Ecology and Evolutionary Biology

Program Overview

The graduate program in Ecology and Evolutionary Biology leads to the Master of Science and Doctor of Philosophy degrees.

The disciplines of ecology and evolutionary biology involve complementary perspectives on biological systems. Individual and collaborative research within the department covers the range of both disciplines and often involves study and synthesis across multiple levels of organization. Professors’ research interests include anatomy/physiology, behaviour, behaviour genetics, bioinformatics, community/population/ecosystem/landscape/evolutionary ecology, conservation biology, developmental biology, genetics/genomics, microbiology, molecular evolution, plant biology, taxonomy/systematics, and theoretical biology.

Professors who supervise graduate students are located on all three campuses of the University (St. George, Mississauga, Scarborough) as well as the Royal Ontario Museum.

Unfortunately at present we are not able to accept MSc applications from international students. 


Quick Facts

Domestic International
Application deadline MSc, PhD:

Fall 2024 Entry

09-Jan-2024

PhD:

Fall 2024 Entry

09-Jan-2024

Minimum admission average MSc:

Applicants must have an average grade equivalent to a University of Toronto B+ or better in the last year of the bachelor’s degree as well as an average grade of at least a mid-B in the previous year.

PhD:

Applicants must have an average grade equivalent to at least a University of Toronto A- during the MSc and an average of at least B+ in the last year of the bachelor’s program may be accepted.

PhD:

Applicants must have an average grade equivalent to at least a University of Toronto A- during the MSc and an average of at least B+ in the last year of the bachelor’s program may be accepted.

Direct entry option from bachelor's to PhD? PhD:

Yes

Exceptional applicants may be accepted for direct entry into the PhD with a BSc degree or equivalent if they have an average grade equivalent to a University of Toronto A- or better in courses in ecology and evolutionary biology and if they show evidence of excellent research potential.

PhD:

Yes

Exceptional applicants may be accepted for direct entry into the PhD with a BSc degree or equivalent if they have an average grade equivalent to a University of Toronto A- or better in courses in ecology and evolutionary biology and if they show evidence of excellent research potential.

Is a supervisor identified before or after admission? MSc:

Before

PhD:

Before

PhD:

Before

If a supervisor is identified after admission (as per question above), is admission conditional upon securing a supervisor? PhD:

NA

PhD:

NA

Is a supervisor assigned by the graduate unit or secured by the applicant? MSc:

Applicant

PhD:

Applicant

PhD:

Applicant

Are any standardized tests required/recommended? MSc, PhD:

No

PhD:

English Language required by SGS (e.g. TOEFL)


Master of Science

Program Description

The main goal of the MSc program is to provide students with the opportunity to design, conduct, and write up a substantial independent research project. Students’ projects cover the full range of topics listed in the Overview (above) and may include field work, lab work, bioinformatics, computer simulations, and/or theory. MSc students must demonstrate competence in independent research and will do research with the goal of authoring or co-authoring a scientific publication. Graduates go on to a wide range of careers including jobs in government agencies, teaching, and higher education.

Minimum Admission Requirements

  • Applicants are admitted under the General Regulations of the School of Graduate Studies. Applicants must also satisfy the Department of Ecology and Evolutionary Biology's additional admission requirements stated below.

  • An appropriate bachelor's degree from a recognized university, with an average grade equivalent to a University of Toronto B+ or better in the last year of the bachelor's degree and a minimum B average in the previous year.

  • Applicants will not be admitted until they have secured an agreement with a graduate faculty member to sponsor and supervise the student's research.

Program Requirements

  • Coursework. Students must successfully complete 0.5 graduate full-course equivalent (FCE) chosen from courses offered by the EEB department or, with the permission of the supervisor(s) and supervisory committee, offered by other U of T departments. Students should consult supervisory faculty about the most appropriate courses.

  • Students must complete a thesis under the direction of the student's supervisor, assisted by an advisory committee, and defended at an oral examination.

Program Length

4 sessions full-time (typical registration sequence: F/W/S/F)

Time Limit

3 years full-time

Doctor of Philosophy

Program Description

The main goal of the PhD program is to provide students with the opportunity to design, conduct, and write about a series of substantial, inter-related, independent research projects. Students’ projects cover the full range of topics listed in the Overview (above) and may include field work, lab work, bioinformatics, theory, computer simulations, or some combination of these approaches.

  • PhD students are expected to complete an original independent research program that makes substantial and innovative contributions to their field of research. It is expected that PhD candidates will publish a number of primary scientific papers based on their research.

  • A thesis is completed under the direction of the student's supervisor(s), assisted by a supervisory (advisory) committee, and defended at an oral examination.

  • The average time to completion is 5.5 years.

Applicants may enter the PhD program via one of three routes: 1) following completion of an MSc degree; 2) transfer from EEB's University of Toronto MSc program; or 3) direct entry following completion of a BSc 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 Ecology and Evolutionary Biology's additional admission requirements stated below.

  • Applicants will not be admitted until they have secured an agreement with a graduate faculty member to sponsor and supervise the student's research and the applicant has been offered a graduate position by EEB.

  • Applicants may be accepted who already hold an MSc degree from a recognized university with a grade average equivalent to at least a University of Toronto A– during the MSc and an average of at least B+ in the last year of the bachelor's program.

Program Requirements

  • Coursework. Students must successfully complete a total of 1.5 graduate full-course equivalents (FCEs) (three half courses). These courses are chosen from those offered by the EEB department, or with the permission of the supervisor(s) and supervisory committee, offered by other U of T departments.

  • During an appraisal exam, students are examined on both their mastery of concepts in ecology and evolutionary biology and a submitted research proposal. Students are examined 14 to 20 months into the program.

  • Students must deliver two public seminars in the department based on their thesis research.

  • Students must submit a thesis and defend it at a Doctoral Final Oral Examination conducted by the School of Graduate Studies.

Program Length

4 years

Time Limit

6 years

 

PhD Program (Transfer)

Transfer Requirements

  • Applicants may be accepted first into EEB's MSc program from a bachelor's program and, conditional upon evidence of research excellence as judged by the thesis supervisory committee and an interview, may transfer into the PhD program.

  • Students must make arrangements to secure a research supervisor by contacting professors in the department.

Program Requirements

  • Coursework. Students must successfully complete a total of 2.0 graduate full-course equivalents (FCEs) (four half courses). These courses are chosen from those offered by the EEB department or, with the permission of the supervisor(s) and supervisory committee, offered by other U of T departments.

  • Students transferring into the PhD program from the MSc may apply 0.5 graduate FCE towards the PhD course requirement.

  • During an appraisal exam, students are examined on both their mastery of concepts in ecology and evolutionary biology and a submitted research proposal. Students are examined 14 to 26 months into the program.

  • Students must deliver two public seminars in the department based on their thesis research.

  • Students must submit a thesis and defend it at a Doctoral Final Oral Examination conducted by the School of Graduate Studies.

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 Ecology and Evolutionary Biology's additional admission requirements stated below.

  • Applicants will not be admitted until they have secured an agreement with a graduate faculty member to sponsor and supervise the student's research and the applicant has been offered a graduate position by EEB.

  • Exceptional applicants may be accepted for direct entry into the PhD with a BSc degree with an average grade equivalent to a University of Toronto A– or better in courses in ecology and evolutionary biology, and evidence of research potential.

Program Requirements

  • Coursework. Exceptional students admitted to the PhD program without an MSc degree must successfully complete a total of 2.0 graduate full-course equivalents (FCEs) (four half courses). These courses are chosen from those offered by the EEB department, or with the permission of the supervisor(s) and supervisory committee, offered by other U of T departments.

  • During an appraisal exam, students are examined on both their mastery of concepts in ecology and evolutionary biology and a submitted research proposal. Students are examined 14 to 26 months into the program.

  • Students must deliver two public seminars in the department based on their thesis research.

  • Students must submit a thesis and defend it at a Doctoral Final Oral Examination conducted by the School of Graduate Studies.

Program Length

5 years

Time Limit

7 years

Yongshan He

“The faculty members I’ve met at U of T are all very friendly, so don’t be shy.”

Yongshan He
PhD Candidate, East Asian Studies
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