Graduate

Graduate student Valerie Mucciarelli (right) and fellow UVic student Jennifer Demedeiros study reef balls.

The School of Environmental Studies has three core interdisciplinary research areas in ecological restoration, ethnoecology and political ecology. We embrace a full range of learning opportunities spanning natural and social sciences, humanities and traditional ecological knowledge.

The School's MSc and MA programs are research based and therefore all students are supervised by a faculty member along with an advisory committee. A typical master's program takes 2 - 2.5 years to complete. Prospective students should review the information contained under the Graduate Program on this website along with the Faculty of Graduate Studies.

There are three mandatory ES graduate courses that all masters students take, and you are expected to complete two additional courses that complement your research. One of these can be at the 400 undergraduate level.

There is a single entry in September. Current tuition for domestic and foreign students is given on the Faculty of Graduate Studies home page (it differs depending on your circumstances).

As a research-based program, acceptance is tied directly to a faculty member who agrees to work with the student and act as the major adviser. Thus, you are applying to work with a specific faculty member. Bear in mind that faculty members very rarely accept students they have no prior contact with. Prospective students are encouraged to make contact with potential advisers as soon as possible to confirm s/he is taking on new students and to explore research programs / options that may be open.

The School is located in the Social Sciences and Mathematics building where we have three labs for graduate students: Ethnoecology, Restoration and Conservation Ecology, and Visualization. In addition, we offer a setting for meetings and collaboration. Through cooperative arrangements across campus and with various organizations and agencies, graduate students can gain access to a wide array of facilities. Located on southern Vancouver Island, there is easy access to marine, freshwater wetlands, rivers, lakes, upland Garry Oak, temperate rainforest and alpine ecosystems. There is also opportunity for collaboration with many First Nations, government agencies, environmental and other non-governmental organizations and corporations.