Graduate programs

Full or part-time | On campus | Thesis-based

The Department of Biology offers strong graduate programs aimed at understanding life and biological systems on a fundamental level with a purpose to “inspire scientific discovery that empowers humanity to transcend global challenges.”

Research areas include:

• Bioinformatics, systematics and evolution
• Ecology and environmental biology
• Microbiology
• Molecular genetics
• Physiology, cell and developmental biology

For more information about the Biology MSc and PhD program, such as admission requirements, please visit the Department of Biology website.

Full or part-time | On campus | Thesis-based | Collaborative

The Collaborative Water Program, co-ordinated and supported by the Water Institute, enables students to work with experts from various academic fields and industry. As the most interdisciplinary water graduate program in Canada, students will have the opportunity to complete their specific training in the Department of Biology and work with others across 11 different academic units. Upon completing the program, students receive a specialist 'Water' designation on their degree.

Research Disciplines:

• Aquatic ecology
• Aquatic microbiology
• Aquatic toxicology
• Lakes and oceans

For more information about the Biology (Water) MSc and PhD program, such as admission requirements, please visit the Department of Biology website.

Full or part-time | On campus | Thesis-based or research project (MSc only) | Joint

With more than 150 graduate students and 39 faculty members, graduate studies in the Department of Chemistry at the University of Waterloo, a joint program with the Department of Chemistry at the University of Guelph, is one of the largest in Canada. Research encompasses a broad range of topics relevant to life and environmental sciences, to the development of new materials and nanotechnology, but also to improving our fundamental understanding of the world surrounding us.

Programs offer exposure to world-class research on many subjects including the core areas of analytical, biochemistry, inorganic, materials, nanotechnology, organic, physical, polymer and theoretical chemistry.

Examples of projects include:

For more information about the Chemistry MSc and PhD program, please visit the Department of Chemistry website. If you have any questions regarding admission or application requirements, the Admissions Coordinator can be reached at the Guelph-Waterloo Centre for Graduate Work in Chemistry and Biochemistry (gwc@uwaterloo.ca).

Full or part-time | On campus | Thesis-based | Co-op | Joint

The academic requirements are the same as in the Regular Thesis Option, but at least two of the required four courses must be completed during the first two terms in the program. Following the second term, the student will spend two terms (eight months) working in an industrial or government laboratory, upon completion of which they must present an acceptable work report. Upon returning to the campus, the student will complete their course work, research, and prepare the M.Sc. thesis. This option is available to domestic students only.

For more information about the Chemistry (Co-op) MSc and PhD program, please visit the Department of Chemistry website. If you have any questions regarding admission or application requirements, the Admissions Coordinator can be reached at the Guelph-Waterloo Centre for Graduate Work in Chemistry and Biochemistry (gwc@uwaterloo.ca).

Full-time | On campus | Thesis-based | Collaborative

The first of its kind in Canada, this program is jointly offered by the Faculty of Science and the Faculty of Engineering and allows students to gain perspectives on nanotechnology from a wide community of scholars within and outside their disciplines in both course and thesis work. Graduates receive a 'Nanotechnology' designation on their degree.

Key areas of research strengths:

• Nanomaterials
• Nano-electronics design and fabrication
• Nano-instruments and devices
• Nano-biosystems

For more information about the Chemistry (Nanotechnology) MSc and PhD program, please visit the Department of Chemistry Website. If you have any questions regarding admission or application requirements, the Admissions Coordinator can be reached at the Guelph-Waterloo Centre for Graduate Work in Chemistry and Biochemistry (gwc@uwaterloo.ca).

Full-time or part-time (MSc only)| On campus | Thesis-based | Collaborative

The University of Waterloo, home of the Institute of Quantum Computing, is a world-leader in quantum information research. Students will participate in quantum-related research and take advanced courses on the foundation, applications and implementation of quantum information processing. This program is a collaboration between the Institute of Quantum Computing, the Faculty of Science, the Faculty of Engineering, and the Faculty of Mathematics, and allows for a unique interdisciplinary research and learning environment.

This program is designed to provide students with knowledge of quantum information, including both theory and its implementations, advanced expertise in quantum information science and in home program disciplines, as well as training in research. Graduates receive a 'Quantum Information' designation on their degree.

For more information about the Chemistry (Quantum Information) MSc and PhD program, please visit the Department of Chemistry Website. If you have any questions regarding admission or application requirements, the Admissions Coordinator can be reached at the Guelph-Waterloo Centre for Graduate Work in Chemistry and Biochemistry (gwc@uwaterloo.ca).

Full or part-time | On campus | Thesis-based or research project (MSc only)

Earth and Environmental Science at the University of Waterloo has earned an international reputation for outstanding research. Investigations focus on the interpretation of geologic and hydrogeologic processes, the description and interpretation of modern and ancient geologic environments, and the response of geologic and hydrogeologic systems to human interference.

Example fields of study include:

• Biogeochemistry and Ecohydrology
• Earth surface processes
• Environmental and isotope geochemistry
• Geological engineering
• Groundwater
• Structural geology and mineral deposits

For more information about the Earth Sciences MSc and PhD program, such as admission requirements, please visit the Department of Earth and Environmental Sciences website.

Full or part-time | On campus | Thesis-based or research project (MSc only) | Collaborative

The Collaborative Water Program, co-ordinated and supported by the Water Institute, enables students to work with experts from various academic fields and industry. As the most interdisciplinary water graduate program in Canada, students will have the opportunity to complete their specific training in the Department of Earth and Environmental Sciences and work with others across 11 different academic units. Upon completing the program, students receive a specialist 'Water' designation on their degree.

Research Disciplines:

• Aquatic ecology
• Aquatic microbiology
• Ecohydrology and biogeochemistry
• Groundwater
• Snow, ice, and glaciers
• Surface water hydrology and hydraulics
• Wetlands and peatlands

For more information about the Earth Sciences (Water) MSc and PhD program, such as admission requirements, please visit the Department of Earth and Environmental Sciences website.

Full-time or part-time | On campus | Thesis-based

The School of Optometry and Vision Science is home to some of the world’s most renowned research initiatives concerning the eye. With state-of-the-art research facilities, including the Centre for Ocular Research and Education and the Centre for Sight Enhancement, students will have the opportunity to collaborate with award-winning faculty who are recognized both nationally and internationally for their research and teaching. Vision Science graduate students play a vital role in making the program one of the best Vision Research institutions in North America.

Specializations include:

• Healthcare, education and delivery
• Neurosciences
• Ocular biology and pathophysiology
• Technology and optics

For more information about the Vision Science MSc and PhD program, such as admission requirements, please visit the School of Optometry and Vision Science website.

Full or part-time | On campus (Kitchener campus) | Thesis-based

The University of Waterloo School of Pharmacy promotes research spanning the spectrum from fundamental science to clinical care. The graduate program champions this through the fundamental understanding and application of concepts, collaborative discovery, and innovative research. After study completion, students will be recognized for their expertise and leadership, while making significant contributions to the global scientific, academic and healthcare communities.

Waterloo Pharmacy faculty collaborate with other researchers within the University of Waterloo as well as within other local and international universities.  Beyond academia, collaborators include hospitals and clinics within the region and across the province, as well as government and industry partners.

Major areas of study include:

• Clinical pharmacy and pharmacy practice
• Pharmaceutical sciences
• Pharmacoepidemiology and pharmacoeconomics

For more information about the Pharmacy MSc and PhD program, such as admission requirements, please visit the School of Pharmacy website.

Full or part-time | On campus | Thesis-based or research project (MSc only)

The graduate teaching and research program in the Department of Physics and Astronomy is offered jointly with the University of Guelph through the Guelph-Waterloo Physics Institute. This is one of the largest graduate physics and astronomy programs in Ontario.

Areas of Research:

• Astrophysics and gravitation
• Audio research
• Biophysics
• Condensed matter physics
• Optics and photonics
• Quantum computation and information processing
• Quantum matters
• Visual optics

For more information about the Physics MSc and PhD program, such as admission requirements, please visit the Department of Physics Website.

Full-time or part-time | On campus | Thesis-based | Collaborative

The first of its kind in Canada, this program is jointly offered by the Faculty of Science and the Faculty of Engineering and allows students to gain perspectives on nanotechnology from a wide community of scholars within and outside their disciplines in both course and thesis work. Graduates receive a 'Nanotechnology' designation on their degree.

For more information about the Physics (Nanotechnology) MSc and PhD program, such as admission requirements, please visit the Department of Physics Website.

Full-time or part-time | On campus | Thesis-based | Collaborative

The University of Waterloo, home of the Institute of Quantum Computing, is a world-leader in quantum information research. Students will participate in quantum-related research and take advanced courses on the foundation, applications and implementation of quantum information processing. This program is a collaboration between the Institute of Quantum Computing, the Faculty of Science, the Faculty of Engineering, and the Faculty of Mathematics, and allows for a unique interdisciplinary research and learning environment.

This program is designed to provide students with knowledge of quantum information, including both theory and its implementations, advanced expertise in quantum information science and in home program disciplines, as well as training in research. Graduates receive a 'Quantum Information' designation on their degree.

For more information about the Physics (Quantum Information) MSc and PhD program, such as admission requirements, please visit the Department of Physics Website.