Sustainability Science & Society. Master of Sustainability

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1 Sustainability Science & Society Master of Sustainability

2 Message from the dean and director The scale and complexity of the environmental and social challenges that we face in the 21st century demand insights from across disciplines and recognition that the environment and society are inextricably interwoven. Located on our campus in a UNESCO Biosphere Reserve in the beautiful Niagara Peninsula, Brock University s MS program in Sustainability Science and Society offers students the opportunity to work with nationally and internationally recognized faculty to become leaders in understanding the problems and developing solutions necessary for a vibrant future for the entire planet. - Dr. Thomas Dunk, Dean, Faculty of Social Sciences Our graduate program offers a dynamic learning situation where students and faculty cross conventional disciplinary boundaries to study environmental sustainability and engage in cutting-edge research. Students are prepared for professional careers as well as further education through a combination of classroom learning, problem solving, practical application and intensive research experiences. Enriching opportunities abound as the Sustainability Science and Society program is housed within the vibrant Environmental Sustainability Research Centre (ESRC). - Ryan Plummer, Graduate Program Director, Sustainability Science and Society

3 About the program Program Highlights: New in 2014, the graduate program in Sustainability Science and Society (SSAS) responds to environmentally-related challenges and is aligned with the emerging transdisciplinary approach of sustainability science. It aims to facilitate society s transition towards sustainability by offering high-quality graduate education, enriching research and applied experiences, and engagement in problem-solving through innovative pedagogy. The SSAS graduate program offers students two paths to study environmental sustainability. Students can tailor their program to specific career and research interests through enriching classroom learning with practical experience (Scheme A) or intensive research experience (Scheme B). Students can complete a master of sustainability in 16 months (scheme A), or 24 months (scheme B). The SSAS graduate program is transdisciplinary and emphasizes overcoming barriers among traditional disciplines and sectors. Faculty members involved in the SSAS graduate program are leading scholars in many fields. Their expertise spans the natural and social sciences and shares a commitment to integrative inquiry. Exciting opportunities exist to joining cutting-edge programs of research. Students can engage in intensive and enriching research that they are passionate about. Faculty members mentor students in undertaking their research. Student research may take place here in Niagara or anywhere in the world. Students can engage in intensive and enriching research they are passionate about under the mentorship of SSAS Faculty. Student research may take place in Niagara or anywhere in the world. Is this program for you? I want to build on my undergraduate degree in a program that allows me to cross traditional disciplinary boundaries to study the environment. I want to apply what I learn in class and gain practical work experience in the context of a research program. I want to gain new skills and knowledge that can help me to advance in my current career. I want to gain knowledge and advanced research experience under the guidance of cutting edge faculty to prepare myself for an exciting career. I want to study in a UNESCO Biosphere Reserve. I am passionate about the environment and want to make a difference while also having a meaningful career. I want to study in a flourishing transdisciplinary research centre. I want to gain new skills to help my company become more sustainable. If any of the above statements apply to you, please consider applying for the SSAS graduate program. Online: Inquiries: [email protected] 3

4 Program structure The master of sustainability program gives students the option of choosing between two learning schemes: Scheme A (4 semesters, 16 months): Where the learning experience is enhanced by a paid co-op placement Scheme B (6 semesters, 24 months): Where the learning experience is enhanced by a researchintensive thesis Core courses are common to both schemes and give students an understanding of sustainability science and society in terms of central concepts, methods and issues. Elective courses provide an opportunity for specialization. Co-op courses and placement provide skill development and application of classroom learning. Research components offer opportunities for intensive and independent investigations within environmental sustainability. Choose between two streams of study Semester 1 Semester 2 Semester 3 Semester 4 Semester 5 Semester 6 Problem Solving in the Environment (5P03) SSAS elective Scheme A: Major Research Paper with Co-op SSAS elective Co-op Training and Development (5N90) Non-SSAS elective Apply for Co-op Work Placement 1 (5N01) Get supervisor and develop MRP proposal Major Research Paper (5F91) Core Courses (taken by students in both schemes) Foundations of Sustainability Science & Society (5P01) Transdisciplinary Seminar (5P04) Methods for Environmental Inquiry (5P02) Work Placement 1 (5N01) Scheme B: Thesis Work Placement 1 (5N01) Elective Secure Committee and develop thesis proposal Thesis (5F90) 4 Examples of co-op positions: Integrated community planning department co-op student, Niagara Region Natural gas marketing analyst, co-op student, Suncor Environmental operations and sustainability co-op, Hydro One Research Assistant, Great Lakes Issue Management and Reporting Section, Environment Canada Intern Sustainability Consultant, Stratos Inc. SSAS electives (2 offered annually): SSAS 5P11 - Water resource economics, management and governance SSAS 5P12 - Climate change adaptation and transformation SSAS 5P13 - Landscape ecology and ecosystem management SSAS 5V80 - Selected topics in Sustainability Science and Society

5 Environmental Sustainability Research Centre The Environmental Sustainability Research Centre (ESRC) is the home unit of the Sustainability Science and Society graduate program and offers an enriching environment with opportunities to engage in a variety of activities and direct interactions with: Members - Including faculty and librarians from Brock University coming together from the departments of Biology, Economics, Geography, Political Science, Psychology, Tourism and Environment and Women s and Gender Studies Associates and affiliates Including staff, students and professionals from Brock University and beyond Community and institutional affiliates Including institutional and organizational partners at local, provincial, national and international levels The ESRC pursues innovative and transdisciplinary research concerning the environment, sustainability and socialecological resilience. In working towards this mission, the ESRC encourages transdisciplinary and environmentally oriented research by faculty, librarians and students. It catalyzes knowledge mobilization about the environment and engages community practitioners and policy makers to foster knowledge impacts about the environment at local through international levels. The ESRC is located within the Faculty of Social Sciences and is one of five transdisciplinary hubs at Brock University. Additionally, the ESRC is home to the UNESCO Chair Community Sustainability: From Local to Global. Students are encouraged to apply for student associate membership with the ESRC. For more information on the ESRC, visit: 5

6 Why is environmental sustainability important? Inevitably, by not linking the social and ecological dots, we may overstretch our planet to a point of no return. With greater needs to understand how systems work considering all aspects, Sustainability Science and Society represents a great way to acquire the skills and understanding to move further in this process, as sustainability is a process. - Dr. Liette Vasseur Issues of sustainability are in many ways the common denominator of virtually all aspects of human endeavor. Learning how to reconcile the often competing imperatives of economic development, social cohesion and environmental integrity is one of the most important and compelling undertakings of our time. - Dr. David Brown Why study sustainability at Brock? Brock s position in a UNESCO Biosphere Reserve provides an opportunity to study the social, economic, political and biophysical challenges confronting the Niagara Region and beyond, and to consider new ways of thinking about environmental sustainability, not to mention the Niagara escarpment, green belt, etc. Geographically, we are situated in a diverse landscape that is unlike many other places. This diverse landscape provides a range of research opportunities that are here in our own backyard. - Dr. Marilyne Jollineau 6

7 Gain valuable, marketable skills One of the main goals of the SSAS graduate program is to prepare students for life after graduate school. Throughout the program students will have numerous opportunities to develop and foster skills that are in high demand and are marketable in the environmental sustainability field. Data collection Environmental awareness Networking Analytic skills Project development and evaluation Transdisciplinary thinking Communication skills Public speaking Consulting skills Risk analysis Critical thinking Inquisitiveness Resourcefulness Interpret and communicate results Self-direction Time management Knowledge of sustainability science and society Leadership Marketing Research methods and analysis Community engagement Management, planning and co-ordination Teamwork and collaboration Adaptability Writing Interpersonal skills Diligence Problem solving Knowledge mobilization Strategic thinking Problem solving Organization Geographical and geospatial skills Work ethic Presentation skills Technical skills 6 7

8 Natural resource management Agriculture and food Land use Food safety Carrying capacity Carbon footprint Community gardens Food security Food Webs Gender and rural development Local food movement Organic industry Urban agriculture Water Water resources management Water supply and sanitation Rural and urban water use Forestry Environmental governance Social development Community development Gender roles Governance Indigenous peoples Local economic development Participation and civic engagement Social analysis Social policy Urban poverty Social justice and equality Social responsibility Workforce development Environmental services Environmental economics Environmental health Oceans Migration Adaptation Vulnerability Resilience Energy Electricity access Energy conservation Energy consumption Energy crops Energy efficiency Energy security Renewable energies Potential research topics Business Branding Corporate social responsibility Event planning Green economy Greenwashing Sustainable infrastructure Building design Construction and building Urban and rural development Policy and analysis Emissions pricing Fees and rebates Incentives Taxes Subsidies Policies Voluntary programs Disaster risk management Transportation Air transport Alternative fuels and vehicles Fuel taxes Public transit Railways Traffic congestions Vehicle pollution Sustainable tourism Ecotourism Agritourism Volunteer tourism Pollution and waste management Air pollution Carbon offsets Recycling Solid waste Waste regulation Waste liability Ecology, ecosystems and biodiversity Biodiversity Deforestation Ecosystem management Ecosystem services Endangered species Environmental accounting Environmental monitoring Fisheries and fishing Invasive species Oceans and coastal zones Species at risk Wetlands Wildlife

9 Potential career paths Wonder what you could do after graduating from the SSAS graduate program? Here are just a few examples of career paths that our graduates can pursue. Professor/academic Climate change and sustainability services advisor Sustainable interior design Employee engagement Environmental technician Corporate governance Social accounting, auditing and reporting Environmental policy analyst Chief environmental commitment officer Environmental educator Landscape design Environmental journalist Chief sustainability officer Sustainability trainer Sustainable farming (agriculture) Writer for an environmental magazine/ blog Corporate social responsibility Sustainability consultant Energy efficiency analyst Entrepreneur Responsible/green investments research and development Environmental analyst Carbon analyst Environmental marketing specialist Urban and rural planner Corporate foundations/philanthropy Environmental monitoring Sustainability manager Environmental risk management Compliance officer Environmental training specialist Sustainability director Teacher Ethics officer Green architecture Environmental health and safety Micro-financier Sustainable tourism Outreach co-ordinator Policy analyst Responsible/fair trade sourcing Chief green officer Environmental economist Community partnerships Staff giving and volunteer programs Sustainability officer Ecosystems researcher Conservation officer Sustainability researcher 9

10 Fees and financial support Brock University offers competitive guaranteed funding to individuals enrolled full-time in research-based graduate programs. Students in the SSAS graduate program (both schemes) are eligible for full-time funding from the University. There are several opportunities for students to receive additional financial support during their studies through internal and external financial support How much will graduate school cost? For information on graduate tuition and related fees at Brock University, visit: brocku.ca/finance/students/graduate. About Brock Located on the beautiful Niagara Escarpment, Brock University is one of only a few Canadian universities to be located in a UNESCO World Biosphere reserve and was awarded a UNESCO Chair. Brock was the second university in Ontario to be designated a fair trade campus and the first organization in Niagara to reach leader status in the Region s sustainability strategy. Brock understands the significance our impact has on the Earth and is committed to being a leader in green initiatives. 10

11 Admission criteria four-year bachelor's degree, or its equivalent, from an accredited university minimum 75% (mid-b) average over the last two years of full-time undergraduate study proficiency in English (the minimum TOEFL score of 600 (TWE 5.5) or equivalent is required) In keeping with its transdisciplinary character, the program welcomes students from a variety of academic backgrounds including, but not limited to: Applied Health Biological Sciences Canadian Studies Development Studies Earth Sciences Economics Engineering Environmental Management Environmental Science Environmental Studies Geography Planning Political Science Public Administration Rural Studies Tourism Women and Gender Studies Application checklist: Step 1. Ensure that you meet the following minimum criteria required by Brock University: You hold a four-year bachelor's degree, or its equivalent, from an accredited university You had a minimum 75% (mid-b) average over the last two years of full-time undergraduate study If you are an international student, you can prove your proficiency in English (minimum TOEFL score of 600 (TWE 5.5) or equivalent) Step 2. Ensure that you have all the requirements that will be considered by the SSAS graduate committee: Curriculum vitae Written statement of intent Agreement in principle of a core SSAS Faculty for supervision Three references Transcripts Proof of English proficiency (if required) Step 3. Submit your application through Brock Next Step and pay required application fee. 11

12 Brock University 500 Glenridge Ave. St. Catharines, ON L2S 3A1 T: W: brocku.ca/ssas Inquires: Apply today: brocku.ca/nextstep/programs/ facebook.com/brockussas twitter.com/brockussas