Master of Science in Sustainable Development
Program Overview*
This two-year program integrates interdisciplinary knowledge and practical skills to address global sustainability challenges. It emphasizes the UN Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs), blending environmental science, socio-economic strategies, policy frameworks, and ethical leadership.
*Year 1: Core Modules*
*Semester 1: Foundations of Sustainable Development*
- *Course 1: Introduction to Sustainable Development*
- History (Brundtland Report, SDGs), three pillars (environmental, social, economic), global vs. local perspectives.
- Assessment: Essays, group discussions.
- *Course 2: Environmental Science & Climate Change*
- Ecology, climate science, renewable energy, mitigation/adaptation strategies.
- Lab/Fieldwork: Carbon footprint analysis.
- *Course 3: Social Equity & Development*
- Poverty, gender, community engagement, Indigenous knowledge.
- Case Study: SDG 5 (Gender Equality).
*Semester 2: Policy & Economics*
- *Course 4: Sustainable Economics*
- Circular economy, green growth, cost-benefit analysis.
- Workshop: Circular business models.
- *Course 5: Policy & Governance*
- International agreements (Paris Accord), environmental law, CSR.
- Simulation: UN climate negotiation role-play.
- *Course 6: Tools for Sustainability*
- Life Cycle Assessment (LCA), GIS, systems thinking.
- Software Training: LCA software, GIS tools.
*Year 2: Specialization & Application*
*Semester 3: Electives & Leadership*
- *Electives (Choose 2):*
- Sustainable Urban Planning
- Renewable Energy Systems
- Water Resource Management
- Corporate Sustainability
- *Course 7: Ethics & Leadership*
- Environmental ethics, stakeholder engagement, leadership case studies (e.g., Paul Polman).
*Semester 4: Capstone & Internship*
- *Capstone Project*
- Real-world project with industry/NGO partners. Presentation and report required.
- *Optional Internship*
- 8–12 weeks in sustainability-focused organizations.
*Assessment*
- Mix of exams, research papers, presentations, and group projects.
- Capstone evaluated on innovation, feasibility, and alignment with SDGs.
*Learning Outcomes*
- Analyse sustainability challenges using interdisciplinary frameworks.
- Design policies, business models, and community initiatives aligned with SDGs.
- Lead ethical, evidence-based sustainability transformations.
*Program Structure at a Glance*
| Semester | Courses | Credits |
|----------|---------|---------|
| 1 | Foundations, Environmental Science, Social Equity | 18 |
| 2 | Sustainable Economics, Policy, Tools | 18 |
| 3 | Electives, Ethics & Leadership | 12 |
| 4 | Capstone/Internship | 12 |
*Elective Examples*
- Sustainable Agriculture
- Climate Finance
- Disaster Risk Reduction