Environment, Society and Sustainability

The Master’s in Environment, Society and Sustainability from theUniversity of Cape Townis designed for students with diverse backgrounds who have an interest in environment, society and sustainability. Problems pertaining to the environment, society and sustainability are interdisciplinary in nature and students with backgrounds in both natural and social sciences are encouraged to apply.

The MPhil in Environment, Society and Sustainability from the University of Cape Town is an 18-month program that accepts students from a wide range of disciplines who have achieved above average results in a 4 year degree. It provides education in theory relating to environment, society and sustainability. When qualified, you will join the environmental and geographical scientists who are shaping the future by addressing global and local environmental and developmental challenges.

Research project and short dissertation

In the first semester students are expected to develop research ideas and secure a supervisor who is appropriately placed in a research area to meet their supervisory needs. Finding a project can either be a process of negotiation where a student will have research ideas and find a supervisor to meet these interests. It is important to note that a student must settle on a project that can be supervised by a member of our academic staff. Alternatively staff may have project ideas which they can share with interested students. During the first semester, students will prepare a research proposal which will be presented to the Department either at the end of the first semester or the start of the second semester of the first year.

The short dissertations, no longer than 25 000 words, should indicate that the student has an adequate grasp of the theories, principles and methods appropriate to their topic. It should be a logical and coherent account of the topic, and should ideally demonstrate an ability to deal with problems of an interdisciplinary nature.

Each dissertation is submitted to internal and external examiners. Students will be encouraged to submit papers on their research for publication but this is not a requirement for the award of the degree. One way to facilitate this is for the academic supervisor to take responsibility for publication as a co-author.

Courses include:

• Research project

• ShortDissertation

• Urban environmental management

• Water pollution
• Urban social ecological systems