Master of Sustainability
Master of Sustainability, Co-op Option
Program Website: Sustainability
Faculty and Administration
For a listing of program faculty and administrative contacts, please visit the program directory.
Program Description
This program is offered through the Environmental Sustainability Research Centre (ESRC).
Human activities are shaping the Earth. Addressing the interactions between social and ecological systems requires new perspectives and academic approaches. The graduate program in Sustainability Science and Society (SSAS) responds to today’s environmental challenges and is aligned with the emerging field of sustainability science. The program aims to support society’s transition towards sustainability by training students to develop a deep knowledge of sustainability science, providing theoretical and applied research experiences for students that build competency in research and their chosen topic, and engaging students in real-world problem-solving through innovative pedagogy.
The program offers three degree pathway options:
- Major Research Paper with Co-op Pathway - Students desiring a rigorous academic education enriched by practical application of classroom learning will pursue a Master of Sustainability, Co-op. Please note that students undertaking a co-op work term are not permitted to enrol in additional courses within that term.
- Thesis Pathway - Students desiring a rigorous academic education enriched by an intensive research experience will pursue a Master of Sustainability, Thesis. Students are afforded a combination of a rigorous academic education enriched by an in-depth research inquiry about a specific topic.
- Course-based Pathway - Aspiring sustainability professionals and other individuals who possess practical experience in the workplace may wish to pursue a Master of Sustainability, Course-based Pathway.
The major research paper with co-op pathway and thesis pathway are further differentiated from the course-based pathway by the number of required and elective courses.
Our Faculty, who come from diverse disciplines and units, share a common interest in environmental sustainability. Brock University is located in a UNESCO Biosphere Region - a site seeking to reconcile social, economic and biophysical challenges confronting societies around the globe.
Facilities
The program has two graduate student offices equipped with computer monitors and internet access. Core and participating faculty have active research programs with access to a variety of laboratories, specialized equipment, and an array of field sites in Canada and internationally. The geographical location of Brock University, in a UNESCO Biosphere Region, on the Niagara Escarpment and near the Great Lakes, provides rich opportunities for local field research.
Admission Requirements
Successful completion of a four-year Bachelor’s degree, or its equivalent, from an accredited institution with a minimum 75% (mid-B) average over the last two years of full-time undergraduate study. In keeping with its transdisciplinary character, the program welcomes students with a focus on the environment and sustainability from a variety of academic backgrounds.
Applicants required to demonstrate English language proficiency must meet the standard minimum requirements established for graduate-level study.
All students enrolled in the Master of Sustainability course-based pathway are eligible for part-time study; permission from the Graduate Program Director is not required. Students enrolled in Master of Sustainability research pathways will require special permission from the Graduate Program Director to allow for part-time studies to be accommodated.
The Graduate Program Sub-committee will review all applications and recommend admission for a limited number of suitable candidates. The Committee may also make conditional acceptances.
Return to: