Master of Sustainability

Will our rivers run dry? Can our cities survive? How will future populations replenish? Master of Sustainability (MSust) students address these questions by considering key global issues such as maintaining biodiversity, energy conservation, emission management, sustainable building design, urban planning, public health, economic development, and environmental, national and international treaty law.

Overview

The articulated MSust program provides advanced training to sustainability professionals and continuing students who wish to expand their understanding of complex social, economic and environmental sustainability issues. Based on creative problem solving techniques, students learn to draw on cross-disciplinary processes and expert knowledge. The MSust produces sustainability professionals able to augment their discipline-specific skills with an appreciation of the technological, commercial, legal, governmental and societal imperatives underpinning sustainability issues. The MSust has been developed in collaboration between the University’s Institute of Sustainable Solutions (USISS) and industry professionals from areas such as energy, finance, the media, planning, health, law, and government.

University of Sydney Advantage

Under the umbrella of USISS this program brings an industry and management approach to the complicated issues surrounding sustainability. Designed for both sustainability management professionals and recent graduates with an interest in sustainability, the MSust brings the best sustainability minds from across the University of Sydney’s Faculties to engage with students. Rooted in a successful research history and the latest research, students also have the option to incorporate their current employment into their research component of the course. USISS brings together the world’s leading thinkers, researchers and educators in disciplines such as renewable energy, climate change, population growth, health, and food and energy security. The Institute provides a focal point for outstanding research in sustainability, providing new ways of thinking about solutions.

Program Expectations

Students are expected to engage in the multidisciplinary spirit and interdisciplinary teamwork that underpins the work at USISS, whilst bringing their professional experience to bear on their studies, contributing towards a collaborative exploration into the practical application of sustainability solutions.

Students will gain the skills to lead sustainability teams or to offer high level sustainability consultancy and accounting services to industry, NGOs and government. The ability of graduates from all three courses to make a difference in organisational practice will be enhanced by the training that they will receive in problem solving, communication, integrated systems, change management, and ethics.

Mode of Delivery

Instruction will be from experts from across the University and leading industrial practitioners, in a series of on-campus lectures, tutorials and seminars. Depending on subject selection students may also be involved in laboratory work.

Admission Requirements

A Bachelor degree from the University of Sydney or equivalent qualification. Performance in the Graduate Certificate in Sustainability (GradCertSust) and Graduate Diploma in Sustainability (GradDipSust) may also be considered for entry in the GradDipSust and MSust, respectively.

Program Requirements

GradCertSust:

• satisfactory completion of 24 credit points (cp), including 12 of core and 12 of elective units of study, respectively.

GradDipSust:

• satisfactory completion of 48 cp, including 36 of core and 12 of elective units of study, respectively.

MSust:

• satisfactory completion of 72 cp, including 36 of core material, 12 of elective units of study, and 24 of a capstone experience. The capstone experience is a research-type activity involving at least two of the USISS theme areas. Students select the research topic in consultation with an academic mentor.

Units of Study

More detailed information regarding units of study will be available at a later date.

After Graduation

Graduates will be equipped to develop and implement solutions to the complex problems facing an increasingly resource-constrained society. They will be suited for positions in the developing fields of sustainability in areas as diverse as technology, finance, policy, government, industry and communities.

Credit for previous study

Credit for previous study is available in this course.

Annual Intake

There is no quota for this program.

Minimum program duration - Full Time

GradCertSust - 1 semester

GradDipSust - 2 semesters

MSust - 3 semesters

Minimum program duration - Part Time

GradCertSust - 2 semesters

GradDipSust - 4 semesters

MSust - 6 semesters

Is Mid-Year Entry Available?

Upon consultation with the Faculty of Science.