M.Sc. Program (Thesis-Based)

Please Note: Securing a faculty supervisor is essential to being successful in receiving an offer of admission to our M.Sc. program. Be sure to reach out to potential supervisors early in the process.

The primary function of our M.Sc. program is to prepare young scientists for independent research, through the formulation of a research problem, the collection of data, development of analytical methods, review of literature, to writing of the final thesis. This process is the principal means by which our students learn the process of research. Learning through independent investigation is supplemented by instruction in a variety of graduate courses that may include both formal lectures and laboratories, and various projects, research papers and seminars. Current graduate degrees include:

  • M.Sc. in Geology
  • M.Sc. in Geophysics

Graduate students are encouraged to develop a passing knowledge of fields peripheral to their thesis topics by regular attendance at the weekly departmental colloquia, M.Sc. and Ph.D. defence lectures of fellow students, and through participation in the graduate seminar course (GL/GP 9580A) and informal brown bag seminars.

Program Requirements

The course requirements for the M.Sc. can be found here. Courses are designed to supplement and broaden the student's knowledge base, however, a thesis based on original research, forms the most important part of both the M.Sc. and Ph.D. programs.

Collaborative Specializations

A Collaborative Specialization is an intra-university graduate field of study that provides an additional multidisciplinary experience for students enrolled in and completing the degree requirements for one of a number of approved Master’s and/or PhD programs. Students meet the admission requirements of, and register in, the participating (or “home”) program but complete, in addition to the degree requirements of that program, the additional requirements specified by the Collaborative Specialization. The degree conferred is that of the home program, and the completion of the Collaborative Specialization is indicated by a transcript notation indicating the additional specialization that has been attained.

Students in our department often choose to pursue one of the following specializations: