Presentation

Given their extent, environmental issues should be addressed by professionals with interdisciplinary experience, who are qualified to develop technical-scientific activities and studies in this field, which is a topic of major public interest. However, there is significant lack of environmental-expert professionals, who can solve problems and propose solutions, mainly in Brazil. Although this task has been carried out by experts from different knowledge fields, they find it hard to respond to such a complex matter due to their overall less transdisciplinary academic training. These topics - which have great social, scientific and technological relevance in the contemporary world - require advanced professional training processes, as well as closer relationships between universities and the production sector. Thus, it is essential training professionals capable of integrating specificities of each of these knowledge fields, be them directly or indirectly linked to environmental issues. 

The Professional Master’s Course in Environmental Management Sustainability – which has been operating since 2011 - was designed to provide this professional type to society. Its elaboration process was based on an objective discipline matrix structure that comprise disciplines and activities focused on emphasizing the articulation among updated knowledge, mastery of relevant methodologies and application oriented to professional performance in the sustainability field. Thus, significant emphasis was placed on structured discipline matrix-related activities in applied social sciences fields associated with sustainability, such as education, business and management, legislation, communication, public policies and ethics. 

Debates scheduled in the course give special attention to both natural conditions and environmental changes caused by human activities. They aim at helping the development of technical-scientific knowledge, based on universities’ integration to bodies and institutions operating in the Education, Health, Social, Legal and Technological fields, focused on Environmental Issues. Thus, individuals with Master’s Degree in Environmental Management Sustainability will be able to work in the public, private and NGO sectors, in pursuit of solutions to severe environmental issues inherent to both Sorocaba City and São Paulo State. In addition to work for industries and private companies, professionals with Master’s Degree in Environmental Management Sustainability can work with NGOs by assessing the impact of new projects on nature, advise private institutions and public bodies, or even work in the educational field.