Future graduate students

Your passion meets a community of collaborators

Choose between course-based master's programs taught by world-renowned experts or research-intensive master's and PhD programs that put you at the cutting edge of discovery. Many programs incorporate practical experience through research projects, fieldwork, practicums, and internships, and some have a co-op option.

Find your master's or PhD program →

71.2 million

in research funding 2021/22

1 Nobel Laureate, 2 Canada Excellence Research Chair Laureates and 12 Canada Research Chairs

215 faculty members

Science faculty are members of 21 cross-disciplinary world-class institutes.

More than 580 graduate students

enrolled in 32 diverse programs

SCIENCE THAT MATTERS

Meet current graduate students in the Faculty of Science

Nyhenflore working on a potentiostat in the lab

Nyhenflore Delva’s interest in sustainable chemistry began during her undergraduate studies as she explored ways to mitigate negative environmental impacts. She learned that adopting more sustainable industrial chemical processing could provide many benefits.

Grant Brassem standing in front of whiteboard

Grant Brassem is part of the third cohort of students to embark on the Quantum Technology specialization within the Master of Science in Physics program. This new 12-month, course-based degree lets him utilize the state-of-the-art IQC laboratories for independent projects and make meaningful connections with industry mentors, startups, and a community of over 300 quantum researchers.

You have probably seen Phragmites australis in the wild—but did you know it is Ontario’s worst invasive plant species? Jersey Fontz, a PhD student in Biology (Water) is developing a seed mix to promote the growth of native species instead of invasive species after invasive species removal.

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Emma Collington on the left with her dog Marlowe and Samantha on the right with a cup of coffee.

STEM with Disabilities was inspired by the frustration of being a student with disabilities and the epiphany of the power that comes from community. Through sharing lived experiences, the visibility project connects scientists, engineers, technologists, and mathematicians with disabilities, offering diverse role models for postsecondary students.

Learn from world-renowned and award-winning researchers

Our faculty are focused on life-enhancing research with a global impact.

Read their stories

OWN WHAT YOU INVENT

Unlike other universities, researchers at Waterloo own what they invent. Our unique creator-owns intellectual property policy may be the most entrepreneurial IP policy in North America.

Icon for cross-disciplinary collaboration

CROSS-DISCIPLINARY RESEARCH AND TEACHING

Ranked Canada's most innovative university for 29 years, Waterloo is a perfect blend of cross-disciplinary research and teaching.

UNIQUE SPECIALIZATIONS

We offer unique specializations in Water, Quantum Information, Quantum Technology, Nanotechnology and Aeronautics that will prepare you to meet the needs of a global job market.

Have questions?

Our graduate coordinators can assist you with specific program and application-related questions. For general inquiries, email scigradr@uwaterloo.ca.

Your passion meets a community of collaborators

SCIENCE THAT MATTERS

Science that matters: Master’s student researches the possibility of a dual-purpose system that could combine wastewater treatment with fuel generation

Science that matters: Master’s student prepares for an imaginative career in the growing quantum industry

Science that matters: Doctoral student researches invasive plant species that threaten wetlands

Amplifying diverse voices in STEM