Ecology and Evolutionary Biology

​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​Faculty Affiliation

Arts and Science

Degree Programs​

Ecology and Evolutionary Biology

MSc
PhD

Collaborative Specializations

The following collaborative specializations are available to students in participating degree prog​rams as listed below:

1. Environmental Studies
   • Ecology and Evolutionary Biology, PhD
2. Genome Biology and Bioinformatics
   • Ecology and Evolutionary Biology, PhD
3. Human Development​ (admissions have been suspended)​
   • Ecology and Evolutionary Biology, PhD

Overview

The disciplines of ecology and evolutionary biology involve complementary perspectives on biological systems. Individual and collaborative research within the department covers the range of both disciplines and often involves study and synthesis across multiple levels of organization. Professors' research interests include anatomy, physiology, behaviour, behaviour genetics, bioinformatics, population/community, ecosystem/landscape/evolutionary ecology, conservation biology, developmental biology, genetics, genomics, molecular evolution, plant biology, animal biology, taxonomy/systematics, and theoretical biology.

Strong links exist between the Department of Ecology and Evolutionary Biology (EEB) and the Royal Ontario Museum, the Centre for Global Change, and the School of the Environment. The University owns a nearby field station dedicated to ecological and evolutionary research (the Koffler Scientific Reserve). The department also has a partnership with the Ontario Ministry of Natural Resources and Forestry that helps provide access to infrastructure, including lab facilities in Algonquin Provincial Park, funding, and long-term data sets.

Graduate students are engaged in all aspects of the community including reading and discussion groups, seminars, and social events. Other activities include workshops on writing papers, giving presentations, R and Python, and finding positions—both academic and those outside of universities, etc. 

The EEB department has 60 faculty members specializing in ecology and evolution. Professors supervising graduate students are located on all three campuses of the University (St. George, Mississauga, Scarborough) as well as at the Royal Ontario Museum. 

Contact and Address

Web: www.eeb.utoronto.ca
Email: gradadmin.eeb@utoronto.ca
Telephone: (416) 978-7172
Fax: (416) 978-5878

Department of Ecology and Evolutionary Biology
University of Toronto
Earth Sciences Centre
Room 3046, 25 Willcocks Street
Toronto, Ontario M5S 3B2
Canada

Master of Science​

Program Description

The main goal of the MSc program is to provide students with the opportunity to design, conduct, and write a substantial independent research project. Students’ projects cover the full range of topics listed in the Overview (above) and may include field work, lab work, bioinformatics, theory, etc. MSc students must demonstrate competence in independent research and will do research with the goal of authoring or co-authoring a scientific publication. Graduates go on to a wide range of careers in government agencies, teaching, and higher education.

Minimum Admission Requirements

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

• An appropriate bachelor's degree from a recognized university, with an average grade equivalent to a University of Toronto B+ or better in the last year of the bachelor's degree and a minimum B average in the previous year.

• Applicants will not be admitted until they have secured an agreement with a graduate faculty member to sponsor and supervise the student's research.

Program Requirements

• Coursework. Students must complete 0.5 graduate full-course equivalent (FCE) chosen from courses offered by the EEB department or, with the permission of the supervisor(s) and supervisory committee, offered by other U of T departments. Students should consult supervisory faculty about the most appropriate courses.

• Students must complete a thesis under the direction of the student's supervisor, assisted by an advisory committee, and defended at a departmental oral examination.

Program Length

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

Time Limit

3 years full-time

​Doctor of Philosophy​

Program Description

The main goal of the PhD program is to provide students with the opportunity to design, conduct, and write a series of substantial, inter-related, independent research projects. Students’ projects cover the full range of topics listed in the Overview (above) and may include field work, lab work, bioinformatics, theory, etc. or some combination of these approaches.

• PhD students are expected to complete an original independent research program that makes substantial and innovative contributions to their field of research. It is expected that PhD candidates will publish a number of primary scientific papers based on their research.

• A thesis is completed under the direction of the student's supervisor(s), assisted by a supervisory (advisory) committee, and defended at an oral examination.

• The average time to completion is 5.5 years. 

Applicants may enter the PhD program via one of three routes: 1) following completion of an MSc degree; 2) transfer from the University of Toronto MSc program; or 3) direct entry following completion of a BSc degree.

PhD Program

Minimum Admission Requirements

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

• Students will be admitted only when they have made arrangements to secure a research supervisor by contacting professors in the department.

• Applicants may be accepted who already hold an MSc degree from a recognized university with a grade average equivalent to at least a University of Toronto A- during the MSc and an average of at least B+ in the last year of the bachelor's program.

Program Requirements

• Coursework. Students must complete 1.5 graduate full-course equivalents (FCEs) (three half courses). These courses are chosen from those offered by the EEB department, or with the permission of the supervisor(s) and supervisory committee, offered by other U of T departments.

• During an appraisal exam, students are examined on both their mastery of concepts in ecology and evolutionary biology and a submitted research proposal. Students are examined 14 to 20 months into the program.

• Students must deliver two public seminars in the department based on their thesis research.

• Students must submit a thesis and defend it at a Doctoral Final Oral Examination conducted by the School of Graduate Studies.

Program Length

4 years

Time Limit

6 years

PhD Program (Transfer)

Transfer Requirements

• Applicants may be accepted first into the MSc program from a bachelor's program and, conditional upon evidence of research excellence as judged by the thesis supervisory committee, may transfer into the PhD program.

• Students must make arrangements to secure a research supervisor by contacting professors in the department.

Program Requirements

• Coursework. Students must complete 2.0 graduate full-course equivalents (FCEs) (four half courses). These courses are chosen from those offered by the EEB department or, with the permission of the supervisor(s) and supervisory committee, offered by other U of T departments.

• Students transferring into the PhD program from the MSc may apply 0.5 graduate FCE towards the PhD course requirement.

• During an appraisal exam, students are examined on both their mastery of concepts in ecology and evolutionary biology and a submitted research proposal. Students are examined 14 to 26 months into the program. 

• Students must deliver two public seminars in the department based on their thesis research.

• Students must submit a thesis and defend it at a Doctoral Final Oral Examination conducted by the School of Graduate Studies.

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 Department of Ecology and Evolutionary Biology's additional admission requirements stated below.

• Students will be admitted only when they have made arrangements to secure a research supervisor by contacting professors in the department.

• Exceptional applicants may be accepted for direct entry into the PhD with a BSc degree, an average grade equivalent to a University of Toronto A- or better in courses in ecology and evolutionary biology, and evidence of research potential.

Program Requirements

• Coursework. Exceptional students admitted to the PhD program without an MSc degree must complete 2.0 graduate full-course equivalents (FCEs) (four half courses). These courses are chosen from those offered by the EEB department, or with the permission of the supervisor(s) and supervisory committee, offered by other U of T departments. 

• During an appraisal exam, students are examined on both their mastery of concepts in ecology and evolutionary biology and a submitted research proposal. Students are examined 14 to 26 months into the program. 

• Students must deliver two public seminars in the department based on their thesis research.

• Students must submit a thesis and defend it at a Doctoral Final Oral Examination conducted by the School of Graduate Studies.

Program Length

5 years

Time Limit

7 years

Not all courses are offered every year. Please visit the Ecology and Evolutionary Biology website for a current list of course offerings.

Courses Offered at the Graduate Level Only

Graduate Courses With Significant Undergraduate Content

These courses will normally constitute only a minor component of the required credits.