Graduate academic calendar 2012 - 2013 - Trent University

GRADUATE PROGRAMS Sustainability Studies
100
D. Newhouse, (Onondaga), B.Sc., M.B.A. (Western Ontario), from the tribal to the modern – the
development of modern Indigenous societies in North America, governance and economies.
Philosophy
K. Norlock, B.A. (Northern Illinois), M.A., Ph.D. (Wisconsin-Madison), ethical theory and moral
practice in conflict resolution, environmentalism, gender, and sociopolitical change.
Politics
D. Torgerson, B. A. (California-Berkeley), M.E.S. (York), M.A., Ph.D. (Toronto), green political
theory, critical policy studies
Psychology
J. D. A. Parker, B.A. (Simon Fraser), M.A., Ph.D. (York), personality and affect regulation.
Physics & Astronomy and Chemistry
S. Narine, B.Sc. (Trent), M.Sc. (Trent), Ph.D. (York), biomaterials precursor synthesis, formulation and
materials characterization.
Sociology
A. Law, B.A.S. (Sydney), M.A., Ph.D. (Alberta), sociology of leisure, sociology of work and income
support, evaluation and applied research methodology.
REGULATIONS AND REQUIREMENTS
The general regulations and requirements of Trent University for the M.A. degree apply to
graduate study in Sustainability Studies. Students are admitted to the program once a year for
studies beginning in the following September. Applications should be received by February 1 to be
considered for admission and funding. To be eligible for admission, the applicant must possess a
joint- or single-major Honours B.Sc. or B.A. degree or equivalent in a related field, with a minimum
average of A- (80%, GPA 3.7) in the last ten undergraduate credits. In addition to meeting the
minimum admission average, admission decisions will be made based on: availability of the
appropriate faculty as instructors, supervisors and committee members; appropriateness of the
applicant’s previous education and training; and the feasibility of the applicant’s proposed course
of study and project. Applicants to the program are expected to have a foundation in appropriate
research methodology. Additional requirements appropriate to the candidate’s area of study may be
suggested by the selection committee. Students may be required to take an undergraduate course
deemed necessary to their program of graduate study. Candidates must maintain at least a second
class standing (B- 70%) in their work. For further details, see Failed Course Policy.
Curriculum Components
The Program consists of either a 3.5 credit (Thesis Option) or 4.5 credit (Major Research Paper
Option). Both Options include a core course on sustainability, participation in a Student Faculty
and Community Colloquium, and completion of a Research Design and Methods component. A
number of elective courses are offered, in collaboration with other graduate programs at Trent, to
allow students to pursue selected issues such as non-profit management, ethics, environmental
marketing, and social entrepreneurship with greater depth.
Program Structure and Options
Both full-time and part-time M.A. students may choose between the Thesis Option and the Major
Research Paper Option described above. The Thesis Option requires the completion of a short
scholarly monograph with multiple chapters and will be assessed by an external examiner. The
candidate will defend the Thesis before a committee of at least three faculty members including the
external. The Major Research Paper will be modeled on a scholarly journal article and assessed by
at least one faculty member and an external examiner. A supervisor will be appointed for both the
Major Research Paper and Thesis. Students will select research topics for the Major Research Paper
or Thesis in consultation with their supervisor.