School of
Environment and
Sustainability
For more information, contact us:
School of Environment and Sustainability
117 Science Place
Saskatoon, Saskatchewan
Telephone: 306-966-1985
www.usask.ca/sens
Graduate
Programs
www.usask.ca/sens
Prestigious
Adventurous
Curious
Studious
Ambitious
Ingenious
EXAMINE THE WORLD
THROUGH MULTIPLE LENSES
The School of Environment and Sustainability (SENS) is an
international model of excellence and destination site for
interdisciplinary, problem-oriented and experience-based
graduate learning for issues dealing with environment
and sustainability.
We provide students with the leadership and professional
skills to become ambassadors for sustainability and
agents of change in their communities, within their
research fields and throughout their careers.
By joining SENS, you are joining a community that
supports and engages your whole development – both
academically and professionally. With SENS, you are
blazing a pathway to a fulfilling career.
GRADUATE PROGRAMS
Master of Sustainable Environmental Management (MSEM)
Our MSEM students transcend disciplinary boundaries to manage
complex problems and address sustainability challenges from the
local to the global context. This intensive project-based program may
be completed over twelve months of full-time study and provides
students with hands-on learning opportunities and develops their
project management skills. Students address real-world issues
by working with a public, private, research or non-profit partner.
Graduates go on to work in industry, the non-profit sector, the public
sector and in research organizations.
Master of Water Security (MWS)
New in 2016, the MWS program is a project-based master’s degree
that prepares graduates to address sustainable water use in our
communities. Students are trained in science, engineering and policy
analysis to investigate water security issues of regional, national and
international significance. Students choose among three specialized
tracks: hydrology, hydrogeology and socio-hydrology. The program
is completed over twelve months of full-time study.
Master of Environment and Sustainability (MES)
The MES is a thesis-based program that provides students with
the opportunities and skills to advance their understanding of
sustainability challenges in today’s world. Education in complex
problem-solving and the foundations of sustainability prepares
students to play a significant role in knowledge generation,
translation and decision-making. Students can explore the
meaning of interdisciplinary research by considering a wide range
of scientific, technical, political, social, economic, and institutional
factors that shape environmental and sustainability problems, their
management and their potential solutions.
Doctor of Philosophy in Environment and Sustainability
(PhD)
This dissertation-based degree is for students who want an advanced
education in researching 21st century sustainability challenges. Our
PhD students attain a deep understanding of sustainability concepts
while designing and implementing their own original research.
These interdisciplinary scholars demonstrate excellence in their fields
of study and are ready to become leaders in academia, industry, nonprofit organizations and the public sector.
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ADMISSIONS AND SCHOLARSHIPS
Students come to SENS from a variety of backgrounds,
including the natural sciences, engineering, social sciences,
business, law, education or arts and humanities. Whatever
your background, we provide an opportunity to explore
environmental and sustainability issues that matter to you.
University Requirements
Undergraduate four-year Honours degree, or equivalent (a
master’s degree for entrance to the PhD program), from a
recognized college or university and a minimum scholastic
standing of 70% cumulative weighed average in the last 60
credit units or equivalent. For international students, proof
of proficiency in English is required.
Program-specific Requirements
Applicants to our graduate programs must supply two
official copies of academic transcripts, three letters of
recommendation, a curriculum vitae or resume, and a brief
statement of research interest. MES and PhD applicants
are encouraged to contact our faculty members directly
to inquire about their willingness to act as a potential
supervisor.
To hold a spot in the limited-capacity MSEM and MWS
programs, a deposit is required from successful applicants.
Applications are accepted anytime, however visit our
website www.usask.ca/sens for the deadlines for
scholarship consideration and for specific programs. There
are several school-specific and university-wide scholarship
and bursary programs available to students.
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School of Environment and Sustainability
“With a background in biology and political science,
I don’t really fit into a discipline. I like the idea of
looking at the environment from an interdisciplinary
stance. It’s rare to find a program that has both.”
Colleen George, PhD graduate, was the recipient of a Nexen scholarship.
Her research focused on investigating environmental governance
strategies in a Canadian context.
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LEARN WITH THE BEST
At SENS, students collaborate with outstanding faculty
from a variety of backgrounds, including hydrology,
economics, sociology, geography, biology, engineering,
soil science, toxicology and education. All of our core
courses are team taught by two or more faculty who
work together to prepare course content, ensuring that
learning is truly interdisciplinary. Our faculty includes
the Canada Excellence Research Chair in Water Security,
the Canada Research Chair in Predictive Aquatic
Ecotoxicology, and the Centennial Chair in Human
Dimensions of Environment and Sustainability.
Thesis-based MES and PhD students have advisory
committees with faculty from different disciplines to
ensure that the research emphasizes interdisciplinary
learning and collaboration. Our community of 22 core
and 43 associate and adjunct faculty means that you’ll
find the right supervisor for your research and project
interests.
RESEARCH &
LEARNING
At SENS, research is
mainly concentrated in
three key areas: sustaining
communities, sustaining
ecosystems and water
security. Our faculty,
students and postdoctoral
fellows work at the
interface of these areas
in the following broad
specialties:
Water and communities
Environmental policy and
governance
Adapting to environmental
change
Using traditional and local
knowledge
Human impacts on
environmental quality
Sustainable natural
resource development
“The faculty in SENS
spend a huge amount of
effort to develop ways
of teaching that are
innovative, novel, and
that have meaning and
impact for students.”
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The School
of Environment
and Sustainability
Christy
Morrissey
SENS assistant professor
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BENEFITS OF THE SENS
EXPERIENCE
Problem-focused, issue-driven
and experience-based
Field trips to locations
throughout Saskatchewan
that develop a student’s
community-based research
and field-method skills.
Projects that connect students
with local organizations
that have sustainability and
environmental research needs.
Professional development
workshops to enhance
transferable skills.
A focus on multiple ways of
knowing and Indigenous
knowledges.
Access to affiliated U of S
centres such as the Toxicology
Centre, the Global Institute
for Water Security, the Global
Institute for Food Security and
the Social Sciences Research
Laboratory.
“The teaching style is one that
forces students to think beyond
their disciplinary boundaries.
We deliberately make them feel
uncomfortable. They can expect
to be challenged and have their
eyes opened to new ways of
thinking.”
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The School of Environment and Sustainability
Tim Jardine,
SENS assistant professor
“At SENS, I’ve had
numerous opportunities
to work collaboratively
with others to promote
my personal and
professional growth.
The faculty challenge
and drive us towards
a research vision that
transcends boundaries.
The opportunities I’ve had
at SENS have provided an
incredibly rich learning
experience.”
Ranjan Datta, PhD Candidate.
His research focuses on
Indigenous perspectives on landmanagement and sustainability
for the Laitu Khyeng Community
in the Chittagong Hill Tracts of his
native Bangladesh.
The U of S Global Institute
for Water Security is an
international hub for expertise
in interdisciplinary water
research. SENS is home
to seven faculty funded
through the institute’s Canada
Excellence Research Chair in
Water Security program.
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A SENS GRADUATE
Thinks holistically with ethical
intent
Deeply understands sustainability
Integrates a range of perspectives
and ways of knowing
Is an ambassador for sustainability
and an agent of change
Has research expertise
“The MSEM program
developed my
background in the
sciences and helped me
approach environmental
problems from a wellrounded and practical
perspective. The
outstanding faculty
helped me learn how to
find creative solutions to
problems by looking at
all sides of the issue.”
Matt Wolsfeld, MSEM
community engagement
coordinator,
University of Saskatchewan
Demonstrates collaborative,
leadership and professional
skills in knowledge sharing
Has a substantive area of expertise
in his or her field of study
CAREER OPPORTUNITIES
SENS is a multifaceted school that integrates diverse
academic interests and scholarship. Our alumni are
found in sectors and industries as varied as the school
itself. Graduates work in Saskatchewan, across Canada
and throughout the world promoting sustainability.
Environmental consulting
Government policy analysis
Municipal environmental services
Community engagement and communications
Environmental assessment and planning
Research
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School of Environment and Sustainability
“Working alongside
students and faculty
in fields other than
my own strengthened
my work, taught
me to understand
sustainability in a
more holistic way, and
helped me find my
way as an emerging
environmental
practitioner.”
Shannon Dyck, MES
environmental
coordinator,
City of Saskatoon
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