What is the MS in Sustainability Science Program?
|April 9, 2021
The MS in Sustainability Science program is aimed at individuals pursuing a career in technical aspects of sustainability and looking to help organizations better understand, predict, and address environmental impacts.
Building on the success of Columbia MS in the sustainability management program, the MS in Sustainability Science Program was launched in 2018 to provide students with a technical understanding of the pressing sustainability issues threatening the Earth’s natural systems, as well as the scientific tools to respond to these changes. The MS in Sustainability Science program sees integrating scientific knowledge into decision making as a valuable skill that is increasingly in demand by policy makers and business managers.
Just as students in the MS in Sustainability Management program have access to leading practitioners in the field of sustainability, students in the MS in Sustainability Science learn from the unparalleled expertise of researchers at the Lamont-Doherty Earth Observatory in Colombia. Armed with these cutting-edge techniques, students apply their acquired knowledge to help organizations and companies manage the environmental impacts and risks of their operations.
The MS in Sustainability Science (SUSC) program is best suited for prospective students with a bachelor’s degree in engineering, math, science and related fields who are pursuing careers in engineering sustainability, e.g. B. as a senior environmental scientist or program manager for environmental technologies.
SUSC Co-Directors Art Lerner-Lam (Lamont Research Professor and Associate Director of the Lamont-Doherty Earth Observatory) and Brad Linsley (Lamont Research Professor) note that “sustainability science is a vast, emerging field that is rapidly evolving . “Therefore, the” SUSC curriculum does not focus on any aspect of sustainability science, but trains students in a wide range of disciplines. “
The aim of the program is to provide students with the tools to understand the underlying scientific concepts so that they can apply them to decision making and represent the voice of science in a space of non-scientists. In some areas, such as engineering and consulting, the role of “scientist” can be looked down upon and we would like our students not to be placed in that limited role.
“We aim to position SUSC students at the intersection between the science of sustainability and the applied solutions needed to mitigate problems.” – Brad Linsley, Co-Director, MS in Sustainability Science
With this goal in mind, the SUSC program seeks to incorporate policy-related approaches to complement the students’ strong academic base in the field. With growing concerns about climate change at the center of public debate, educating policy makers about the science of sustainability becomes increasingly important.
Because the SUSC program curriculum covers a wide range of subjects and does not focus closely on specific areas, students have the flexibility to explore their interests and design a course load that truly excites them. The program offers full-time and part-time options for those with current job responsibilities, as well as flexible course options that can be tailored to meet the students’ specific career goals. Students can take advantage of Columbia’s unparalleled resources and professional network, as well as our global alumni base. Many SUSC students use the research and Internship opportunities through the program that enables students to address real problems and design innovative solutions. New York City serves students as a living laboratory for developments in sustainability practice and as a source of many employers who hire our graduates.
For students wishing to apply for the program, the next application deadline is May 15, 2021 to enroll in Fall 2021. We encourage students to virtually take one of our online courses and connect with current students and alums. Please note our application guidelines here or contact the program office ([email protected]) for more informations.
In 2020 the MS in sustainability management, co-sponsored by the Earth Institute and Colombia’s School of Professional Studiestrains students to address complex and pressing environmental and management challenges. Visit the website to learn more.
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