Overview
The Master of Arts/ Master of Science in Environment and Management program (MEM) is a 26-month degree program of interdisciplinary study in which students in both programs typically complete nine courses and a thesis for 38 credits total. Based on academic history and work experience, students will pursue either the Master of Arts (MA) stream or the Master of Science (MSc) stream. The difference is in the student's choice of thesis topic (see the thesis curriculum description) and one of the online courses.
The program begins with online pre-residency work in January, followed immediately by a three-week residency in February. This is followed by two distance courses in the spring and fall of the same year. The second three-week residency is followed by a third distance course in the spring. The time between the second residency and the final three-week residency allows for thesis project completion that fulfills the thesis requirement.
During the three-week residencies, students are engaged in class time Monday to Friday, from 8 a.m. to 5 p.m., and can expect to spend a considerable amount of out-of-class time working on individual and team assignments. During the distance courses, students can expect to spend an average of 10 - 20 hours per week on course work.
In their first year, students focus on dynamics and processes that impact ecological systems, and will study concepts of sustainable development theory and practice. They will also demonstrate competencies in communication and computer skills, prepare for the thesis project, and acquire the skills necessary to develop a greater understanding of the quantitative scientific and technical components of environmental issues. Students accepted into the program are expected to complete instructor-selected readings and assignments prior to first residency. Information about assigned readings, texts and pre-residency assignments will be distributed to students as soon as possible before the residency. It is strongly recommended that students set aside time during Dec. and Jan. for completion of these readings and assignments.
In their second year, students will study sustainability, governance and the political economy of environmental public policy, as well as systems methods for environmental management. The major focus over much of the second year of the program will be on the development and completion of the thesis project.
In the third residency, students will focus on sustainable development, and management and leadership concepts. Methods, skills and environmental management tools are developed in the context of sustainability. In addition to building on the environmental skills and knowledge base acquired in the first and second years, students will explore their integration of this learning and consider action plans to implement their personal research work. It is expected that students will submit their completed thesis for Divisional Review before the start of the third residency.
The program is structured to maximize the opportunities for experienced practitioners from diverse areas of environmental expertise to learn together in their core classes and to cooperate on projects, team planning, and group discussions. A core focus of the MEM program is to reach a better understanding of the language, expertise, and concerns of the widest possible range of environmental professionals.
