Central European University (CEU)
Master of Science in Environmental Sciences, Policy and Management (MESPOM)
Vienna, Austria
DURATION
2 Years
LANGUAGES
English
PACE
Full time
APPLICATION DEADLINE
Request application deadline *
EARLIEST START DATE
Sep 2024
TUITION FEES
EUR 12,000 / per year **
STUDY FORMAT
On-Campus
* application deadline for applicants who wish to be considered for financial aid
** payable in one or two installments, non-refundable initial tuition fee installment (€500 EUR) is paid to confirm your acceptance of our offer of admission and is credited towards the 1st tuition fee installment in year 1
Introduction
MESPOM program is an Erasmus Mundus Masters course in Environmental Sciences, Policy, and Management operated by four leading European and two North American Universities. MESPOM prepares students to identify and implement solutions to complex environmental challenges, especially in an international context.
The MESPOM study program is in English and lasts two years. The students study in at least three out of four consortium universities: the International Institute for Industrial Environmental Economics at Lund University (Sweden), the University of Manchester (UK), Central European University (Vienna), and the University of the Aegean (Lesvos, Greece). The Middlebury Institute of International Studies at Monterey (MIIS) (USA) Middlebury College and the University of Saskatchewan (UoS) (Canada) are also still partners till 2023.
Why is MESPOM different?
MESPOM has been based on the idea that science, policy, and management should be taught as three distinct but interacting knowledge and practice domains, which are necessary to tackle any environmental issue. Key features of MESPOM are its distinct locations ranging from a large European city to a small Greek island. From 2017 mandatory internships in the Summer between years 1 and 2 through our 18 Associated Partners were introduced, as well as dedicated clusters in the Winter Semester at CEU, that would explore the interaction of science, policy, and management in specific thematic areas of excellence and job market needs (especially energy and climate change and ecosystems conservation and management).
Program Accreditation/Registration
- The program was approved and registered by the New York State Education Department
- Program accredited by the Agency for Quality Assurance and Accreditation Austria (AQ-Austria)
Admissions
Scholarships and Funding
To master’s candidates, we award financial aid based on academic merit. You can apply for financial support for master’s studies in the Funding section of the Online Application Form.
Curriculum
The two-year program is delivered in English and includes three terms of taught courses followed by a fourth research semester. The first two semesters, taught at CEU, comprise mandatory and elective courses focused on scientific and technological as well as legal, economic, and political aspects of key environmental challenges and the society–environment interaction. During the third-semester students choose between specialized tracks in either preventive environmental strategies in the public and private sector (at Lund University) or environmental sciences and pollution control (at the University of Manchester).
Both tracks emphasize hands-on research and practical experience in industries and laboratories. During the fourth semester, students conduct their individual research projects and write Master's theses at any of the four Consortium partners. This is normally combined with internships at inter-governmental organizations, government, industry or NGOs in Europe or students' home countries.
Program Outcome
At the end of the master's program, a successful graduate will be able to
Knowledge and Understanding
- Thoroughly understand core concepts and approaches in environmental sciences, policy, and management and their relationship to each other;
- Demonstrate advanced understanding of several areas* of environmental sciences, policy, and management (including awareness of the most important issues, contemporary theories and practices, key uncertainties, and practical complexities and dilemmas);
- Understand the process of research and knowledge production in a selected environmental topic (including identifying a suitable problem statement and research questions, relevant academic and professional literature, and appropriate methods);
Skills
- Analyze and critically evaluate contemporary theory and practice in a range of environmental fields;
- Contribute to the production of professional and academic knowledge and improvement of practice in selected fields of environmental science, policy, and management;
- Communicate complex environmental knowledge effectively in English both orally and in writing to professional and academic audiences, using appropriate communication standards;
- Organize effective independent work in environmental sciences, policy, and management; work effectively in multidisciplinary, multicultural groups to solve environmental problems;
Values/attitudes
- Appreciate the role and the value of rigorous scientific inquiry (including inter- and multidisciplinary approaches), sound management practices, and democratic policy-making processes in solving environmental problems, with awareness of the role and the value of culturally appropriate approaches to environmental management in specific societal contexts;
- Uphold values that advance a sustainable and open society, self-reflective critical inquiry, research ethics, and environmental and social care;
- Appreciate the potential contribution of multidisciplinary and/or multinational networks to meeting environmental and sustainability challenges.
* Depending on the track chosen, these areas will include ecosystem management and either pollution and environmental control or preventative environmental strategies