Master of Science in International Environmental Studies

This program provides students with the skills needed to study local to global environmental problems and to formulate policies and strategies for sustainable development. They learn to engage with the issues from an interdisciplinary perspective.

Photo

Neil Palmer/CIAT/Wikimedia Commons

What can you use this qualification for?

Graduates can work in national and international agencies, ministries and environmental organisations, development aid agencies, education, research organisations, media, consulting companies and international non-governmental organisations.

What will you learn?

Students will learn about society and environment interactions related to climate and other global environmental changes, loss of biodiversity and ecological life-support systems, land degradation, water and natural resource extraction, unsustainable agri-food systems, energy and pollution. The program provides an in-depth understanding of the relationship between social and natural processes, and how governance and economic structures influence current trends.

Short description

The program consists of a set of core courses – Introduction to International Environmental Studies, Foundations of Sustainability Science, and Research Methods – a broad variety of electives, and a 30-credit master thesis. The core courses present fundamental concepts and analytical tools in environmental and sustainability science, and provide knowledge on the use of scientific methods. Elective courses include e.g., Agroecology and Development; Climate Change and Development; Environmental Governance; Global Environmental Change; Global Food Security; Linking Ecological and Social Resilience; and Political Ecology. Both the elective courses and the master thesis allow students to specialise and tailor their course plan accordingly.

The program is interdisciplinary and uses a socio-ecological approach, with courses that focus on both natural and social aspects of the environmental challenges of our time. Students with both natural and social science backgrounds are accepted into the program.

The role of international political bodies, nation states and state policies, intergovernmental organizations, markets and civil society are emphasised. Poverty alleviation, health, human well-being, and sustainable use of biodiversity and natural resources are core aspects of sustainable development that are extensively covered in the program.

The program has an international scope, with a curriculum that covers topics that are relevant for countries across the globe, and utilises research-based knowledge from a wide set of geographical contexts. The program also covers global environmental issues as well as international initiatives for sustainability, and attracts students from all over the world.

Programme structure

Showing programme structure for students starting 2018

Study year: 1

Semester: autumn

Programme variant: Compulsory Courses
Emne	ECTS
Sustainability Science: ecological, social, and economic dimensions	10	Compulsory Course
Research Methods	15	Compulsory Course
Introduction to International Environmental Studies	5	Compulsory Course

Semester: spring

Programme variant: Core courses
Emne	ECTS
Climate Change and Development	10	Choose at least 2 Courses
Agroecology and development	10	Choose at least 2 Courses
The Politics and Governance of the Environment	10	Choose at least 2 Courses
Political Ecology	10	Choose at least 2 Courses

Study year: 2

Semester: spring

Programme variant: Compulsory Courses
Emne	ECTS
Master's Thesis	30	Choose one Master Thesis

Detailed description

Social relevance:

All humans depend on the Earth`s ecosystems and the services they provide, for food production, water supply, a healthy environment, suitable climate, spiritual well-being and aesthetic pleasure. Many consider the rate at which people have changed the ecosystems during the last fifty years alarming. In this situation, a sustainable future will depend not only on our ability to understand the ecosystems, but also on our realization of how human societies can interact sustainably with the environment. Sustainable development depends on competent analytical and management capacity both in the public sector and in civil society. To build the capacity needed to ensure long-term ecosystem services, students will explore complex relationships between society and the environment. Graduates are expected to contribute with integrated and innovative solutions to far-reaching problems, fostering action and change to meet socio-economic and biophysical challenges. Job opportunities can be found in government agencies, environmental organizations, private consulting companies, and national and international development agencies.

Learning outcomes:

After completing this study program, students should have the following competencies:

Knowledge:

Extensive knowledge regarding the characteristics of environmental challenges and their drivers at different scales ¿ global as well as local.
In-depth understanding of key concepts, frameworks and tools for understanding sustainability problems and creating solutions.
Comprehensive insights regarding complexity and interrelated social and ecological processes occurring across temporal, spatial, and organisational/political scales

Skills:

Ability to engage in management and policy formulation for sustainable development.
Capacity to analyse complex environmental problems and governance issues in an interdisciplinary way.
Learn about and critically assess academic advancements within the field of environmental and sustainability studies, as well as new policy developments.
Capacity to create and evaluate solutions to environmental problems, acknowledging the dynamics between ecological and socio-political processes.
Competence in planning and conducting field research, project management and development work.
Ability to use various frameworks and methods in the study of socio-environmental issues in the field.
Develop writing skills and learn to evaluate and use primary and secondary sources of data in the writing of papers, including the correct use and presentation of references.
Develop a critical perspective on power relations, ethical issues and conflicts of values related to environmental change and policy.

General competence:

Plan and carry out independent research, develop innovative research questions and engage critically in policy formulation and project development.
Solve theoretical, methodological and project/policy problems independently.
Apply insights and knowledge in development or environment management, teaching or business.
Engage in public debates, media, voluntary organisations, community meetings, popular dissemination and in meetings with policy makers.
Build research teams and inter-personal communication across cultures and across academic fields.

Qualifications after graduation:

Graduates are qualified to apply for Ph.D. programs in the area of environment, development and governance. Graduates qualify for jobs in national and international agencies, ministries and environmental organisations, development aid agencies, education, research organisations, media, consulting companies and international non-governmental organisations

Contents and structure:

The Master Program in International Environmental Studies requires 30 credits of compulsory courses. In addition, students choose 20 credits among a set of core elective courses and a 30-credit master thesis (M30-IES). The remaining 50 ECTS can be selected from other courses at Noragric, at NMBU or at other universities. To get a Master degree, the course portfolio must contain at least 30 credits of 300-level courses. A maximum of 10 credits can be from 100-level courses. The combination of compulsory and elective courses should give the study plan a coherent, thematic focus. The student may select any of the master level courses offered by Noragric. Noragric must approve the courses that are taken at other NMBU departments or other universities.

Evaluation:

Courses are evaluated through various combinations of final examinations, term papers, and oral presentations.

Cooperation with other institutions:

Arrangements, incoming exchange students:

Noragric offers individualized course packages taught in English for visiting students.

Admission requirements:

Bachelor degree or equivalent education with a GPA of minimum 'C' in fields relevant to natural and social aspects of environmental studies (e.g., ecology, agriculture, wildlife management, economics, development studies, political science, sociology, geography, social anthropology)

As a general rule, applicants with another Master's degree from our department or with a Master's degree in a similar field will not be prioritized.

Learning activities:

Teaching methods in the IES programme include lectures, problem-based learning, Internet-supported teaching, group work, fieldwork and seminars. Increased emphasis is placed on communication skills and ability to search for and evaluate information. Seminars allow students to develop skills in analyzing, applying and presenting ideas. Student interaction for constructive criticism and praise is considered important for preparing them for effective, cross-cultural work situations. Case studies given by guest lecturers and study of current research articles provide an up-to-date learning environment.

Studies abroad:

Most students do thesis research in other countries than Norway, and many in countries in the Global South. During the third semester (Aug.-Sep.), some students attend a 15-credit field course for the time being at partner institutions in India. Internships and / or student exchange to partner universities are alternatives to the field course.

Requirements: A Bachelor degree or equivalent in a relevant field. Depending on your planned specialization, your background may be from environmental sciences, ecology, resource management, agriculture, forestry, geography, economics, humanities, political science or a relevant social science. Applicants must meet the university’s requirement for English language proficiency, and include a 1-page (A4) motivation letter.

Contact info

Study coordinator:
studieveileder-landsam@nmbu.no
Admission Office:
opptak@nmbu.no
Phone: 67 23 01 11

"I give support to our Congolese partners in their implementation of projects. My master program at NMBU was highly relevant for the job I have now". Stefan Kistler, Rainforest Foundation

Some courses

Research Methods

Foundations of Sustainability

Political Ecology

Coastal, Marine & Aquatic Res.

Climate Change and Development

Global Environmental Changes

Social & Ecological Resilience

Agroecology and Development

Internship

Global Food Security

Ecology and Society