Doctor of Philosophy (Ph.D.); Plant Science — Neotropical Environment

Program Requirements

Students who have taken their M.Sc. degree at McGill University will be required to spend one term in study at another research institution.

The required thesis for this Ph.D. degree must display original scholarship expressed in proper literate style and must be a distinct contribution to knowledge.

Candidates must participate in the STRI seminar series when in residence in Panama, and in the MSE-Panama Symposium Presentation in Montreal.

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

• PLNT 690 Research Horizons in Plant Science 1

  Offered by: Plant Science (Agricultural & Environmental Sciences)

  Administered by: Graduate Studies

  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 2012, Winter 2013

  Instructors: Kushalappa Ajjamada (Fall) Marcia J Waterway (Winter)

Required Courses (6 credits)

* Must be taken within one year of registering.

• BIOL 640 Tropical Biology and Conservation (3 credits)

  Offered by: Biology (Faculty of Science)

  Administered by: Graduate Studies

  Overview

  Biology (Sci) : Long-term research at the Smithsonian Tropical Research Institute will be organized and synthesized to examine historical assembly and ecological maintenance of tropical communities. This synthesis will draw on phylogenetic concepts for historical insight and will examine the probable resilience of these communities to global change, pollution and biodiversity loss.

  Terms: Winter 2013

  Instructors: Edward Herre (Winter)

  • Restriction: students enrolled in Neotropical Environment Option (NEO) or permission of the instructor
• ENVR 610 Foundations of Environmental Policy (3 credits)

  Offered by: McGill School of Environment (School of Environment)

  Administered by: Graduate Studies

  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 2012, Winter 2013

  Instructors: Peter Gilbert Brown, Robin Thomas Naylor, Mark Goldberg (Fall) Gordon Hickey (Winter)

  • Restriction: Enrolment in the Graduate Environment Option or enrolment in the Neotropical Environment Option (NEO) or permission of the instructor.
• PLNT 701 Doctoral Comprehensive Examination *

  Offered by: Plant Science (Agricultural & Environmental Sciences)

  Administered by: Graduate Studies

  Overview

  Plant Science : An examination that must be passed by all doctoral candidates in order to continue in the doctoral program.

  Terms: Fall 2012, Winter 2013, Summer 2013

  Instructors: Martina Stromvik (Fall) Martina Stromvik (Winter)

Elective Courses (3 credits)

3 credits at the 500 level or higher, on environmental issues to be chosen in consultation with and approved by the student's supervisor AND the Neotropical Environment Options Director.