Master of Science

Program Description

Students conduct research in a broad range of topics in the earth sciences. Students may also undertake studies in interdisciplinary areas by arrangement with other departments such as Chemistry, Civil Engineering, Ecology and Evolutionary Biology, Materials Science and Engineering, Physics, and the School of the Environment.

There are two streams: a) the Doctoral-Stream (also known as Research-Based) Master’s, which involves a one-year research project that culminates in a research report (shorter than a formal thesis) and a presentation; and b) the All-Course Master’s Program.

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

Minimum Admission Requirements

• Applicants are admitted under the General Regulations of the School of Graduate Studies. Applicants must also satisfy the Department of Earth Sciences' additional admission requirements stated below.
• A four-year BSc or BASc degree, or its equivalent, from a recognized university.
• High academic standing, equivalent to a B or higher (equivalent to a 3.0 on a 4-point scale) at the University of Toronto, normally demonstrated by the average grade in the final two years.
• The department has no formal foreign language requirements. Students proceeding by thesis to any degree are expected to become familiar with the literature of their subjects, in whatever language it is written.

Program Requirements

All-Course Option

• Students are normally required to complete 5.0 full-course equivalents (FCEs) as follows:
  • ESS1101H Seminars in Earth Sciences (0.5 FCE);
  • ESS3608H All-Course Research Project (0.5 FCE);
  • one of the six breadth courses (0.5 FCE): ESS1425H, ESS2222H, ESS2302H, ESS2303H, ESS2304H, or ESS2704H; and
  • 3.5 FCEs of elective courses.
• To encourage breadth, the department will permit students to substitute electives with equivalent non-earth science courses.

Doctoral-Stream Option

• Students are normally required to complete 3.5 FCEs as follows:
  • ESS1101H Seminars in Earth Sciences (0.5 FCE);
  • ESS3603Y⁰ Research Project (1.0 FCE);
  • ESS3601Y⁰ Research Presentation (1.0 FCE);
  • one of the six breadth courses (0.5 FCE): ESS1425H, ESS2222H, ESS2302H, ESS2303H, ESS2304H, or ESS2704H; and
  • 0.5 FCE of elective courses.
• To encourage breadth, the department will permit students to substitute electives with equivalent non-earth science courses.

Program Length

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

Time Limit

3 years full-time;
6 years part-time

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