Microbiology (Thesis) (M.Sc.) (45 credits)
Offered by: Natural Resource Sciences (Faculty of Agricultural and Environmental Sciences)
Degree: Master of Science
Program credit weight: 45
Program Description
The Master of Science in Microbiology is a thesis program of 45 credits. The program involves research within, and often across, multiple disciplines of basic and applied environmental sciences that advances our fundamental knowledge about microorganisms as well as leads to improved efficiencies of our managed ecosystems. Specialties within the program range from the study of microbial ecology and diversity in natural, human-induced and extreme environments, molecular genetics, bioinformatics, and bacterial pathogens.
Note: For information about Fall 2025 and Winter 2026 course offerings, please check back on May 8, 2025. Until then, the "Terms offered" field will appear blank for most courses while the class schedule is being finalized.
Thesis Courses (36 credits)
| Course | Title | Credits |
|---|---|---|
| NRSC 691 | M.Sc. Thesis Research 1. | 12 |
M.Sc. Thesis Research 1. Terms offered: Summer 2025, Fall 2025, Winter 2026 Independent research under the direction of a supervisor towards the completion of the M.Sc. degree. | ||
| NRSC 692 | M.Sc. Thesis Research 2. | 12 |
M.Sc. Thesis Research 2. Terms offered: Summer 2025, Fall 2025, Winter 2026 Independent research under the direction of a supervisor towards the completion of the M.Sc. degree. | ||
| NRSC 693 | M.Sc. Thesis Research 3. | 12 |
M.Sc. Thesis Research 3. Terms offered: Summer 2025, Fall 2025, Winter 2026 Completion of the M.Sc. thesis, its approval by reviewers and acceptance by Graduate and Postdoctoral Studies all required for a pass to be granted. | ||
Required Courses (3 credits)
| Course | Title | Credits |
|---|---|---|
| NRSC 643 | M.Sc. Proposal Seminar. | 1 |
M.Sc. Proposal Seminar. Terms offered: Fall 2025, Winter 2026 M.Sc. students in the first year of the programdevelop a research proposal and present aseminar. | ||
| NRSC 644 | M.Sc. Update Seminar. | 1 |
M.Sc. Update Seminar. Terms offered: Fall 2025, Winter 2026 M.Sc. students in their second or third semesterpresent oral and poster presentations onresearch progress. | ||
| NRSC 651 | M.Sc. Final Seminar. | 1 |
M.Sc. Final Seminar. Terms offered: Fall 2025, Winter 2026 M.Sc. students present a final research seminarafter completing all other course and seminarrequirements. | ||
Complementary Courses (6 credits)
Two 3-credit 500-, 600-, or 700-level courses; normally one of these will be a course in statistics.