The Department of Geography, Planning and Environment, Concordia University, offers a Masters Program in Environmental Assessment (EA) which integrates both the human and biogeophysical aspects of EA in a transdisciplinary context, and combines academic excellence with an effective policy-focused approach to the use of scientific knowledge and methods.
The program is designed to develop a sound and critical understanding of the processes and methodologies of Environmental Assessment (EA), to expose students to the range of public policy and social science considerations involved in environmental planning, sustainable development and resource decision-making, to enhance students' existing knowledge of the biogeophysical environment and provide students with a thorough understanding of GIS applied to environmental decision-making. It is directed towards individuals who hold an undergraduate degree in any relevant discipline in the social or physical sciences and are interested in developing or enhancing their knowledge and skills in the environmental field. Students will also be able to relate EA theory and practice during their internship, designed to provide opportunities for them to deepen their knowledge and extend their skills through direct application as EA practitioners in governmental, non-governmental organizations (NGOs), or private sector companies.
The program requires 30 credits of coursework as detailed below, followed by a four-month internship placement. Following the internship, students work with a faculty supervisor to prepare and present an internship report, which can be based on work carried out during the internship, and which should constitute an original work contributing to the theory, practice and application of environmental assessment. Typically the entire MEnv program takes between 1.5 and 2 years to complete.
Specific requirements of the degree are:
The minimum period of residence is two terms of full-time study or the equivalent in part-time study.
A fully qualified candidate is required to complete a minimum of 45 credits as follows:
Note: Elective courses within list B and C may be substituted with permission of the department based on individual student background and need.
The normal requirement for admission to the MEnv in EA is a Bachelor's degree in an appropriate discipline in Arts or Science from a recognized university with a minimum GPA of 3.30 on 4.30 or equivalent. Applicants are selected on the basis of a sound undergraduate academic record and strong language skills in English and/or French which will allow them to secure an internship, a requirement of the program. Students who lack an appropriate background in Ecology or Geographic Information Systems or Physical Geography preparation may be required to take some or all of the preparatory courses. These preparatory courses (other universities will have analogous courses) are at the first year university level: BIOL 298C, Introduction to Sustainability; GEOG272 (Natural Environment - Air/Water) or GEOG 274 (Natural Environment - Land/Life). At the second year level, adequate preparation would be two courses from such offerings as GEOG 371 (Plant Ecology), GEOG 375 (Hydrology), GEOG 372 (Plant Reproductive Ecology), GEOG 377 (Landform Evolution), as well as an introductory course in GIS, such as GEOG 363 (Geographic Information Systems). Those applicants lacking a social science background may be required to take GEOG 355 (Resource Analysis and Management) or a similar course.
Students already registered in the Diploma in Environmental Assessment (DEA) are permitted to apply to the Master in EA if they maintain a GPA of 3.3/4.3. Students who choose to apply to the Master in EA will not graduate from the DEA, but their courses and grades will be transferred to the Master in EA. A minimum grade of B is required for a course to be transferred from the DEA to the Master in EA. The Graduate Committee of the Department will be responsible for the admissions transfer from the DEA to the Master in EA.
The Concordia University Application for Admission to the School of Graduate Studies must be completed for consideration for admission to the program.
Each application must include:
Any student applying from outside Canada whose first language is other than English must demonstrate proficiency in the English language by writing the Test of English as a Foreign Language (TOEFL iBT) and obtain a minimum score of 95 or the International English and receive a minimum score of 7.0.
Applications must be received by February 1 for September Admission. (There is no winter admission for this program) Incomplete applications will not be considered. For more information contact Mae Anne Burridge, Graduate Program Assistant.
Page Title: MEnv Environmental Assessment - Concordia University - Montreal, Quebec, Canada
Page URL:http://gpe.concordia.ca/graduate-programs/menv/index.php ...
Date Printed: Wed May 16, 2012
