Master of Arts in Sustainability Science (MASS)

Only Sustainability Science Programme in India

This Programme includes

  • Self learning course material

  • Video

  • Quiz

  • Discussion Forum

  • Access on Mobile, Tablet and Laptop/Desktop

  • Certificate from IGNOU after Successful Completion

  • Fee Exemption for SC/ST communities [condition apply as per University norms]

The Sustainability Science is inter-and multidisciplinary in character and focuses on interaction between nature and society. Sustainability Science is well established academic discipline across the world and acknowledged well as one of the tools to achieve Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) by 2030. In India, IGNOU is the first University in the country to introduce this emerging discipline in line with the principles of National Education Policy 2020.

The MASS mainly focuses on the genesis and principles of sustainable development, its tools, implementation and assessment strategies in a holistic way. The basics of natural resource management, ecological economics, global and local efforts for sustainable development through good governance, law and policy are integrated in an academic framework so that students are able to understand the tools and techniques in developing and implementing sustainable development projects.

Programme Fee

The fee for the entire programme is Rs.7000/- per year (University may revise the fee time to time. Please check with the advertisement or IGNOU website).

Programme Objectives

  • To provide opportunity to the learners to deepen their knowledge and understanding about sustainable development and the principles of sustainability science.

  • To expand capacities of learners on various theoretical and practical aspects of sustainable development.

  • To develop professional knowledge and skills in formulation, implementation, monitoring and evaluation of sustainable development projects and programmes.

Eligibility

  • Any Bachelor’s Degree from a recognised University / Institute

  • Lateral Entry (for PGDSS* as per University Norms) in Second Year


PROGRAMME DESIGN COMMITEE

Programme Features

Programme Structure

The programme consists of the following 15 theory courses (9 in first year and 6 in the second year) and a project in second year.

First Year (36 Credit)

MSD-011: SUSTAINABILITY SCIENCE (CREDIT-4)

  • Block 1: Introduction to Sustainable Development

  • Block 2: Sustainability Science

  • Block 3 : Approaches to Sustainable Development

  • Block 4: Ecology, Economics and Ethics

MSD 012: ECOSYSTEM AND NATURAL RESOURCES (CREDIT-4)

  • Block 1: Ecosystem and Biodiversity

  • Block 2: Land and Water Resource

  • Block 3: Energy and Mineral Resources

  • Block 4: Agrobiodiversity

MSD-013: SOCIO-CULTURAL SYSTEM (CREDIT-4)

  • Block 1: Culture, Society and Environment

  • Block 2: Social Change

  • Block 3: Indigenous Knowledge System

  • Block 4: Developmental Pathways: Equity and Social Justice

MSD-014: ECOLOGICAL ECONOMICS (CREDIT-4)

  • Block 1: Ecology, Environment and Sustainability

  • Block 2: Resource and Economy

  • Block 3: Environmental Issues in India

  • Block 4: Valuation and Pricing of Natural Resources

MSD-015: INSTITUTIONS, GOVERNANCE AND POLICIES (CREDIT-4)

  • Block 1: Institutional mechanism

  • Block 2: Governance

  • Block 3: Policy tools

MSD 016 : STRATEGIES AND MODELS FOR SUSTAINABILITY (CREDIT-4)

  • Block 1: Strategies for Sustainable Development

  • Block 2: Knowledge System and Technology for Sustainable Rural Development

  • Block 3: Evergreen Revolution

  • Block 4: Models for Sustainability

MSD-017: CHALLENGES TO SUSTAINABLE DEVELOPMENT (CREDIT-4)

  • Block 1: Climate Change

  • Block 2: Global Environmental Issues

  • Block 3: Health, Nutrition and Environment

  • Block 4: Threats

MSD 019: GLOBAL STRATEGIES TO SUSTAINABLE DEVELOPMENT (CREDIT-4)

  • Unit 1- SDG: an Overview (Genesis and approaches )

  • Unit 2- SDG 1: Goals, Targets and Indicators

  • Unit 3- SDG 2: Goals, Targets and Indicators

  • Unit 4- SDG 3: Goals, Targets and Indicators

  • Unit 5- SDG 4: Goals, Targets and Indicators

  • Unit 6- SDG 5: Goals, Targets and Indicators

  • Unit 7- SDG 6: Goals, Targets and Indicators

  • Unit 8- SDG 7: Goals, Targets and Indicators

  • Unit 9- SDG 8: Goals, Targets and Indicators

  • Unit 10- SDG 9: Goals, Targets and Indicators

  • Unit 11- SDG 10: Goals, Targets and Indicators

  • Unit 12- SDG 11: Goals, Targets and Indicators

  • Unit 13- SDG 12: Goals, Targets and Indicators

  • Unit 14- SDG 13: Goals, Targets and Indicators

  • Unit 15- SDG 14: Goals, Targets and Indicators

  • Unit 16- SDG 15: Goals, Targets and Indicators

  • Unit 17- SDG 16: Goals, Targets and Indicators

  • Unit 18- SDG 17: Goals, Targets and Indicators


MSD 020: POPULATION, HEALTH AND SUSTAINABILITY (CREDIT-4)

  • Block 1 Population, Human Development and Sustainable Development

  • Block 2: Key Issues on Population and Sustainable Development in India

  • Block 3: Nutrition Security

  • Block 4 : Pandemics and Epidemics

Second Year (36 Credit)

MEV 015: CLIMATE CHANGE AND SOCIETY (CREDIT-4)

  • Block 1 Climate change and Human society

  • Block 2 Climate change and security

  • Block 3: Socio-economic dimensions

  • Block 4: Societal responses to anthropogenic climate change


MEDS 051: FUNDAMENTALS OF CSR (CREDIT-6)

  • Block 1: Evolution and concept of CSR

  • Block 2: CSR legislation and guidelines: Global and India

  • Block 3: Key thematic areas in CSR - I

  • Block 4: Key thematic areas in CSR - II

  • Block 5: Key outcomes of CSR


MSD 021: MOUNTAIN AND HILL ECOSYSTEM (CREDIT-4)

  • Block 1: An Introduction to Mountain Eco-System

  • Block 2: Mountain Resources and Conservation

  • Block 3 : Threats to Mountain Ecosystem

  • Block 4 : Global Monitoring Network


MSD 022: AQUATIC ECOSYSTEM (CREDIT-4)

  • Block 1 Introduction to Aquatic Ecosystem

  • Block 2: Wetlands

  • Block 3 Aquatic Ecosystem and Livelihoods

  • Block 4 Aquatic Ecosystems: Degradation, Restoration, and Conservation


MSD 023: SOCIAL ECOLOGY, GLOBALISATION AND SUSTAINABILITY (CREDIT-4)

  • Block 1: Introduction to Social Ecology and Globalization

  • Block 2: Globalisation and Livelihood

  • Block 3: Democracy, social ecology and Public

  • Block 4: Globalization and Sustainability


MEDS 044: MONITORING AND EVALUATION OF PROJECTS AND PROGRAMMES (CREDIT-6)

  • Block-1 Project Formulation and Management

  • Block-2 Monitoring and Evaluation

  • Block-3 Measurement and Sampling

  • Block-4 Data Collection and Analysis

MSDP018: PROJECT (CREDIT-8)


**Lateral Entry for PGDSS students: For the lateral entry, the learners registered in PGDSS (both ODL and ONLINE) from July 2017 to Jan 2022, will have to complete the following three courses in place of MSDP 018: Project Work to complete the M.A. in Sustainability Science Programme.

  • MSD 019: GLOBAL STRATEGIES TO SUSTAINABLE DEVELOPMENT (4 CREDIT)

  • MSD 020: POPULATION, HEALTH AND SUSTAINABILITY (4 CREDIT)

  • MEVE 016: URBAN ENVIRONMENT (4 CREDIT)

Job Opportunities

  • This programme shall equip the students as professional sustainability experts, project officer, Sustainability Analysts, etc. who can handle the cross cutting social issues to join National & International organizations.

  • The programme caters to the needs of the students who are interested to continue their research in multidisciplinary fields.

  • It will enhance the potential of freelance writers and journalists in the field of sustainable development.

Did You Know

  1. What is the future scope and importance after completing the MASS Programme?

Ans.

  • Every Institutions/organisations/country is working towards achieving SDGs by 2030 that needs capacity building in these areas. The principles, methods and approaches of Sustainability Science is widely acknowledged across the world as one of the key doctrines in achieving Sustainable Development Goals by 2030.

  • It is the only programme in India in the areas of Sustainability Science and have vast scope. It depends on how a successful learner are effectively utilizing their knowledge and skill learnt in this programme.

  • Getting additional degree in this emerging discipline will equipped you better chance in getting jobs specially in Organisations or Institutions working in interdisciplinary areas/sectors.

  • Through the lenses of sustainability science, your knowledge and skills will be enhanced through interdisciplinary perspectives in a unique way specially for young graduates (who are appearing for competitive examinations), research scholars, teachers, scientists, freelance writers/journalist, development practitioners and policy makers.

  1. What is the Eligibility criteria to enroll in this programme?

Ans. Graduate in Any discipline

  1. How to get admission?

Ans. Online: https://ignouadmission.samarth.edu.in/

  1. Do I need to Visit Study Centres?

Ans. No, for this Programme you are provided technology enabled support through WEAS.

  1. To whom can I contact before taking admission in the PGDSS Programme?

Ans. For any queries, you can write to pgdss@ignou.ac.in or talk to programme coordinators § @ Dr. Y S C Khuman (9953172074)/Dr. Deeksha Dave (9999660192)

  1. Are there regular counselling sessions and how to attend it in absence of Study Centre in our region?

Ans. Yes, there will be regular online counselling sessions. The programme coordinator will regularly updating the information about various activities including counselling sessions at WEAS portal and through (email) and discussion forum also.

  1. Can I get Study Materials online or hardcopy?

Ans.

  • If you opted for hardcopy during admission process, the university will send the hardcopy of study materials in your address.

  • We encourage to opt Soft Copies (let’s promote sustainability).

  • All the enrolled learners can access soft copies of study materials.

  1. Is there Project Component in this Programme ?

Ans. Yes, there is a 8 credit Project in Second Year.

  1. How to complete Project and submit it?

Ans.You will be oriented about the process during the induction. We have dedicated team to support the learners.

  1. Is Term End Examination (TEE) online?

Ans. Term End Examination is offline (pen and paper), You can appear the examination from anywhere in India at the specified examination centres of IGNOU.

  1. If I have any further queries related to MASS, can I contact programme coordinator?

Ans. Yes, you can reach Programme coordinator writing- pgdss@ignou.ac.in

Know Your Programme Coordinators

Dr. Y S C Khuman

Dr. Y.S.C. Khuman is Assistant Professor in the School of Interdisciplinary and Transdisciplinary Studies at IGNOU, New Delhi. His Ph. D. from University of Delhi is on fuel wood issues in mountain regions of India.

He got extensive training as socio-ecologist and worked in interdisciplinary research team at SES, JNU (2001-2005,Under Prof. Brij Gopal) and University of Delhi (2006-2011, Under Prof. K. S. Rao). During his doctoral research period (2008-2011), he also worked under Prof. M S Swaminathan (Honorary Chair, Chair for Sustainable Development, IGNOU) as Senior Research Fellow. As a Senior Research Fellow in IGNOU, he took key responsibilities for developing different online academic programmes in the area of Sustainability Science. Academic programmes are: Appreciation Programme on Sustainability Science, Leadership Programme of Nutrition Security and Sustainable Development, Leadership Programme on Himalayan Ecosystem, Appreciation Programme on Sustainable Management of Wetlands etc.

Presently, he is co-ordinating important programmes like Master in Sustainability Science, Post Graduate Diploma in Sustainability Science (ODL and ONLINE), different MOOCs courses at SWAYAM.

Dr. Deeksha Dave

Dr. Deeksha Dave is working as Assistant Professor, Environmental Studies, School of Interdisciplinary and Transdisciplinary Studies, IGNOU. She is M.Sc. (Gold Medalist) and Ph.D. Environmental Sciences from M. L. Sukhadia University, Udaipur. She is also M.A. in Distance Education from IGNOU, New Delhi.

She has a rich experience of more than 15 years of teaching and research in Environmental Studies. She has authored several textbooks on Environmental Studies published by repute publishers. To her credit are several book chapters, research papers and articles in various journals and magazines. She has also participated and presented her research work in several national and international seminars and conferences. She was awarded for the Best Oral Presentation Award at the International Conference on Eco-friendly and Socially Responsible Economy and Equity: Issues and Challenges of 21st century for Emergent Sustainable Development amongst SAARC Countries organized by Mohanlal Sukhadia University, Udaipur and University of Mumbai, Mumbai in 2017. She is also the recipient of COL (Commonwealth Of Learning) fellowship for participation at 31st Conference on “Open University for Inclusive and Equitable Quality Education” held at Yogyakarta, Indonesia in 2017. She is invited as a speaker in various conferences, seminars and workshops. She is the life member of various Professional Bodies like National Environmental Science Academy and Society of Ethnobotanists.

At IGNOU, she is co-ordinating important programmes like M.Sc. Environmental Sciences, Master in Sustainability Science, Post Graduate Diploma in Sustainability Science, Certificate in Solid Waste Management and Course on Population and Sustainable Development. Her area of research includes waste management, ecology and sustainability education.

Primary Contacts

Programme Coordinators (MASS)

Email: pgdss@ignou.ac.in

  • Dr. Y.S.C. Khuman, Email: ysckhuman@ignou.ac.in, Mobile: 9953172074

  • Dr. Deeksha Dave, Email: deekshadave@ignou.ac.in, Mobile: 9999660192

School of Interdisciplinary and Trans-disciplinary Studies (SOITS),

Indira Gandhi National Open University,

IGNOU, Block-15, Ground Floor

Maidan Garhi, New Delhi – 110068.

Director,

School of Interdisciplinary and Trans-disciplinary Studies (SOITS)

IGNOU, Block-15, Ground Floor

Indira Gandhi National Open University

Maidan Garhi, New Delhi – 110068.

Email: director.soits@ignou.ac.in