Civil Engineering (PhD)
In our PhD program, you’ll pursue independent and original research, creating significant advances in our understanding of green civil engineering.
As you work towards your mastery of civil engineering, you’ll take courses and prepare for a PhD candidacy exam. You’ll work under faculty supervision and complete a written thesis, which you’ll defend in an oral exam.
| Expected length | Project or thesis | Course-based |
|---|---|---|
| 3 years | Yes | No |
Quick facts
- Program options:
- Doctorate
- Study options:
- Full-time study
- Program delivery:
- On-campus
- Dynamic learning:
- Co-op optional
Outcomes
Students in this program will:
- identify a research question addressing a gap in knowledge or design in civil engineering, broadly defined
- independently design experiments, field work or data analysis methods to address the research question
- produce original research that advances understanding of civil engineering-related topics
- communicate research findings and their novelty and impact through oral presentations and written publications
- display and exemplify ethical and professional conduct becoming of the engineering profession
Find a supervisor
PhD students must have a faculty member who serves as their academic supervisor. When you apply:
- you must list a potential supervisor on your application
- this faculty member must agree to be your supervisor and recommend your admission
- include an email from your supervisor with your application
To find a supervisor, review the faculty contacts. When you’ve found a faculty member whose research complements your own, contact them by email.
Caetano Dorea
Professor Water and wastewater treatment, biological treatment processes, humanitarian emergency water supply and sanitation technologies, treatment technologies
Cheng Lin
Associate Professor Soil Erosion and scour, non-self-supporting materials, sustainable reuse of waste and contaminated soil, pile foundations, storm surge wall and bulkhead, slope stability, paved and unpaved roads
Chris Kennedy
Professor Biophysical economics, deep decarbonisation, sustainable cities, industrial ecology
Christina E. Hoicka
Associate Professor, Canada Research Chair (Tier 2) Community energy, diffusion of innovations, renewable energy transformations, Indigenous renewable energy infrastructure, energy geography
David Bristow
Associate Professor, Director of the Master of Engineering in Industrial Ecology program Resilient infrastructure, building and city systems, sustainable cities, integration of mitigation and adaptation, sustainability science
Heather Buckley
Associate Professor Green chemistry, molecular sensors for water contaminants, safer prevention of fouling
Kevin Hall
UVic President, Vice Chancellor, Professor Water, environment, health, humanitarian engineering, ocean and coastal engineering
Kristian Dubrawski
Assistant Professor Small water systems, water quality for ecosystem health, rural and Indigenous water, low-income water science, nature-based solutions, bioelectrochemical systems, community-led innovation, environmental justice
Laura Minet
Assistant Professor Air quality, population exposure to air pollution, population health, transportation engineering, vehicle emissions, dispersion modeling
Madeleine McPherson
Assistant Professor Variable renewable energy integration, energy systems integration, systems modelling and design
Min Sun
Associate Professor, Director of Undergraduate Program Structural engineering, steel structures
Phalguni Mukhopadhyaya
Professor, Director of Graduate Program Energy efficient buildings, high performance thermal insulations, hygrothermal response of building envelopes, bio-based construction materials, retrofit technologies
Ralph Evins
Associate Professor Building energy use simulation, energy system optimization, energy hubs
Rishi Gupta
Professor and Director of CAMTEC Advanced materials for structures, sustainable construction technologies, structural health monitoring of structures, plastic shrinkage of concrete, innovative construction technologies, non-destructive evaluation of infrastructure
Sardar Malek
Assistant Professor Mechanical behaviour of wood, bamboo and composite structures, development of lightweight composite building materials, bio-inspired design of multifunctional composites using additive manufacturing techniques, such as 3D printing
Tara Troy
Associate Professor Sustainable water resources, water use and infrastructure impacts on hydrologic processes, hydrologic impacts of climate change, flood processes
Thomas Froese
Department Chair, Professor Project and construction management information and computing technologies assessing sustainability for building and infrastructure projects and operations engineering education
Tom Gleeson
Professor, President’s Chair Groundwater footprints and sustainability, mega-scale groundwater systems, groundwater recharge and discharge, fluid flow and geologic structures
Show me program details
Providing you accurate admission requirements, application deadlines, tuition fee estimates and scholarships depends on your situation. Tell us about yourself:
Your program details
Application deadlines
January entry – apply by October 1
May entry – apply by February 1
September entry – apply by June 1
January entry – apply by April 1 of previous year
May entry – apply by August 1 of previous year
September entry – apply by December 1 of previous year
Admission requirements
Program specific requirements
- You must upload a “letter of interest” from your supervisor with the application. Your application will not be considered without this.
- Letter of intent (one page maximum) explaining your career goals and research interest. List your pertinent achievements in this area as well as your research strengths.
- Two assessment letters from professional or academic contacts
- A current résumé
- Post-secondary transcripts
Program specific requirements
- You must upload a “letter of interest” from your supervisor with the application. Your application will not be considered without this.
- Letter of intent (one page maximum) explaining your career goals and research interest. List your pertinent achievements in this area as well as your research strengths
- Two assessment letters from professional or academic contacts
- A current résumé
- Post-secondary transcripts
Completion requirements
Funding & aid
Tuition & fees
Estimated minimum program cost*
* Based on an average program length. For a per term fee breakdown view the tuition fee estimator.
Estimated values determined by the tuition fee estimator shall not be binding to the University of Victoria.
Ready to apply?
You can start your online application to UVic by creating a new profile or using an existing one.
Faculties & departments
Related programs
Need help?
Contact Lorrie Barth at civegrad@uvic.ca or 250-472-4640.