Handbook for Graduate Studies: (Requires Adobe Reader)
Download here (Forestry specific version)

Current opportunities for graduate research and program supervision in our Faculty:

• Tree eco-physiology
• Soil-water relations
• Wood science
• Applied field ecology
• Nutrient cycling & ecosystem processes
• Biometrics
• Mixed-wood ecology
• Silviculture & growth and yield modeling
• Remote sensing & GIS
• Forest operations / harvesting
• Supply chain management / logistics control
• Genetics / tree improvement
• Pathology
• Urban forestry
• Wildlife management
• Forest management
• International forestry

We encourage students from a variety of disciplines to consider graduate work in natural resources management - our programs are open to those holding a four-year degree or equivalent - in the past, students have come from educational backgrounds in geography, environmental studies, biology, business, outdoor recreation & tourism, wildlife management and of course, natural resources management.

Financial assistance is typically obtained with a faculty advisor working closely with a student to obtain project funds from public or private sources - or the faculty advisor already has funding in place and is looking for qualified students to carry some aspects of ongoing research. Depending on Faculty requirements, selected students may also be offered graduate teaching assistanceships for up to two years. Under some circumstances, students may perform paid non-thesis tasks for the faculty advisor parallel to independent thesis work.

Note to interested students:

Do NOT assume that the ideas you may have for a research focus are not possible - many good ideas do not see the light of day for the simple reason of not being promoted properly - or for fear of failure.

For More Information, please contact:
Dr. Brian McLaren
Associate Professor and Chair, Graduate Studies Committee
brian.mclaren@lakeheadu.ca
(807) 343-8342
Dr. Reino Pulkki, R.P.F.
Professor and PhD Program Co-ordinator
reino.pulkki@lakeheadu.ca
(807) 343-8564

Admission & Application Information

Application Deadline: February 1st

Application for admission to a graduate program should be made to the Office of Graduate & International Studies by the deadline date of February 1st. Applications must be received by this date to be considered for funding. Late applications may be considered for admission. However, due to the large number of applicants, many programs will not be able to consider late applicants.

Application Fee: $50

A non-refundable application fee of $50 must be included with the application. Applications received without the application fee will not be processed.

Forms: (Requires Adobe Reader)
Application Form
Reference Form

Master of Science in Forestry (MScF)

Admission Requirements:

Admission to the MScF programs is governed by Lakehead University's general regulations for graduate programs. Additional requirements of the Faculty of Natural Resources Management include availability of a supervisor and appropriate funding.

To ensure an adequate understanding of the core elements of natural resources management, applicants holding a four-year degree of adequate standing (i.e., B or better) in an allied discipline (e.g., biology, geography, agriculture, environmental studies, resource management, outdoor recreation) may be required to take up to two full-course equivalents at the undergraduate level. This requirement is additional to the graduate courses of the chosen program. Upon admission, the student's supervisor prepares a proposal for fulfilling the allied-discipline requirement, based on the student's undergraduate courses already taken, and submits it to the Forestry Graduate Studies Committee for approval.

An applicant with inadequate academic background or standing may be invited to take four full-course equivalents (minimum) in natural resources management at the undergraduate level. If performance in these courses averages B or better, the applicant may then apply for admission to one of the graduate programs.

The Program:

The MScF is a research-oriented degree designed to give graduates a firm foundation in the process of scientific inquiry. Most research projects are undertaken in one or more of the biophysical forest sciences, but social science research may also be undertaken. Research projects are designed jointly by the student and the faculty member who serves as the student's Supervisor.

For all students entering the program in September 1997 or later, the MScF program requirements include two full-course equivalents of courses, a research thesis (worth three full-course equivalents), and the Graduate Seminar. Students who entered the MScF program before September 1997 have requirements including three full-course equivalents of courses, a research thesis (worth two full-course equivalents), and the Graduate Seminar.

The thesis, when deemed ready by the Supervisor and Advisory Committee, is examined externally (administered by the Office of Graduate Studies and Research). When the external examination has been satisfactorily completed, the student must defend the thesis in a public oral presentation and examination. The Examining Committee at the defence normally consists of the Supervisor and Advisory Committee. The minimum residency requirement for the MScF program is one academic year.

Master of Forestry (MF)

Admission Requirements:

Admission to the MF program is governed by Lakehead University's general regulations for graduate programs. Additional requirements of the Faculty of Natural Resources Management include availability of a supervisor and appropriate funding. Applicants to the MF program who have completed the Ontario Advanced Forestry Program (OAFP) may apply for advanced credit.

To ensure an adequate understanding of the core elements of natural resources management, applicants holding a four-year degree of adequate standing (i.e., B or better) in an allied discipline (e.g., biology, geography, agriculture, environmental studies, resource management, outdoor recreation) may be required to take up to two full-course equivalents at the undergraduate level. This requirement is additional to the graduate courses of the chosen program. Upon admission, the student's supervisor prepares a proposal for fulfilling the allied-discipline requirement, based on the student's undergraduate courses already taken, and submits it to the Forestry Graduate Studies Committee for approval.

An applicant with inadequate academic background or standing may be invited to take four full-course equivalents (minimum) in natural resources management at the undergraduate level. If performance in these courses averages B or better, the applicant may then apply for admission to one of the graduate programs.

An applicant with inadequate academic background or standing may be invited to take four full-course equivalents (minimum) in natural resources management at the undergraduate level. If performance in these courses averages B or better, the applicant may then apply for admission to one of the graduate programs.

The Program:

The MF focusses on developing advanced skills of professional practice in forest decision-making. It emphasizes use and integration of forest-related knowledge to address current and future forest-related problems.

The MF program requirements include four full-course equivalents of courses, a project report (worth one full-course equivalent), and the Graduate Seminar. At a time deemed appropriate by the student, Supervisor and Advisory Committee, the student makes a public oral presentation of the project report to the Faculty, followed by an oral examination by the Advisory Committee. For full-time students, the minimum residency is one academic year. For students who have earned advanced credit for a complete OAFP certificate the minimum residency requirement is one term.

PhD in Forest Sciences

Admission Requirements:

Admission to the PhD program is governed by Lakehead University's general regulations for graduate programs. Admission, however, will be subject to the availability of a Supervisory Committee for the student. Normally, an applicant to the program would be expected to have completed a master's degree in natural resources management, related science or an allied discipline; however, students lacking the appropriate background will be required to complete additional courses (up to 2 FCEs at the graduate level) to cover deficiencies as determined by the Supervisory Committee and approved by the Faculty Graduate Studies Committee.

Applicants whose native language is not English and who have not studied in an English school system for more than three years will be required to present proof of English proficiency by achieving a total score of at least 550 on the Test of English as a Foreign Language (TOEFL) and a score of at least 4.0 on the Test of Written English (TWE).

The Program:

The PhD in Forest Sciences is a research-based program focused on the development of researchers in the field of forest sciences.

To fulfill the degree requirements, students must complete a total of eight full course equivalents at the graduate level consisting of the following components: Students will normally be required to successfully complete at least one full course equivalent in courses at the graduate level as part of his/her program, the graduate seminar course (zero credit weight) if not taken previously, the comprehensive examination (worth one full course equivalent), and the preparation and oral defense of a research dissertation (worth six full course equivalents). Students will be registered full time and expected to complete their course requirements, comprehensive exam and dissertation within 4 years from entry into the PhD program. Course requirements would normally be completed during the first year of the program. PhD students may choose graduate courses from those offered within the Faculty of Natural Resources Management, Department of Biology and School of Outdoor Recreation, Parks and Tourism, with the exception of Forestry 5901 and 5980, Biology 5901, and OUTD 5901. The residency requirement will be a minimum of one year (three terms), of which two terms must be consecutive.