Sustainability Theme

Theme Overview

Degrees Offered: M.A., M.Sc., Ph.D.

The Sustainability Theme focuses on interdisciplinary approaches to research in sustainability. Theme participants will contribute to identifying, articulating and resolving pressing socio-ecological problems. For participating faculty, see the Sustainability website.

The Sustainability Theme offers full-time, research-based degrees. For research interests of Theme faculty members, please consult the Sustainability website.

Theme Admission Requirements

The overarching IGS requirements are the minimum standards required for admission to the Theme. Evidence in the application for admission that the research interests and scholarly background of the applicant are topically relevant to the Theme, and agreement of a faculty member who participates in the Theme to serve as the applicant’s supervisor, are also required. Refer to the Sustainability website for a list of potential supervisors.

Theme Requirements

Master of Arts (M.A.) in Interdisciplinary Studies, Sustainability Theme

In addition to the general academic regulations for graduate students set out by the College of Graduate Studies, students in the Sustainability Theme must complete 30 credits for the M.A. as follows:

• a 12-credit Master's Thesis (IGS_O 599);
• 3 credits of IGS_O 524;
• IGS_O 584;
• IGS_O 585;
• at least 3 credits in a methods course selected from the following: IGS_O 501, IGS_O 509, IGS_O 515, ANTH_O 307, BIOL_O 544, BIOL_O 568, CHEM_O 322, CHEM_O 412, COSC_O 505, CULT_O 371, CCS_O 506, CCS_O 507, DATA_O 407, DATA_O 501, DATA_O 521, ECON_O 370, ECON_O 427, EESC_O 315, GEOG_O 371, GEOG_O 377, GEOG_O 474, GISC_O 380, GISC_O 381, HIST_O 492, HIST_O 497, HMKN_O 506, INDG_O 401, MATH_O 339, MATH_O 459, MDST_O 320, MGMT_O 541, NRSG_O 507, PSYO_O 372, PYSO_O 373, PSYO_O 507, SOCI_O 390, SOCI_O 395, SOCW_O 553, STAT_O 406, STAT_O 507, STAT_O 538, STAT_O 547, STAT_O 560, or others, as deemed appropriate by the supervisory committee; and
• 6 credits of additional coursework selected by the student in consultation with, and approval of, his or her supervisor, of which no more than 6 credits can be at the 300/400 level, and none may be at the 100/200 level. Note: if a student elects to take one of the three credit upper-level undergraduate course as one of the methods options, then that student may only take one more three credit upper-level undergraduate course to count toward the master's degree.

Master of Science (M.Sc.) in Interdisciplinary Studies, Sustainability Theme

In addition to the general academic regulations for graduate students set out by the College of Graduate Studies, students in the Sustainability Theme must complete 30 credits for the M.Sc. as follows:

• an 18-credit Master's Thesis (IGS_O 599);
• 3 credits of IGS_O 524;
• IGS_O 584;
• IGS_O 585;
• at least 3 credits in a methods course selected from the following: IGS_O 501, IGS_O 509, ANTH_O 307, BIOL_O 544, BIOL_O 568, CHEM_O 322, CHEM_O 412, COSC_O 505, CULT_O 371, CCS_O 506, CCS_O 507, DATA_O 407, DATA_O 501, DATA_O 521, ECON_O 370, ECON_O 427, EESC_O 315, GEOG_O 371, GEOG_O 377, GEOG_O 474, GISC_O 380, GISC_O 381, HIST_O 492, HIST_O 497, HMKN_O 506, INDG_O 401, MATH_O 339, MATH_O 459, MDST_O 320, MGMT_O 541, NRSG_O 507, PSYO_O 372, PYSO_O 373, PSYO_O 507, SOCI_O 390, SOCI_O 395, SOCW_O 553, STAT_O 406, STAT_O 507, STAT_O 538, STAT_O 547, STAT_O 560, or others, as deemed appropriate by the supervisory committee

Doctor of Philosophy (Ph.D.) in Interdisciplinary Studies, Sustainability Theme

In addition to the general academic regulations for graduate students set out by the College of Graduate Studies, the minimum requirements for the Ph.D. are:

• 3 credits of IGS_O 524;
• 3 credits of IGS_O 584;
• 3 credits of IGS_O 585;
• 3 credits of methods coursework;
• successful completion of comprehensive requirements; and
• successful defence of the doctoral dissertation IGS_O 699 (0).

Additional coursework may be required at the discretion of the supervisory committee.

Contact Information

Complete details regarding the Sustainability Theme are available on the IGS website, or by contacting the Theme Coordinator.

For current information, consult the Theme Website.