UBC Okanagan

Sustainability Theme

Theme Overview

Degrees Offered: M.A., M.Sc., Ph.D.

The Sustainability Theme focuses on interdisciplinary approaches to research in sustainability. Theme participants will contribute to identifying, articulating and resolving pressing socio-ecological problems. For participating faculty, see the Sustainability website.

The Sustainability Theme offers full-time, research-based degrees. For research interests of Theme faculty members, please consult the Sustainability website.

Theme Admission Requirements

The overarching IGS requirements are the minimum standards required for admission to the Theme. Evidence in the application for admission that the research interests and scholarly background of the applicant are topically relevant to the Theme, and agreement of a faculty member who participates in the Theme to serve as the applicant’s supervisor, are also required. Refer to the Sustainability website for a list of potential supervisors.

Theme Requirements

Master of Arts (M.A.) in Interdisciplinary Studies, Sustainability Theme

In addition to the general academic regulations for graduate students set out by the College of Graduate Studies, students in the Sustainability Theme must complete 30 credits for the M.A. as follows:

• a 12-credit Master's Thesis (IGS 599);
• 3 credits of IGS 524;
• IGS 584;
• IGS 585;
• at least 3 credits in a methods course selected from the following: IGS 501, IGS 509, IGS 515, ANTH 307, BIOL 544, BIOL 568, CHEM 322, CHEM 412, COSC 505, CULT 371, CCS 506, CCS 507, DATA 407, DATA 501, DATA 521, ECON 370, ECON 427, EESC 315, GEOG 371, GEOG 377, GEOG 474, GISC 380, GISC 381, HIST 492, HIST 497, HMKN 506, INDG 401, MATH 339, MATH 459, MDST 320, MGMT 541, NRSG 507, PSYO 372, PYSO 373, PSYO 507, SOCI 390, SOCI 395, SOCW 553, STAT 406, STAT 507, STAT 538, STAT 547, STAT 560, or others, as deemed appropriate by the supervisory committee; and
• 6 credits of additional coursework selected by the student in consultation with, and approval of, his or her supervisor, of which no more than 6 credits can be at the 300/400 level, and none may be at the 100/200 level. Note: if a student elects to take one of the three credit upper-level undergraduate course as one of the methods options, then that student may only take one more three credit upper-level undergraduate course to count toward the master's degree.

Master of Science (M.Sc.) in Interdisciplinary Studies, Sustainability Theme

In addition to the general academic regulations for graduate students set out by the College of Graduate Studies, students in the Sustainability Theme must complete 30 credits for the M.Sc. as follows:

• an 18-credit Master's Thesis (IGS 599);
• 3 credits of IGS 524;
• IGS 584;
• IGS 585;
• at least 3 credits in a methods course selected from the following: IGS 501, IGS 509, ANTH 307, BIOL 544, BIOL 568, CHEM 322, CHEM 412, COSC 505, CULT 371, CCS 506, CCS 507, DATA 407, DATA 501, DATA 521, ECON 370, ECON 427, EESC 315, GEOG 371, GEOG 377, GEOG 474, GISC 380, GISC 381, HIST 492, HIST 497, HMKN 506, INDG 401, MATH 339, MATH 459, MDST 320, MGMT 541, NRSG 507, PSYO 372, PYSO 373, PSYO 507, SOCI 390, SOCI 395, SOCW 553, STAT 406, STAT 507, STAT 538, STAT 547, STAT 560, or others, as deemed appropriate by the supervisory committee

Doctor of Philosophy (Ph.D.) in Interdisciplinary Studies, Sustainability Theme

In addition to the general academic regulations for graduate students set out by the College of Graduate Studies, the minimum requirements for the Ph.D. are:

• 3 credits of IGS 524;
• 3 credits of IGS 584;
• 3 credits of IGS 585;
• 3 credits of methods coursework;
• successful completion of comprehensive requirements; and
• successful defence of the doctoral dissertation IGS 699 (0).

Additional coursework may be required at the discretion of the supervisory committee.

Contact Information

Complete details regarding the Sustainability Theme are available on the IGS website, or by contacting the Theme Coordinator.

For current information, consult the Theme Website.