Master of Environment and Sustainability

Program Description

The Master of Environment and Sustainability (MES) is a full-time, one-year program designed for students seeking the transdisciplinary research skills needed to understand and develop solutions to the many environmental and human well-being challenges and opportunities facing us in the 21st century. The transdisciplinary perspective means research 1) that is problem focussed, rather than discipline-focussed, starting from problems in the world and working back to the knowledge required to address those problems; and 2) involves active engagement with non-academic partners in active processes of co-production of knowledge.

The program builds on the strengths of the School of Environment’s undergraduate programs and its two interdisciplinary graduate collaborative specializations in Environmental Studies and Environment and Health. Upon graduation, MES students will have acquired a transdisciplinary perspective on environmental issues, learned to use methodologies and tools relevant to environmental protection and sustainability solutions, and will be well prepared for a variety of careers in the private and public sectors or for further studies at the doctoral level.

Minimum Admission Requirements

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

• An appropriate honours bachelor's degree (HBSc or HBA) that includes at least a minor in environment, sustainability, or a closely related field from a recognized university with a minimum standing equivalent to at least a University of Toronto B+ in each of the final two years of study.

• Applicants should have completed a combination of major(s) and minor(s) spanning more than one discipline or have equivalent interdisciplinary experience.

• A letter of intent.

• Two letters of reference.

Program Requirements

• Coursework. Students must successfully complete a total of 4.0 full-course equivalents (FCEs) as follows. Students will undertake research leading to the preparation of a thesis.

  • 1.5 FCEs in core courses:

    • ENV1103H Living Labs for Applied Sustainability

    • ENV1197H Research in Environment and Sustainability, Part 1

    • ENV1198H Research in Environment and Sustainability, Part 2

  • 1.0 FCE thesis: ENV1199Y (Credit/No Credit)

  • 1.5 FCEs in electives chosen from the list below, from one of four concentrations.

Program Length

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

Time Limit

3 years full-time