Overview

The Combined Degree Program (CDP): UTM, Honours Bachelor of Science, Major in Biology for Health Sciences / Master of Teaching (MT) is designed for students interested in studying the intersections of biology and education. Students may apply studies in these areas towards professional training leading to teacher certification.

Applicants to the MT program must have strong content knowledge in two teaching subjects taught in Ontario schools regardless of the division they are applying to (see the admission requirements below for details).

Students earn a bachelor’s degree from the University of Toronto Mississauga (UTM) and an accredited professional Master of Teaching degree at the Ontario Institute for Studies in Education (OISE). They will be recommended to the Ontario College of Teachers for an Ontario Teacher’s Certificate of Qualifications as elementary or secondary school teachers. Distinct advantages include:

• early application to the MT program (in Year 3) and conditional admission to the MT program;

• eligibility for certification as a teacher in Ontario; and

• eligibility to apply for doctoral study.

For a general description of CDPs, see General Regulations section 1.4.3.

Contact

Honours Bachelor of Science Program, Major in Biology for Health Sciences
Department of Biology, University of Toronto Mississauga
Diane Matias, Undergraduate Advisor
Web: www.utm.utoronto.ca/biology
Email: d.matias@utoronto.ca

Master of Teaching Program
Department of Curriculum, Teaching and Learning, Ontario Institute for Studies in Education
Web: www.oise.utoronto.ca/ctl/teacher-education
Email: mtinfo@utoronto.ca

• Applicants must apply to the Honours Bachelor of Science (HBSc) program, the MT program, and the CDP.

• Qualified students in Year 3 of their HBSc degree program apply to the MT program; those accepted will receive a conditional offer to start the MT program upon completion of their HBSc program and degree requirements.

Minimum Admission Requirements

To be considered for conditional admission to the MT program and the CDP, applicants must meet the following admission requirements:

• Be admitted to the HBSc degree program and the Biology for Health Sciences major program.
• Meet the admission requirements of the School of Graduate Studies and the MT program.
• Be enrolled full-time and in good standing in the HBSc program:
  • Have a B+ average (cumulative grade point average [CGPA] of 3.3) or higher in Year 2.
  • Carry a full course load of 5.0 full-course equivalents (FCEs) each year (i.e., complete a minimum of 5.0 FCEs over the three academic sessions [Fall, Winter, Summer]).
• Have completed at least half of the teaching subjects' prerequisite courses — i.e., 3.0 FCEs in the first teaching subject and 1.5 FCEs in the second teaching subject (or 3.0 FCEs if the second teaching subject is French or a science) by the end of Year 3.
• Provide at least two letters of reference.
• Submit an application to the specific division(s) of interest (i.e., Primary/Junior, Junior/Intermediate, or Intermediate/Senior). Applicants are required to respond to three questions in which they describe significant teaching and/or teaching-related experiences that they have had, especially with groups of learners. With reference to these experiences, applicants should identify insights gained about teaching and learning, and explain how, based on these insights, they might contribute to the education of students in today's schools. In their resumé, applicants are requested to list, in chart form, the extent of their teaching experiences.
• Meet other qualifications as specified by the MT program (a police record check, relevant teaching experiences, academic and professional references, and satisfying teaching subject prerequisites).

To be given full, unconditional admission to the MT program, applicants must meet the following admission requirements:

• Maintain a B+ average (CGPA of 3.3) or higher in their final year of study in the HBSc program or over upper-level (C- and D-level) courses.
• Achieve at least a B+ average in the 1.0 graduate FCE taken in Year 4.
• Regardless of the division to which they are applying (i.e., Primary/Junior, Junior/Intermediate, or Intermediate/Senior), complete the prerequisites for both the first and second teaching subjects as follows:
  • Complete the major in Biology for Health Sciences, which fulfils the 6.0 FCEs required for Science-Biology as a first teaching subject.
  • Complete a second teaching subject consisting of 3.0 FCEs. However, if students are pursuing French or a science as their second teaching subject, 6.0 FCEs are required.
    • Students should consult often with their HBSc academic program supervisor to ensure they fulfil all the requirements of the CDP.
• Be conferred with the HBSc degree.

Academic Path to Completion

Every CDP involves a specific combination of approved degree programs. The CDP requirements build on those of the two separate degree programs. Each CDP has a unique pattern of academic activity year by year.