The University is no longer accepting applications for this joint degree. 

This is Canada’s first master’s program specializing in Ecological Restoration and is offered as a joint program between the British Columbia Institute of Technology (BCIT) and Simon Fraser University (SFU). 

The MSc in Ecological Restoration combines the strong technical and applied (experiential) knowledge at BCIT with SFU’s fundamental (contextual) basic science and community engagement expertise. 

The product is a unique joint-degree program that will fundamentally advance both the practice and science of ecological restoration.

Ecological Restoration is a scientific discipline that has recently emerged due to the increasing need to restore degraded and damaged ecosystems. 

Ecological Restoration is an intentional activity that initiates or accelerates the recovery of an ecosystem with respect to its health, integrity, and sustainability.

This five-term, two-year (36 credit (BCIT)/units (SFU) - inclusive of a 6-credit/unit capstone project) program will produce graduates capable of using critical thinking, adaptive management, and applied research within an applied problem-solving framework. 

Graduates will have the critical and theoretical skills needed to set priorities, develop a structured approach to restoring degraded ecosystems, and critically assess their success in highly complex and unpredictable environments with significant uncertainties.

Inherent in the program is the development of essential skills for program management, communication, and respectful community consultation. 

The program will leverage expertise from both institutions, local experts and case studies, to understand how to approach ecological restoration in diverse socio-cultural and biophysical settings.

THE STRENGTHS OF THE PROGRAM INCLUDE:

• A unique interdisciplinary & inter-institutional curriculum;
• Is at the leading edge of this new, and rapidly growing environmental discipline;
• Courses have been specifically designed to offer advanced, specialized training in ecological restoration;
• Entails an interdisciplinary, hands-on approach to addressing pressing practical problems;
• Permits specialization in the restoration of aquatic or terrestrial ecosystems;
• Focuses on using applied research to provide solutions to government, institutional, and industry problems;
• Has strong industry connections via client-based research projects; and
• Is a unique program in Canada, and is among very few similar programs in North America.

• Official Transcripts
• Resume
• Three References
• English proficiency test scores
• Passport

Applicants applying for entry into the program require:

• A four-year bachelor’s degree in ecological restoration, ecology, plant science, animal science, soil science, environmental science, resource science (land, water, fish and wildlife, forestry), physical geography, environmental engineering, or a related program from a recognized institution
• In exceptional circumstances, a student may be admitted with lower academic qualifications when there is significant professional experience relevant to the proposed area of study
• One introductory course each in ecology and statistics
• Two upper-level courses in any combination of biology, ecology (plant, fish, wildlife, restoration/reclamation, etc.), statistics, plant science, soil science, physical geography (hydrology, geomorphology, limnology, etc.), forest science, natural resource management, environmental science, or related courses.