APPLICATION DEADLINE FOR JANUARY 2010 ADMISSION - AUGUST 15, 2009

INTRODUCTION

Environmental assessment (EA) is a systematic planning process that guides and enhances decision making in support of environmentally sound economic development. Highly interdisciplinary in nature, EA works by integrating biophysical and socioeconomic information to objectively evaluate the potentially positive and negative impacts associated with project proposals and with all levels of sustainable development. As such it is extensively utilized today by corporate planners and by governments throughout the world as an essential tool for prudent planning.

BACKGROUND

In 2003 the Faculty of Agricultural and Environmental Sciences was signatory to a Memorandum of Understanding (MOU) with the United Nations Environment Program (UNEP) designating it a UNEP Collaborating Centre in Environmental Assessment. The mandate under the MOU is for the Faculty to conduct EA related teaching, training and research, as well as to promote EA best practices and objectives. The development of our new non-thesis Masters in Environmental Assessment is an initiative directly related to this important relationship with UNEP.

Students enrolled in the Non-Thesis Masters in EA are provided with an excellent educational experience that will enable them to effectively address the challenges of working in this demanding and thought-provoking field that is anticipated to continue its rapid rate of growth into the future.

RATIONALE

McGill’s Department of Natural Resource Sciences is offering a non-thesis Master of Science degree that provides participants with a comprehensive coverage of EA through an intensive program of graduate courses, internships, field trips and other activities, in cooperation with public and private sector partners. The program focuses on areas of fundamental importance in environmental and integrated assessment and sustainable development, providing qualified candidates with a comprehensive exposure to the techniques used in EA practices worldwide.