Environmental Studies

Environmental Studies: Introduction

Lead Faculty of the Collaborative Specialization

Arts and Science

Participating Degree Programs

Adult Education and Community Development — MA, MEd, PhD
Anthropology — MA, MSc, PhD
Architecture, Landscape, and Design — PhD
Chemical Engineering and Applied Chemistry — MASc, MEng, PhD
Chemistry — MSc, PhD
Civil Engineering — MASc, MEng, MEngCEM, PhD
Computer Science — MSc, PhD
Earth Sciences — MASc, MSc, PhD
English — MA, PhD
Ecology and Evolutionary Biology — PhD
Environmental Science — MEnvSc, PhD
Forest Conservation — MFC
Forestry — MScF, PhD
Geography — MA, MSc, PhD
Global Affairs — MGA
Information — MI, PhD
Landscape Architecture — MLA
Management — MBA, PhD
Music — MA, PhD
Physics — MSc, PhD
Planning — MScPl, PhD
Political Science — MA, PhD
Public Policy — MPP
Religion — MA, PhD
Social Justice Education — MA, MEd, EdD, PhD
Sociology — MA, PhD
Sustainability Management — MScSM
Women and Gender Studies — MA, PhD

Overview

The School of the Environment’s Collaborative Specialization in Environmental Studies (CSES) provides graduate students from across all three University of Toronto campuses the opportunity to expand the focus of their research and study to reflect an interdisciplinary approach to thinking about the environment. Students admitted to a graduate degree program in a participating degree-granting unit (listed above), also called the "home department" or "home unit," can apply to the CSES and pursue coursework and research on topics related to the environment. The CSES is intended to provide a unique opportunity for interdisciplinary dialogue and learning about complex environmental challenges. These challenges demand a serious commitment to enhancing awareness and imagining possibilities that can serve to construct more sustainable and just futures.

The main objectives of the CSES are to:

  • Introduce students to the world of graduate‐level interdisciplinary research in environmental studies;
  • Enhance student learning in the home unit, by providing opportunities to interact with students and faculty from other units who are also interested in environment;
  • Develop students’ communication skills on environmental issues across disciplinary boundaries.

The introductory nature of some of these learning outcomes is often surpassed. Students admitted to a graduate degree program in a participating degree-granting unit (listed above) can apply to the CSES and pursue coursework and research on topics related to the environment. The purpose is to complement the discipline-based learning and research focus of their home units by providing students an interdisciplinary forum to examine, discuss, and address environmental issues.

Learning takes place in both the formal courses offered by the School of the Environment (or electives in other units) and through informal interactions and engagements with other students and faculty at seminars and School events, such as the annual Research Day event where doctoral students present their dissertation work. With participating students from almost 30 disciplines, the core course, ENV1001H Environmental Decision Making, gives students a unique opportunity to engage with faculty and peers coming from a range of academic backgrounds and perspectives.

Upon successful completion of the degree requirements of the participating home graduate unit and the CSES, students will receive the notation “Completed Collaborative Specialization in Environmental Studies” on their transcript.

Contact and Address

Web: environment.utoronto.ca/graduate
Email: grad.director.env@utoronto.ca or grad.office.env@utoronto.ca
Telephone: (416) 978-5174

Collaborative Specialization in Environmental Studies
School of the Environment, Earth Sciences Centre
University of Toronto
Room 1016V, 33 Willcocks Street
Toronto, Ontario M5S 3E8
Canada

Environmental Studies: Master's Level

Minimum Admission Requirements

  • Students who wish to enrol in the Collaborative Specialization in Environmental Studies (CSES) offered by the School of the Environment must first apply to and be accepted into a master's program in a degree-granting unit, also called a home department or home unit. Information about applying to a master's program can be found on the School of Graduate Studies website as well as on the respective websites of participating degree-granting units.

  • Prospective students who are planning to enrol in the CSES are strongly encouraged to submit the collaborative specialization enrolment form (PDF) after receiving their letter of acceptance or at the start of their program of study. Students are able to join the CSES beyond the start of their degree, provided they are able to complete the CSES requirements by the time they are ready to graduate from their degree program.

Completion Requirements

  • The requirements listed below must be completed in combination with that expected for the master's degree program of the home department. These are normally counted as electives toward the degree program requirements of the student's home department. Typically, students complete a minimum of 1.0 full-course equivalent (FCE) and conduct research on an environmental topic. Note that specific requirements for participating programs can vary. The CSES requirements for each participating degree program are listed below as well as on the School of the Environment website under the Collaborative Specialization in Environmental Studies.

  • Master's students who are enrolled in a coursework-based degree must complete 30% of their program requirements within their collaborative specialization as specified below.

Master's Degree Thesis or Major Research Paper Option

Master of Applied Science in Chemical Engineering and Applied Chemistry;
Master of Applied Science in Civil and Mineral Engineering;
Master of Applied Science in Earth Sciences;
Master of Arts in Adult Education and Community Development;
Master of Arts in Anthropology;
Master of Arts in Geography;
Master of Arts in Political Science;
Master of Arts in Religion;
Master of Arts in Social Justice Education;
Master of Arts in Sociology (Research Paper Option);
Master of Arts in Women and Gender Studies;
Master of Education in Social Justice Education (Major Research Paper Option);
Master of Information (Thesis Option);
Master of Science in Anthropology;
Master of Science in Chemistry;
Master of Science in Computer Science;
Master of Science in Earth Sciences (Doctoral Stream);
Master of Science in Geography;
Master of Science in Physics

  • ENV1001H Environmental Decision Making.

  • 0.5 elective FCE from the School of the Environment's list of approved courses. Courses (including special topics) that have an environment focus but are not included in the School's approved list can be counted as an elective, pending approval from the Graduate Associate Director.

    • Anthropology MA and MSc students are strongly encouraged to complete a cross-listed elective course such as ANT4051H or ANT6066H.

    • Chemical Engineering MASc students are strongly encouraged to complete a cross-listed elective course such as CHE1435H or JNC2503H.

    • Chemistry MSc students are strongly encouraged to complete a cross-listed elective course such as CHM1401H, CHM1404H, CHM1410H, CHM1415H, CHM1420H, or CHM1425H.

    • Computer Science MSc students can complete one of the following courses as their CSES elective, which will also count towards their degree program: CSC2537H, CSC2552H, CSC2615H, or CSC2720H.

    • Earth Sciences MASc and MSc (doctoral-stream) students are strongly encouraged to complete a cross-listed elective course such as ESS2303H or ESS2304H.

    • Geography MA and MSc students are strongly encouraged to complete a cross-listed elective course such as GGR1216H, GGR1407H, GGR1408H, GGR1411H, JGE1425H, JPG1428H, JPG1429H, JPG1518H, or JPG1814H.

    • Political Science MA students are strongly encouraged to complete a cross-listed elective course such as POL2213H.

    • Sociology MA students are required to obtain permission from the Department of Sociology's Graduate Coordinator in order to enrol in outside electives. Students may request environment-related electives that are not from the School's list of approved courses to count towards their CSES by seeking approval from the School of the Environment's Graduate Associate Director.

    • Women and Gender Studies MA students are strongly encouraged to complete a cross-listed elective course such as WGS1016H.

  • Write a thesis or major research paper in the home department on an environment-related topic. A copy of the final thesis or research paper must be submitted to the School of the Environment prior to graduation.

Master of Arts in Music, Field in Ethnomusicology

  • ENV1001H Environmental Decision Making.

  • 0.5 elective FCE from the School of the Environment's list of approved electives below.

  • MUS1002H Fieldwork Methods and Practicum, provided the practicum includes an environmental component. A completion letter must be submitted to the School of the Environment prior to convocation. Alternatively, students can a complete 0.5 FCE through either an additional approved elective, an individual reading and research course, or ENV5555Y Research Paper.

  • Courses (including special topics) that have an environment focus but are not included in the School's approved list can be counted as an elective, pending approval from the Graduate Associate Director.

Master of Arts in Music, Field in Music Education

  • ENV1001H Environmental Decision Making.

  • 0.5 elective FCE from the School of the Environment's list of approved electives below. Courses (including special topics) that have an environment focus but are not included in the School's approved list can be counted as an elective, pending approval from the Graduate Associate Director.

  • For students who complete MUS2990Y MA Major Essay, the paper should include an environmental component. A final copy of the paper must be submitted to the School prior to convocation.

Master of Science in Forestry

  • ENV1001H Environmental Decision Making.

  • FOR1001H Graduate Seminar, will count as the 0.5 FCE elective requirement towards the collaborative specialization.

  • Thesis on an environmental topic. A copy of the final thesis must be submitted to the School of the Environment prior to convocation.

Master's Degree Coursework Option

Master of Arts in English;
Master of Arts in Sociology (Coursework Option);
Master of Education in Adult Education and Community Development;
Master of Education in Social Justice Education (Coursework Option);
Master of Engineering in Chemical Engineering and Applied Chemistry;
Master of Engineering in Civil and Mineral Engineering;
Master of Science in Earth Sciences (All-Course Option)

  • ENV1001H Environmental Decision Making.

  • 0.5 elective FCE from the School of the Environment's list of approved electives below.

    • Sociology MA students are required to obtain permission from the Department of Sociology's Graduate Coordinator in order to enrol in outside electives. Students may request environment-related electives that are not from the School's list of approved courses to count towards their CSES by seeking approval from the School's Graduate Associate Director.

  • ENV4444H Internship. A letter confirming the completion of the internship must be submitted to the School of the Environment prior to convocation.

  • ENV5555Y Research Paper. A copy of the final research paper must be submitted to the School of the Environment prior to convocation. Note: students with a research project/paper course component in their degree program may count this course towards the collaborative specialization in place of ENV5555Y, provided the project/paper they complete has an environmental component or theme.

Master of Arts in Music, Field in Musicology

  • ENV1001H Environmental Decision Making.

  • 0.5 elective FCE from the School of the Environment's list of approved electives below.

  • Additional 0.5 FCE completed through either an additional approved elective, an individual reading and research course, ENV4444H Internship, or ENV5555Y Research Paper.

  • Courses (including special topics) that have an environment focus but are not included in the School's approved list can be counted as an elective, pending approval from the Graduate Associate Director.

Master of Arts in Music, Field in Music Theory

  • ENV1001H Environmental Decision Making.

  • 0.5 elective FCE from the School of the Environment's list of approved electives below.

  • Additional 0.5 FCE completed through either an additional approved elective, an individual reading and research course, ENV4444H Internship, or ENV5555Y Research Paper.

  • Courses (including special topics) that have an environment focus but are not included in the School's approved list can be counted as an elective, pending approval from the Graduate Associate Director.

Master of Business Administration

  • ENV1001H Environmental Decision Making.

  • 1.0 elective FCE from the School of the Environment's list of approved electives below. Courses (including special topics) that have an environment focus but are not included in the School's approved list can be counted as an elective, pending approval from the Graduate Associate Director.

  • 0.5 FCE practicum within the Management program (for example, RSM27XXH). The practicum must include an environment-related component. A letter confirming the completion of the internship must be submitted to the School of the Environment prior to convocation.

  • ENV5555Y Research Paper. A copy of the final research paper must be submitted to the School prior to convocation.

Master of Engineering in Cities Engineering and Management

  • ENV1001H Environmental Decision Making.

  • 0.5 elective FCE from the Department of Civil and Mineral Engineering's infrastructure engineering elective list, provided there is an environmental component to the course.

  • 1.0 FCE practicum to be completed with the Department of Civil and Mineral Engineering, provided there is an environmental component.

Master of Environmental Science

  • ENV1001H Environmental Decision Making.

  • 0.5 elective FCE from the School of the Environment's list of approved electives below. Courses (including special topics) that have an environment focus but are not included in the School's approved list can be counted as an elective, pending approval from the Graduate Associate Director.

  • Either EES1116Y Internship or EES1101Y Research Paper in Environmental Science, provided there is an environmental component. Students completing a research paper must submit a final copy to the School prior to graduation. Students completing a placement must submit a letter of completion to the School prior to convocation.

Master of Forest Conservation

  • ENV1001H Environmental Decision Making.

  • 0.5 elective FCE from the School of the Environment's list of approved electives below. Courses (including special topics) that have an environment focus but are not included in the School's approved list can be counted as an elective, pending approval from the Graduate Associate Director.

  • FOR3007H Internship in Forest Conservation, provided there is an environmental component. A letter confirming the completion of the internship must be submitted to the School prior to convocation.

  • FOR3008H Case Study Capstone in Forest Conservation, provided there is an environmental component. A copy of the final research paper must be submitted to the School of the Environment prior to convocation.

Master of Global Affairs

  • ENV1001H Environmental Decision Making.

  • 0.5 elective FCE from the School of the Environment's list of approved electives below. Courses (including special topics) that have an environment focus but are not included in the School's approved list can be counted as an elective, pending approval from the Graduate Associate Director.

  • GLA1007H Global Internship, which satisfied the internship requirement provided there is an environmental component. A letter confirming the completion of the internship must be submitted to the School of the Environment prior to convocation.

  • Either GLA2095H MGA Reading Course or GLA2888H MGA Research Paper, which satisfies the research paper requirement provided there is an environmental component. A copy of the final research paper must be submitted to the School of the Environment prior to convocation.

  • GLA2000H, which counts towards the collaborative specialization requirements.

Master of Information (Coursework Option)

  • ENV1001H Environmental Decision Making.

  • 0.5 elective FCE from the School of the Environment's list of approved electives below. Courses (including special topics) that have an environment focus but are not included in the School's approved list can be counted as an elective, pending approval from the Graduate Associate Director.

  • INF2173H Information Professional Practicum, which satisfies the internship requirement provided there is an environment related component. A letter confirming the completion of the internship must be submitted to the School of the Environment prior to convocation.

  • ENV5555Y Research Paper. A copy of the final research paper must be submitted to the School of the Environment prior to convocation. Note: students with a research paper course component in their degree program may count this course towards the collaborative specialization in place of ENV5555Y, provided the project/paper they complete has an environmental component or theme.

Master of Landscape Architecture and Design

3-Year Option

  • ENV1001H Environmental Decision Making.

  • 0.5 elective FCE from the School of the Environment's list of approved electives below. Courses (including special topics) that have an environment focus but are not included in the School's approved list can be counted as an elective, pending approval from the Graduate Associate Director.

  • Up to 4.0 FCEs from the following courses may count towards the remaining CSES requirements: LAN1011Y, LAN1021Y, LAN2013Y, LAN1037H, LAN1038H, LAN1041H, LAN1043H, LAN1047H, LAN1048H, LAN2045H, LAN2046H, LAN2047H, LAN2048H, LAN3016Y, and LAN3017Y, provided there is an environmental component. Students completing the research paper must submit a final copy to the School of the Environment prior to convocation.

2-Year Option

  • ENV1001H Environmental Decision Making.

  • 0.5 elective FCE from the School of the Environment's list of approved electives below. Courses (including special topics) that have an environment focus but are not included in the School's approved list can be counted as an elective, pending approval from the Graduate Associate Director.

  • Up to 2.0 FCEs from the following courses may count towards the remaining CSES requirements: LAN2013Y, LAN2045H, LAN2046H, LAN2047H, LAN2048H, LAN3016Y, and LAN3017Y, provided there is an environmental component. Students completing the research paper must submit a final copy to the School of the Environment prior to convocation.

Master of Public Policy

  • ENV1001H Environmental Decision Making.

  • 0.5 elective FCE from the School of the Environment's list of approved electives below. Courses (including special topics) that have an environment focus but are not included in the School's approved list can be counted as an elective, pending approval from the Graduate Associate Director.

  • GLA2029H The Sustainability Imperative: Implications for Global Affairs and Public Policy.

  • PPG2006Y MPP Internship, provided there is an environmental component. A copy of the internship completion letter and the final paper must be submitted to the School of the Environment prior to convocation.

Master of Science in Planning

  • ENV1001H Environmental Decision Making.

  • 0.5 elective FCE from the School of the Environment's list of approved electives below. Courses (including special topics) that have an environment focus but are not included in the School's approved list can be counted as an elective, pending approval from the Graduate Associate Director.

  • PLA4444H Internship, which satisfies the internship requirement, provided there is an environmental component. A copy of the internship completion letter must be submitted to the School of the Environment prior to convocation.

  • PLA1107Y Current Issues Paper, which satisfies the research paper requirement, provided there is an environmental component. A copy of the final research paper must be submitted to the School of the Environment prior to convocation.

Master of Science in Sustainability Management

  • ENV1001H Environmental Decision Making.

  • 0.5 elective FCE from the School of the Environment's list of approved electives below. Courses (including special topics) that have an environment focus but are not included in the School's approved list can be counted as an elective, pending approval from the Graduate Associate Director.

  • SSM1110H Sustainability Management Internship, which satisfies the internship requirement, provided there is an environmental component. A copy of the internship completion letter must be submitted to the School of the Environment prior to convocation.

  • Either SSM1100Y Research Paper or SSM1101Y Research Paper II, which satisfies the research paper requirement, provided there is an environmental component. A copy of the final research paper must be submitted to the School of the Environment prior to convocation.

 

Environmental Studies: Doctoral Level

Minimum Admission Requirements

  • Students who wish to enrol in the CSES offered by the School of the Environment must first apply to and be accepted into a doctoral program in a degree-granting unit, also called a home department or home unit. Information about applying to a home graduate unit can be found on the School of Graduate Studies website as well as on the respective websites of participating degree-granting units.

  • Prospective students are strongly encouraged to submit the Collaborative Specialization enrolment form (PDF) after receiving their letter of acceptance or at the start of their program of study. Students are able to join the CSES beyond the start of their degree, provided they are able to complete the CSES requirements by the time they are ready to graduate from their degree program.

Completion Requirements

  • The requirements listed below must be completed in combination with the PhD degree program requirements of the student's home department. These are normally counted as electives toward the degree program requirements of the student's respective home department. Typically, students complete up to 1.0 full-course equivalent (FCE) and conduct research on an environmental topic. Note that specific requirements for participating degree programs can vary. Therefore, students are encouraged to check the calendar entries for their respective home department programs. Specific requirements for each participating degree program are listed on the School of the Environment's website under the Collaborative Specialization in Environmental Studies.

  • Complete the mandatory core course ENV1001H Environmental Decision Making, unless already completed at the master's level. If this is the case, an alternative elective course is required.

  • Complete one elective course (0.5 FCE) from the School's list of approved courses. Courses (including special topics) that have an environment focus but are not included in the School's approved list can be counted as an elective, pending approval from the Graduate Associate Director.

    • Computer Science PhD students can complete one of the following courses as their elective, which will also count towards their degree program: CSC2537H, CSC2552H, CSC2615H, or CSC2720H.

    • Earth Sciences PhD students are strongly encouraged to complete a cross-listed elective course such as ESS2303H or ESS2304H.

    • Geography PhD students are strongly encouraged to complete a cross-listed elective course such as GGR1216H, GGR1407H, GGR1408H, GGR1411H, JGE1425H, JPG1428H, JPG1429H, JPG1518H, or JPG1814H.

    • Sociology PhD students are required to obtain permission from the Department of Sociology Graduate Coordinator in order to take outside electives. Students may request environment-related electives that are not on the official Environmental Studies elective list to count towards their collaborative specialization by seeking approval from the School of the Environment's Graduate Associate Director.

  • Give an oral presentation of their doctoral research as part of the School's Research Day, which is held once per year in the spring. For the latter, the oral presentation may or may not be done in conjunction with a summary poster, depending on the decided format of the School's Research Day in any given year.

  • Complete a thesis on an environmental topic in the home department. Normally, the thesis committee will include a supervisor from the student's home department who holds a graduate faculty membership (GFM) in the School of the Environment. If the student's primary thesis supervisor does not hold a GFM in the School of the Environment, the School's Director will either initiate the process of assigning a GFM to the primary supervisor, or review the composition of the thesis committee to ensure it has appropriate expertise. A copy of the final thesis must be submitted to the School of the Environment prior to graduation.

  • Additional courses may be required by the home department and/or by the supervisor or supervisory committee, depending on academic and/or career goals of the student, as well as graduate unit regulations.

 

Environmental Studies: Courses

The School of the Environment offers individual credit courses that are open to graduate students from all parts of the University, subject to enrolment limits. Except for the core course, ENV1001H, not all courses are offered every year.

Graduate students enrolled in the CSES may also request to count non-listed electives towards their collaborative specialization pending approval from the School’s Graduate Associate Director. (Non-listed electives are those not on 1) the pre-approved list of School of the Environment courses or 2) those that are formally cross-listed with other graduate units.) For a current graduate course listing, please refer to the School of the Environment's website.

Core Course

ENV1001H

Elective Courses

ENV1002H, ENV1003H, ENV1005H, ENV1007H, ENV1008H, ENV1063H, ENV1103H, ENV1201H, ENV1202H, ENV1444H, ENV1701H, ENV1703H, ENV1704H, ENV1707H, ENV2000H, ENV2000Y, ENV2002H, ENV4444H, ENV4444Y, ENV5555Y

Other Elective Courses

Adult Education and Community Development (Department of Leadership, Higher and Adult Education)

LHA1193H

Anthropology

ANT4051H, ANT6066H

Chemical Engineering and Applied Chemistry

CHE1435H, JNC2503H

Chemistry

CHM1401H, CHM1404H, CHM1410H, CHM1415H, CHM1420H, CHM1425H

Civil Engineering

APS1410H

Computer Science

CSC2537H, CSC2552H, CSC2615H, CSC2720H

Earth Sciences

ESS2303H, ESS2304H

Ecology and Evolutionary Biology

EEB1250H, EEB1420H, EEB1450H

English

ENG5580H

Forestry

FOR1270H, FOR1294H, FOR1416H, FOR1575H, FOR1610H, FOR3013H

Geography and Planning

GGR1216H, GGR1407H, GGR1408H, GGR1411H, JGE1425H, JPG1428H, JPG1429H, JPG1518H, JPG1814H, PLA1601H

Global Affairs

JSE1708H

Information

INF2235H

Landscape Architecture

LAN1037H, LAN1041H, LAN2045H, LAN2047H, LAN3045H

Mechanical and Industrial Engineering

MIE1120H

Music

MUS1135H, MUS1169H, MUS1272H

Physics

PHY1498H, PHY2502H, PHY2504H, PHY2505H, PHY2506H

Political Science

POL2213H

Religion

RLG2005H

Social Justice Education

SJE1909H, SJE1919H

Sustainability Management

SSM2020H

Women and Gender Studies

WGS1016H