Microbiology (PhD)

The Doctor of Philosophy (PhD) in Microbiology is offered by the Department of Natural Resource Sciences in the Faculty of Agricultural and Environmental Sciences. The program is research-intensive, developing skills in literature review, critical thinking, and scientific communication for careers in academia or industry. Research areas span microbial ecology, diversity, genetics, and genomics, bioremediation, bacterial physiology, and plant-microbe interactions, including work on biodegradation of contaminated sites and applications in astrobiology. The department is affiliated with the Lyman Entomological Museum and Research Laboratory, the Molson Nature Reserve, and the Morgan Arboretum. Admission requires an eligible bachelor's degree with a minimum 3.0 GPA on a 4.0 scale and evidence of English-language proficiency. The program admits students in the Fall and Winter terms. Graduates pursue careers in academia, government agencies, and industry.