Start Date:
September 2025
Administrative Unit:
Department of Agricultural
Economics and Extension
Email: daee@sta.uwi.edu
Phone: 1(868) 662 2002 ext. 82094
Programme Overview
This is an advanced, interdisciplinary research programme that examines the complex relationships between people and their natural, built, and social environments, with a strong emphasis on sustainability and Caribbean development. Grounded in the integration of ecological, cultural, social, and economic perspectives, the programme supports in-depth exploration of issues such as environmental health, climate change adaptation, food and water security, sustainable livelihoods, and community resilience. Students are expected to conduct original, policy-relevant research that contributes to both academic knowledge and practical solutions for pressing regional and global challenges.
Programme Breakdown
Candidates are normally expected to complete the following courses:
AGRI 6620 Statistics
AGBU 6301 Research Methodology
GRSM 8001 Graduate Research Seminar I
GRSM 8002 Graduate Research Seminar II
GRSM 8003 Graduate Research Seminar III
PLUS a minimum of 3 courses relevant to the student’s area of specialization from the following list:
HUEC 5000 Advanced Foodservice Systems Management
HUEC 5020 Advanced Clinical Nutrition
HUEC 5040 Advanced Community Nutrition
AGBU 6103 Principles of Rural Sociology
AGBU 6002 International Trade and Marketing
AGBU 6201 Agricultural Marketing
AGBU 6202 Agribusiness Management
FOSQ 6001 Agri- food Safety
HUEC 7001 Epidemiology for Human Ecology
HUEC 7003 Advanced Nutrition in Health and Disease I
HUEC 7004 Public Health Nutrition
HUEC 7002 Nutrition Epidemiology
HUEC 7005 Selected Topics in Human Ecology
Thesis
The candidate must complete the PhD thesis (HUEC 8000) of the Faculty of Food and Agriculture and successfully defend his/her thesis at a public oral examination.
Entry Requirements
For direct admission to the PhD programme, candidates should have successfully completed the MPhil Degree in Human Sciences, Family and Consumer Sciences or Human Nutrition and Dietetics, OR an MSc degree in Human Ecology Family and Consumer Sciences or Human Nutrition and Dietetics or a related discipline from an approved university and which should have included the writing of a substantial thesis, or an MSc degree with distinction in a relevant discipline.
All other candidates with degrees in Human Ecology, Family and Consumer Sciences or Human Nutrition and Dietetics will be required to register for the MPhil degree in Human Ecology and seek an upgrade to the PhD degree in accordance with University Regulations.
NOTE:
Applicants who do not qualify for entry as specified in above may be required to do a qualifying year consisting of supplementary courses in the area of specialization to a minimum of 18 credits.