physical copy of the thesis. The student must upload an electronic copy of the supervisor-approved thesis to ProQuest in accordance with the  SGS thesis submission guidelines.

The Graduate Office does not require a physical copy of the thesis.

After submitting their thesis  to ProQuest, the student must:

• Complete the departmental Clearance Form online.

Technical problems accessing the clearance form must be reported to:

Departmental IT Support:   computing@mie.utoronto.ca

Convocation Ceremony

Ceremony details are communicated by SGS and the Office of Convocation .

Final Year Fees

Final year fees are pro-rated by date of final thesis submission .

Stay Connected!

Registered PhD candidates receive enough funding to cover tuition and incidental fees. In addition, PhD candidates receive a minimum of $25,000 per year for up to four years (5 years for PhD direct-entry and fast-track students).

Most students earn more than the minimum as a result of teaching assistantships and scholarships, such as from the Natural Sciences and Engineering Research Council (NSERC) of Canada, the Canadian Institute of Health Research (CIHR), and the Ontario Graduate Scholarships (OGS) program.

View the Scholarships & Funding page for more information.

Doctoral Completion Award

The DCA provides tuition support to full-time PhD students who are beyond the funded cohort (year 5 for PhD and year 6 for PhD direct and fast-track students)

Applicants must be current with PhD committee meetings and demonstrate need.

For more information contact the Grad Office at dca@mie.utoronto.ca

All full-time graduate students are eligible to apply for Teaching Assistant (TA) paid positions at MIE. TAs assist undergraduate and graduate course instructors with supervision of labs, leading tutorials and marking assignments and tests.

Apply for TA positions and view more job and volunteer opportunities on the  Professional Development  page.

AMIGAS is the graduate student association at MIE. They host social, athletic, academic, and professional development events for all MIE graduate students, aiming to enrich their professional and personal leadership experiences.

School of Graduate Studies (SGS)

• SGS homepage
• Sessional Dates
• SGS Grad Hub
• Student Forms & Letter Requests
• Scholarships & Awards
• Graduate Supervision Guidelines

PhD Final Oral Scheduling

• External Examiner Request Form
• PhD Final Oral Scheduling Form
• SGS FOE Guidelines

Student Information Systems

• Student administrative system
• Enrol in courses
• View timetable
• Course materials & info
• Book appointments
• Request transfers
• U of T webmail

Email:  gradoffice@mie.utoronto.ca

MASc & PhD applicants: Email:  grad.admission@mie.utoronto.ca

Office: MC108, 5 King's College Road

Hours: Monday to Friday, 10 am - 4 pm

Mailing address: Graduate Studies Office, MC108 Department of Mechanical and Industrial Engineering University of Toronto 5 King’s College Road Toronto, ON M5S 3G8 Canada

Professor Tobin Filleter

Associate Chair of Graduate Studies

Department of Mechanical & Industrial Engineering University of Toronto 5 King’s College Road Toronto, Ontario • M5S 3G8 • Canada Phone: +1-416-978-3040

Traditional Land Acknowledgement

We wish to acknowledge this land on which the University of Toronto operates. For thousands of years it has been the traditional land of the Huron-Wendat, the Seneca, and the Mississaugas of the Credit. Today, this meeting place is still the home to many Indigenous people from across Turtle Island and we are grateful to have the opportunity to work on this land.

© 2024 Faculty of Applied Science & Engineering

• Engineering

Institute of Biomedical Engineering (BME)

Doctor of Philosophy (PhD)

The PhD program in Biomedical Engineering at the University of Toronto is a research-intensive program that immerses students in the application of biomedical sciences and engineering principles to advance solutions for challenges in human health. Students can be admitted to the PhD program through direct entry after completion of a bachelor’s degree or, alternatively, after the completion of a master’s degree. PhD students receive a guaranteed minimum stipend for four years.

Criteria for success

The PhD program is designed to train students in becoming experts and leaders in research in any setting, such as (but not limited to) academic institutions, industry, non-governmental organizations, and government agencies. The core focus of a doctorate is the development and honing of five essential skills: 1) the acquisition of broad knowledge of the field and hands-on methodology; 2) the ability to create, design, and execute original, innovative and high-quality work; 3) the capacity for critical thinking and synthesis of new and complex ideas; 4) the effective communication of scientific results in all written, verbal and visual formats; and 5) adherence to the highest standards of ethics and integrity. The end-goal of the PhD training is to push the limits of current scientific knowledge, whether through solving previously unresolved questions or creating new solutions for yet-to-be-identified problems. Ideally, the research should be framed carefully within the context of the broader field, showing a deep and integrated understanding of the big picture and where the doctoral research fits. In keeping with the expectations of most PhD programs in STEM in Canada and the United States, PhD candidates in Biomedical Engineering must meet the following requirements for successful completion of the program:

• Completion of compulsory coursework, training activities (e.g., regular supervisory meetings), and exams.
• A written dissertation that demonstrates strong scientific motivation and substantial, cohesive aims to support a rational scientific enquiry.
• An oral defense that demonstrates thorough knowledge of the field, methods employed, contributions to the field, and significance of the work.
• Three first-authored original peer-reviewed research articles published in the leading journals of the field. In many instances, these three articles correspond to the three scientific aims that comprise the main chapters of a cohesive dissertation.

Length of study

Four years (defined as the period for an academically well-prepared student to complete all program requirements while registered full-time).

Admission requirements

• Entry into PhD program after completion of a bachelor’s degree (i.e., direct entry) : A four-year bachelor’s degree in engineering, medicine, dentistry, physical sciences, or biological sciences, or its equivalent , with an average of at least 3.7 on a 4.0 grade point average scale (i.e., A minus) in the final two years of study from a recognized university ; or
• Entry into PhD program after completion of a master’s degree : A master’s degree in engineering, medicine, dentistry, physical sciences, or biological sciences, or its equivalent , with a cumulative average of at least 3.3 on a 4.0 grade point average scale (i.e., B plus) from a recognized university .
• Proof of English-language proficiency is required for all applicants educated outside of Canada whose native language is not English. View the BME English-language requirement policy to determine whether you are required to take a language test and for a list of accepted testing agencies and their minimum scores required for admission.
• Applicants must find a BME faculty supervisor. ( NB : You do not need a supervisor at the time of application. However, admission is competitive and only candidates who have found and secured a research supervisor will be admitted to begin graduate studies.)
• MD/PhD candidates must apply through the MD program
• Possession of the minimum requirements for entry does not guarantee admission
• GRE score is not required

Application procedures

• Complete the online application (see requirements ) and pay the application fee
• Arrange for your English test score to be reported electronically to the University of Toronto by the testing agency if applicable. The institution code for U of T is 0982-00 (there is no need to specify a department)
• Contact the BME Graduate Office to identify your BME faculty supervisor

Rolling admission; multiple rounds with different enrollment capacity in each cycle

Tuition fees

Last updated: January, 2022

More information

What can I do with my degree? Read our alumni stories

Life at BME, from BME students

Learn about different research labs

Don't know how to approach a faculty? Listen to our podcasts

Sign up for an information webinar

Network with faculty

© 2024 Faculty of Applied Science and Engineering

• U of T Home
• Accessibility
• Student Data Practices
• Website Feedback

• Doctor of Pharmacy (PharmD)
• PharmD for Pharmacists
• Graduate Department of Pharmaceutical Sciences
• Pharmaceutical Chemistry Specialist
• International Pharmacy Graduate Program
• Continuing Professional Development
• Pharmaceutical Industry Residency Program

header pattern

Doctor of Philosophy in Pharmaceutical Sciences (PhD)

Earn your phd in the heart of canada’s innovation and health research ecosystem.

PhD students at the Leslie Dan Faculty of Pharmacy have the opportunity to further their research in collaboration with a vibrant community of world-leading professionals and researchers from a variety of disciplines and background. Our faculty is a diverse and multidisciplinary community exploring some of the world’s most pressing health sciences challenges, and breaking new ground on solutions.

Located in Toronto’s discovery district at the historic University of Toronto St. George campus, our graduate students have the opportunity to collaborate with a wide range of faculties and departments at U of T and nearby world-class teaching hospitals and research institutes.  

Degree Timeline

[1] Doctoral students are subject to the School’s policy on “Timely Completion of Graduate Program Requirements”.  To achieve candidacy, a PhD student is expected to have completed all program requirements exclusive of thesis and seminar courses.  

Admission Requirements

Applicants to the PhD Pharmaceutical Sciences must have:

• Completed (or be in the final year of) a four-year BSc or BA degree or a two-year MSc (or its equivalent) in the Natural/Life Sciences, Physical Sciences, Engineering, Social Sciences, or Health Profession such as Dentistry, Medicine, Nursing or Pharmacy from a recognized university.
• A minimum B+ (77%) average , or its equivalent, in a Masters degree program OR
• A minimum of A- (80%) average , or its equivalent, in senior level courses relevant to the program in a four-year undergraduate program. The applicant is expected to have completed an undergraduate research project.
• Secured a potential supervisor within the department of pharmaceutical sciences at the Leslie Dan Faculty of Pharmacy. Applicants are encouraged to contact  prospective supervisors in the Department of Pharmaceutical Sciences . The supervisor must hold a Graduate Appointment at the Faculty as well as at the School of Graduate Studies.
• Applicants to the flex-time PhD program  must also provide a completed Letter of Support from Employer .

Additionally:

• The Pharmaceutical Sciences Graduate Admissions Committee considers the applicant's background and accomplishments, academic standing, and financial support from the potential supervisor.
• ​​​paper-based TOEFL: 600 and 5 on the Test of Written English (TWE)
• Internet-based TOEFL: 100/120 and 22/30 on the writing and speaking sections.
• If the undergraduate degree was not obtained from a recognized Canadian or US university, the applicant must write and achieve scores at the 50th percentile ranking or better on the Graduate Record Examination (GRE; General Test).

International Student?

Learn more about admission requirements for international students here

Exploring Tomorrow's Breakthroughs: GRIP 2024

Grad to Watch: Valerie Facca's Journey from U of T to Montreal's Biotech Scene

University of Toronto scientists appointed as GSK chairs will advance drug delivery research and vaccine education tools for healthcare professionals

Program contact.

• Pharmacy's Pandemic Response
• Leverage Our Expertise
• Student Spotlight
• By the Numbers
• Our Research
• Our Education
• Our Community
• Message from the Dean
• Champion Equity, Diversity, and Inclusion
• Educate Pharmacy for Tomorrow
• Deliver Impact through Cutting-Edge Discovery
• Build Leadership, Wellness and Community
• Advance Use of Digital Technology
• Support Sustainability in Health Care
• What pharmaceutical sciences research areas can I explore?
• What pharmaceutical sciences graduate degrees are offered?
• What courses can I take as a pharmaceutical sciences graduate student?
• What are the application requirements for a pharmaceutical sciences graduate student?
• How do I find a supervisor?
• How much does graduate school cost?
• What is the application deadline for the graduate department of pharmaceutical sciences?
• Sign up to learn more
• How to become a pharmacist
• Why should I become a pharmacist?
• What are the Leslie Dan Faculty of Pharmacy Admission Requirements
• What high school courses are required to become a pharmacist in Canada?
• What university program should I take before applying to pharmacy school?
• How much is pharmacy school tuition?
• Why should I choose to earn my PharmD at the Leslie Dan Faculty of Pharmacy
• What can pharmacists do other than fill prescriptions?
• Upcoming Events
• News Stories
• Pharmacy Leadership and Education

Main Content

The Rotman PhD Program

Join a close-knit community of scholars at one of the world’s top-ranked centres of management research – at the University of Toronto, in the heart of Canada’s vibrant, culturally diverse financial capital. As part of Rotman’s PhD program, you’ll explore new ideas, develop insights that inspire solutions and help to spark broader conversations among corporate and public leaders

• Why Rotman?
• Student Life

PhD PROGRAM - APPLICATIONS FOR SEPTEMBER 2024 ARE NOW CLOSED. Applications for Fall 2025 will be open in September 2024.  

The PhD in Management is a challenging 5 year program which features course-work, cutting edge research training, and close working relationships with some of the best management academics in the world.  The success of our program is evidenced in the impressive careers of our graduates.

PhD students work closely with faculty in our research-led culture which emphasizes rigor, creativity and innovation. The PhD curriculum is carefully designed to support students as publishing scholars as early as possible in their doctoral studies and we have a terrific track record of  placements in leading business schools. Our program is divided into 7 distinct streams of research: Accounting , Economic Analysis and Policy , Finance , Marketing ,   Operations Management and Statistics ,  Organizational Behaviour and Human Resource Management , and Strategic Management .

Questions? We Have Answers   Research What's Happening   PhD Courses @Rotman

The Rotman School is ranked 16th in the world by the Financial Times for its faculty and research. PhD students at Rotman enjoy an academic culture of collaboration and research excellence. Our doctoral program is delivered in seven streams that reflect the organization of the school as a whole: 

• Economic Analysis and Policy
• Organizational Behaviour and Human Resource Management
• Operations Management and Statistics  
• Strategic Management

PhD students at Rotman study in small classes and form close working relationships with faculty. Take a moment to get to know our program requirements. If you are a strong candidate with an appetite for academic excellence, we encourage you to contact us to learn more about the Rotman PhD.

Academics at Rotman Learn More    Research at Rotman See What's Happening

The Rotman PhD is for ambitious scholars who plan to teach and research at some of the world's top business schools. If you are looking to study with leading faculty, publish in noted academic journals, and build a global network of like-minded scholars, the Rotman PhD program is for you. Our goal is to prepare our PhD students for exceptional careers in the field of management, and all aspects of the doctoral program are developed with your professional goals in mind. Find out how the Rotman School at the University of Toronto has been the launching pad for many stellar academic careers.

Careers Learn More   Rotman PhDs on the Market   Research at Rotman See What's Happening

Are you a promising scholar driven to achieve success in your studies? At Rotman we believe that your success is fueled by support that extends well beyond scholarship. Your ability to achieve both during the program and after graduation depends on strong networks with faculty and your peers. We aim to give you the tools you need to complete your program while achieving a balanced life outside of the classroom. Explore these pages to relevant resources.

Student Life Learn More    Research at Rotman See What's Happening

Each year, the Rotman PhD program at the University of Toronto selects a small number of outstanding candidates who will go on to make significant contributions to management research and education. The admission selection process is highly competitive: on average only 15-20 doctoral students are admitted from a pool of 400-500 applicants. 

The faculty admission teams in each area look for excellent academic records that include strong backgrounds in relevant disciplines and/or previous work experience related to the intended area of concentration. Attention is also paid to test scores, letters of reference, and to the applicants' own written descriptions of their backgrounds, interests, and career goals. Explore these pages to learn about Rotman's highly competitive application process. 

Getting In Learn More   

Universal Navigation

Universal navigation2.

• PhD Program
• PhD Program Placement
• Collaborative Specializations

Search form

The Department of English at the University of Toronto offers two doctoral streams, the PhD program and the PhD U (“direct-entry”) program.

Admission to the doctoral streams is highly selective.

The PhD program welcomes applications from our own English MA students and English MA students from other recognized institutions.

Candidates for admission to the PhD program must complete an MA in English at this or another university with a standing of A- or better and must satisfy the Department that they are capable of independent research at an advanced level.

The PhD program is designed for completion in five years ; it may extend, if necessary, to a maximum of six years.

PhD U (Direct-Entry) Program

The "direct-entry" PhD U program welcomes applications from exceptional students who have completed their undergraduate English BA degree but not an English MA, or who have completed an MA in a program related to but not in the field of English. (If you have any questions about your eligibility, please contact the Associate Director, PhD , before applying.)

Please see the Application Information  page (under “Programs”) for further information about eligibility for the PhD U program, which involves an additional year of coursework and therefore tends to take an additional year to complete.

Upon registration, all doctoral candidates are assigned a mentor from the Department’s graduate faculty.

A thesis supervisor and supervisory committee are appointed at the end of Year 1 for students in the PhD program or the end of Year 2 for students in the PhD U program.

The Special Fields Examination is normally taken in March, April, or May of Year 2 in the program for PhD students or Year 3 in the program for PhD U students.

Program Requirements and Course Work

At the University of Toronto, the acronym FCE stands for “Full Course Equivalent.” A “full course” is weighted 1.0 FCE and meets for the full year (i.e., two terms or semesters). Almost all of our graduate courses in English , however, run for a single term and are thus called “half courses,” which are weighted 0.5 FCE. (“3.0 FCEs,” in other words, in practice means 6 single-term courses.)

The program requirements (except for ENG9900H) for the PhD are usually completed within the first two years of the program.

The minimum course requirements for the degree are as follows:

• ENG9400H Essential Skills Workshop Series (0.25 FCE); taken in Year 1 of the program
• ENG9900H Teaching Literature (0.5 FCE); students have the option of taking this required course in either Fall of Year 2 or Fall of Year 3
• 3.0 additional FCEs in English, as approved by the department; the department strongly encourages students to complete these 3.0 additional FCEs in Year 1
• Every student must complete at least 2.0 FCEs outside the chosen field of study over the course of their graduate training. The student is encouraged to combine these courses into a minor field. Graduate courses taken as part of the master's program may be counted in this connection, but the following courses may not be counted: ENG6999Y Critical Topographies: Theory and Practice of Contemporary Literary Studies in English , ENG9400H Essential Skills Workshop Series , ENG9900H Teaching Literature .

Language Requirement: PhD students must also demonstrate reading knowledge of French by May 31 of Year 3 of registration. With the permission of the department, another language (including Old English) may be substituted for French provided that this other language is required by the student's research area. The supervisory committee may require the student to qualify in other program-related languages as well.

In order to maintain good academic standing, and to continue in the PhD program, the student must complete each course with a grade of at least B and maintain an average grade of at least A–.

PhD students may take up to 1.0 FCE of coursework outside of the Graduate Program in English, with the approval of the Associate Director, PhD.  

Cross-listed courses (that is, courses taught by English graduate faculty in other units) and courses required for a collaborative specialization are equivalent to English courses and may be taken without special permission from the Department.

PhD U (Direct-Entry)

The program requirements (except for ENG9900H) for the PhD U are usually completed within the first three years of the program.

• ENG6999Y Critical Topographies: Theory and Practice of Contemporary Literary Studies in English (1.0 FCE); taken in Year 1 of the program
• ENG9400H Essential Skills Workshop Series (0.25 FCE); taken in Year 2
• ENG9900H Teaching Literature (0.5 FCE); students have the option of taking this required course in either Fall of Year 3 or Fall of Year 4
• 5.0 additional FCEs in English, as approved by the department. In Year 1, in addition to ENG6999Y the student must complete 2.0 FCEs. In addition to ENG9400H, students must then complete the remaining 3.0 FCEs by the end of Year 3. The department strongly encourages students to complete these 3.0 additional FCEs in Year 2.
• Every student must complete at least 2.0 FCEs outside the chosen field of study. The student is encouraged to combine these courses into a minor field. Neither ENG6999Y Critical Topographies: Theory and Practice of Contemporary Literary Studies in English , ENG9400H Essential Skills Workshop Series , nor ENG9900H Teaching Literature  may be counted towards a minor field.

Language Requirement: PhD U students must also demonstrate reading knowledge of French by May 31 of Year 4 of registration. With the permission of the department, another language (including Old English) may be substituted for French provided that this other language is required by the student's research area. The supervisory committee may require the student to qualify in other program-related languages as well.

In order to maintain good academic standing, and to continue in the PhD U program, the student must complete each course with a grade of at least B and maintain an average grade of at least A–.

PhD U students may take up to 1.0 FCE of coursework outside of the Graduate Program in English, with the approval of the Associate Director, PhD.  

Thesis and Supervisory Committee Information

Along with the information provided under the headings below, please carefully consult these two important documents:

The Thesis Topic

Careful consideration in the process of choosing a thesis topic is critical for all doctoral candidates. Select a subject that excites your curiosity, engages your interest, and represents your current thinking and expertise. A thesis topic should emerge from coursework and intellectual growth during the first stages of the program.

Even candidates who enter the program with ideas about a thesis topic are advised to test them further against their own development, the current state of scholarship in the field, and available faculty and archival resources

Finding a Supervisor

The Graduate English faculty is extensive and extraordinarily wide-ranging. Students are advised to consider all potential supervisors from among faculty holding the rank of Associate or Full Professor.

Every PhD student is assigned a mentor, who is one source for information about potential thesis supervisors. Above all, coursework offers the chance to explore intellectual affinities with potential supervisors, and the Director and Associate Directors of the graduate program can offer useful advice.

Members of the Graduate Faculty are always willing to discuss thesis topics and supervision with candidates, and asking a faculty member to read and comment on a fellowship proposal is an excellent way to begin to gauge the potential of a supervisory relationship.

Students should initiate discussion of a thesis topic with potential supervisors early in the second term of the first year of the PhD program (or second year for direct-entry students).

Form A: Preliminary Thesis Proposal and Supervisory Committee Request List

After securing a thesis supervisor and developing a thesis topic in consultation with that supervisor, the student and supervisor work together to submit Form A to the Department by May 15 of the first year (or second year for PhD U students) .

As part of the process of completing Form A, the student should consult with four (or, at a minimum, three) additional members of the graduate faculty to gain further perspectives on the design and viability of the project. On the form, the student lists the names of the faculty members consulted and the names of up to four faculty members to be considered as potential members of the supervisory committee. (The names of the faculty consulted and the potential committee members are often, but may not necessarily be, the same.)

The Preliminary Thesis Proposal is a statement of approximately 1-2 single-spaced pages outlining the focus and approach of the proposed program of research. Successful proposals will be written in clear, concise prose. As its title suggests, the proposal is preliminary: the position paper component of the Special Fields Exam (at the end of the following year) will provide the opportunity for revision and expansion. Students should feel free, if it in fact reflects their current thinking, to adapt their Program of Study from a SSHRC or Plan of Study from a OGS proposal. As above, be sure that your Thesis Proposal reflects your current thinking, growth, and knowledge of the field.

Form B: Supervisory Committee and Special Fields Reading List

After Form A has been received, the Director and Associate Director, PhD, will determine the composition of the supervisory committee (usually the supervisor plus two additional members). Early in the summer, the candidate should then meet with the supervisory committee as a group to discuss the proposal, draw up an initial list of texts for the Special Fields Examination (see below), and develop a plan of work.

In late summer or early fall the student consults with the committee once again to complete Form B, which must be submitted to the Department by October 1 of the second year of the program (or third year for PhD U students) .

Please see below  for further information about the Special Fields Examination.

Thesis Supervision

It is critical to the success of the working relationship between supervisor and candidate to develop an initial agreement about the method and scope of the research, and to clarify the expectations of supervisor and candidate: about the kind and amount of advice that the candidate wants and the supervisor is able and willing to offer; about the involvement of the members of the supervisory committee; about the frequency, regularity and contents of consultations; about an appropriate time scheme for the completion of the thesis; and about the way draft work is to be submitted.

The candidate meets with the supervisor and individual committee members according to the schedule they have established, but the candidate must meet with the full supervisory committee at least once every year in order to meet SGS registration requirements.

Please carefully consult the following SGS publications:

• Supervision Guidelines
• Graduate Supervision Guidelines — Faculty Edition
• Graduate Supervision Guidelines — Student Edition
• The School of Graduate Studies (SGS) Centre for Graduate Mentorship and Supervision

Thesis Submission Guidelines and the Final Oral Examination

Special fields examination.

The Special Fields Examination both prepares students for teaching and scholarly work in a particular field and facilitates the transition to writing the doctoral thesis.

Accordingly, the Special Fields Reading List, which forms the basis for the examination, comprises between 80 and 100 texts, roughly two-thirds (55-65) in a major field and roughly one-third (25-35) in a minor field. Students construct their own lists in consultation with their supervisor and thesis committee.

The Special Fields Examination must be completed by the end of Year 2 (or Year 3 for direct-entry students) and will normally be taken in March, April, or May of that year.

• General Information
• Current Students
• MA Programs
• Request new password

Professional and Graduate Programs

Build on your undergraduate degree with U of T’s rich selection of professional and graduate programs. While some programs require university preparation, others require a university degree. See faculty websites for specific admission information.

School of Graduate Studies

U of T is where Canada goes for answers to its big questions – answers that are being provided by faculty and students of Canada’s largest and most prestigious graduate school. With unparalleled research and education facilities as well as outstanding libraries, our world-class graduate students are studying and working with the most productive research faculty in Canada. Our graduate students’ research is recognized internationally, published in leading journals; they also lead the nation in winning external research grants.

Learn more about our over 175 research and professional master’s and doctoral programs across more than 80 departments, or explore the potential for interdisciplinary research in more than forty collaborative programs. By pursuing graduate studies at U of T, you’ll be learning first-hand from some of the world’s top researchers, scholars, and professionals as they work to solve the most urgent questions of the 21st century. Under their guidance, you’ll develop the skills and reputation you need to launch into a lifelong path of intellectual discovery and professional success.

Length of program: varies Phone Number: 416.978.6614 Programs : www.uoft.me/gradprograms Information: www.uoft.me/gradstudies

A complete university degree required

Architecture, Landscape, and Design

The John H. Daniels Faculty of Architecture, Landscape, and Design (Daniels) focuses on interdisciplinary training and research to test the limits of 21st century design.

Length of Program: Varies Phone Number: 416.978.5038 Information: www.uoft.me/daniels

A complete university degree is required for graduate programs

Biomedical Communications

A Faculty of Medicine program, biomedical communications offers an interdisciplinary graduate program in the design and evaluation of visual media in medicine and science.

Length of Program: 2 Years Phone Number: 905.569.4849 Information: www.uoft.me/biomedcomm

One of the foremost dental research centres in Canada, U of T’s Faculty of Dentistry has an international reputation for scholarly activity, in both the clinical and biological sciences.

Length of Program: 4 Years Phone Number: 416.979.4901 ext. 4373 Information: www.uoft.me/Dentistry

Some university education required

The Ontario Institute for Studies in Education is an all-graduate institute. We offer programs in curriculum, teaching and learning; applied psychology and human development; leadership, higher and adult education; and social justice education.

Length of Program: Varies Phone Number: 416.978.1848 Information: www.oise.utoronto.ca/oise/Academic_Programs/index.html

The Faculty of Forestry offers an innovative, interdisciplinary course-based Master of Forest Conservation program, which is accredited by the Canadian Forestry Accreditation Board, and includes a three-month internship and opportunities for international study.

Length of Program: 16 months Phone Number: 416.946.7952 Information: www.uoft.me/forestry

Information

The iSchool develops professionals, grounded in practice, policy and research, in the fields of information, knowledge management, digital communication and curation, libraries, archives and museums for the 21st century.

Length of Program: Varies Phone Number: 416.978.3234 Information: www.ischool.utoronto.ca

The Faculty of Law is one of the oldest professional faculties at U of T and has a long and illustrious history of educating the best lawyers and legal scholars in Canada.

L ength of Program: 3 Years Phone Number: 416.978.3716 Information: www.law.utoronto.ca

Institute for Management & Innovation

The Institute for Management & Innovation is the collaborative centre for management education at U of T Mississauga providing professional masters programs in accounting, biotechnology, innovation and sustainability.

Length of Program: Varies Phone Number: 905.569.4565 Information: www.utm.utoronto.ca/imi

Rotman School of Management

U of T’s Rotman School has set out to redesign business education for the 21st century and become one of the world’s top-tier business schools in preparing business leaders of tomorrow.

Length of Program: Varies Phone Number: 416.978.3499 Information: www.rotman.utoronto.ca

Medical Radiation Sciences

Jointly offered by the Faculty of Medicine and The Michener Institute for Applied Health Sciences, the Medical Radiation Sciences Program integrates proficiency in diagnostic and therapeutic patient care with advanced technology.

Length of Program: 3 Years Phone Number: 416.978.7837 Information: www.uoft.me/medicalradiationsciences

U of T’s Faculty of Medicine and affiliated hospitals are among the leading health sciences centres for research and education in North America, with a global reputation for excellence and innovation.

Length of Program: 4 Years Phone Number: 416.978.7928 Information: www.uoft.me/studymedicine

The Lawrence Bloomberg Faculty of Nursing ranks among the premier nursing programs in the world in both education and research.

Length of Program: 2 Years Phone Number: 416.978.2865 Information: www.uoft.me/bloombergnursing

Occupational Science & Occupational Therapy

A Faculty of Medicine program, occupational science and therapy prepares students to become innovative occupational therapists, clinician scientists and educators.

Length of Program: 2 Years Phone Number: 416.946.8571 Information: www.uoft.me/ot

The Doctor of Pharmacy program at the Leslie Dan Faculty of Pharmacy prepares graduates to become leaders in medication therapy management, improve patient outcomes, and work effectively within health care teams.

Length of Program: 4 Years Phone Number: 416.978.3967 Information: www.uoft.me/pharmacy

Physical Therapy

A program within the Faculty of Medicine, the Master of Science in Physical Therapy develops highly competent academic practitioners who demonstrate the essential competencies of a practicing physical therapist in a wide range of settings upon graduation.

Length of Program: 2 Years Phone Number: 416.946.8641 Information: www.physicaltherapy.utoronto.ca

Physician Assistant

Trained in the Faculty of Medicine, Physician Assistants are health care professionals who practice under the supervision of a licensed physician. In their role, PAs are able to conduct physical examinations, order and interpret tests, diagnose and treat illnesses, and more.

Length of Program: 2 Years Phone Number: 416.978.1676 Information: www.paconsortium.ca

Dalla Lana School of Public Health

The Dalla Lana School of Public Health is Canada’s largest and most comprehensive public health school that is informing practice and influencing government policy in population health, prevention and health-care systems.

Length of Program: 2 Years Phone Number: 416.978.2058 Information: www.dlsph.utoronto.ca

Social Work

The Factor-Inwentash Faculty of Social Work has been on the cutting edge of education, policy, research and practice in the field of social work for 100 years.

Length of Program: Varies Phone Number: 416.978.3257 Information: www.uoft.me/socialwork

Speech-Language Pathology

The Department of Speech-Language Pathology in the Faculty of Medicine prepares highly competent clinical professionals and researchers who find employment in a variety of settings related to assessment, intervention and/or study of communication, swallowing and hearing disorders.

Length of Program: 2 Years Phone Number: 416.946.5456 Information: www.uoft.me/slp

U of T’s affiliate the Toronto School of Theology provides graduate theological education in academic or professional programs and shapes men and women for faithful and creative leadership in the mission of the Church.

Length of Program: Varies Phone Number: 416.978.4039 Information: www.tst.edu

Find out about  co-ops, internships, field school ,  First Year Foundations : The  One Programs, and other enhanced academic opportunities available on all three campuses.

Applicants should rank their choices in order of preference. You will receive separate decisions for each Faculty/Division to which you apply (i.e. multiple offers from the University of Toronto). The Faculties and Divisions include:

• Applied Science and Engineering
• Arts and Science, St. George campus
• Daniels Faculty of Landscape, Architecture and Design
• International Foundation Program
• Kinesiology and Physical Education
• Medical Radiation Sciences *
• Lawrence Bloomberg Faculty of Nursing *
• Physician Assistant *
• University of Toronto Mississauga
• University of Toronto Scarborough

*admission to these divisions requires some university preparation; you cannot apply to these programs directly from secondary school.

Applicants should rank their choices in order of preference.

U of T provides many opportunities to study internationally. Learn about exchange programs, field courses, international development internships, and co-op placements.

If you do not meet the published admission requirements, and have not previously attempted university level studies, you may become eligible for various programs through either the Academic Bridging Program or the Transitional Year Program. Find out more about these options  here .

If your first language is not English and you will have completed less than four years of satisfactory full-time study in a Canadian school or in a country where the dominant language is English, you may have to present proof of English facility. Find details  here .

You might be a candidate for one of our English Language Transition Programs. These are available on each of our three campuses, find out more about the  different offerings .

Once you’ve been accepted, you’ll receive information about course selection in your Next Steps package. You can get an idea of what courses are available by checking the  Course Finder , or get in touch with your  Registrar  for questions about course selection.

You should also become familiar with the  Accessible Campus Online Resource Network (ACORN) , and use it to find your courses, academic record and fee information.

MD/PhD Program

Our MD/PhD Program, the largest national program of its kind, trains and mentors the next generation of physician scientists.

Physician scientists are trained as medical doctors and scientists. They are in the unique position of pursuing both scientific research and clinical practice, translating academic excellence into health care excellence for Canadians every day. Our program attracts the very best medical researchers to U of T PhD programs, and has produced successive generations of innovative health leaders. Through collaborative and interdisciplinary research, we are advancing medicine and improving health around the world.

The MD/PhD Program trains physician scientists who are well prepared for both research and clinical practice, highly competitive and productive.

You may apply for admission into the MD/PhD Program at the same time as your MD application, or during your first year of medical school at U of T.

Research Training Opportunities

We have a wide array of research training opportunities available.

Research Application Support Initiative (RASI)

RASI is offered through the Community of Support and includes MD and MD/PhD student support with developing research CVs, publishing research, and finding research positions.

Black Student Application Program

The MD/PhD Program encourages applications for both the MD/PhD Program and BSAP.

Indigenous Student Application Program

Indigenous applicants are welcome to apply through both ISAP and the MD/PhD Program.

We live during a time of remarkable advances in the sciences that span the expanse of biomedical to health services research. Indeed, there has never been a time when it is so exciting to do science; never has there been such potential for discovery and application of these discoveries for the benefit of human health. Nicola Jones, MD, PhD, MD/PhD Program Director

MD/PhD student Hannah Kozlowski receives inaugural future leaders prize

Class of 2T6: What Drives Your Passion for Medicine?

Faces of Temerty Medicine: Mitch De Snoo

• U of T Home
• Urgent Support

Department of Materials Science & Engineering

Doctor of Philosophy (PhD)

The Doctor of Philosophy (PhD) degree is the most advanced research degree in the Faculty. Working under the direction of a supervisor, PhD students engage in original research that contributes to their field of study. Advanced course work accompanies the pursuit of the thesis.

As a PhD student, you’ll receive guaranteed base support funding for up to four years of study. Current graduate scholarship funding tables can be viewed here .

Admission Requirements

Successful completion of a research master's degree in engineering, with an overall average of at least B+ (78%+), from an accredited institution. Current MASc students within our department can apply to fast-track into the PhD program before completing the MASc degree requirements

View the  full graduate studies admission requirements here .

Program Requirements & Time for Completion

The program of study normally includes 2.0 FCE (four half-courses), including the weekly Graduate Research Seminar, the Graduate Ethics Seminar, and a thesis.

In the PhD program, the departmental seminar comprises a minimum of two seminars presented to the academic staff/students of MSE.

Within 12 months of initial enrollment, all PhD students must pass a general Qualifying Examination based on the course material taken within the Department and on the background knowledge in the student's field of specialization.

The required thesis is based upon research work carried out in the Department of Materials Science & Engineering.

PhD candidates typically take between two and six years to complete the requirements of the degree. Only full-time study is available.

See all program requirements here: MSE Graduate Student Handbook

Research Areas & Affiliated Core Professors

Additive & advanced manufacturing.

• Zou, Yu  – Extreme mechanics & Advanced Manufacturing
• Naguib, Hani E.  (MIE/MSE) – Smart & Functional Materials
• Hibbard, Glenn D.  – Cellular Hybrid Materials
• Coyle, Thomas W.  – Advanced Coating Technologies
• Thorpe, Steven J.  – Surface Engineering & Electrochemistry

Advanced Characterization & Forensics

• Perovic, Doug D.  – Electron Microscopy,  Microelectronics & Forensics
• Howe, Jane  – In situ  & correlative microscopy group

Biomaterials

• Sone, Eli D.  (BME/MSE) – Composite Biological Materials
• Hatton, Ben  – Functional & Adaptive Surfaces
• Matsuura, Naomi   (BME/MSE) – Nanotechnology, Molecular Imaging & Systems Biology

Coatings & Surfaces

• Nogami, Jun  – Nanostructured Growth & Characterization
• Ruda, Harry E.  – Advanced Nanotechnology & Semiconductors
• Lian, Keryn K.  – Flexible Energy & Electronics

Computational Material & Data Analytics

• Singh, Chandra Veer   – Computational Materials Engineering
• Zou, Yu   - Laboratory for Extreme Mechanics & Additive Manufacturing
• Hattrick-SImpers, Jason  – AUTOnomous DIscovery of ALloys (AUTODIAL)
• von Lilienfeld, Anatole  –  Professor & Clark Chair of Advanced Materials at the Vector Institute

Electronics, Photonics & Sensors

• Kherani, Nazir P.  (ECE/MSE) – Advanced Photovoltaics & Devices
• Ruda, Harry E.  – Advanced Nanotechnology / Semiconductors
• Lu, Zheng-Hong  – Organic Optoelectronics

Energy Generation & Storage

• Barati, Mansoor   – Sustainable Materials Processing
• Azimi, Gisele   – Strategic Materials

Nano, 2D & Composite Materials

• Singh, Chandra Veer  – Computational Materials Engineering
• Perovic, Doug D.  – Electron Microscopy , Microelectronics & Forensics

Smart Materials & Devices

Sustainable materials processing.

• Barati, Mansoor  – Sustainable Materials Processing

© 2024 Faculty of Applied Science and Engineering

• Accessibility
• Student Data Practices
• Website Feedback

• Instructors
• Publications
• Working papers
• Undergraduate
• Policy School
• Announcements

Check the latest UofT COVID-19 updates more information

PhD program admission requirements

Degree and course requirements.

Applicants must have completed, or be in the process of completing a master's degree in economics or a related field with an average of at least B+, or have completed, or be in the process of completing a bachelor’s degree in economics or a related field with an average of at least A- in the final two years of study.

We offer both regular-entry and direct-entry PhD programs. The regular-entry program is open only to students who will have completed the requirements for a master’s degree in economics or a related field by September of the year for which they are applying. Students who do not expect to satisfy this condition should apply to the direct-entry program . In particular, applicants currently in the final year of a bachelor’s program should apply for the direct-entry PhD. Under no circumstances should you apply to both the regular-entry and the direct-entry PhD program. Applicants to the direct-entry program will be asked whether they wish to be considered for the Economics MA program should their PhD application be unsuccessful.

Applicants educated in a country other than Canada should check the equivalent qualifications table prior to starting the online admission application (not all bachelor’s or master's degrees are equivalent to the corresponding degree from the University of Toronto). The PhD is a full-time program. It is not possible to pursue a PhD on a part-time basis. Candidates are required to remain in full-time attendance for the first three years of the program. There is one admission date, in September. There is no January admission.

Applicants must have a strong preparation in advanced mathematics, statistics, and economics, including courses in microeconomic theory, macroeconomic theory, and econometrics or statistics.

Please note that meeting these minimum requirements does not imply automatic acceptance into the program. (See the PhD FAQ for the typical profile of a successful applicant.)

The admission process

Please read in full the application information and instructions prior to starting the university's online application to ensure you have informed yourself on essential information including: application deadlines, application processing time, planning for your application submission, how to apply, contact information and the application assessment process.

Once the university's online application form has been completed and the application fee paid (final deadline January 19, 2024), applicants will receive an email message from the Department of Economics with a link to a supplementary form. When this form is completed and the Economics Graduate Office has received all required supporting documentation (final deadline January 19, 2024), the department will begin to review and assess the application. To avoid any issues, we strongly advise applicants to complete their application and supplementary form well in advance of the deadline. To be considered for certain prestigious scholarships, such as the Connaught or Trillium scholarship, the application must be completed by January 19, 2024, including all required supporting documentation.

The application assessment process

The files of applicants who meet the minimum requirements, submit all the required documents by the deadline will be reviewed by the Department of Economics Admissions Committee. Note: The meeting of these requirements is only a necessary condition, not a sufficient condition, for acceptance into the program. The Admissions Committee normally starts to make first round offers from mid-March through early April and may continue with subsequent rounds of offers until June. All applicants will be notified either with an offer of admission or rejection of their application by the end of June.

Please also see our PhD FAQ page for the answers to commonly asked questions.

Department of Economics University of Toronto Max Gluskin House 150 St. George Street Toronto, Ontario M5S 3G7, Canada (416) 978-4622

• University of Toronto
• Faculty of Arts & Science
• UTM Economics

• U of T Home
• ECE Internal

Electrical & Computer Engineering

• X social media

Doctor of Philosophy (PhD)

Degree requirements:.

• Between three and eight approved technical graduate courses
• JDE1000H ‘Ethics in Research Seminar’
• Attendance at the DLS is mandatory for all PhD students.
• PhD Background Statement
• PhD Qualifying Examination
• PhD Thesis Proposal
• Annual Meetings of PhD Supervisory Committee
• Department Oral Examination (DOE) of PhD Thesis
• Final Oral Examination (FOE) of PhD Thesis

Schedule for Timely Completion

ECE’s expectations for the timely completion of the PhD degree requirements are outlined below. Timely completion is a condition of financial support and continued registration.

SGS policy requires that the supervisory committee be formed and meet within the first 16 months of registration; in ECE this requirement is met through the thesis proposal (i.e. the thesis proposal presentation is the 1st annual supervisory committee meeting).

Thereafter, the student must meet with their supervisory committee at least once per year. As per Section 7.5.2 of the SGS General Regulations :

• “A student is expected to meet with this committee at least once a year, and more often if the committee so requires. At each meeting, the supervisory committee will assess the student’s progress in the program and provide advice on future work.”
• “A student who, through their own neglect, fails to meet with the supervisory committee in a given year will be considered to have received an unsatisfactory progress report from the committee.”

The Department Oral Examination (DOE) is the student’s final annual supervisory committee meeting. The DOE can replace the requirement of a supervisory committee meeting in the student’s final year if the DOE takes place within 12 months of the student’s previous supervisory committee meeting.

© 2024 Faculty of Applied Science and Engineering

• Accessibility
• Student Data Practices
• Website Feedback

Universal Navigation

Universal navigation2, search form.

PhD Admission Information

Phd admission requirements  , previous degree.

Applicants to the Ph.D. program must have an appropriate University of Toronto Master's degree, or its equivalent, with an average of at least A-, or demonstrated comparable research competence. (Direct entry from the bachelor's to the Ph.D. is possible for some eminently qualified applicants - optional). All applicants must satisfy the admission requirements of the Department, which will take into account the background and accomplishments of the student as well as their academic achievements.

If you are an international applicant, please review the  International Degree Equivalency  chart. This chart will help you determine if your international degree is considered equivalent. Qualifications from a number of educational systems around the world are listed and the academic standings indicated are normally accepted as equivalent to a University of Toronto mid-B grade average if the degree obtained has been awarded from an institution which is recognized by the School of Graduate Studies.

Admission Deadline

The admission deadline for our MSc program is  December 4, 2020 . The deadline for supporting documents is  December 11, 2020*.

*NOTE: The  December 11  deadline is for outstanding supporting documents only. Students must complete and submit their online application by  December 4  to be considered for the program.

Online Application Form

You must submit an  online application form , complete application materials and the non-refundable application fee by the deadline of  December 4, 2020 .

Statement of Intent

A letter of intent or personal statement to be up-loaded on the on-line application form. The statement of intent is an opportunity for the applicant to write about any activities or experience that may be relevant to their graduate studies and to discuss areas of academic and research interest. Applicants are also encouraged to mention faculty members whose research programs are compatible with their own interests.

Transcripts

Electronic copies of transcripts are required at the time you apply online. Only if you are successful at gaining admissions will we require official copies to be mailed to the department.

Letters of Recommendations & Curriculum Vitae (CV)

Letters of Reccomendation

• At least THREE supporting letters of reference are required. Referees are automatically contacted via e-mail when you submit their name and contact info on the on-line application form. Letters of reference will be part of the official student academic record; they are confidential and applicants/students will not have access to them. Please note there are no reference forms.

Cirriculum Vitae 

•  A curriculum vitae must also be uploaded on the on-line application form.

Graduate Record Examination (GRE)

Graduate Record Examination (GRE)  testing is not required by the Department of Mathematics. Students are not required to submit GRE testing to apply to our program. 

English Proficiency Score

It is essential that all incoming graduate students have a good command of English. Facility in the English language must be demonstrated by all applicants educated outside Canada whose primary language is not English. This requirement is a condition of admission and should be met before application. For more information, please go to  http://www.sgs.utoronto.ca/prospectivestudents/Pages/English-Language-Proficiency-Testing.aspx

Application Fee

There is a CDN $125.00 application fee. This fee is non-refundable and non-transferable. Please read through the entire list of requirements before advancing to the application procedures and  submit only one application .

For more information on application fees, please visit the  School of Graduate Studies .

Any parts of your application that need to be mailed to the department should be sent to: 

Graduate Office Department of Mathematics University of Toronto Bahen Centre for Information Technology, Room 6166  40 St. George Street Toronto, Ontario, Canada M5S 2E4 Telephone: (416) 978-7894 Fax: (416) 978-4107

• Request new password

Universal Navigation

Universal navigation2.

• Alumni & Friends

Search form

• Current Students
• PhD Program Requirements

The main requirement for the degree is the execution of an original investigation that is presented in a  thesis . Other requirements include participation in a field seminar program and research as well as successful completion of the departmental comprehensive oral examination and the required graduate courses. Doctoral students select a sub-discipline:

Analytical Chemistry

Environmental chemistry, inorganic chemistry, organic and biological chemistry, physical chemistry and chemical physics, polymers and materials chemistry.

• Interdisciplinary (which allows combination with the other sub-disciplines)

Available as guides to a timely completion

A visual guide of the requirements for the PhD program.

A visual guide of the requirements for the PhD Direct program.

With the exception of Theoretical Physical Chemistry, each field requires a minimum of 2 to 4 half-course equivalents from approved graduate courses offered in the School of Graduate Studies, depending on the student's academic background. The selection of courses will be determined in consultation with the supervisor.

Students who completed their Master's program from another department or university may  request a course reduction  for up to two half-courses to reduce their course requirements. These courses must be equivalent to courses offered by our Department.

Students may also take a course outside the University through the  Ontario Visiting Graduate Student  program

Each field requires a presentation of at least 2 to 3 seminars and participation in the appropriate seminar program. Students must meet this requirement in order to graduate and attendance is mandatory. Students are also strongly encouraged to attend seminars offered outside of the series (eg. colloquia, visiting scholars, etc.).  View  upcoming presentations.  

In addition to seeking advice from the research advisor and seminar convenor, here are online resources for oral presentation guidelines and skills:

• Oral Presentation, Writing University of Toronto
• Presentation Skills
• Public Speaking and Graduate School
• Mastering the Art of Presenting

Students receive a grade from the supervisor for work undertaken in the laboratory towards completion of the thesis. The grade reflects the degree of progress and quality of performance with regard to the stage of the program of the student. Students who fail a research course will be contacted immediately and may be instructed to meet with their supervisory committee members to discuss issues affecting their research. This indicates performance at a level that warrants dismissal. Two failed grades in sequence will initiate dismissal procedures. View the  Policy on Assignment of Research Grades .

Program Length

• 4 years for students with a MSc degree
• 5 years for direct-entry to the PhD program with a BSc degree, or including first year in the MSc program for PhD-transfers

Collaborative Programs

The following collaborative programs are available to doctoral students:

• Biomedical Engineering
• Environmental Studies

Specific Requirements

Four half-courses to include the following:

• One half-course each in (a) Spectroscopy, (b) Separation Science or Electrochemistry, and (c) Advanced Instrumentation or Data Analysis. 

One half-course in Spectroscopy :

·    CHM1107H ·    CHM1406H ·    CHM1450H ·    CHM1455H ·    CHM1482H ·    CHM1486H ·    IES1410H ·    CHM1479H ·    CHM1056H

One half-course in Separation Science or Electrochemistry :   ·    CHM1102H ·    CHM1104H ·    CHM1105H ·    CHM1150H ·    CHM1152H  ·    CHE1144H

One half-course in Advanced Instrumentation or Data Analysis :

·    CHM1103H  ·    CHM1106H ·    CHM1157H ·    CHM1488H ·    PHY1406H ·    BME1452H ·    CHM1104H

• One other half-course to support the research program. Students may take the graduate course from other chemistry fields or cognate departments.
• Acceptable graduate lecture courses fall under divisions 3 (physical sciences) and 4 (life sciences).  You are welcome to take courses outside of these categories.  However, it will not count towards your degree requirements.   Courses that deal with public policy related to science and health are generally acceptable as elective courses. 
• Formal permission from the Associate Chair is required if a student needs to take a course other than the core course to complete course requirements within the sub-discipline.
• To apply for a core-course exemption (if applicable) or to take a graduate course offered at another Ontario university, see the  Courses  section.
• Presentation of two seminars (usually in the second and fourth years of study) and participation in the Analytical Chemistry seminar program (CHM1190Y; compulsory attendance; CR/NCR). View  upcoming presentations .
• Accumulation of 25 Analytical Seminar Plus (ASP)  points.  Students who started the program prior to 2020/2021 must complete 30 ASP points.
• Enrolment in the Analytical Chemistry Research course every term, starting in the second term of program registration.
• Students receive a  grade  from the supervisorfor work undertaken in the laboratory towards completion of the thesis.

Comprehensive Field Examination

• Successful completion of an  oral examination  in the area of Analytical Chemistry, usually upon completion of course work. 
• Professional Development
• Applicable to students who start the program in 2020/2021.
• In Year 1, students must complete the modules in CHM3000H Graduate Professional Development for Research and Teaching in Chemistry (0.5 FCE; CR/NCR).
• Students must complete a minimum of 18 hours (24 hours for direct-entry students) of additional professional development training spread evenly over the categories:  Communcation, Personal Effectiveness and Research and Teaching Skills. Refer to the list of eligible professional development opportunities . Consult with the Graduate Office , if applicable.

At least four half-courses to include the following:

• At least one other half-course in Environmental Chemistry (EES/ENV1105H, CHM1404H, CHM/IES1410H, CHM1415H, CHM1420H, CHM1430H,CHM1425H, CHM1550H)
• At least one CHM course to be chosen in consultation with the supervisor/supervisory committee and confirmed by the field representative.
• One other half-course that may be an approved course offered in a cognate department.
• A formal permission from the Associate Chair is required if a student needs to take a course other than the core course to complete his or her course requirements within the sub-discipline.
• Presentation of two seminars (usually in the second and fourth years of study) and participation in the Environmental Chemistry seminar and colloquia program (CHM1590Y; compulsory attendance; CR/NCR). View  upcoming presentations .
• Enrolment in the Environmental Research course (CHM2533H) every term, starting in the second term of program registration.
• A written research proposal, defended orally, on a topic other than the primary research topic delivered prior to the end of the second year of graduate study.
• Successful completion of an  oral examination  in the area of Environmental Chemistry, usually completed following course work and before the end of the second year of study.
• Students must complete a minimum of 18 hours (24 hours for direct-entry students) of additional professional development training spread evenly over the categories:  Communcation, Personal Effectiveness and Research and Teaching Skills.  Refer to the list of eligible professional development opportunities . Consult with the Graduate Office , if applicable.
• Four half-courses to include one or both of the core half-courses (CHM1270H and/or CHM1266H).
• Students may take graduate courses from other chemistry fields or cognate departments.
• Formal permission from the Associate Chair is required if a student needs to take a course other than the core course to complete his or her course requirements within the sub-discipline.
• Presentation of one seminar each year starting in their second year (to a total of three) in the Inorganic Chemistry seminar program (CHM1290Y; compulsory attendance; CR/NCR), including one on an original research proposal. View  upcoming presentations
• Enrolment in the Inorganic Research course every term, starting in the second term of program registration.
• Successful completion of an  oral examination  in the area of Inorganic Chemistry, usually taken 6 months after the completion of course work.
• Four half-courses to include at least two Organic/Biological Chemistry half-courses selected from CHM1040H to CHM1068H (inclusive): CHM1040H, CHM1045H, CHM1051H, CHM1054H, CHM1055H, CHM1056H, CHM1057H, CHM1059H, CHM1060H, CHM1061H, CHM1068H.
• Upon admission to the program all students are expected to be at the level of the fourth-year undergraduate courses offered in physical organic, synthetic organic, and biological chemistry, and if necessary the cross-listed Arts & Science courses may be taken.
• Presentation of two seminars (usually in the second and fourth years of study) as a component of participation in the Organic/Biological Chemistry seminar program (CHM1090Y; compulsory attendance; CR/NCR). View  upcoming presentations
• Ph.D students who have obtained a Master's Degree from another university have the option to do their seminars in the first and third years of their program.
• A  Confidential Evaluation Form  is available for students who wish to receive feedback on their seminar presentation.

Cumulative Examinations

• Students must pass six cumulative examinations.
• The cumulative examinations are generally written on the first Friday of the month, October through May, inclusive. Further notification will be forwarded by the Graduate Office.
• Enrolment in the Organic Research course every term, starting in the second term of program registration.
• Students receive a  grade  from the supervisor for work undertaken in the laboratory towards completion of the thesis.
• Successful completion of an  oral examination  in the area of Organic and Biological Chemistry, usually upon completion of course work and the cumulative examinations.
• Experimental Stream: Four half-courses consisting of a combination of two core and two other courses.
• Theory Stream: Six half-courses to include two core half-courses. The specific courses are selected by the student and supervisor.
• Core courses are CHM1478H, CHM1479H, CHM1480H, CHM1481H, CHM1482H and CHM1488H.
• To apply for a core-course exemption (if applicable) or wish to take a graduate course offered at another Ontario university, see the  Courses  section.
• Presentation of two seminars (usually in the second and fourth years of study) and participation in the Physical Chemistry seminar program (CHM1490Y; compulsory attendance; CR/NCR). View  upcoming presentations .
• Enrolment in the Physical Research course every term, starting in the second term of program registration.
• Successful completion of an  oral examination  in the area of Physical Chemistry and Chemical Physics, usually undertaken following the completion of course work.
• Four half-courses to include at least one of the three core half-courses (CHM1206H, CHM1301H, CHM1302H).
• Presentation of at least three seminars (a literature talk in the first year and presentations on original research in the second and fourth years of study) and participation in the Polymers and Materials Chemistry seminar program (CHM1390Y; compulsory attendance; CR/NCR). View  upcoming presentations .
• Enrolment in Polymers and Materials Research course (CHM2303H) every term, starting in the second term of program registration.
• Successful completion of an  oral examination  in the area of Polymers and Materials Chemistry, usually completed following the course work.

Interdisciplinary

• Admission to this field requires a research topic of a truly interdisciplinary nature, such as but not limited to bioanalytical, biophysics, bioinorganic, nanoscience or nanotechnology.
• A written request for admission must be submitted to the Associate Chair for Graduate Studies along with a letter of support from your research supervisor.
• The written request must justify the need to transfer and list the courses that will be taken to complete the doctoral program. It should also explain how the requirements in the current field of research are restricting the progress of your research.
• Four half-courses to include at least one core half-course from an existing field of Chemistry.
• Students may take graduate courses from other chemistry fields or cognate departments. 
• Acceptable graduate lecture courses fall under divisions 3 (physical sciences) and 4 (life sciences). You are welcome to take courses outside of these categories. However, it will not count towards your degree requirements. Courses that deal with public policy related to science and health are generally acceptable as elective courses. 
• Presentation of at least two seminars (usually in the second and fourth years of study) and participation in the seminar program (compulsory attendance; CR/NCR) of an existing field of Chemistry. View  upcoming presentations .
• Students will need to choose the appropriate seminar and research courses and must remain in the same seminar and research courses for the rest of the program.
• Enrolment in the research course of an existing field of Chemistry every term, starting in the second term of program registration.
• Successful completion of an  oral examination  in the fields of Chemistry deemed appropriate, usually completed following the course work.
• Graduate Studies
• Prospective Students
• New Students
• Student Forms
• MSc Program Requirements
• MSc Program Guide
• PhD Program Guide
• Financial Information
• External Awards
• Internal Awards and Fellowships
• Teaching Assistantships
• Respect and Safety
• Request new password

MPUTC Joint PhD Program

The Max Planck-University of Toronto Centre (MPUTC) for Neural Science and Technology offers unique opportunities for jointly supervised PhD thesis research between the participating Max Planck Society (MPG) and University of Toronto (U of T) PIs.

How the Program Works

PhD candidates complete academic requirements at and earn PhD degrees from the U of T while being able to conduct research at a Max Planck Institute (MPI).  As a jointly supervised PhD student, you will have access to complementary facilities, equipment, and diverse intellectual feedback to increase the impact of your research. The ability to work effectively at multiple institutions, with different cultures, and in international environments is an important and highly valued skill in the global economy.  Finally, the experience will increase your job prospects as you expand your network, meet new friends and colleagues, and learn about different cultures.

Year 1 : U of T

Coursework, get started in research, pass qualifying exam.

Year 2 & 3 : MPI

Research,  visit U of T as necessary

Year 4 : MPI & U of T

Research, visit U of T as necessary Defend thesis at U of T

• At U of T :  PhD students receive funding according to the registered department's policy.  ( MPUTC International Doctoral Cluster Award or stipend of $18,000+ also available for students supervised by PIs in the Faculty of Applied Science and Engineering ( BME , ECE , ChemE , MIE ), Institute of Medical Science ,  Krembil Brain Institute , and Hospital for Sick Children .)
• At MPI :  PhD students receive a minimum of 65% TVöD (German civil servant salary scale) 13 work contract at the project-affiliated MPI.

How To Register

Check the available projects below for a collaborative PhD position between a participating MPG PI and the U of T PI.

Alternatively, you may contact one of the participating PIs directly to see if they can create a project:

University of Toronto PI's

Max planck society pi's, mail for inquiry.

[email protected]

• Submit a graduate studies application for the PhD program at the department of the University of Toronto supervisor.  Please click the “How to apply for the PhD program” link under the “Student’s U of T Department” for details about the application. 
• Send your CV and a 1-page single spaced proposal to the relevant supervisors and administrator to apply for an available project or request for a proposed collaboration.

The MPUTC is strongly committed to diversity within its community and especially welcomes applications from racialized persons / persons of colour, women, Indigenous / Aboriginal People of North America, persons with disabilities, LGBTQ2S+ persons, and others who may contribute to the further diversification of ideas. 

Project proposal

To submit a proposal for a joint phd project, please complete this mputc joint phd project proposal template.   successful applicants will be notified on an ongoing basis..

MPUTC Joint PhD Project Proposal Template

Brochure for the mputc joint phd program.

Thesis Topic : Specific Hippocampal pathways mediate episodic memory and statistical learning.

Description: The process by which new memories are layered upon prior experience and knowledge remains poorly understood. Growing evidence suggests that the hippocampus is critical for rapidly extracting regularities from the environment, a process known as statistical learning. These results, which imply generalization across episodes, are however at odd with the known role of the hippocampus in encoding individual memories. An extension of the complementary learning system accommodates this conundrum by postulating that episodic memory and statistical learning operate via different hippocampal pathways. Although this model provides a theoretical solution to a long-standing puzzle in the field, testing it in human subjects is technically challenging as it requires imaging the hippocampus with high spatial resolution to enable subfield classification and high temporal resolution to characterize the sequence of activity in the two pathways. We want to acquire unique datasets for this purpose by integrating 7T high-field fMRI with invasive electrophysiology, and electrical stimulation of specific hippocampal subfield in epilepsy patients while subjects perform associative learning and statistical learning tasks. This project seeks to establish a new multi-institution, high-throughput collaboration for large-scale, non-invasive imaging, invasive neural recording and stimulation to study memory processes in healthy subjects and patients.

Thesis Topic : Microrobotic Electrode Placement for Neural Interfaces and Deep Brain Stimulation.

Research Theme: Develop novel tools to observe and stimulate neural activity.

Description: The project is part of a broader effort to develop micro/nanotechnology-based sensors and actuators to monitor and stimulate neural circuits in vitro and in vivo. The goal of the devices is to enable a better understanding of neurons and neural circuits, which will aid in the development of neuromedicine. The ability to map the activity of individual neurons will allow for high resolution recording of neural activity at a level not seen before. To this end, advanced probes are being developed to be implanted into brain tissue. However, the ability to place arrays of electrodes with single-neuron precision has not been achieved. In this project, the student will develop new electrode placement mechanisms based on smart material and/or magnetic actuation which allows for addressable precision placement of many electrode tips within an array. The student will work in the labs of Prof. Eric Diller at the University of Toronto and Metin Sitti at the Max Planck Institute for Intelligent Systems using multidisciplinary skills. With neurophysics collaborators, the student will develop prototypes for testing in phantom models to prove the efficacy for electrode placement and adjustment.

Thesis Topic : Leveraging artificial intelligence tools to characterize the perception of accented speech in older adults.

Research Theme: To conduct neurobiology experiments that use advance tools, and to analyze data, create models and make predictions about neural activity.

Description: Canada and Germany are immigration countries where individuals from different language backgrounds live together and communicate. This brings mutual challenges: Native and immigrant listeners routinely encounter non-native accents, while for immigrants it additionally is their second language, making speech comprehension difficult. This is a barrier to social participation especially for older adults: 1) 40% of adults over 60 live with hearing loss, making comprehension challenging, particularly for non-native speakers and accented speech; 2) >15% of adults over 60 live with cognitive decline, reducing their language proficiency and accented speech comprehension. The proposed work will leverage advanced data analysis tools with non-invasive brain recordings to develop a detailed account of how accented speech is processed in the brains of native and non-native speaking older adults. Participants will listen to naturalistic speech with different, non-native accents under different listening conditions (e.g., background noise). Artificial intelligence tools, including speech synthesizers and Large Language models, and modern deconvolution modeling will be used to understand how acoustic, phonetic, and semantic information are encoded neurally. The work will provide tools, approaches, and understandings for future clinical applications, such as detecting hearing loss earlier, detecting second language loss in adults with cognitive decline, and evaluating treatment outcomes..

Thesis Topic : TBD

Research Theme: To conduct neurobiology experiments that use advance tools.

Description: The fields of cognitive and clinical neuroscience have learned a great deal about the functional organization of the mind/brain using noninvasive imaging technologies such as fMRI, and M/EEG. Traditionally this research has required tightly controlled experimental lab conditions, with several non-naturalistic elements such as a requirement to remain still, seated/supine, quiet, in darkly lit rooms, and in the case of vision science observing contextually disconnected 2D images. New developments in mobile neuroimaging technologies, eye-tracking, and virtual+augmented reality (VR/AR) are enabling a new wave of investigations where the brain is studied in a substantially more naturalistic setting. In particular, the coupling of high-density mobile EEG with AR and eye tracking allows experiments where subjects move freely in their environment, and visual stimuli are presented virtually as navigable 3D objects. This project will explore this paradigm’s extension to mobile, high-density functional near infrared spectroscopy (fNIRS), recorded concurrently with EEG, adding an important complementary brain measurement modality. Using this approach, we will study the emergence and representation of semantics at different levels of abstraction in contextually-situated processing of visual objects, collecting fNIRS-EEG data and analyzing it with advanced statistical techniques, as well as neurophysiological and neuro-AI models.

PhD in Fundamental Immunology

The PhD degree is an advanced research degree intended to reflect a level of training consistent with the ability of the candidate to function as an independent research scientist. This involves successful completion of course work reflecting a knowledge of modern immunology, as well as a demonstrated ability to carry out research of publishable quality. To qualify for the degree each candidate must successfully achieve candidacy, submit a satisfactory thesis based on his/her original research, and successfully defend it in a Final Oral Examination. The PhD thesis should contain a body of original research roughly corresponding in quantity to that which would be appropriate for two or three publications in a recognized refereed journal. Normally, at least one of these manuscripts should have been accepted for publication at the time of the exam. 

There are 2 routes to entering the PhD program. 

• Direct entry from the BSc Students with outstanding undergraduate records are encouraged to apply to the PhD program directly. Students entering via this route undergo a qualifying exam during the 2nd year of their program. Students admitted to the direct-entry PhD may choose to graduate with an MSc after two years of study if extenuating circumstances prevent them from continuing with the PhD. This change requires approval from the Supervisor, the Department, and the School of Graduate Studies.  
• Entry after completion of an M.Sc. degree Students who have completed or are in the process of completing an MSc degree from another department/University are encouraged apply to the PhD program. All students entering the PhD program with an MSc degree must undergo a qualifying exam during the 2nd year of their program. 

Students doing a thesis-based PhD in Fundamental Immunology will receive a guaranteed stipend .

In our Department, students typically spend about 5 years in the PhD degree program.

Course Requirements

For students who started their program in september 2021 or later :.

The Department requires students to complete

• IMM1000Y Recent Advances in Immunology
• IMM1025/2025H Student Seminar Series I / II*
• IMM1050/2050H Easton Seminar Series I / II*
• IMM1075/2075H Special Topics in Immunology I / II*
• IMM1200H Scientific Skills for Immunologists
• IMM2000H PhD Proposal in Immunology
• 1.0 FCE electives, approved by the Associate Chair, Graduate Studies
• Successfully pass the Qualifying Exam (DEX5555Y)

*Continuous courses taken throughout the student's PhD program until completed.

For students who started their program in September 2020 :

• Successfully pass the Qualifying Exam (DEX5555Y)

For students who started their program before September 2020 :

• 0.5 FCE elective, approved by the Associate Chair, Graduate Studies
• Successfully pass the Qualifying Exam

More information on required and elective courses