Course Information

Required Courses for Collaborative Specialization in Environment and Sustainability

Students will enroll in one required and one elective course to earn a total of 1.5 Collaborative Specialization in Environment and Sustainability credits.

Required Courses for Masters Students (total credits: 1.5)

EnvrSust 9430: Interdisciplinary Research Seminar Masters (1.0)

The objective of this seminar series is to initiate interdisciplinary dialog between students and faculty from the various disciplines represented in the collaborative specialization. The seminar series provides graduate students the opportunity to discuss their research with a multi-disciplinary group that shares a common interest in the environment and sustainability. Students are required to attend seminars and participate in discussions. Each student will give one seminar each year. The seminar will provide background information on the student’s general research area as well as specific aspects of their research project. Critical to the success of this seminar series is active participation in the discussion to follow each presentation.
In this course, students will:

  • learn how to present their research to a multi-disciplinary audience; and
  • learn to participate effectively in multi-disciplinary discussions and working groups.

2023 -2024
Day: Fridays, September - April
Time: 9:30 -11:30 am
on-campus, in-person

Instructor: Ben Rubin
Course start date: 15 September 2023

Environment and Sustainability Elective (0.5)

The elective course can be taken at any time concurrent to enrollment in the Collaborative Specialization in Environment and Sustainability and prior to completion of the home department degree program. The elective course must meet the standard set by the collaborative specialization for content and suitability.  

Required Courses for PhD Students (total credits: 1.5)

EnvrSust 9440: Interdisciplinary Research Seminar PhD (1.0)

The objective of this seminar series is to initiate interdisciplinary dialog between students and faculty from the various disciplines represented in the collaborative specialization. The seminar series provides students the opportunity to discuss their research with a multi-disciplinary group that shares a common interest in the environment and sustainability. Students are required to attend seminars and participate in discussions. Each student will give one seminar each year. The seminar will provide background information on the student’s general research area as well as specific aspects of their research project. Critical to the success of this seminar series is active participation in the discussion to follow each presentation.
In this course, students will:

  • learn how to present their research to a multi-disciplinary audience; and
  • learn to participate effectively in multi-disciplinary discussions and working groups.

2023-2024
Day: Fridays, September - April
Time: 9:30-11:30 a.m.
On-campus, in-person
Instructor: Ben Rubin
Course Start Date: 15 September 2023

Environment and Sustainability Elective (0.5)

The elective course can be taken at any time concurrent to enrollment in the specialization program and prior to completion of the home department degree program. The elective course must meet the standard set by the collaborative specialization for content and suitability.

About Elective Courses for Masters and PhD students

The elective serves to broaden the perspective of the student and introduce subjects, concepts and ideas related to environment and sustainability that traditionally fall outside of the student's area of study and expertise. The elective choice may compliment or inform the research the student is completing in the home department but a definable relationship to the student's research is not required in order to earn credit.

Choosing an Elective

The elective course can be taken at any time concurrent to enrollment in the Collaborative Specialization in Environment and Sustainability and prior to completion of the home department degree program. A suitable elective may be proposed by the student or chosen from a list of approved options. Selection Restrictions apply.

Selection Restrictions

  • The elective course must be a 9000 series course (graduate level), with no less than a (0.5) course credit weight, offered through a department at Western
  • The course must meet the standard set by the Collaborative Specialization in Environment and Sustainability for content and suitability
  • Students may not choose a course offered in their home department or the department of their  supervisor
  • Students may not use courses taken for elective credit within their home department degree program without first seeking approval from the Collaborative Specialization prior to enrollment in the course. Applies to all elective credit courses, including those on the pre-approved list. 

Pre-approved Elective Course List

"Pre-approved" refers to course content only. Students must still seek the approval of the Collaborative Specialization to use a "pre-approved" course for their elective credit prior to enrollment, in all cases.  

Pre-approved List

Consult the department website to learn when the course is offered and confirm the instructor. If the course number, title or instructor information has changed, see section on Proposed Electives for instructions.

Consult the course instructor to learn if:

  • there are prerequisites or any other academic requirements that must be met prior to enrollment
  • permission is granted to take the course

 

Course Enrollment

  • Complete the Outside Home Department Course Enrollment Form
  • Submit to the Collaborative Specialization Office for approval prior to enrollment. Applies to all courses, including those on the pre-approved list.
  • Submit to the Home Department Graduate Program Office for approval and enrollment (no self-enrollment)

Submission deadlines may vary. Check your Home Department Course Enrollment rules for details. Typically, a course can be added before the last day of the first month of each term.

Proposed Elective

A proposed elective is a course that does not appear on the pre-approved list.

Consult with the course instructor to learn if:

  • there are prerequisites or any other academic requirements that must be met prior to enrollment
  • permission is granted to take the course

 

Course Enrollment

  • Submit the proposed course outline to the Collaborative Specialization in Environment and Sustainability office for approval (content and suitability).
  • Complete the Outside Home Department Course Enrollment Form
  • Submit to the Collaborative Specialization Office for signature (approval) first then,
  • Submit to the Home Department Graduate Program Office for approval and enrollment (no self-enrollment).  

Submission deadlines may vary. Check your Home Department Course Enrollment rules for details. Typically, a course can be added before the last day of the first month of each term.

*Proposed elective courses must meet the standard set by the Collaborative Specialization in Environment and Sustainability for content and suitability. Program credit for elective courses will be considered only when Collaborative Specialization approval is sought prior to enrollment in the selected course.