Ecological Economics, Values, and Policy (Professional Master’s)

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The Department of Science and Technology Studies offers a 30-credit EEVP master’s program that builds on the department’s nationally recognized expertise in the social, political, economic, cultural, and ethical implications of interactions between science, technology, environment, and society. EEVP is meant for academically strong Rensselaer students who wish to complete their master’s degree in preparation for sustainability careers in industry, government, or academia. The program is open only to Rensselaer five-year co-terminal degree students who have a strong interest in the social sciences of sustainability.

Required and Required Elective Courses:

Sustainability Careers – 4000 or 6000 level. Offered fall term. Substitute any 6000-level sustainability course if student took this as an undergraduate. 3-4 credits.
Sustainability Research Methods – 4000 level. Offered fall term. Substitute any 4000-level methods intensive course if student took this as an undergraduate. 4 credits
Economics Option – 6000 level, International Economics and Globalization, Ecological Economics, Environmental Economics, or Sustainability Economics, etc. 3 credits
Advanced Experimental Methods & Statistics (COGS 6310) OR second ECON option. 4 credits
Sustainability Internship – 6000 level. Taken as an Independent Study, following STS internship guidelines. 3-5 credits
Sustainability Research Design – 6000 level that meets with 4000 level or as independent study. Taken semester prior to Sustainability Projects. Fall term unless adviser approves. Okay to take even if student took it as an undergraduate as it will be a new proposal design. 4 credits
Sustainability Projects – 6000 level. May be taken as an Independent Study. May be repeated if already taken at the undergraduate level. Spring term unless adviser approves. 3-5 credits
Sustainability Events – 6000 level. Take as an Independent Study. Students attend and write annotations about an array of public sustainability events – lectures, conferences, or films. 3-4 credits

Additional Requirements

ECON 6490 - Introduction to Economic Theory Credit Hours: 3

And Two of the Following Three Courses:

ECON 6230 - Advanced Environmental Economics Credit Hours: 3
ECON 6240 - Advanced Natural Resource Economics Credit Hours: 3
ECON 6250 - Advanced Economy, Technology, and Sustainability Credit Hours: 3

Sample Electives

Students must take an additional four STS course electives for a minimum of 12 credit hours.

ECON 4150 - Economics of Government Regulation Credit Hours: 4
ECON 4160 - Public Finance Credit Hours: 4
ECON 4190 - International Economics and Globalization Credit Hours: 4
ECON 6210 - Advanced Cost-Benefit Analysis Credit Hours: 3
ECON 6550 - Advanced Microeconomic Analysis Credit Hours: 3
ECON 6590 - Advanced Macroeconomic Analysis Credit Hours: 3

STS Course Requirements for the EEVP Master’s

And One of the Following Two Courses:

Sample STS electives

STSH 6020 - Values and Policy Credit Hours: 3
STSS 4330 - 21st Century Risks—Robotics, Nanotechnology, Cloning, and Other Technologies Credit Hours: 4
STSS 4500 - Globalization and Development Credit Hours: 4
STSS 6010 - Concepts/Research Seminar in Science and Technology Studies Credit Hours: 3
STSS 6100 - Policy Studies Credit Hours: 3
STSS 6400 - Environment and Health Credit Hours: 3

Additional Information

All together, the program totals 10 courses for a minimum of 30 credit hours and can be completed with all 6000-level courses at three credit hours. However, if students choose to take one or two 4000-level electives at four credit hours, they will earn either 31 or 32 credit hours.

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