FAQs
When should I register?
Registration for graduate students starts in March. It is not necessary to choose all your courses prior to coming to AV¾ãÀÖ²¿, although you may want to check out course offerings to monitor enrollments.
Orientation will provide information sessions in group and individual settings to help choose electives that best suit your interests.
Is there a bias toward any one research interest in the program (as in examples only taught from one or two areas)?
Classes are partly student-led leaving much room for new topics. Professors tend to draw examples from their own area of expertise so course content will differ depending the instructor.
Which courses will be offered this year?
Not all SRES courses listed on this site are offered every year. For the most up-to-date information, consult the .
What if my research interests don't overlap with those of the SRES faculty?
You can also search for a supervisor within the extensive list of SRES cross-appointed or adjunct professors. All that is required is for one of the core faculty members to be on your committee.
How structured are the programs and can they be adjusted to fit my particular interests?
The structure of your graduate degree program is greatly influenced by the topic you choose for your thesis research. You can also you can mold your program to fit your specific interests with the three electives required by the Master of Environmental Studies program.
How effectively do the programs align students for international work?
Several students in our Masters of Environmental Studies program have completed thesis projects involving international field work. While there is no explicit focus on international development in our courses, many of our core faculty have engaged in projects overseas including Europe, China, Africa and Latin America.
Certain courses may also incorporate international cases into the teaching if appropriate and there is an option to do an independent reading course on a topic of your choice.
You can also take from some of the other departments including the Department of International Development Studies.
Do you require a specific background to apply?
We accept students with a variety of backgrounds, including International Development Studies as well as various BSc, BA and BComm degrees.
Our courses are primarily not biophysical, nor are they primarily social. We take an interdisciplinary approach in all classes and you are encouraged to develop your expertise in disciplines not covered by your background.
Electives outside our faculty may also address relevant subjects not covered in SRES.
Students in the Masters of Environmental Studies program generally pursue specific subjects more in-depth during their thesis.
Do I need to have a supervisor picked before I come to AV¾ãÀÖ²¿?
No, although it’s a good idea to contact professors with the same or similar areas of interest and begin a conversation before submitting an application. You can find professor bios, research interests and contact information on our faculty profiles page.
What should I say in my email to a prospective supervisor?
It’s a good idea to outline what has drawn your attention to a particular professor. A brief introductory email including specific information about you and your research interests will help you get a faster response.
Suggested outline
- The university and academic discipline of your undergraduate training
- Your cumulative undergraduate GPA
- Your research interests
- Any relevant employment or volunteer experience
- A potential thesis topic and how it aligns with the professor’s program of research