Earth Sciences

Program Overview

The Department of Earth Sciences accepts students for advanced degrees—Master of Applied Science (MASc), Master of Science (MSc), and Doctor of Philosophy (PhD)—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 Civil Engineering, Ecology and Evolutionary Biology, School of the Environment, Physics, Chemistry, and Materials Science and Engineering.

In recent years, research by staff and graduate students has been carried out in all parts of North America and other parts of the world, both on land and at sea. In addition to field-based studies, the department has a wide range of modern laboratories; advanced studies are encouraged in a broad spectrum of geological problems. Further details of research emphases, facilities, detailed degree requirements, and graduate courses are available on the departmental website.

Quick Facts

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