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Doctor of Philosophy (Ph.D.); Philosophy — Environment

Offered by: Philosophy     Degree: Doctor of Philosophy

Program Requirements

The Graduate option in Environment provides students with an appreciation of the role of science in informing decision-making in the environment sector, and the influence that political, socioeconomic and ethical judgments have. The option also provides a forum whereby graduate students bring their disciplinary perspectives together and enrich each other's learning through structured courses, formal seminars, and informal discussions and networking. Students who have been admitted through their home department or Faculty may apply for admission to the option. Option requirements are consistent across academic units. The option is coordinated by the MSE, in partnership with participating academic units.

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 Courses (24 credits)

  • ENVR 610 Foundations of Environmental Policy (3 credits)

    Offered by: Bieler 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 2015, Winter 2016

    Instructors: Brown, Peter Gilbert (Fall) Hickey, Gordon (Winter)

    • Restriction: Enrolment in the Graduate Environment Option or enrolment in the Neotropical Environment Option (NEO) or permission of the instructor.

  • ENVR 650 Environmental Seminar 1 (1 credit)

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

    Administered by: Graduate Studies

    Overview

    Environment : Interdisciplinary environmental research seminars with the goals of appreciating both the breadth and interconnectedness of environmental research questions.

    Terms: Fall 2015

    Instructors: Barrington-Leigh, Christopher (Fall)

    • Restriction: Open to students registered in Environment Option.

  • ENVR 651 Environmental Seminar 2 (1 credit)

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

    Administered by: Graduate Studies

    Overview

    Environment : Environmental seminars and workshops focused on critical thinking, critical review of articles, team work, effective public speaking, grantmanship.

    Terms: Winter 2016

    Instructors: Badami, Madhav Govind (Winter)

    • Restriction: Open to students registered in the Environment Option.

  • ENVR 652 Environmental Seminar 3 (1 credit)

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

    Administered by: Graduate Studies

    Overview

    Environment : Final research seminar.

    Terms: Fall 2015, Winter 2016

    Instructors: Barrington-Leigh, Christopher (Fall) Sieber, Renee (Winter)

    • Prerequisite: ENVR 650.

    • Restriction: Open to students registered in Environment Option.

  • PHIL 607 Pro-Seminar 1 (6 credits)

    Offered by: Philosophy (Faculty of Arts)

    Administered by: Graduate Studies

    Overview

    Philosophy : A series of seminars on selected topics designed for professional training to graduate students. Topics will be selected from the general area of Value Theory.

    Terms: Fall 2015

    Instructors: Deslauriers, Marguerite (Fall)

  • PHIL 682 Pro-Seminar 3 (6 credits)

    Offered by: Philosophy (Faculty of Arts)

    Administered by: Graduate Studies

    Overview

    Philosophy : A series of seminars on selected topics designed to provide professional training to graduate students. Topics will be selected from the general area of Metaphysics/Epistemology.

    Terms: Fall 2015

    Instructors: Stoljar, Natalie (Fall)

  • PHIL 685 Fundamentals of Logic (3 credits)

    Offered by: Philosophy (Faculty of Arts)

    Administered by: Graduate Studies

    Overview

    Philosophy : A course in intermediate logic for graduate students in Philosophy, covering such topics as axiomatic systems, formal semantics, consistency, completeness, the limitative results, intuitionistic logic, formal theories of truth, aspects of the development of logic.

    Terms: Winter 2016

    Instructors: There are no professors associated with this course for the 2015-2016 academic year.

  • PHIL 690 Candidacy Paper (3 credits)

    Offered by: Philosophy (Faculty of Arts)

    Administered by: Graduate Studies

    Overview

    Philosophy : Preparation and submission of candidacy research paper.

    Terms: Fall 2015, Winter 2016

    Instructors: There are no professors associated with this course for the 2015-2016 academic year.

Complementary Courses

(24-30 credits)

Students admitted to Ph.D. 1 require ten complementary courses
Students admitted to Ph.D. 2 require eight complementary courses

Minimum of two courses from the following:

  • PHIL 551 Seminar: Ancient Philosophy 2 (3 credits)

    Offered by: Philosophy (Faculty of Arts)

    Overview

    Philosophy : An advanced course on a philosopher or philosophical issue articulated in antiquity.

    Terms: This course is not scheduled for the 2015-2016 academic year.

    Instructors: There are no professors associated with this course for the 2015-2016 academic year.

    • Prerequisite: at least one course in ancient philosophy and the specific requirements of individual instructors

    • Restriction: Seminars are open only to graduate students and final year Philosophy Majors, Honours and Joint Honours students, except by written permission of the Department

  • PHIL 556 Seminar: Medieval Philosophy (3 credits)

    Offered by: Philosophy (Faculty of Arts)

    Overview

    Philosophy : An advanced course devoted to a particular topic in medieval philosophy. Subject varies from year to year.

    Terms: This course is not scheduled for the 2015-2016 academic year.

    Instructors: There are no professors associated with this course for the 2015-2016 academic year.

    • Prerequisite: PHIL 345 or PHIL 357 or written permission of the instructor

    • Restriction: Seminars are open only to graduate students and final year Philosophy Majors, Honours and Joint Honours students, except by written permission of the Department

  • PHIL 661 Sem: 18th Century Philosophy (3 credits)

    Offered by: Philosophy (Faculty of Arts)

    Administered by: Graduate Studies

    Overview

    Philosophy : An advanced course on an eighteenth-century philosopher or philosophical issue.

    Terms: This course is not scheduled for the 2015-2016 academic year.

    Instructors: There are no professors associated with this course for the 2015-2016 academic year.

    • Prerequisite(s): Permission of the instructor.

    • Restriction(s): Not open to students who have taken PHIL 561.

  • PHIL 667 Seminar: 19th Century Philosophy (3 credits)

    Offered by: Philosophy (Faculty of Arts)

    Administered by: Graduate Studies

    Overview

    Philosophy : An advanced course on 19th-century philosophy or philosophical issue.

    Terms: Winter 2016

    Instructors: Di Giovanni, George (Winter)

    • Prerequisite(s): Permission of the instructor.

    • Restriction(s): Not open to students who have taken PHIL 567.

  • PHIL 675 Seminar: Contemporary European Philosophy (3 credits)

    Offered by: Philosophy (Faculty of Arts)

    Administered by: Graduate Studies

    Overview

    Philosophy : An advanced course on contemporary European philosophy or some important issue in the Continental tradition.

    Terms: Fall 2015, Winter 2016

    Instructors: Fiasse, Gaelle (Fall) Al-Saji, Alia (Winter)

    • Prerequisite(s): Permission of instructor.

    • Restriction(s): Not open to students who have taken PHIL 575.

and/or any other course at the 500, 600, or 700 level in the History of Philosophy recommended/accepted by the student's advisory committee. Depending on the topics covered, PHIL 607 and PHIL 682 may count toward the area requirements.

Minimum of two courses from the following:

  • PHIL 643 Seminar: Medical Ethics (3 credits)

    Offered by: Philosophy (Faculty of Arts)

    Administered by: Graduate Studies

    Overview

    Philosophy : An advanced course devoted to a particular philosophical problem as it arises in the context of medical practice or the application of medical technology.

    Terms: Winter 2016

    Instructors: Kimmelman, Jonathan (Winter)

    • Prerequisite(s): Permission of the instructor.

    • Restriction(s): Not open to students who have taken PHIL 543.

  • PHIL 644 Political Theory (3 credits)

    Offered by: Philosophy (Faculty of Arts)

    Administered by: Graduate Studies

    Overview

    Philosophy : Seminar on a particular topic in political theory.

    Terms: Winter 2016

    Instructors: Laywine, Alison (Winter)

    • Restriction(s): Not open to students who have taken PHIL 544.

  • PHIL 648 Seminar: Philosophy of Law (3 credits)

    Offered by: Philosophy (Faculty of Arts)

    Administered by: Graduate Studies

    Overview

    Philosophy : An advanced course devoted to a particular topic in the philosophy of law. Subject varies from year to year.

    Terms: This course is not scheduled for the 2015-2016 academic year.

    Instructors: There are no professors associated with this course for the 2015-2016 academic year.

    • Prerequisite(s): Permission of the instructor.

    • Restriction(s): Not open to students who have taken PHIL 548.

and/or any other course at the 500 level or higher in Value Theory recommended/accepted by the student's advisory committee. Depending on the topics covered, PHIL 607 and PHIL 682 may count toward the area requirements.

Minimum of two courses from the following:

  • PHIL 507 Seminar: Cognitive Science (3 credits)

    Offered by: Philosophy (Faculty of Arts)

    Overview

    Philosophy : An advanced discussion of a topic of philosophical interest arising from contemporary empirical work in cognitive science.

    Terms: This course is not scheduled for the 2015-2016 academic year.

    Instructors: There are no professors associated with this course for the 2015-2016 academic year.

    • Prerequisites: PHIL 306, PHIL 415 or written permission of the instructor

    • Restriction: Seminars are open only to graduate students and final year Philosophy Majors, Honours and Joint Honours students, except by written permission of the Department

  • PHIL 606 Seminar: Philosophy of Mind (3 credits)

    Offered by: Philosophy (Faculty of Arts)

    Administered by: Graduate Studies

    Overview

    Philosophy : An advanced course devoted to specific topics in the philosophy of mind.

    Terms: This course is not scheduled for the 2015-2016 academic year.

    Instructors: There are no professors associated with this course for the 2015-2016 academic year.

    • Prerequisite(s): Permission of the instructor.

    • Restriction(s): Not open to students who have taken PHIL 506.

  • PHIL 610 Seminar on Advanced Logic 2 (3 credits)

    Offered by: Philosophy (Faculty of Arts)

    Administered by: Graduate Studies

    Overview

    Philosophy : Seminar on a particular topic in advanced logic. Topic varies by year.

    Terms: This course is not scheduled for the 2015-2016 academic year.

    Instructors: There are no professors associated with this course for the 2015-2016 academic year.

    • Prerequisite(s): Permission of the instructor .

    • Restriction(s): Not open to students who have taken PHIL 510.

  • PHIL 611 Seminar: Philosophy of Logic and Mathematics (3 credits)

    Offered by: Philosophy (Faculty of Arts)

    Administered by: Graduate Studies

    Overview

    Philosophy : Seminar on a particular topic in philosophy of logic and mathematics.

    Terms: Winter 2016

    Instructors: Schlimm, Dirk (Winter)

    • Restriction(s): Not open to students who have taken PHIL 511.

  • PHIL 615 Seminar: Philosophy of Language (3 credits)

    Offered by: Philosophy (Faculty of Arts)

    Administered by: Graduate Studies

    Overview

    Philosophy : An advanced course devoted to a topic in the philosophy of language.

    Terms: This course is not scheduled for the 2015-2016 academic year.

    Instructors: There are no professors associated with this course for the 2015-2016 academic year.

    • Prerequisite(s): Permission of the instructor.

    • Restriction(s): Not open to students who have taken PHIL 515.

  • PHIL 619 Seminar: Epistemology (3 credits)

    Offered by: Philosophy (Faculty of Arts)

    Administered by: Graduate Studies

    Overview

    Philosophy : An advanced course devoted to a topic in the theory of knowledge.

    Terms: Fall 2015

    Instructors: Stephens, Robert John (Fall)

    • Prerequisite(s): Permission of the instructor.

    • Restriction(s): Not open to students who have taken PHIL 519.

  • PHIL 621 Seminar: Metaphysics (3 credits)

    Offered by: Philosophy (Faculty of Arts)

    Administered by: Graduate Studies

    Overview

    Philosophy : An advanced course devoted to a topic in metaphysics.

    Terms: This course is not scheduled for the 2015-2016 academic year.

    Instructors: There are no professors associated with this course for the 2015-2016 academic year.

    • Restriction(s): Not open to students who have taken PHIL 521.

    • Prerequisite(s): Permission of the instructor.

  • PHIL 670 Seminar: Contemporary Analytic Philosophy (3 credits)

    Offered by: Philosophy (Faculty of Arts)

    Administered by: Graduate Studies

    Overview

    Philosophy : An advanced course on some major analytic philosopher, or some issue of central importance in the analytic tradition.

    Terms: This course is not scheduled for the 2015-2016 academic year.

    Instructors: There are no professors associated with this course for the 2015-2016 academic year.

    • Prerequisite(s): Permission of the instructor.

    • Restriction(s): Not open to students who have taken PHIL 570.

and/or any other course at the 500, 600, or 700 level in Metaphysics and Epistemology recommended/accepted by the student's advisory committee. Depending on the topics covered, PHIL 607 and PHIL 682 may count toward the area requirements.

One course chosen from the following:

  • ENVR 519 Global Environmental Politics (3 credits)

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

    Administered by: Faculty of Science

    Overview

    Environment : How the problem of environmental degradation is dealt with at the international level. The scope and nature of global environmental protection issues that cross boundaries, both physical and conceptual. Actors, structures and processes of international society. Consideration of global commons and transnational resources and of environmental externalities.

    Terms: This course is not scheduled for the 2015-2016 academic year.

    Instructors: There are no professors associated with this course for the 2015-2016 academic year.

    • Prerequisite: ENVR 201 or ENVR 203 or permission of instructor

    • Restrictions: Open to students in the Environment Graduate Option (available to other students with permission of instructor). (Not open to students who have taken ENVR 580 -- section 001 -- in Winter 2002, Fall 2003, or Fall 2004

    • Note: This course has been offered three times as a Topics in Environment Course

  • ENVR 544 Environmental Measurement and Modelling (3 credits)

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

    Administered by: Faculty of Science

    Overview

    Environment : Utility of geographic information systems, remote sensing and spatially-explicit modelling for environmental planning in conjunction with analytical frameworks used in the decision-making process (e.g., cost-benefit analysis, life-cycle analysis and multi-criteria decision making).

    Terms: This course is not scheduled for the 2015-2016 academic year.

    Instructors: There are no professors associated with this course for the 2015-2016 academic year.

    • Prerequisites: NRSC 430 or GEOG201 or URBP 505 or permission of instructor

    • Restriction: Students registered in Environment Graduate Option (or permission of instructor)

  • ENVR 620 Environment and Health of Species (3 credits)

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

    Administered by: Graduate Studies

    Overview

    Environment : How major environmental problems affect the health of human and non-human species, and how environment and health interact at different spatial and temporal scales and with different components of the ecosystem. Immediate, chronic and evolutionary consequences on health. Uncertainty and causation.

    Terms: This course is not scheduled for the 2015-2016 academic year.

    Instructors: There are no professors associated with this course for the 2015-2016 academic year.

    • Restriction: Open to students in the Environment Option (available to other students with permission of instructor).

  • ENVR 622 Sustainable Landscapes (3 credits)

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

    Administered by: Graduate Studies

    Overview

    Environment : Tools and knowledge needed to evaluate landscapes for sustainable management. Processes that shape landscapes, consequences of alternate landscape patterns on ecological flows, implications of management choices on biodiversity and sustainability, and need for social innovations.

    Terms: This course is not scheduled for the 2015-2016 academic year.

    Instructors: There are no professors associated with this course for the 2015-2016 academic year.

    • Restriction: Students registered in Environment Option, or permission of instructor.

    • Note: An understanding of ecological principles is required to take this course. Comparative case studies will be used.

  • ENVR 630 Civilization and Environment (3 credits)

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

    Administered by: Graduate Studies

    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 2015-2016 academic year.

    Instructors: There are no professors associated with this course for the 2015-2016 academic year.

    • Prerequisite: Permission of the instructor

  • ENVR 680 Topics in Environment 4 (3 credits)

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

    Administered by: Graduate Studies

    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 2015-2016 academic year.

    Instructors: There are no professors associated with this course for the 2015-2016 academic year.

    • Restriction: students taking the Neotropical Environment Option.

    • Prerequisite: Permission of Instructor

or other course at the 500, 600, or 700 level recommended by the Advisory Committee and approved by the Environment Option Committee.

The remaining course(s) must be at the 500, 600, or 700 level and are to be chosen in consultation with the student's advisory committee.

Language Requirement

One research language at the advanced level or two research languages at the intermediate level.

Faculty of Arts—2015-2016 (last updated Aug. 20, 2015) (disclaimer)
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