Doctor of Philosophy in Public Health Sciences - Water

Our world and nation have big public health and health system challenges. Rising health care costs are unsustainable. Millions become ill or die before they should. The burden of illness and the benefits of health are not shared equitably. Population aging and growth, global economic conditions, environmental degradation, climate change, and human conflict increase the urgency for taking action. It emphasizes the health of populations by altering social, economic, behavioural, political, biological, and environmental determinants of health. Systems approaches consider the dynamic interrelationships of these factors over time. System thinkers recognize that the world is constantly changing, and so should the policies, practices, structures, processes and tools we use to improve health and health care. An important dimension of our School is its focus on enhancing health care through reform, integration, effectiveness and efficiency. Rather than focus on improving single procedures or service providers, we take a whole system view. Our research and education is geared towards better understanding how services should fit together into a coherent, effective system.
Global water issues are becoming increasingly complex and often require a collaborative approach across the breadth of disciplines. The PhD Public Health and Health Systems offers a water specialization. Facilitated by the University of Waterloo's Water Institute, this collaborative approach provides access to more than 140 faculty members involved in water research across Waterloo's campus. The program allows you to develop specialist expertise in public health and health systems, while matching the knowledge and skills required to communicate across disciplines and within interdisciplinary teams in the water sector.

Students applying to the program should have completed a Master's degree (or its equivalent) with content related to ongoing faculty research in areas such as health, public health, health systems, gerontology, health informatics, global health, occupational health, and evaluation.
A minimum 75% average in Master's level coursework.
Completion of a Master's degree and evidence of prior research achievements (e.g., Master's thesis, first author peer-reviewed publication, adjudicated research report).
Before applying to the program, students are strongly advised to establish contact with potential supervisors.
Students may be allowed to transfer into the PhD program directly from the School of Public Health Sciences (SPHS) Master's programs. Such students must have completed all Master's coursework requirements, have demonstrated a superior academic record, and have evidence of prior research achievements (e.g., adjudicated research report, significant documented contribution as a co-author to a peer-reviewed publication, first author peer-reviewed publication).
Students are sometimes accepted for direct admission to the PhD in the SPHS program if they have an Honours Bachelor of Science degree or the equivalent and have exceptional academic and research performance, including evidence of prior research achievements (e.g., adjudicated research report, significant documented contribution as a co-author to a peer-reviewed publication, first author peer-reviewed publication). Directly admitted students will be required to complete 9 (required and elective) graduate courses, graduate milestones and a doctoral thesis.
Supervisors

Review the finding a supervisor resources
Resume/Curriculum vitae
Supplementary information form (SIF)
Indicating reasons for pursuing graduate studies (e.g., discuss how a graduate degree maps onto your career plans) and outlining research interests.
Review the writing your personal statement resources for helpful tips and tricks on completing this form
Transcript(s)
Writing sample
Students must submit a copy of previous academic work, such as copies of preprints, reprints, or master's thesis, or other evidence of written scholarly work.
References
Three academic references are required
Proof of English language proficiency, if applicable.
TOEFL 100 (writing 26, speaking 26), IELTS 7.5 (writing 7.0, speaking 7.0)