Master of Environmental Studies in Sustainability Management (Water)
The University of Waterloo offers a unique research-based Masters and Doctor of Philosophy (PhD) collaborative program in Water. This program, jointly offered by ten departments across the Faculties of Arts, Engineering, Environment, Mathematics and Science, is intended to promote multi- and inter-disciplinary perspectives related to water. The goal of the program is to supplement disciplinary (specialist) training offered in individual departments with perspectives from a variety of water-related disciplines. Students graduating from the collaborative program will be better equipped to work in multidisciplinary teams to solve increasingly complex water issues.
The over 130 faculty members involved in water research at the University of Waterloo represent international excellence and leadership in the field. The faculty cohort includes a Canada Excellence Research Chair, eight Canada Research Chairs, two NSERC Industrial Research Chairs and several University Chairs. The University’s water programs are diverse and collectively comprehensive, creating a dynamic research and learning environment. Core disciplinary expertise includes:
- Hydrological (groundwater, surface water) science and engineering;
- Water/wastewater treatment and technology;
- Ecohydrology;
- Aquatic ecology and ecotoxicology;
- Water management, policy and governance.
The collaborative program in Water represents tremendous opportunity for graduate students to train within their chosen disciplines while being exposed to perspectives of water research, innovation and management from other fields.
Admissions Requirements
Interested students should apply to the collaborative program in Water in one of the following departments via the regular university application process:
The collaborative program is available to students who are applying to thesis- or major paper-based research programs in the home department and whose program of study will have a substantial focus on water. Admission requirements are the same as home department programs, who must approve the application. Students will be required to submit a brief statement of their research interests in water with their application.
Degree Requirements
Students must fulfill all of the requirements of their home department, including any specific courses, thesis or seminar milestones, and all of the requirements of the Water program. Whether or not collaborative program courses can be used as electives in the home department will be determined by the department, and may differ from department to department. It is therefore possible that students will need to take additional courses beyond those prescribed by the home department in order to meet the specific requirements of the Water program.
| Term |
Course |
| Fall |
SUSM 601: Foundations for Sustainability Management |
| |
SUSM 602: Theories and Concepts of Sustainability Management |
| |
One elective |
| Winter |
SUSM 603: Research Methods for Sustainable Management |
| |
SUSM 605: Thesis development |
| |
One elective |
Spring
Summer |
Research Thesis
The thesis should demonstrate the student’s ability to conduct original research under the guidance of a faculty member. Furthermore a successful thesis in the program demonstrates knowledge of existing research within the area of inquiry, the development of a sound research question and the ability to apply appropriate methods. The results of research should be original and contribute to the existing body of knowledge in the selected field. The thesis should be approximately 100 pages. |
| Electives* |
SUSM 620: Business Operations and Sustainability
SUSM 630: Enterprise Marketing and Social Accountability
SUSM 640: Strategy for Sustainable Enterprises
SUSM 650: Environmental Finance
ENBUS 621: Enterprise Carbon Management
ENBUS 622: Product Life Cycle Assessment
ENBUS 632: Sustainability Reporting
ENBUS 642: Stakeholder Engagement, Collaborations and Partnerships
INDEV 602: International Development - Theory and Practice
INDEV 604: Sustainable Cities
INDEV 605: Economics for Sustainable Development
INDEV 606: Energy and Sustainability
INDEV 607: Management for Sustainability
INDEV 608: Water and Security
INDEV 616: Urban Food Security
LED 611: Industrial Location Theory and concepts
LED 612: Land Development Planning
LED 613: Regional Development Principles and Practices
LED 615: Community Economic Development
LED 619: Regional Planning, Economic and Investment Analysis
LED 688: Entrepreneurship and Small Business Development |
| *Students may request permission from the SEED Graduate Advisor to enroll in elective courses in other graduate courses that will complement their program of study. Permission must also be granted by the department or program in which the courses are offered. |
Core courses
Core courses are designed to provide fundamental multidisciplinary knowledge and experience to complement the student’s specialist courses and water-related research in the home department.
The two required core courses are:
WATER 601: Integrated Water Management (0.50 credit)
This course provides an overview of various water-related disciplines, including fields within water science and engineering, water technology, aquatic and terrestrial systems and water planning and management. Modules cover key concepts, methods, tools and terminology from a wide variety of perspectives, providing students with a multidisciplinary foundation for communicating and problem solving in the water resources sector.
WATER 602: Integrated Water Management Project (0.50 credit)
This course addresses current local, national or international water issues from an integrated, multi-disciplinary perspective. Building on WATER 601, students work in multi-disciplinary teams under the supervision of a faculty member to identify issues, challenges and opportunities to effectively address current water problems, integrating knowledge from a variety of perspectives. This course may have a field component in which full participation will be required.
Research Seminar
Students will make a formal presentation on their research at an annual symposium or other designated event. This will be an opportunity to interact with a very broad multidisciplinary audience that crosses all areas of research in the collaborative programs.
Other Opportunities
Students enrolled in the collaborative program will be offered other learning opportunities, such as participation in seminars and workshops and access to visiting fellows and scholars, which will enhance the learning experience.
Applying for the collaborative program in Water
For more information about the collaborative Water graduate programs, please contact the Graduate Studies Coordinator of a participating department or:
Dr. Mark Servos
Program Director
Phone: 519-888-4567 x36034
Email: mservos@uwaterloo.ca
Interested students should visit the Graduate Studies Office website.