The Combined Degree Programs for UTSC Honours Bachelor of Science (HBSc) with the Master of Environmental Science (MEnvSc) offered by the Graduate Department of Physical and Environmental Sciences allow exceptional students who are registered in one of the Specialist/Specialist Co-op programs identified below to apply during Year 3 of their studies, and be considered, for admission to the MEnvSc program. They are designed for students interested in pursuing a career in environmental sciences within the green-sector, geosciences, industry, consulting, government and policy organizations. These Combined Degree Programs give students the opportunity to: (1) begin exploring their academic interests in Year 4 of their studies; (2) complete 1.0 credit in courses that may be counted towards both degrees; and (3) enrol in the MEnvSc in the Summer session between Years 4 and 5 in order to complete either a two-month academic or internship opportunity, in addition to the mandatory four-month academic or internship opportunity completed in the MEnvSc program alone.
Contact Information:
Combined Degree Programs Coordinator
Email: cdp.utsc@utoronto.ca
The Combined Degree Programs options are:
Department of Biological Sciences
- Conservation and Biodiversity (Specialist), Honours Bachelor of Science/ Master of Environmental Science
- Integrative Biology (Specialist), Honours Bachelor of Science/ Master of Environmental Science
Department of Physical and Environmental Sciences
- Global Environmental Change (Specialist), Honours Bachelor of Science/ Master of Environmental Science
- Global Environmental Change (Specialist Co-op), Honours Bachelor of Science/ Master of Environmental Science
- Environmental Chemistry (Specialist), Honours Bachelor of Science/ Master of Environmental Science
- Environmental Chemistry (Specialist Co-op), Honours Bachelor of Science/ Master of Environmental Science
- Environmental Geoscience (Specialist), Honours Bachelor of Science/ Master of Environmental Science
- Environmental Geoscience (Specialist Co-op), Honours Bachelor of Science/ Master of Environmental Science
- Environmental Physics (Specialist), Honours Bachelor of Science/ Master of Environmental Science
- Environmental Physics (Specialist Co-op), Honours Bachelor of Science/ Master of Environmental Science
Application Process:
- Applicants must apply to the Honours Bachelor of Science (HBSc) program, the MEnvSc program, and the CDP.
- Qualified students in Year 3 of their HBSc degree program apply to the MEnvSc program and their chosen CPD through the SGS Online Admission Application system:
- students will select one of the three fields of study within the MEnvSc program at the time of application:
- Climate Change Impacts and Adaptation
- Conservation and Biodiversity, or
- Terrestrial and Aquatic Systems
- those accepted will receive a conditional offer to start the MEnvSc program upon completion of their HBSc program and degree requirements.
- students will select one of the three fields of study within the MEnvSc program at the time of application:
Minimum Admission Requirements:
To be considered for conditional admission to the MEnvSc program and the selected CDP, applicants must meet the following admission requirements:
- Be admitted to the HBSc degree and one of the above listed undergraduate programs at UTSC.
- Meet the minimum admission requirements of the School of Graduate Studies and the MEnvSc program.
- Be enrolled full-time and in good standing in the HBSc program:
- have a B+ average (CGPA of 3.3) or higher in Year 2;
- carry a full course load of 5.0 credits each year (i.e., complete 5.0 credits over the three academic sessions - Fall, Winter, Summer); where necessary, exceptions will be made for students in Co-op programs.
- Complete the following undergraduate courses as part of the HBSc degree requirements:
- Students in the Specialist in Conservation and Biodiversity or the Specialist in Integrative Biology:
- BIOC63H3 Conservation Biology (0.5 credit)
- BIOD54H3 Applied Conservation Biology (0.5 credit)
- Students in the Specialist/Specialist Co-op programs in Global Environmental Change, Environmental Chemistry, Environmental Geoscience, or Environmental Physics:
- EESC24H3 Advanced Readings in Environmental Science (0.5 credit)
- EESD10Y3 Research Project in Environmental Science (1.0 credit)
- Students in the Specialist in Conservation and Biodiversity or the Specialist in Integrative Biology:
To be given full, unconditional admission to the MEnvSc program, applicants must meet the following admission requirements:
- Maintain a B+ average (CGPA of 3.3) or higher in their final year of study in the HBSc program or over upper-level (C- and D-level) courses.
- Achieve at least a grade of B- (70%) in both of the graduate courses taken in Year 4 of undergraduate study; these courses must be chosen in consultation with the Graduate Program Supervisor:
- for the field in Climate Change Impacts and Adaptation: EES 1133H Climate Change Science and Modelling (0.5 credit), plus an additional 0.5 credit;
- for the field in Conservation and Biodiversity: EES 3002H Conservation Policy (0.5 credit), plus an additional 0.5 credit;
- for the field in Terrestrial and Aquatic Systems: 1.0 credit.
- Be conferred with the HBSc degree.
Program Requirements and Path to Completion:
- Year 4: HBSc degree requirements
- students must complete all HBSc program requirements and degree requirements;
- students are expected to carry a full course load of 5.0 credits over the three academic sessions (Fall, Winter, Summer) of each year; where necessary, exceptions will be made for students in Co-op programs;
- students who receive a conditional offer of admission to the CDP must complete the following undergraduate courses:
- students in the Specialist in Conservation and Biodiversity or the Specialist in Integrative Biology:
- BIOC63H3 Conservation Biology (0.5 credit)
- BIOD54H3 Applied Conservation Biology (0.5 credit)
- students in the Specialist/Specialist Co-op programs in Global Environmental Change, Environmental Chemistry, Environmental Geoscience, or Environmental Physics:
- EESC24H3 Advanced Readings in Environmental Science (0.5 credit)
- EESD10Y3 Research Project in Environmental Science (1.0 credit)
- students in the Specialist in Conservation and Biodiversity or the Specialist in Integrative Biology:
- students must complete 1.0 credit in graduate courses, chosen in consultation with the Graduate Program Supervisor, as follows:
- for the field in Climate Change Impacts and Adaptation: EES 1133H Climate Change Science and Modelling (0.5 credit), plus an additional 0.5 credit;
- for the field in Conservation and Biodiversity: EES 3002H Conservation Policy (0.5 credit), plus an additional 0.5 credit;
- for the field in Terrestrial and Aquatic Systems: 1.0 credit.
- Optional registration in the Summer session prior to Year 5:
- students complete one of the following opportunities:
- EES 4001H Internship Training (0.5 credit)
- EES 4003H Academic Training (0.5 credit)
- students complete one of the following opportunities:
- Year 5: Remaining MEnvSc program and degree requirements.
