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Programs & Degree Requirements

As a graduate student, you can choose from the doctoral program (PhD, full time), master of applied science program (MASc, full time) or the master of engineering program (MEng, full time or part time).

The PhD program requires the successful completion of four one-term graduate courses, a PhD research seminar course, candidacy examination, and a dissertation based on original research. Your thesis supervisor must approve both the course selections and the thesis research proposal, which you must submit in writing. With the approval of your supervisor, one of your four courses may be the directed studies course (CV8100), which, typically, will be supervised by your supervisor. Your supervisor, after consultation with you, will recommend to the associate chair of graduate studies the appointment of a Candidacy Examination Committee. As a PhD student, you are encouraged to complete all courses within your first year of registration. Within a maximum of 20 months of initial registration, every student in the PhD program will undertake a candidacy examination. The core aspect of the program is the successful defense of the doctoral dissertation.

The MASc program requires the successful completion of five one-term course credits, a MASc research seminar course and a research thesis. No undergraduate credits may be taken towards the degree. No less than three of the required five courses must be taken within the program. Your supervisor must approve the graduate course selection and your proposed thesis plan, which you must present in writing. Course selections are normally confirmed through a Program of Study agreement between supervisor and student. With the approval of the supervisor, one of your five courses may be the directed studies course (CV8100), which is typically supervised by your supervisor. As an MASc student, you are encouraged to complete all courses in your first year of registration. An oral presentation of your research thesis and results will be arranged. The examination committee will assess your research thesis in an open examination session.

The MEng program is a course-based program that requires the successful completion of ten one-term courses. No undergraduate credits may be taken towards the degree. No less than five of the required ten courses must be taken from the Civil Engineering program at Toronto Metropolitan University. As an MEng student, you may choose the MEng project by applying to substitute two courses for the major project from the course elective list. Your degree project advisor must approve the proposed project plan, which you must present in writing. Course selections are normally confirmed through a Program of Study agreement between faculty advisor and student. With the approval of the faculty advisor, one of your eight courses may be the directed studies course (CV8100), which is typically conducted by the faculty advisor. The examination committee will assess your project report.

PhD MASc MEng
Four course credits1 (credits may include: one directed studies course; two from a related program area at Toronto Metropolitan University)2 Five course credits1 (credits may include: one directed studies course; two from a related program area at Toronto Metropolitan University)2 Ten course credits1 (credits may include: one directed studies course; up to five from a related program area at Toronto Metropolitan University)2
  • Research presentation
  • PhD research seminar
  • Candidacy examination (to be completed after all course requirements completed)
  • Research presentation
  • Master’s research seminar
 
Dissertation Thesis Project3

1 All courses are one semester and are equal to one course credit.
2 Approval of courses from a related program at Toronto Metropolitan University are subject to approval by the student's supervisor and the associate chair, as well as the host department.
3 MEng students may apply to substitute two courses for the MEng Project.  

Note: If you are enrolled in a part-time program, you may take a maximum of two courses per semester.

Degree Completion Time Regulations

The minimum and maximum times allowed for coursework and research are indicated below. Transfer from full-time to part-time master’s status, and vice versa, requires approval, particularly when the maximum time span allowed for program completion could become an important factor for consideration.

Length of Time to Complete Degree PhD Full Time MASc/MEng Full Time MEng Part Time
Minimum length of time 24 months
(six academic terms)
12 months
(three academic terms)
24 months
(six academic terms)
Maximum length of time Six calendar years Three calendar years Five calendar years

Toronto Metropolitan University’s Yeates School of Graduate Studies requires continuous registration throughout the residency period in the program, either PhD or master’s (full time or part time), in which you are registered.

Grade Requirements

You must repeat a course, or substitute with an alternate course, if a course mark is less than B- (2.67/4.33 or 70%) for both MEng and MASc, and less than B (3.00/4.33 or 73%) for PhD. Failure to maintain an acceptable academic standing could result in you being asked to withdraw from the program. Failure in more than one graduate course will be considered grounds for dismissal.