Master of Environmental Studies (MES) in Geography - Water

The program information below was valid for the winter 2023 term (January 1, 2023 - April 30, 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
    • Winter
  • Delivery mode 
    • On-campus
  • Length of program 
    • Thesis option:
      • Full-time: limit of six terms
      • Part-time: limit of twelve terms
    • Master’s Research Paper option:
      • Full-time: limit of three terms
      • Part-time: limit of six terms
  • Program type 
    • Collaborative
    • Master's
    • Research
  • Registration option(s) 
    • Full-time
    • Part-time
  • Study option(s) 

Admission requirements

  • Minimum requirements 
    • An honours undergraduate degree or equivalent with at least a 75% average. Normally, the undergraduate degree will be in Geography, but applications are welcomed from superior students regardless of background. However, students must demonstrate that they have the necessary background to pursue graduate work in their field of specialization.
  • Application materials 
    • Résumé
    • Supplementary information form
    • Transcript(s)
  • References 
    • Number of references:  3
    • Type of references: 

      academic references are required unless a professional reference is specified.
  • English language proficiency (ELP) (if applicable)

Degree requirements

    Thesis option:

  • Graduate Academic Integrity Module (Graduate AIM)
  • Courses 
    • Students must successfully complete the following 4 graduate level courses (0.50 unit weight per course):
      • GEOG 700 Professional Skills Development for Masters Students
      • Water core courses:
        • WATER 601 Integrated Water Management
        • WATER 602 Integrated Water Management Project
      • Any other GEOG course that complements the student’s graduate research field. Students may elect to take a non-GEOG elective course with approval of the Graduate Officer.
    • 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).
    • Failure to obtain a final grade of at least 70% in each course will result in an automatic review of the student’s status in the program, which may require that the student withdraw from the program.
    • The coursework part of the program is designed to develop advanced understanding ofissues relating to environmental studies, and also to provide students with training in additional methods/skills for their thesis research and its defence.
  • Link(s) to courses
  • 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 Proposal
    • During the first year, students develop a thesis proposal that will be approved by their supervisor and committee, normally before the end of the first year.
  • Master’s Thesis
    • Upon approval of the thesis proposal, students will then proceed to the research and writing of the thesis. Normally, students should complete and defend the thesis within two years of starting the program.
  • Other requirements 
    • If a student wishes to switch from the Thesis option to the Master’s Research Paper option or vice versa, the change must be approved by the Graduate Officer.

    • Master's Research Paper option:

  • Graduate Academic Integrity Module (Graduate AIM)
  • Courses 
    • Students must successfully complete the following 6 graduate level courses (0.50 unit weight per course):
      • GEOG 700 Professional Skills Development for Masters Students
      • Water core courses:
        • WATER 601 Integrated Water Management
        • WATER 602 Integrated Water Management Project
      • 1 of the following foundation courses:
        • GEOG 600 Foundations in Spatial Data Handling
        • GEOG 620 Foundations in Human Geography
        • GEOG 640 Foundations in Environmental Science
        • GEOG 660 Foundations in Resource and Environmental Management
      • Any 2 other GEOG courses that complement the student’s graduate research field. Students may elect to take a non-GEOG elective course with approval of the Graduate Officer.
    • 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).
    • Failure to obtain a final grade of at least 70% in each course will result in an automatic review of the student’s status in the program, which may require that the student withdraw from the program.
  • Link(s) to courses
  • 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
    • Each student will have a Supervisor and a Reader. The student will develop a research proposal for approval by their Supervisor, normally prior to the end of the first term. The research paper will normally be completed in the Spring (third) term. The paper should be approximately 12,000 words/50 pages in length.
  • Other requirements 
    • If a student wishes to switch from the Thesis option to the Master’s Research Paper option or vice versa, the change must be approved by the Graduate Officer.
Department of Geography and Environmental Management website
Master of Environmental Studies (MES) in Geography - Water future students program page