Master of Environmental Studies (MES) in Social and Ecological Sustainability - Water

The program information below was valid for the spring 2023 term (May 1, 2023 - August 31, 2023). This is the archived version; the most up-to-date program information is available through the current Graduate Studies Academic Calendar.

The Graduate Studies Academic Calendar is updated 3 times per year, at the start of each academic term (January 1, May 1, September 1). Graduate Studies Academic Calendars from previous terms can be found in the archives.

Students are responsible for reviewing the general information and regulations section of the Graduate Studies Academic Calendar.

Program information

  • Admit term(s) 
    • Fall
  • Delivery mode 
    • On-campus
  • Length of program 
    • Thesis option: The minimum period of full-time enrolment in the thesis option is three terms (one year) or its equivalent. Normally degree requirements are to be completed within a maximum of six terms (two years) for full-time study or within 15 terms (five years) for part-time study. Most full-time students complete their course requirements within their first two terms and are prepared for thesis research in their third term. Continuous enrolment is required.
    • Master’s Research Paper option: The minimum period of full-time enrolment is three terms (one year) or its equivalent. Normally degree requirements are to be completed within a maximum of four terms. Most full-time students complete their course requirements within their first two terms and are prepared to begin Master’s Research Paper research in their third term. Continuous enrolment is required.
  • Program type 
    • Collaborative
    • Master's
    • Research
  • Registration option(s) 
    • Full-time
    • Part-time
  • Study option(s) 

Admission requirements

  • Minimum requirements 
    • Students must possess an Honours Bachelor degree or its equivalent in some environmentally related field, with at least a 75% average in the last two years.
    • The equivalent of one year of related work experience is strongly recommended.
  • Application materials 
    • Résumé
    • Supplementary information form
    • Transcript(s)
  • References 
    • Number of references:  2
    • Type of references: 

      academic
  • English language proficiency (ELP) (if applicable)

Degree requirements

    Thesis option:

  • Graduate Academic Integrity Module (Graduate AIM)
  • Courses 
    • Students must complete at least 5 courses. These 5 courses will include 3 ERS core courses and the 2 WATER core courses.
    • Core courses:
      • ERS 680 Implications of a Sustainable Society for ERS (Fall)
      • ERS 681 Sustainability Applications (Winter)
      • ERS 669 Research Design and Methods (Winter)
    • Water core courses:
      • WATER 601 Integrated Water Management (Winter)
      • WATER 602 Integrated Water Management Project (Fall)
    • This degree is offered through the Collaborative Water Program. This program, jointly offered by a range of departments across several academic faculties, promotes the development of interdisciplinary perspectives on water. Collaborative Water Program students complete their specialist training in their respective home departments, while working with colleagues from a variety of other departments in core interdisciplinary courses (WATER 601 and WATER 602).
    • Students must maintain an academic average of at least 75%.
  • Link(s) to courses
  • Research Skills Seminar
    • Attendance and participation at a Panel on Research Excellence to be held at the end of November of each year.
  • Collaborative Research Seminar I
    • Students are required to present a seminar on their thesis or major paper research proposal and, if appropriate, early stage results to current and past Water students and Water Institute faculty members. Seminars will normally occur following the completion of WATER 601 and WATER 602. Seminars will provide the opportunity for students to discuss how learnings from Water courses were applied in, or influenced, research proposals or research work in the student’s home department. Seminars will normally be poster presentations at Water Institute organized events. The seminar is not an oral examination of the thesis or paper; rather, its purpose is to develop the student's ability to communicate their research in an organized and informative manner.
  • Master’s Thesis
    • Completion and successful defence of a Master’s Thesis.

    Master's Research Paper option:

  • Graduate Academic Integrity Module (Graduate AIM)
  • Courses 
    • Students must complete at least 6 courses. These 6 courses will include 3 ERS core courses, 2 WATER core courses, and 1 additional elective from the School of Environment, Resources and Sustainability.
    • Core courses:
      • ERS 669 Research Design and Methods (Fall)
      • ERS 680 Implications of a Sustainable Society for ERS (Fall)
      • ERS 681 Sustainability Applications (Winter)
    • Water core courses:
      • WATER 601 Integrated Water Management (Winter)
      • WATER 602 Integrated Water Management Project (Fall)
    • This degree is offered through the Collaborative Water Program. This program, jointly offered by a range of departments across several academic faculties, promotes the development of interdisciplinary perspectives on water. Collaborative Water Program students complete their specialist training in their respective home departments, while working with colleagues from a variety of other departments in core interdisciplinary courses (WATER 601 and WATER 602).
    • Students must maintain an academic average of at least 75%.
  • Link(s) to courses
  • Research Skills Seminar
    • Attendance and participation at a Panel on Research Excellence to be held at the end of November of each year.
  • Collaborative Research Seminar I
    • Students are required to present a seminar on their thesis or major paper research proposal and, if appropriate, early stage results to current and past Water students and Water Institute faculty members. Seminars will normally occur following the completion of WATER 601 and WATER 602. Seminars will provide the opportunity for students to discuss how learnings from Water courses were applied in, or influenced, research proposals or research work in the student’s home department. Seminars will normally be poster presentations at Water Institute organized events. The seminar is not an oral examination of the thesis or paper; rather, its purpose is to develop the student's ability to communicate their research in an organized and informative manner.
  • Master’s Research Paper
    • Acceptance of a Master’s Research Paper to be evaluated by the student’s advisor and one committee member.
School of Environment, Resources and Sustainability website
Master of Environmental Studies (MES) in Environment and Resource Studies - Water future students program page