Earth Sciences

Faculty Affiliation

Arts and Science

Degree Programs

Earth Sciences

MASc, MSc, and PhD

Collaborative Specializations

The following collaborative specialization is available to students in participating degree programs as listed below:

• Environmental Studies
  • Earth Sciences, MASc, MSc, PhD

Overview

The Department of Earth Sciences at the University of Toronto has a venerable 165-year tradition of research and education in the geosciences. Rankings place U of T at the very top in the geosciences in Canada and among the very best institutions globally. The Department of Earth Sciences is internationally regarded for research in fundamental geoscience, having given rise to major advances in ore deposits geology, geophysics, Precambrian geology, marine geology, Quaternary geology, and sedimentary basin analysis.

Current education in Earth Sciences at the University of Toronto continues the tradition of excellence. Students have access to a wide range of state-of-the-art laboratories and expert knowledge fostering cutting-edge research in almost all areas of Earth Sciences.

Contact and Address

Web: www.es.utoronto.ca
Email: grad@es.utoronto.ca
Telephone: (416) 978-1240
Fax: (416) 978-3938

Department of Earth Sciences
University of Toronto
Earth Sciences Centre
Room 1066, 22 Ursula Franklin Street
Toronto, Ontario M5S 3B1
Canada

Master of Applied Science

Program Description

Students perform a two-year, focused research project 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.

Minimum Admission Requirements

• Applicants are admitted under the General Regulations of the School 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

• Coursework. Normally, complete 2.0 full-course equivalents (FCEs) as follows:
  • ESS1101H Seminars in Earth Sciences (0.5 FCE);
  • one of the six breadth courses (0.5 FCE): ESS1425H, ESS2222H, ESS2302H, ESS2303H, ESS2304H, or ESS2704H; and
  • 1.0 FCE of elective courses.
• A research thesis.

Program Length

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

Time Limit

3 years full-time

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.

Doctor of Philosophy

Program Description

PhD students carry out a program of original research and perform a thesis defence. 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.

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 bachelor’s 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 Earth Sciences' additional admission requirements stated below.
• An appropriate, research-oriented MSc degree or its equivalent from a recognized university.
• High academic standing equivalent to a University of Toronto B+ or higher (equivalent to a 3.3 on a 4-point scale) in previous degrees.
• 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

• Preparation of a research thesis constituting a significant contribution to the research area.
• Coursework. Students are required to complete 1.0 full-course equivalent (FCE) as follows:
  • one of the six breadth courses (0.5 FCE): ESS1425H, ESS2222H, ESS2302H, ESS2303H, ESS2304H, or ESS2704H; and
  • an additional 0.5 elective FCE. The additional 0.5 FCE may be taken in departments other than Earth Sciences with the approval of the student's advisory committee.
• A reduction in the number of required courses may be granted for students who have previously undertaken graduate studies in the appropriate areas. Recommendations must be made by a student's advisory committee for consideration and approval by the department's Graduate Affairs Committee.
• In all cases, the student's supervisory committee reserves the right to assign additional courses if they feel that the student is deficient in a subject area essential to the research.

Program Length

4 years

Time Limit

6 years

PhD Program (Transfer)

Transfer Requirements

• A four-year BSc or BASc degree, or its equivalent, from a recognized university. High academic standing during undergraduate study equivalent to an A– or higher (equivalent to a 3.7 on a 4-point scale) at the University of Toronto, normally demonstrated by the average grade in the final two years.
• Students are normally expected to complete the MSc degree before proceeding to the PhD, but exceptions may be made when the student has the appropriate research experience. Normal departmental rules for the completion of the PhD apply (see the departmental website). Students who transfer from the MSc to the PhD will not receive the MSc degree.

Program Requirements

• Preparation of a research thesis constituting a significant contribution to the research area.
• Coursework. Students are required to complete a total of 1.5 full-course equivalents (FCEs) as follows:
  • ESS1101H Seminars in Earth Sciences (0.5 FCE);
  • one of the six breadth courses (0.5 FCE): ESS1425H, ESS2222H, ESS2302H, ESS2303H, ESS2304H, or ESS2704H; and
  • an additional 0.5 elective FCE. The additional 0.5 FCE may be taken in departments other than Earth Sciences with the approval of the student's advisory committee.
• A reduction in the number of required courses may be granted for students who have previously undertaken graduate studies in the appropriate areas. Recommendations must be made by a student's advisory committee for consideration and approval by the department's Graduate Affairs Committee.

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 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 an A– or higher (equivalent to a 3.7 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

• Preparation of a research thesis constituting a significant contribution to the research area.
• Coursework. Students are required to complete a total of 1.5 full-course equivalents (FCEs) as follows:
  • ESS1101H Seminars in Earth Sciences (0.5 FCE);
  • one of the six breadth courses (0.5 FCE): ESS1425H, ESS2222H, ESS2302H, ESS2303H, ESS2304H, or ESS2704H; and
  • an additional 0.5 elective FCE. The additional 0.5 FCE may be taken in departments other than Earth Sciences with the approval of the student's advisory committee.
• A reduction in the number of required courses may be granted for students who have previously undertaken graduate studies in the appropriate areas. Recommendations must be made by a student's advisory committee for consideration and approval by the department's Graduate Affairs Committee.
• In all cases, the student's supervisory committee reserves the right to assign additional courses if they feel that the student is deficient in a subject area essential to the research.

Program Length

5 years

Time Limit

7 years

Check with the department for the current year's offerings.

Additional courses related to geophysics can be found in the SGS Calendar entry for the Department of Physics.

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