Development and Sustainability

Why Study in the DS program

The main aim of the program is to target development managers and practitioners who need a broader understanding of development issues, and a more interdisciplinary learning experience, than the current program offerings allow.

More specifically, a broader program in Development and Sustainability would be appealing to government employees and managers, international organizations, NGOs and private research institutions, as well as academics working in development studies.

Coursework and Research

The DS program currently offers a Master of Science (thesis or research study options) and a Doctor of Philosophy degree (PhD).

The course credit requirements for each program are as follows:

• Master's Degree Thesis Option
• Master's Degree Research Study Option
• PhD Degree

Gender and Development Studies (GDS), Natural Resources Management (NRM), Regional and Rural Development Planning (RRDP) and Urban Environmental Management (UEM).

Including Disaster Preparedness, Mitigation and Management (DPMM) and other courses in SERD. This requires consultation with the student’s advisor.

Courses offered in the department tend to use a practical approach to learning. This includes lab and team work and exercises, group presentations, seminars and discussions, and field trips. We also offer the possibility of taking an internship (usually with international organizations or NGOs) which can provide up to 3 credits of coursework equivalent. Finally, there are several opportunities for student exchange programs.

For the master’s degree, research work for the thesis option normally requires one year, while research work in the research study option requires 4 to 6 months. The research study option requires 38 credits of coursework while the thesis option requires 26 credits of coursework. The thesis option is usually intended for those who will pursue careers in research work or continue towards doctoral studies.

Research Opportunity

Students can conduct their research work under the supervision of any faculty member from the four core programs (GDS, NRM, RRDP, UEM). A thesis or research study advisor will be selected based on the proposed topic of research and the related expertise of faculty members

Research proposals should include a development-related problematic and address either (or both) social and environmental components of sustainability