The course-based professional Master of Forest Conservation (MFC) degree is a 16-month intensive program with a strong focus on practical field and laboratory training, offered at the Faculty of Forestry, University of Toronto.
- Available on a full-time or part-time basis
- Local and international field trips
- Summer internships
- Top research facility that exposes students to the most recent technical and managerial innovations
- National and international research
- Small classes and diverse topics
- Friendly and supportive academic environment
- A total of 7.5 full course equivalents (15 half courses)
- Research, strategic planning and field sampling methods
- Leadership and the ability to function in multi-disciplinary teams
- Oral and written communication
- Interpersonal and organizational
- Decision making and conflict resolution
The MFC program is designed to meet the needs of individuals who are interested in particular aspects of forest conservation such as:
- Fire management systems
- Forest biomaterials science
- Forest conservation biology and wildlife ecology
- Invasive species and threats to forest health
- Social and cultural ecology of forest ecosystems
- Sustainable development and economics
- Urban forestry
Program Structure
The flexibility of the program allows for the selection of course projects that address your area of interest and an opportunity to focus on what really matters to you through:
- Biodiversity field camp
This 8-day field course in Haliburton Highlands provides an introduction to the issues and principles of forest conservation, and includes intensive data collection and identification of different taxonomic groups. Analysis culminates in a major written report. - Core coursework
Field-based and in-class courses explore diverse themes in conservation and natural resource management. - Elective courses
Select 2.0 Full Course Equivalent (FCE) elective courses in topics that interest you. Note that FOR3011 contributes 0.5 to the total 2.0 FCE's elective requirements. - International field camp
A 2-3 week field excursion to a unique international destination allows students to experience forest conservation issues from a global perspective. Some previous locations include Brazil, Denmark, Italy, Mexico, Norway, Spain and Sweden. - A summer internship with an organization that matches your interests and career aspirations
Work on practical forest conservation or environmental projects, either in Canada or abroad. A member of the faculty’s Academic staff advises and assists with arrangements for the internships but students may also investigate opportunities. Internships typically last two to three months and may provide the basis for a final research paper. - Completion of a final major project
The final formal requirement of the program is to present your project to faculty, staff, students and invited guests near the end of the program.
Collaborative Program in Environmental Studies
The MFC Program also offers a unique opportunity to complete a Collaborative Program in Environmental Studies, in conjunction with the University's Centre for Environment. Requirements for this program include completion of courses within the MFC program, as well as a Centre for Environment "ENV" core course. Students who complete the collaborative program requirements earn the notation, "Completed Collaborative Program in Environmental Studies" on the transcript. Please consult the Centre for Environment website (see http://www.environment.utoronto.ca/) for further details. Applicants should indicate their interest in applying for the collaborative program when completing the On Line Application for the MFC program.
MFC Requirements and Expected Chronology
| FIRST YEAR -- FALL | |||
| FOR3000H | Current Issues in Forest Conservation | ||
| FOR3001H | Biodiversity of Forest Organisms (includes 8-day field camp) | ||
| FOR3002H | Applied Forest Ecology | ||
| FOR3003H | Economics of Forest Ecosystems | ||
| FOR3012H | Analytical Methods in Forestry | ||
| FIRST YEAR -- SPRING | |||
| FOR3004H | Forest Management Decision Support Systems | ||
| FOR3009H | Forest Conservation Biology | ||
| FOR3010H | Society and Forest Conservation | ||
| Plus elective(s) | |||
| FIRST YEAR -- SUMMER | |||
| FOR3007H | Internship in Forest Conservation | ||
| FOR3011H | International Forest Conservation Field Camp or FOR1585 Urban Forest Conservation Field Camp or alternate eligible Field Course | ||
| SECOND YEAR – FALL | |||
| FOR3006H | Case Study Analysis in Forest Management | ||
| FOR3008H | Research Paper in Forest Conservation | ||
| Plus elective(s) | |||
Summary: Total FCE's (Full Course Equivalents) in program = 7.5
Includes 5.5 compulsory FCE's plus 2.0 electives (FOR3011 contributes 0.5 to the total 2.0 FCE's elective requirements).
Note: Students are not limited to taking electives courses according to above chronology. You may take elective courses in any semester of the program.
Admission Requirements
Applicants with a variety of undergraduate backgrounds including forestry, applied science, engineering, social, physical or biological science with the following qualifications are eligible for admission:
- Appropriate bachelor’s degree or its equivalent from a recognized institution
- Minimum mid-B average in each of the final two years of study
Admission Deadlines
The application deadline for domestic and international applicants is April 15, with a corresponding document deadline submission of April 30.
Applicants who wish to apply after the April 15 deadline are advised to contact the Faculty.
Fees and Financial Support
Compulsory annual tuition and incidental fees for MFC candidates in 2010-11 (i.e., one year full-time fees from September through August):
- $ 8,581 per year for domestic students
- $24,810 per year for international students (including mandatory health insurance coverage)
*Fees are subject to change at any time by the University's Governing Council.
Costs associated with two field camps (one introductory 8-day camp in September prior to the start of lectures (within FOR3001H), and one international 2 to 3-week field camp early in the summer period (FOR3011H) are not included in the above tuition fees charged by the University. MFC field camp fees are estimated at $2,500 - $3,000 per person in total but vary each year, depending on the field course selected. Additional local field trip costs are minimal.
Funding
Applicants to the MFC degree program who submit complete applications for admission, with the required supporting documentation, by April 15 of the proposed year of admission will be considered automatically for applicable Faculty admission fellowships. Fellowship offers will be made by letter to the strongest candidates.
Some funding is also available on a competitive basis through in-course awards (click here). Students can apply for teaching assistantships in the faculty and in other departments of the University. It is also possible for students to receive some income through paid internships. In the past, many MFC students have been successful in the Ontario Graduate Scholarship competition.
Ready to Apply?
If you are ready to start the application process, please visit:
http://www.forestry.utoronto.ca/prospective.htm