Please note that we are not accepting applications for this program until further notice

Please note: Students in the M.Env.Sci. program require a faculty supervisor, who will direct the student’s ENVS 6009 research project.

Students should either (1) confirm supervision with a supervisor before submitting their application, or (2) complete this form identifying their area of interest within Environmental Science, and five potential supervisors to whom they would like their application sent.

M.Env.Sci. applicants must have a faculty supervisor confirmed before an acceptance offer can be made.

MEnvSci program applicants are admitted only for a fall semester start. All students complete the following three courses:

ENVS 6000 - Environmental Science and Technology
ENVS 6009 - Environmental Science Project Report
ENVS 6010 - Environmental Science Seminar

Two additional courses, intended to broaden the student's perspective on environmental issues, will be selected from the following three courses:

ENVS 6001 - Earth and Ocean Systems
ENVS 6002 - Environmental Chemistry and Toxicology
ENVS 6003 - Applied Ecology

All students following the course-based program (MEnvSci) may apply for one of two options to complete the degree: Option A - courses only; Option B - courses and a work term. 

Option A

Students will also be required to take a minimum of three elective courses (nine credit hours) approved by the Board of Studies, two of which will normally be selected from graduate courses offered by the Faculty of Science and the Faculty of Engineering and Applied Science. Students are advised to consult with instructors and Faculties regarding necessary prerequisites and availability.

Option B

Only after a student has been accepted and has already started their MEnvSci program, can they apply for a work-term (Option B). Admission into Option B is limited, competitive and selective. Admission into the course-based MEnvSci program is not a guarantee of acceptance into the work-term (Option B). Students may be requested to participate in an interview as part of the selection process. For current students, the application deadline for admission to Option B is October 15th.

Students will be required to take a minimum of 6 credit hours in elective courses approved by the Board of Studies, normally selected from graduate courses offered by the Faculty of Science and Faculty of Engineering and Applied Science. In addition, students will be required to complete the 3 credit hours course Environmental Science 601W (work term).

Environmental Science 601W is a work term of one semester duration. The work term is a full-time period of employment, normally paid and normally in the spring semester. Students are ultimately responsible for securing work term placements. Academic Staff Members in Co-operative Education, in consultation with the Program Chair and the student’s Supervisor, provide support for the job search and inform students of potential opportunities. Work terms must be approved by the Academic Staff Members in Co-operative Education before the start of the term.

Work term evaluations consist of two components:
i. On-the-job Student Performance: job performance shall be assessed by the Academic Staff Members in Co-operative Education using information gathered during the work term and input from the employer toward the end of the work term. Evaluation of the job performance will result in one of the following classifications: PASS WITH DISTINCTION, PASS, or FAIL.
ii. Assignment(s): students are required to submit one or more assignments to the Academic Staff Members in Co-operative Education as outlined in the course syllabus. Evaluation of the assignment(s) will result in one of the following classifications: PASS WITH DISTINCTION, PASS, or FAIL. Overall evaluation of the work term will result in one of the following final grades being awarded:

PASS WITH DISTINCTION indicates the student received a grade of pass with distinction on both the on-the-job performance and the assignment(s).

PASS indicates the student received a grade of PASS on both the on-the-job performance and the assignment(s) or a grade of PASS on one component and PASS WITH DISTINCTION on the other component.

FAIL indicates the student receive a grade of FAIL on either one or both of the on-the-job performance and assignment(s).

Further information is available in our ENVS Handbook.

Although it is possible to complete this program in 1 calendar year, experience suggests that many students will take about 1.5 years to complete it. Keep in mind that this is an intellectually demanding interdisciplinary graduate program with a heavy workload.