THE WORLD'S TOP
SUSTAINABILITY PROGRAMS
MS IN SUSTAINABILITY SCIENCE
This program is designed for those who wish to pursue a career in technical aspects of sustainability, helping organizations better understand, predict, and address environmental impacts. Ideal candidates have an undergraduate degree in science, engineering, math or related fields. Graduates will be skilled in the practical application of scientific skills and tools to address sustainability issues and become leaders in their fields. There are full- and part-time options for those with current professional obligations.
Those interested in a sustainability career but without an undergraduate STEM degree may be interested in the MS in Sustainability Management.
Hear from our Program Director.
OUR STUDENTS LEARN TO
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Use scientific methods to observe and monitor sustainability
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Analyze and model data to understand the environment
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Employ scientific tools to respond to pressing sustainability issues
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Integrate science in the decision-making of organizations
Co-Director
Talks@Columbia with MS in Sustainability Science Co-Director Dr. Art Lerner-Lam
Created an index that quantifies the major environmental impacts of shipping hubs.
Alumna Isabela Brown
A student asserts that wind development companies need to take fishermen’s concerns more seriously, so that both industries can coexist successfully.
Researchers at Columbia are developing an app that Guinean communities can use to hold mining companies accountable for controlling the dust they produce, which can harm health and livelihoods.
Learn more about our program
Graduates of the program are equipped to apply their knowledge to help organizations and businesses address environmental impacts and risks to their operations.
Alum Jeffrey Fralick
Taking on the threats of climate change and incorporating sustainable practices into everyday life.
Curriculum
Sustainability Science Capstone Workshop Investigates Microplastics in the Hudson River
Alum Kevin Webb
Webb comes from a career of more than 8 years in early-stage venture capital
Reforestation is an important tool for fixing climate change, and green areas regrow faster and healthier with predators present.
by Alum Kevin Webb
Alum Kevin Webb
Last month, unusually high winds knocked down 15 giant sequoias in Yosemite
Daryush Nourbaha
The rapid spread of electric vehicles will help to reduce deadly air pollution in communities historically burdened by environmental injustice.
VIRTUAL EVENTS
Developing and Presenting Scientific Presentations and Publishing your Research with Dr. Alex de Sherbinin
(two-part workshop)
Sunday, December 5th
2:00 - 3:00 PM
Online via Zoom
MS. in Sustainability Science Class of 2021
The Earth Institute and the School of Professional Studies at Columbia University are proud to celebrate the graduates of the Sustainability Science program. Congratulations to the Class of 2021!
LEED Green Associate Exam Training
This seminar will introduce participants to green building design and help prepare them for the LEED Green Associate exam. According to the U.S. Green Building Council, a LEED Green Associate credential demonstrates a strong understanding of current green building principles and practices.
Specific learning objectives for the course include:
1. Develop an understanding of sustainability issues and green building strategies
2. Learn how LEED v4 is structured and functions
3. Understand the environmental intent for each LEED v4 credit
4. Discuss strategies to achieve specific goals within each LEED credit category
5. Learn regulations, terminology, and reference standards related to LEED v4
6. Learn tips and best practices for taking the LEED v4 Green Associate exam
Friday, December 3 (3:00-5:30PM)
Saturday, December 4 (10:00am-12:30pm)
Sunday December 5 (10:00am-12:30pm)
Location: Online via Zoom
Instructor: Narada Golden, Vice President WSP
To RSVP for skill-building seminars, science writing coaching and career counseling sessions, students should log into their account on the Earth Institute Job List (Your user name is your UNI_ei. Your UNI password will not work, you will need to create a unique password). Go to “Events”; “Workshops” and register for the events that interest you. For more information please email us.
MS in Sustainability Science Student Seminar Series and Career Workshop
Mondays
Workshop 2:00 - 3:00 PM
Lecture 3:10 - 4:00 PM
11/29: Liz Schneider - Google
12/06: Daphne Hulse - Citizens' Climate Lobby
Individual Sustainability Career Counseling Sessions
Facilitated by career coach Cathy Gibbons, these sessions are meant to provide you with feedback on resumes and cover letters, and other forms of personalized assistance in your job search. Sign up will close on the Monday of the previous week.
Cathy Gibbons has over seventeen years of experience as a career advisor. She has maintained a private practice while working at Columbia Center for Career Education. Cathy was also the Director of Alumni and Executive Master of Public Administration (EMPA) Career Services at Columbia University’s School of International and Public Affairs. Cathy specializes in career advising for graduate students and alumni. Her career advising practice is informed by her many years of experience as a director of human resources and staff development for national and international non-profits where Cathy oversaw staff recruitment and all areas of talent management. In this capacity she helped staff to build competencies, manage their careers within organizations and to make career transitions. She has had the great fortune to have lived and worked in Africa, Asia and Europe.
30 minute slots from 5:00-7:30PM Tuesday-Thursday, 9-10AM Saturday, and 11AM-Noon Sundays.
Science Writing Coaching with Claudia Dreifus
Would you like to produce blog posts that win large audiences and opinion pieces that newspapers and magazines will want to publish? The Earth Institute is offering free one-on-one science writing coaching with prize-winning science journalist Claudia Dreifus, contributor to the New York Times and the New York Review of Books and professor in the Masters of Sustainability Management program. Professor Dreifus will be available on Wednesdays from 3:00 to 4:30PM for 30-minute coaching sessions. She will also be available by special appointment on other days. You can request a special appointment via email. Sign up will close on the Thursday of the previous week.
Students should come prepared with a written draft on a science or sustainability topic to discuss. They will receive coaching assistance on how to write a persuasive opinion or blog piece on that topic. The purpose of these sessions will be to help students turn their academic work/personal scientific and sustainability interests into a form that can find another audience. Note that these sessions will not be appropriate for students seeking help in the following areas: i) writing an academic piece for a course; ii) copyediting/rewriting; iii) helping students with written English. The Columbia University Writing Center is available as an additional resource for those topics.