Forestry

Forestry: Introduction

Faculty Affiliation

Architecture, Landscape, and Design

Degree Programs

Forest Conservation

MFC

Forestry

MScF and PhD

Collaborative Specializations

The following collaborative specializations are available to students in participating degree programs as listed below:

Overview

The Graduate Department of Forestry is a unified group of interdisciplinary, diverse, dedicated, and innovative natural, engineering, and social scientists. Research areas include forest conservation science, forest ecosystem management, forest governance and policy, urban forestry, and biomass utilization for sustainable bio-based materials and chemical products.

The Graduate Department of Forestry provides unique, integrative, and applied education to future leaders in these fields. Its research drives the practices and decisions of current leaders who are tasked with successfully managing the competing demands placed on Ontario’s, Canada’s, and the world’s forests in the context of social and environmental change.

Contact and Address

Web: academic.daniels.utoronto.ca/forestry
Forest Conservation (MFC): graduate@daniels.utoronto.ca
Forestry (MScF, PhD): research@daniels.utoronto.ca
Telephone: (416) 946-3897

Graduate Department of Forestry
John H. Daniels Faculty of Architecture, Landscape, and Design
University of Toronto
1 Spadina Crescent
Toronto, Ontario M5S 2J5
Canada

Forestry: Graduate Faculty

Full Members

Carleton, Terence - BSc, MSc, PhD
Caspersen, John - BA, PhD (Research Programs Coordinator)
Du, Juan - BDesign, MArch, PhD (Dean)
James, Patrick - PhD
Kant, Shashi - BE, MA, PhD
Krigstin, Sally - MSc, PhD
Sain, Mohini - PhD
Smith, C. Tattersall - BA, MS, PhD
Smith, Sandy - BAgrSc, MSc, PhD
Thomas, Sean - BA, PhD (Associate Dean, Research)
Wotton, Mike - BSc, PhD
Yan, Ning - BSc, PhD, PEng
Yousefpour, Rasoul - BSc, MSc, PhD

Members Emeriti

Aird, Paul - BSc, MS, PhD
Blake, Terence - DipFor, BScF, STB, MF, PhD
Bryan, Rorke - BA, PhD
Hubbes, Martin - PhD
Kenney, Andrew - BSc, MSc, PhD
Malcolm, Jay - BSc, MSc, PhD
Martell, David - BASc, MASc, PhD
Nautiyal, Jagdish - BSc, MF, PhD
Timmer, Victor - BScF, MScF, PhD

Associate Members

Allison, Jeremy D. - PhD
Bardekjian, Adrina Caroline - BA, MFC, PhD
Bourchier, Robert - BA, MSc, PhD
Couto, Laercio - PhD
Davy, Christina - BSc, MSc, PhD
Duchesne, Isabelle - BSc, PhD
Faruk, Abu Omar - PhD
Flannigan, Mike - BSc, MS, PhD
Gaudon, Justin Michael - BES, PhD
Johnston, Joshua M. - BA, PhD
Jones, Trevor A - BSc, MSc, PhD
Koven, Anne - PhD
Kuhlberg, Mark - MA, PhD
Kuttner, Benjamin - PhD, PhD
Laaksonen-Craig, Susanna - MSc, PhD
MacQuarrie, Chris J.K. - BSc, MSc, PhD
Mayor, Stephen - BSc, MSc, PhD
McKenney, Daniel - BSc, MSc, PhD
Moola, Faisal - BSc, MSc, PhD
Nanang, David - BSc, MScF, PhD
Nelson, Elizabeth - PhD
Ngan, Amory - AB, MFC
Nol, Erica - BS, MSc, PhD
Pinto, Fred - BScF, MScF
Puric-Mladenovic, Danijela - PhD
Ray, Justina - BS, MS, PhD
Sastry, Cherla - BSc, MSc, PhD
Smith, Peggy - BSc, PhD
Stocks, Brian - BScF, MScF
Thiffault, Nelson - BS, PhD
Timms, Laura - BSc, MScF, PhD
Tjong, Jimi - BASc, MASc, PhD
Vanderwel, Mark C. - BSc, MScF, PhD
Wang, Sen - BA, MSc, PhD
Wang, Xianli - BSc, MSc, PhD
Wilson, Edward - BScF, BScF, BMedSc
Woolford, Douglas - BSc, MMath, PhD
Wyatt, Stephen - BScF, MSc, PhD

Forestry: Forest Conservation MFC

Master of Forest Conservation

Program Description

The professionally oriented Master of Forest Conservation (MFC) is an intensive 16-month course-based program with a strong focus on field and laboratory practical training, Canadian and international field courses, practical internships, and individual and group research. It provides a strong, coherent professional education in forest conservation to students from diverse educational backgrounds. The MFC is accredited by the Canadian Forestry Accreditation Board. Graduates are eligible to begin the process of licensure to become a Professional Forester.

The MFC program can be taken on a full-time, extended full-time, or part-time basis.

 

Full-Time Option

Minimum Admission Requirements

  • Applicants are admitted under the General Regulations of the School of Graduate Studies. Applicants must also satisfy the Graduate Department of Forestry's additional admission requirements stated below.

  • An appropriate bachelor's degree from a recognized university with an average in each of the final two years of at least mid-B. The MFC program is intended for students with a strong undergraduate background in ecology, environmental sciences, forestry, natural sciences, biology, physical geography, geology, agricultural science, or relevant social sciences. Students from other disciplines will be considered by the department.

  • Additional documentation must be submitted to the department with the completed application form, including transcripts, three references, a letter of interest in the MFC program, and a resumé. See the full instructions and forms.

Program Requirements

  • The program starts in September and requires full-time intensive involvement throughout.

  • Successful completion of 7.5 full-course equivalents (FCEs) as follows:

    • 6.0 required FCEs in FOR courses.

    • 1.5 elective FCEs.

      • Elective course selection will include the successful completion of one field course (0.5 FCE) from either FOR3011H, FOR1585H, or, in unusual circumstances, another related field course appropriate to the program and approved by the program director.

  • Expected chronology:

    • Year 1: Fall

      • FOR3000H Current Issues in Forest Conservation

      • FOR3001H Biodiversity of Forest Organisms

      • FOR3002H Applied Forest Ecology and Silviculture

      • FOR3003H Economics of Forest Ecosystems

      • FOR3012H Analytical Methods in Forestry

    • Year 1: Spring

      • FOR3004H Forest Management Decision Support Systems

      • FOR3005H Stresses in the Forest Environment

      • FOR3009H Forest Conservation Biology

      • FOR3010H Society and Forest Conservation

    • Year 1: Summer

      • FOR3007H+ Internship in Forest Conservation (Credit/No Credit)

      • FOR3011H International Forest Conservation Field Camp (Credit/No Credit) or FOR1585H Urban Forest Conservation Field Camp (Credit/No Credit) or, in unusual circumstances, alternate eligible field course (0.5 elective FCE)

    • Year 2: Fall

      • FOR3006H Case Study Analysis in Forest Management

      • FOR3008H Capstone Project in Forest Conservation

  • Students may take the remaining 1.0 elective FCE in any session of their program for a total program requirement of 7.5 FCEs.

Program Length

4 sessions (typical registration sequence: F/W/S/F)

Time Limit

3 years

 

Extended Full-Time Option

Minimum Admission Requirements

  • Applicants are admitted under the General Regulations of the School of Graduate Studies. Applicants must also satisfy the Graduate Department of Forestry's additional admission requirements stated below.

  • An appropriate bachelor's degree from a recognized university with an average in each of the final two years of at least mid-B. The MFC program is intended for students with a strong undergraduate background in ecology, environmental sciences, forestry, natural sciences, biology, physical geography, geology, agricultural science, or relevant social sciences. Students from other disciplines will be considered by the department.

  • Additional documentation must be submitted to the department with the completed application form, including transcripts, three references, a letter of interest in the MFC program, and a resumé. See the full instructions and forms.

Program Requirements

  • Full-time students can elect an extended full-time (EFT) option. Under this option, students are allowed an extra year to complete their studies while paying the same academic fees as regular full-time students. Students would, however, pay full-time incidental fees for each year of registration. EFT option students must complete FOR3000H, FOR3001H, and FOR3012H in their first session. The remaining MFC course requirements can be completed in any order except that FOR3007H must be taken in the final Summer session and FOR3008H must be taken in the final Fall session.

  • Successful completion of 7.5 full-course equivalents (FCEs) as follows:

    • 6.0 required FCEs in FOR courses

      • FOR3000H Current Issues in Forest Conservation

      • FOR3001H Biodiversity of Forest Organisms

      • FOR3002H Applied Forest Ecology and Silviculture

      • FOR3003H Economics of Forest Ecosystems

      • FOR3004H Forest Management Decision Support Systems

      • FOR3005H Stresses in the Forest Environment

      • FOR3006H Case Study Analysis in Forest Management

      • FOR3007H+ Internship in Forest Conservation (Credit/No Credit)

      • FOR3008H Capstone Project in Forest Conservation

      • FOR3009H Forest Conservation Biology

      • FOR3010H Society and Forest Conservation

      • FOR3012H Analytical Methods in Forestry

    • 1.5 elective FCEs:

      • Elective course selection will include the successful completion of one field course (0.5 FCE) from either FOR3011H International Forest Conservation Field Camp (Credit/No Credit) or FOR1585H Urban Forest Conservation Field Camp (Credit/No Credit) or, in unusual circumstances, another related field course appropriate to the program and approved by the graduate coordinator.

      • Students may take the remaining 1.0 elective FCE in any session of their program.

Program Length

7 sessions (typical registration sequence: F/W/S/F/W/S/F);

Time Limit

3 years

 

Part-Time Option

Minimum Admission Requirements

  • Applicants are admitted under the General Regulations of the School of Graduate Studies. Applicants must also satisfy the Graduate Department of Forestry's additional admission requirements stated below.

  • An appropriate bachelor's degree from a recognized university with an average in each of the final two years of at least mid-B. The MFC program is intended for students with a strong undergraduate background in ecology, environmental sciences, forestry, natural sciences, biology, physical geography, geology, agricultural science, or relevant social sciences. Students from other disciplines will be considered by the department.

  • Additional documentation must be submitted to the department with the completed application form, including transcripts, three references, a letter of interest in the MFC program, and a resumé. See the full instructions and forms.

Program Requirements

  • Part-time students must register for FOR3001H Biodiversity of Forest Organisms and FOR3012H Analytical Methods in Forestry in the Fall session of Year 1. They must complete a minimum of 3.0 full-course equivalents (FCEs) of core courses prior to registering for FOR3011H International Forest Conservation Field Camp (Credit/No Credit). The remaining MFC course requirements can be completed in any order except that FOR3007H must be taken in the final Summer session and FOR3008H must be taken in the final Fall session.

  • Successful completion of 7.5 full-course equivalents (FCEs) as follows:

    • 6.0 FCEs in FOR courses:

      • FOR3000H Current Issues in Forest Conservation

      • FOR3001H Biodiversity of Forest Organisms

      • FOR3002H Applied Forest Ecology and Silviculture

      • FOR3003H Economics of Forest Ecosystems

      • FOR3004H Forest Management Decision Support Systems

      • FOR3005H Stresses in the Forest Environment

      • FOR3006H Case Study Analysis in Forest Management

      • FOR3007H+ Internship in Forest Conservation (Credit/No Credit)

      • FOR3008H Capstone Project in Forest Conservation

      • FOR3009H Forest Conservation Biology

      • FOR3010H Society and Forest Conservation

      • FOR3012H Analytical Methods in Forestry

    • 1.5 elective FCEs:

      • Elective course selection will include the successful completion of one field course (0.5 FCE) from either FOR3011H International Forest Conservation Field Camp (Credit/No Credit) or FOR1585H Urban Forest Conservation Field Camp (Credit/No Credit) or, in unusual circumstances, another related field course appropriate to the program and approved by the graduate coordinator.

      • Students may take the remaining 1.0 elective FCE in any session of their program.

Program Length

12 sessions

Time Limit

6 years

Forestry: Forestry MScF

Master of Science in Forestry

Program Description

The Master of Science in Forestry (MScF) is a research- and thesis-based program in areas relevant to faculty expertise and funding. These include forest conservation biology and wildlife ecology, forest biosphere science, invasive species and threats to forest health, environmental sustainability of managed forests, fire and ecosystem management, forest conservation planning, sustainable development and economics, political ecology and governance of forests, social and cultural ecology of forest ecosystems, urban forestry, and forest biomaterials science and engineering.

The department considers applicants from a variety of undergraduate backgrounds including forestry; applied science and engineering; and social, physical, and biological sciences.

Minimum Admission Requirements

  • Applicants are admitted under the General Regulations of the School of Graduate Studies. Applicants must also satisfy the Graduate Department of Forestry's additional admission requirements stated below.

  • An appropriate bachelor's degree from a recognized university, with a final-year average of at least mid-B. A minimum of B+ is required for the collaborative specialization.

  • Additional documentation must be submitted to the department with a completed application form, including transcripts, three references, a letter of intent, a resumé, and a writing sample. See the full instructions and forms.

Program Requirements

  • Minimal requirements for this degree are:

    • 1.0 full-course equivalent (FCE) as follows:

      • FOR1001H Graduate Seminar (0.5 FCE) plus

      • 0.5 FCE elective.

      • Depending on the student's background, additional or alternative coursework may be required.

    • The preparation of a research thesis of acceptable quality and its oral defence.

Program Length

6 sessions full-time (typical registration sequence: F/W/S/F/W/S)

Time Limit

3 years full-time

Forestry: Forestry PhD

Doctor of Philosophy

Program Description

The PhD is a research- and thesis-based program in areas relevant to faculty expertise and funding. These include forest conservation biology and wildlife ecology, forest biosphere science, invasive species and threats to forest health, environmental sustainability of managed forests, fire and ecosystem management, forest conservation planning, sustainable development and economics, political ecology and governance of forests, social and cultural ecology of forest ecosystems, urban forestry, and forest biomaterials science and engineering.

The department considers applicants from a variety of backgrounds including forestry; applied science and engineering; and social, physical, and biological sciences.

Applicants may enter the PhD program via one of three routes: 1) following completion of an appropriate master’s degree; 2) transfer from the University of Toronto MScF program; or 3) direct entry following completion of an appropriate bachelor’s degree.

 

PhD Program

Minimum Admission Requirements

  • Applicants are admitted under the General Regulations of the School of Graduate Studies. Applicants must also satisfy the Graduate Department of Forestry's additional admission requirements stated below.

  • Applicants may be admitted to the four-year PhD program via completion of an appropriate master's degree from a recognized university with at least an A- standing, in a discipline appropriate to the intended field of doctoral study and research.

  • Applicants must submit additional documentation to the department with completed application form, including transcripts, three references, a letter of intent, a resumé, and a writing sample. See the full instructions and forms.

Program Requirements

  • Successful completion of 2.0 full-course equivalents (FCEs) as follows:

    • A minimum of three elective half courses (1.5 FCEs) must be taken. Depending on the student's background and academic goals, additional or alternative coursework may be required by the student's supervisory committee, including courses outside the Graduate Department of Forestry.

    • FOR1001H Graduate Seminar (0.5 FCE).

  • Successful completion of a qualifying appraisal examination. The examination will be oral and will ordinarily be taken prior to the completion of 24 months in the program. There are three possible outcomes: pass, decision deferred pending supplementary undertakings, or unsatisfactory. If there is more than one negative vote, the outcome will be judged unsatisfactory. Students are permitted one further attempt.

  • Preparation and defence of a thesis that is an original and independent research work adding significantly to the existing body of knowledge.

Program Length

4 years

Time Limit

6 years

 

PhD Program (Transfer)

Transfer Requirements

  • Under certain specific conditions, outstanding registered MScF students may be considered by the end of Year 1 in the MScF program for transfer to the PhD program.

Program Requirements

  • Successful completion of 2.0 full-course equivalents (FCEs) as follows:

    • A minimum of three elective half courses (1.5 FCEs) must be taken. To meet this requirement, students can use courses completed towards meeting MScF program requirements. Depending on the student's background and academic goals, additional or alternative coursework may be required by the student's supervisory committee, including courses outside the Graduate Department of Forestry.

    • FOR1001H Graduate Seminar (0.5 FCE). Students require credit for FOR1001H only once.

  • Successful completion of a qualifying appraisal examination. The examination will be oral and will ordinarily be taken prior to the completion of 24 months in the program. There are three possible outcomes: pass, decision deferred pending supplementary undertakings, or unsatisfactory. If there is more than one negative vote, the outcome will be judged unsatisfactory. Students are permitted one further attempt.

  • Preparation and defence of a thesis that is an original and independent research work adding significantly to the existing body of knowledge.

Program Length

5 years

Time Limit

7 years

 

PhD Program (Direct-Entry)

Minimum Admission Requirements

  • Applicants are admitted under the General Regulations of the School of Graduate Studies. Applicants must also satisfy the Graduate Department of Forestry's additional admission requirements stated below.

  • In exceptional circumstances, an extraordinarily strong applicant with an appropriate bachelor's degree from a recognized university may be admitted to the PhD program via direct entry.

  • Applicants must submit additional documentation to the department with completed application form, including transcripts, three references, a letter of intent, a resumé, and a writing sample. See the full instructions and forms.

Program Requirements

  • Successful completion of 2.0 full-course equivalents (FCEs) as follows:

    • A minimum of three elective half courses (1.5 FCEs) must be taken. Depending on the student's background and academic goals, additional or alternative coursework may be required by the student's supervisory committee, including courses outside the Graduate Department of Forestry.

    • FOR1001H Graduate Seminar (0.5 FCE).

  • Successful completion of a qualifying appraisal examination. The examination will be oral and will ordinarily be taken prior to the completion of 24 months in the program. There are three possible outcomes: pass, decision deferred pending supplementary undertakings, or unsatisfactory. If there is more than one negative vote, the outcome will be judged unsatisfactory. Students are permitted one further attempt.

  • Preparation and defence of a thesis that is an original and independent research work adding significantly to the existing body of knowledge.

Program Length

5 years

Time Limit

7 years

Forestry: Forestry MFC, MScF, PhD Courses

The Graduate Department of Forestry offers the following courses. Students should consult the departmental website each session to confirm availability. A maximum of one directed studies course taken with a student's supervisor can be credited towards meeting departmental degree program requirements.

Course Code Course Title
FOR1001H0
Graduate Seminar (Credit/No Credit)
FOR1270H
Forest Biomaterial Sciences: Fundamentals, Applications, and the Next Frontier
FOR1288H
Design and Manufacturing of Biomaterials
FOR1294H
Bioenergy and Biorefinery Technology
FOR1412H
Natural Resource Management I (Directed Studies Course)
FOR1413H
Natural Resource Management II (Directed Studies Course)
FOR1416H
Forest Fire Danger Rating
FOR1575H
Urban Forest Conservation
FOR1585H
Urban Forest Conservation Field Camp (Credit/No Credit; exclusion: FOR418H)
FOR1610H
Sustainable Forest Management and Certification (exclusion: JFG1610H)
FOR1900H
Advanced Topics in Forestry I (Directed Studies Course)
FOR1901H
Advanced Topics in Forestry II (Directed Studies Course)
FOR3000H
Current Issues in Forest Conservation
FOR3001H
Biodiversity of Forest Organisms
FOR3002H
Applied Forest Ecology and Silviculture
FOR3003H
Economics of Forest Ecosystems
FOR3004H
Forest Management Decision Support Systems
FOR3005H
Stresses in the Forest Environment
FOR3006H
Case Study Analysis in Forest Management
FOR3007H+
Internship in Forest Conservation (Credit/ No Credit)
FOR3008H
Capstone Project in Forest Conservation
FOR3009H
Forest Conservation Biology
FOR3010H
Society and Forest Conservation
FOR3011H
International Forest Conservation Field Camp (Credit/No Credit)
FOR3012H
Analytical Methods in Forestry
FOR3013H Urban and Community Forestry: Leadership and Professional Practice
FOR3014H Working with Wood

0 Course that may continue over a program. The course is graded when completed.

+ Extended course. For academic reasons, coursework is extended into session following academic session in which course is offered.