• STS - Universiti Malaya
  • ketua_saintek@um.edu.my
  • +0379674166
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Master of Sustainability Science 

Sustainability Science is an emerging field in science that attempts to deal with the interactions between natural and social systems proactively, how those interactions affect the challenges of sustainability, and by what means new solutions can be created to meet the needs of present and future generations while substantially reducing poverty and conserving the planet’s life support systems. This multidisciplinary field increasingly acknowledges the importance of making Science, Technology and Innovation (STI) work for sustainable development in this modern society. Balanced STI development is crucial to meeting this challenge effectively. STI offers an array of promising solutions for sustainability - but it can also lead to adverse social and ecological impacts if development is not governed wisely. This is in line with the growing academic and policymaking interests in the governance of sustainable innovations and socio-technical systems – systems that are grounded in the interaction between human behaviour and technologies.

This Master’s degree program is aimed at equipping postgraduate students with the necessary knowledge, tools and skills in sustainability science through the lens of STI studies. This includes approaches in public policymaking and management, innovation and entrepreneurship, philosophy, ethics, sociology, science communication and public understanding of science. The program is built upon the experience and expertise of the department’s teaching staff as well as those from outside the department, whose research and areas of expertise include the following:

  • Science, technology and innovation policy
  • Innovation management and entrepreneurship
  • Sustainable development
  • History and philosophy of science
  • Science and religion
  • Sociology of science
  • Bioethics

Students need to complete a total of 42 credit hours of courses. This includes 30 credits of core courses; and 12 credits of elective courses from one of the following modules - Module 1: Policy and Governance of Science; and Module 2: Sociology and Enculturation of Science. The minimum duration of study is 3 semesters (e.g. 2 regular semesters and 1 special semester during the semester break), while the maximum duration is 8 normal semesters.

Core Courses (30 credits)

  • SQE7015 Research Methodology (3 credits)
  • SQE7028 Research Project (Pre-requisite: SQE7015) (12 credit)
  • SQE7016 Sociology of Science (3 credits)
  • SQE7017 Sustainability and Strategic Thinking (3 credits)
  • SQE7018 Policy and Management of Science for  Sustainable Development (3 credits)
  • SQE7019 Ethics in Science and Technology (3 credits)
  • SQE7020 Philosophy of Science (3 credits)

Elective Courses (12 credits)

Module 1 Policy and Governance of Science

  • SQE7021 Science, Technology and Law (3 credits)
  • SQE7022 Evidence-based Policy Making (3 credits)
  • SQE7023 Innovation Strategy and Entrepreneurship (3 credits)
  • SQE7011 Science, Technology and Industrial Policy (3 credits)

Module 2 Sociology and Enculturation of Science

  • SQE7024 Media, Public Understanding and Science (3 credits)
  • SQE7025 Bioethics and Society (3 credits)
  • SQE7026 Science, Technology and Modernization (3 credits)
  • SQE7027 Critical Thinking for Sustainability (3 credits)

Entry Requirements

Applicants must have a Bachelor’s Degree with Honors CGPA 3.00 and above or equivalent in the relevant field. Applicants with a Bachelor’s Degree of CGPA 2.7 to 2.99 may be considered if they meet at least one of the following criteria:

  1. Having relevant work experience; or
  2. Produce publications in related fields; or
  3. Is a recipient of a scholarship; or
  4. Is a graduate of the University of Malaya; or
  5. Is a government servants

English Language Requirement: 

Fulfil any one of the following: 

Competency
Score /Band
MUET (For Malaysian applicants only)
B4.0
IELTS
5.5
TOEFL iBT (Centre-based)
46
TOEFL PBT
550
TOEFL CBT
213
TOEFL Essentials (Online)
8
Pearson Test of English (PTE)
51
Cambridge English Qualifications & Tests
(i) B1 Preliminary, B2 First, C1 Advanced, C2 Proficiency
160
(ii) B2 Business Vantage, C1 Business Higher
(iii) Linguaskill Online
(iv) Occupational English Test (OET) (Conventional/ Online)
200
Cambridge English: First (FCE)
Min. Grade C
Cambridge English Advance (CAE)
Min. Grade C
Cambridge English Proficiency (CPE)
Min. Grade C

The University revises the aspects of admission requirements periodically. It is important to check these requirements on the programme website prior to applying.

Intake Schedule & Period of Candidature: 

  1. Intakes: First Semester (October); Second Semester (March)
  2. Period of Candidature: (minimum) 1 year = 2 normal semesters & 1 special semester; (maximum) 4 years = 8 normal semesters

If you have any inquiry related to the programme, please contact:
Programme Coordinator:
Dr. Noor Munirah Binti Isa
E-mail:  noormunirah@um.edu.my
 

Last Update: 05/08/2024