Master of Science - Sustainable Systems (Optional Co-op)

Sustainable systems accepts students from any academic background and encompasses a wide range of interdisciplinary studies in sustainability science. Here, students won’t be restricted to one sustainability topic or methodology. They will comprehensively learn and experience the methods that lead to environmental, social, technological, and business success, working one-on-one with a faculty advisor to tailor the degree to their sustainability interests.

In the sustainable systems MS, students will start with a broad foundation of knowledge in environmental life cycle assessment, sustainable decision making, economic and policy strategies, and more. Then, they will have the opportunity to customize their degree in areas that suit their interests and career goals—such as renewable energy or mobility—as well as get the hands-on experience that employers are seeking. In as little as one year of study, students will be prepared to make sustainability decisions that they can apply to any career.

Not only will students be able to focus on an area that interests them, but they will be able to get hands-on in their projects with the use of one of RIT's many labs or through design modeling tools. This degree allows students the flexibility to adapt their career over time and in response to the ever-changing developments in sustainability. The Golisano Institute for Sustainability is dedicated to groundbreaking sustainability research and its business applications. RIT's research facilities are second to none, including Sustainability Institute Hall, a 75,000-sq.-foot, LEED Platinum certified research building and multiple state-of-the-art research centers.

Students don’t need a background in sustainability to join this program; just a desire to create positive change in the world. RIT brings in students of all ages, from all backgrounds—from mechanical engineering to political science—and from all over the world so that their learning experience comes not just from the classroom, but from the different perspectives of fellow students.