http://www.rit.edu/GIS/academics/ms-sustainability/

Program overview

The MS degree in sustainable systems focuses on sustainable production systems, which create goods and services using processes that are non-polluting; conserving of energy and natural resources; economically viable; and safe and healthful for workers, communities, and consumers. Course work and research takes a systems level and interdisciplinary approach to solving sustainability problems, as opposed to single disciplinary and locally optimized approaches destined to yield marginally positive impacts.

Graduates of this program are prepared to pursue careers in their chosen fields with an understanding of basic sustainability principles and the expertise to analyze and solve complex sustainability issues. For example, students entering the program with a degree in information systems may go on to work in the eco-IT field while students with an economics background may work in the area of life-cycle economic analysis of alternative energy systems.

Curriculum

Students must complete a minimum of 48 credit hours of combined course work and research. This includes a minimum of 40 credit hours of course work and 8 credit hours of thesis or research. Full-time students may complete the degree in 4 to 5 quarters.

Admission requirements

To be considered for admission to the MS program in sustainable systems, candidates must fulfill the following requirements:

• Hold a baccalaureate degree from an accredited college or university,
• Have fulfilled the following curriculum requirements: one year of college science and one year of college mathematics (including calculus and statistics),
• Have a minimum grade point average of 3.0,
• Participate in an interview with the academic department,
• Submit official transcripts (in English) of all previously completed undergraduate and graduate course work,
• Submit scores from the Graduate Record Exam (GRE),
• Submit two letters of reference,
• Submit a personal statement of educational objectives,
• Submit a current resume, and
• Complete a graduate application.
• International applicants, whose native language is not English, must submit scores from the Test of English as a Foreign Language (TOEFL). Minimum scores of 600 (paper-based), 250 (computer-based), or 100 (Internet-based) are required. International English Language Testing System (IELTS) scores will be accepted in place of the TOEFL exam. The minimum acceptable score is 6.5.

Additional information

Non-matriculated students

An applicant with a bachelor’s degree from an approved undergraduate institution and the background necessary for specific courses is permitted to take graduate courses as a non-matriculated student. If the student is subsequently admitted to the graduate program, courses taken for credit usually can be applied toward the degree. A maximum number of 9 credits (from courses taken at RIT as a non-matriculated student) can be transferred to the degree program. Any applicant who wishes to register for a graduate course as a non-matriculated student must obtain permission from the chair of the graduate program and the course instructor.