Programs of Study

UTIAS offers academic programs leading to the following degrees

Master of Engineering (MEng) The Master of Engineering (MEng) is a course-based program designed to lead to employment in the aerospace industry. Students select from the wide range of UTIAS courses, as well as courses offered by other University of Toronto departments, to create a personalized curriculum. Students can also opt to follow one of several emphases, which provide more concentrated teaching in a specific area, and which are recorded on the student’s transcript.

The MEng program can be taken on a full-time, extended full-time, or part-time basis. Transfer between the full-time, extended full-time and part-time programs is not permitted after registration. The default registration is the extended full-time program.

Master of Applied Science (MASc) The MASc degree is a research-based program focused on the completion of a research thesis. The MASc is considered to provide basic training in research for students subsequent to an undergraduate program. Under the direction of a faculty supervisor, students will select a research topic, perform experiments, computation, or analysis relevant to the topic, and report their results in a thesis. Upon completion of the thesis, students will be prepared for further academic research or employment in industry, including in research and development settings. Top students may have the opportunity to transfer directly to the PhD program after their first year of MASc studies.

Doctor of Philosophy (PhD) The Doctor of Philosophy degree is a research-based program leading to the production of a research thesis. Doctoral research at UTIAS is expected to be internationally recognized for its originality, rigour, and importance. Supervised by a faculty member, students select a research topic, develop a plan to address the topic, and implement this plan, leading to a major research thesis and contributions to the academic literature. This is the pinnacle of academic achievement, and holders of the PhD are well prepared for academic positions and leadership roles in industrial research and development.

Applicants may enter the PhD program via one of two routes: 1) following completion of an MASc degree in engineering, mathematics, physics, or chemistry; 2) transfer from the University of Toronto MASc program.