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Program Requirements
The Ph.D. in Plant Science Environment is a research program offered in collaboration with the 91ÉçÇø School of Environment. As a complement to the unit's expertise, the program considers how various dimensions (scientific, social, legal, ethical) interact to define environment and sustainability issues.
Students who have taken their M.Sc. degree at 91ÉçÇø will be required to spend one term in study at another research institution.
Thesis
A thesis for the doctoral degree must constitute original scholarship and must be a distinct contribution to knowledge. It must show familiarity with previous work in the field and must demonstrate ability to plan and carry out research, organize results, and defend the approach and conclusions in a scholarly manner. The research presented must meet current standards of the discipline; as well, the thesis must clearly demonstrate how the research advances knowledge in the field. Finally, the thesis must be written in compliance with norms for academic and scholarly expression and for publication in the public domain.
Required Invitational Seminar
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PLNT 690 Research Horizons in Plant Science 1
Overview
Plant Science : A series of seminars presented by invited speakers, staff and senior graduate students. The topics are selected to integrate the many fields of plant science.
Terms: Fall 2020, Winter 2021
Instructors: Hoyos-Villegas, Valerio; Jabaji, Suha (Fall) Jabaji, Suha; Hoyos-Villegas, Valerio (Winter)
Required Courses (3 credits)
* Must be taken within the first year of registering
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ENVR 615 Interdisciplinary Approach Environment and Sustainability (3 credits)
Overview
Environment : Through a series of modules on current environmental and sustainability issues, this course emphasizes the value and challenges of an interdisciplinary approach by examining how different fields can work together to address these issues.
Terms: Fall 2020
Instructors: van der Ven, Hamish; Barrington-Leigh, Christopher (Fall)
Restriction(s): Open to graduate students enrolled in the Environment Option or permission of instructors
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PLNT 701 Doctoral Comprehensive Examination *
Overview
Plant Science : An examination that must be passed by all doctoral candidates in order to continue in the doctoral program.
Terms: Fall 2020, Winter 2021
Instructors: Seguin, Philippe (Fall) Seguin, Philippe (Winter)
Complementary Courses (6 credits)
3-6 credits from:
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ENVR 610 Foundations of Environmental Policy (3 credits)
Overview
Environment : Analysis of current environmental policies to reveal implicit and explicit assumptions regarding scientific methods, hypothesis testing, subject/object, causality, certainty, deities, health, development, North-South concerns for resources, commons, national sovereignty, equity. Discussion of implications of such assumptions for building future environmental policies.
Terms: Fall 2020
Instructors: van der Ven, Hamish; Ellis, Jaye (Fall)
Restriction: Enrolment in the Graduate Environment Option or enrolment in the Neotropical Environment Option (NEO) or permission of the instructor.
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ENVR 614 Mobilizing Research for Sustainability (3 credits)
Overview
Environment : Through workshops and practice, students will develop communication strategies and acquire collaboration and leadership skills to foster innovation and help translate knowledge into action to address complex environmental and sustainability issues. Students will learn methods, build skills, and develop mindsets that can enable their research to have an impact on the most pressing issues in sustainability.
Terms: Winter 2021
Instructors: Bennett, Elena (Winter)
Restriction(s): Open to graduate students enrolled in the Environment Option or permission of instructor
3 credits from:
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ENVR 585 Readings in Environment 2 (3 credits)
Overview
Environment : Interdisciplinary literature project/essays related to environment, enabling advanced-level study under guidance of qualified MSE staff in areas outside the scope of individual departments. Proposed topic and method of evaluation must be approved by the Associate Director one month before the beginning of term. Contact the Program Advisor for information.
Terms: Fall 2020, Winter 2021, Summer 2021
Instructors: Gaskin, Susan J (Winter)
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ENVR 630 Civilization and Environment (3 credits)
Overview
Environment : Considers ways to reduce the human impact on Earth's life support systems through variables such as population size, wealth, technology, and conduct. Critically describes ethical frameworks for judging personal and policy choices, including post-collapse scenarios.
Terms: This course is not scheduled for the 2020-2021 academic year.
Instructors: There are no professors associated with this course for the 2020-2021 academic year.
Prerequisite: Permission of the instructor
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ENVR 680 Topics in Environment 4 (3 credits)
Overview
Environment : Seminars and discussion of advanced, interdisciplinary aspects of current problems in environment led by staff and/or special guests.
Terms: This course is not scheduled for the 2020-2021 academic year.
Instructors: There are no professors associated with this course for the 2020-2021 academic year.
Restriction: students taking the Neotropical Environment Option.
Prerequisite: Permission of Instructor
or 3 credits at the 500 level or higher recommended by the Advisory Committee and and approved by the Environment Option Committee.