Individualized curriculum through the Plan of Study

The MES program uses an innovative pedagogical model that focuses on the Plan of Study – a tool to help you articulate and work towards your own research interests. In conjunction with the one required course, ENVS 5100 Interdisciplinary Research in Environmental Studies, a Faculty Advisor will guide you through the creation of a statement of interest and intellectual exploration, which will evolve into a Plan of Study defining your Area of Concentration and learning objectives. Those objectives become your own individual curriculum, guiding your choice of courses and other educational experiences.

Sample Areas of Concentration

As an MES student, you will define a unique Area of Concentration to explore. Since the program encourages creativity and interdisciplinarity, the Areas of Concentration are as diverse as the students themselves. Some examples include:

• GIS in aboriginal water protection
• Manipulating identity: development and legal frameworks
• Of sewage and the sublime
• Planning socially-inclusive urban waterfronts
• Poverty education and community development
• Food politics: place-based social movements and sustainable agriculture
• Ecotheology and ethics
• Democratizing the global city
• Tli suti Telimungsi gw: lessons from language
• Environmental education and human/animal relationships
• Uncovering fairness in fair trade
• Environmental metaphors we live by
• Planning policy and environmental management
• Non-formal sustainable citizen education in Canada
• Refugees in Africa and educational programs
• Imagining nature
• Rethinking climate change policy
• Planning for urban gardens

Credits, grades and courses

Please see the detailed information on credits, grades and courses in the Current students section of our site.