Starts: Annually in August
Duration: 20 months
Locations: Univalle, Cali, Colombia and UNESCO-IHE, Delft, the Netherlands
Language: Subjects at Univalle are taught in Spanish; subjects at UNESCO-IHE are taught in English

Context

The unsustainable management of natural resources hampers human development and exacerbates inequalities in wealth and welfare. Pollution, the depletion of natural resources and the disintegration of ecological functions are matters of local, regional and global concern. Economic development and rising living standards in the developing world contribute to the urgency of these important issues. It is not surprising, therefore, that the management of our precious water resources, environmental conservation, sustainable development and the alleviation of poverty are high on the agenda of global concerns.

It is now widely acknowledged that, to prevent the continued degradation of the environment and consequent damage to human society, interactions between man and the environment have to be sustainable. Sustainability depends on a delicate balance between use and conservation of our environmental resources. The challenge to sustainable development is to stimulate further expansion of living standards worldwide, while minimizing and counteracting the negative impacts on the environment. To find sustainable solutions and improve the quality of human life, we must first understand the processes that sustain natural systems, how these systems function and how they interact with one other and with human society.

Prospective Students

Environmental Science and Technology is intended for mid-career professionals with a special interest in the technological aspects of environmental science and in maintaining environmental integrity in relation to human development.

Candidates with a bachelor’s degree preferably in biological sciences, sanitary engineering, chemical engineering, mechanical engineering, industrial engineering, civil engineering or related fields are eligible to apply. In principle, candidates should have a minimum of three years of practical or research experience in sanitary and/or environmental engineering since graduation. All applications are, however, considered on their individual merits.

Since instruction and examinations are given in English and Spanish, it is essential that participants have a good working knowledge of both languages. If there is any doubt about a candidate’s proficiency in English, he or she will be required to take one of the internationally recognized language tests before confirmation of admittance.

Learning Objectives

Graduates of the Environmental Science and Technology programme will be able to:

• Design, organise and conduct scientific environmental research, and contribute to the development of innovative technologies for solving environmental problems;
• Analyse dynamic interactions in complex human environment systems;
• Formulate data requirements and data collection strategies and design, and apply conceptual and computational models for a better understanding of these systems;
• Provide scientific advice for policy development and decision making.

Degree

Students who successfully complete this programme will be awarded two Master degrees: one from UNESCO-IHE and one from Univalle. The degree students receive from UNESCO-IHE is the degree in Environmental Science, with a specialization in Environmental Science and Technology. Univalle will award a degree in Engineering with a specialization in Sanitary and Environmental Engineering.

Admission procedure

Interested persons apply for admission with UNESCO-IHE. More information on the application procedure (including the necessary forms) can be found here. UNESCO-IHE will coordinate with Univalle on admissions, and selected participants will receive an admission letter from UNESCO-IHE.

UNESCO-IHE will check the application first, and inform Univalle if the applicant can be accepted. Univalle will then consider the application for admission, and if both institutions agree on admittance, UNESCO-IHE's provisional admission letter will be sent to the applicant.

If applicants do not yet possess the language requirements, they can apply for admission anyway. If they meet the other admission requirements, they will be sent a conditional admission letter, and an unconditional admission letter will be sent after receiving the required language test scores.

Further questions about the application procedure can be addressed to:
Ms. Ineke Melis
Admission and Fellowship Officer
E: i.melis@unesco-ihe.org

Programme structure and contents

The Environmental Science and Technology programme offers students the possibility to study in Cali, Colombia, and in Delft, the Netherlands, at two renowned institutes for international postgraduate education: Univalle and UNESCO-IHE.

The coursework part of the programme starts at Univalle in Cali, Colombia in August, where students follow a number of courses until the second half of December.

In early January, they move to Delft where they join students in UNESCO-IHE’s Environmental Science programme for seven modules, the international field trip and the group work. Students then normally move back to Cali for their individual thesis research work.

Subjects at Univalle (August – December)

• Chemistry of Environmental Pollution
• Environmental Pollution Microbiology
• Fundamentals of Environmental Processes
• Environment and Development
• Engineering Research Introduction

Subjects at UNESCO-IHE (January – August)

• Environmental Systems Analysis
• Environmental Engineering
• Environmental Monitoring and Modelling
• Cleaner Production and the Water Cycle
• International Fieldtrip and Fieldwork
• Aquatic Ecosystems
• Solid Waste Management
• Group work

At Univalle (September onwards)

• Thesis Proposal & Work

Information about Univalle

Univalle, founded in 1945, is the main center of higher education in south-eastern Colombia, a regional institution with two main locations in Cali, and with 12 additional sites in cities throughout Colombia. Univalle offers a wide range of graduate and postgraduate degrees and programs, and carries out research and development projects and specialized consultancy services.

The student population of approximately 25,000 students is spread over eight faculties, with 54 academic units and around 180 degree programs, and a PhD program in Science and Engineering. The academic units directly related to the Univalle/ UNESCO-IHE alliance are the Institute for Water and Sanitation (CINARA) and the School of Environmental and Natural Resources Engineering (EIDENAR).