Environmental & Life Sciences

Let your scientific interests lead, as you investigate environmental issues of significance to society " and the world.

Become a catalyst for change in what is often called "the Age of the Environment." Pose the critical questions about the issues of our time, and study alongside experts to find the answers. Explore environmental issues that will shape our future: the conservation of biodiversity, the spread of contaminants and infectious diseases, the matters of sustainability and water quality.

At Trent, as part of the prestigious M.Sc., you'll generate knowledge and contribute to the future. Inspired by top-notch professors from diverse disciplines, as well as scientists from governmental and non-governmental organizations, you'll help forge new approaches to key environmental challenges.

• Take part in leading research in cell biology and genetics, ecology and conservation biology, physical geography, trace contaminant toxicology and chemistry, and much more.
• Study in world-class research centres and institutes, built on superior funding and state-of-the-art research equipment that support you in your investigation.
• Conduct research alongside Ministry of Natural Resources and Forestry scientists who serve as adjunct professors in Trent's Environmental & Life Sciences graduate program
• Prepare for advanced academic training and for employment with governments, NGOs, or private industry.
• Benefit from strong funding, scholarship opportunities and teaching assistantships.

Apply to the Trent University School of Graduate Studies online. A secure application system ensures that your submission will reach admissions and your proposed program of study as quickly as possible.

Trent University School of Graduate Studies processes all applications through the Ontario Universities’ Application Centre (OUAC).Please take the time to read our application process carefully. 
All information needed is provided below. To ensure applications are fully completed and received by The School of Graduate Studies, please follow these steps. 

Our Application Process:

STEP 1: Review specific program requirements 

We request applicants to carefully review admission requirements for our programs before applying. International applicants who are applying from outside Canada should apply at least 4-6 months in advance of the term start date. 
 

Some research programs require a supervisor to be confirmed prior to applying. Please ensure this requirement is met prior to submitting your final application. Applicants are encouraged to visit the program websites to review faculty members and active areas of research. 

STEP 2: Prepare your application

Submit your OUAC application and pay your application fee.

A non-refundable application fee of $100 CDN for research programs or $125 CDN for professional programs must be submitted for each program to which you are applying. This fee is payable to OUAC only and cannot be waived or deferred for any applicant (domestic and international). There are no exceptions to this policy. Please note that applications will not be processed or sent to The School of Graduate Studies unless payment is received by OUAC.

STEP 3: Receive acknowledgement email and claim your myTrent account

You will receive your student ID and instructions to access your myTrent account in your acknowledgement email. This step can take up to 5 business days for your application to be processed from OUAC and your acknowledgement email to be sent.

Once you complete Step 3 of the application process, your references will receive their unique link for recommendation. If after your application is received, a change of referee is required, changes can be made by the applicant through their myTrent portal using the Graduate Reference Self Service icon, located under the academics tab, under admissions. 

STEP 4: Upload your required documents

Please refer to your acknowledgment email for detailed instructions on uploading your documents.

You will see a complete list of the documents you are required to submit for the application to your program through your myTrent portal. Please refer to program pages for more information.

Post-secondary transcripts and graduation certificates (where applicable) of all previous undergraduate and graduate work are required. This includes transcripts for courses taken on a Letter of Permission, for transfer credit, or on an exchange program. Transcripts must show all course work completed and grades received. If applicable, evidence of degree completion is required. Transcripts must be accompanied with a grading scale or transcript legend. 

Please note: Transcripts are not required to be official and final when applying to the School of Graduate Studies. Official transcripts are only required to be submitted if an applicant receives an offer of admission.

Previous or current Trent University students do not need to submit a transcript for degree and course work completed at Trent University. Transcripts must be submitted for any course work completed at another institution – i.e.) study abroad, letter of permission, transfer credit.

Please note that we only require 2 references for your application. Please ensure the references you include on your application are available to act as a reference before applying. Do not upload more than 2 references in the Graduate Reference Self Service tab in the portal unless absolutely necessary as only two references will be reviewed as part of your application.

Please allow 5 business days from the date of submission for document status to change in myTrent. 

Applicants are responsible to ensure that all required documents have been submitted. The School of Graduate Studies will not send reminders to applicants of outstanding documents. Confirmation of documents received can be viewed by the applicant in the myTrent portal.

Your MyTrent portal may not update immediately. Please refresh your browser before checking. If it still has not updated, please delete your cookies and clear your cache, then reload the page.

STEP 5: Application review

Once you have uploaded all of your required documents, and your referees have completed their reference, your application is complete and ready for review. You will see your status in myTrent change to Pending Decision. 

All applications will be examined and evaluated by the appropriate graduate programs. Admission decisions are made by individual graduate programs. The timeline for this process will vary by program and will be dependent on the number of applications received.

The School of Graduate Studies is unable to provide updates on the status of your completed application once it has been marked as pending a decision. Applicants will be officially notified by email of the action taken on the application. Please note that all admission decisions are final; there is no appeal of admission decisions.

Official letters of acceptance are only for the academic year indicated. Successful applicants must reply in writing indicating whether or not they accept the offer of admission. Acceptance of an offer of admission will normally be required within four weeks of the date of the offer letter. If the applicant is unable to commence studies in the term agreed upon, the programs reserve the right to reconsider their acceptance.