COURSE CURRICULUM

The Master of Science in Sustainable Systems at RIT is a 30-credit interdisciplinary graduate program designed to equip students with the knowledge and tools needed to analyze and solve complex sustainability challenges across environmental, technological, economic, and policy domains. In the first year, students begin with core foundational courses such as Fundamentals of Sustainability Science, which introduces key concepts in environmental systems and sustainability thinking, and Economics of Sustainable Systems, which examines how economic principles influence sustainable decision-making and resource use. They also take Risk Analysis, which focuses on evaluating uncertainties in environmental and technological systems, and Technology, Policy and Sustainability, which explores how policy frameworks interact with emerging technologies to shape sustainable outcomes. In the spring semester, students advance into Industrial Ecology, which studies material and energy flows within industrial systems to minimize environmental impact, and Multicriteria Sustainable Systems, which introduces decision-making tools for balancing environmental, social, and economic goals. Alongside these core courses, students take electives that allow them to tailor their studies toward specific areas of interest such as energy systems, transportation, or environmental policy. The program culminates in a six-credit Capstone experience during the summer of the second year, where students apply sustainability methods and systems thinking to a real-world problem, often in collaboration with industry, government, or research organizations. Overall, the program prepares graduates for careers in sustainability consulting, environmental management, policy analysis, corporate sustainability strategy, and systems design, equipping them with the analytical and practical skills needed to develop innovative solutions for a more sustainable future.