Interested in research at the intersection of machine learning, trustworthy AI, and scientific discovery? Start here. This page separates Dalhousie admission requirements from the additional expectations for joining DAMLR.
PhD
I am currently considering PhD applicants for one defined research direction: physics-informed neural networks for climate and ocean applications, connected to the Transforming Climate Action (TCA) program.
International MCSc
The lab does not currently offer funding to international MCSc students. Applicants should plan to cover tuition and living costs through a self-funded arrangement.
Availability can change as grants and projects change. The statement above—not an older email, posting, or cached page—is the current lab position.
Before you apply
Dalhousie and DAMLR make different decisions. Dalhousie determines whether you are admissible to the degree; the lab determines whether there is a strong research match and capacity for supervision.
Meet the minimum academic bar
Dalhousie’s Faculty of Graduate Studies currently lists a minimum 3.0 (B) average in the last 60 credit hours for master’s and PhD admission. A master’s applicant normally needs a four-year bachelor’s degree; a PhD applicant normally needs a thesis-based master’s degree or equivalent.
Check official admission requirements ↗A published paper is required
I do not recruit research graduate students who have no prior publication. You must have at least one peer-reviewed paper that is already published.
Work that is submitted, under review, in preparation, or posted only as a course project does not satisfy this requirement.
Research evidence matters more than GPA
Once the admission minimum is met, a higher GPA is not a major factor in my selection. I focus on the quality of your published work, your contribution to it, technical depth, writing, independence, and fit with the available project.
Show a specific research match
Read the lab’s recent work before contacting me. A useful inquiry explains the question you want to study, the relevant methods you already know, and how your published work prepares you for the proposed direction.
Explore current research ↗Meeting Dalhousie’s minimum GPA does not guarantee admission or supervision. Conversely, applicants do not need a near-perfect GPA to be considered by the lab. The minimum is a threshold; demonstrated research ability is the differentiator.
Current PhD direction
Physics-informed neural networks for climate and ocean systems
This project will investigate how physical knowledge can be incorporated into neural models for complex climate and ocean processes. The goal is to build learning systems that respect scientific structure while using observations and simulations effectively.
- Physics-informed and physics-guided learning
- Scientific constraints and model reliability
- Climate and ocean data integration
- Evaluation under sparse or imperfect observations
The broader Transforming Climate Action program, led by Dalhousie’s Ocean Frontier Institute with partner universities, brings together ocean observation, climate modelling, data, and community knowledge. Its AI theme explores how artificial intelligence and diverse ocean data can strengthen climate modelling and decision-making.
How to express interest
- 1Check the non-negotiables
Confirm that you meet Dalhousie’s degree and GPA minimums, have a published peer-reviewed paper, and can follow the funding arrangement stated above.
- 2Study the research fit
Read the relevant DAMLR projects and, for the PhD opening, learn about TCA. Generic messages sent to many supervisors are not useful.
- 3Send one concise email
Include your CV, transcript, a link or DOI for your published paper, and a short explanation of your contribution to that paper and your fit with the project. For the PhD opening, use the subject line PhD inquiry — PINN/TCA — Your Name.
- 4Complete the official application
If there is a potential supervisory match, apply through Dalhousie. The formal application requires its own documents and is assessed by the Faculty of Computer Science and the Faculty of Graduate Studies.
Graduate application deadlines
These are the Faculty of Computer Science deadlines currently published for MCSc and PhD applications. Always confirm the date on the official application procedure page before applying.
May PhD admission is by special arrangement. Funding competitions can close earlier than program admission, and Dalhousie recommends applying early for funding consideration. Consult the current Computer Science funding page rather than relying on dates copied elsewhere.
A final checklist
Before emailing, make sure the answer to every item is yes:
- I meet Dalhousie’s current minimum admission requirements.
- I have at least one peer-reviewed paper that is already published—not merely submitted or under review.
- I can clearly describe my own contribution to that paper.
- My interests match the currently available degree and direction.
- If I am an international MCSc applicant, I am prepared for a self-funded arrangement.
- I have attached the requested evidence and written a specific, concise message.
Questions about application status, document processing, or formal eligibility should go to Dalhousie Computer Science graduate admissions. Research-fit inquiries that satisfy the checklist may be sent through the lab contact page.