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Curriculum
The distinctive and innovative nature of this program requires a core set of courses that provide an interdisciplinary grounding. Each of these courses is taught on the level expected of first- or second-year PhD students in the affiliated departments. The course structure is designed to provide students with PhD-level training in economics and a natural science field, complemented by integrative courses in sustainable development designed specifically for this program and courses in social sciences. The course structure is designed to combine flexibility to pursue an individual field of study, with the development of broad-based skills and knowledge. The core curriculum consists of 10 core courses, listed below. Students must also complete two social science electives, and a coherent sequence of four natural science courses. In addition to this course work, students participate in mandatory integrative seminars (U9200) throughout the first three years of the program, and complete the MA thesis, in addition to a PhD dissertation.
Due to the unique interdisciplinary content of the program, students entering with a master’s degree earned at Columbia or elsewhere are still required to complete all M.A. and M. Phil. course requirements and examinations.
Requirements for the MA
(completed before the beginning of the third year)
- Completion of all required courses in the first two years as follows:
Sustainable Development
These courses are designed and taught specifically for the PhD students in Sustainable Development, although they may be open to students from other programs.
Core Economics Courses
- Human Ecology U9240
- Politics of Sustainable Development U9250
- Environmental and Resource Economics U9245
- Comparative Development U9260
- Macroeconomic Policy and Sustainable Development U9606
All core economics courses are taught in the Economics Department and are drawn from the Economics PhD syllabus. More information about these courses can be found from the Economics department Web site.
- Microeconomic Analysis I and II (G611 - G612)
- Introduction to Econometrics I and II (G6411 - G6412)
A third course in Quantitative Analysis is also required.
Natural Sciences
- Environmental Science for Sustainable Development U6240: A foundation course in Earth Science, Climate, Hydrology, Ecology and Public Health.
- 3 natural science electives drawn from the following departments: the Department of Ecology, Evolution, and Environmental Biology (E3B); the Department of Earth and Environmental Sciences (DEES); the Department of Environmental Health Sciences (EHS) at the Mailman School of Public Health; and the Department of Earth and Environmental Engineering (DEEE)at the Fu Foundation School of Engineering and Applied Science (SEAS). For details of natural science electives previously taken by students in the program please see here.
In total, students must complete a minimum of 60 credits with a B+ grade average.
2. Completion of the MA Project
The master’s project should be completed by May 1, in the fourth semester and should address a problem in sustainable development using data and methodologies from the four natural science courses completed in the first two years of the program. The project consists of an article (around 30 pages long), which would be publishable in an appropriately refereed academic journal which reflects the disciplinary orientation of the project. For titles of MA projects previously completed by students in the program please see here.
Requirements for the M. Phil.
(to be completed before beginning full-time work on the dissertation in the fourth year)
Students begin examinations for the M. Phil. in Sustainable Development only after they have completed all core courses described above, the natural science course sequence and the social science elective sequence, as well as the MA thesis. In order to take the oral examinations for the M. Phil., students must also submit a dissertation prospectus. The prospectus and exams are completed at the end of the third year.
- Completion of the MA requirements described above
- Completion of all third-year required courses, described below:
Social Sciences
- Two social science electives. For details of social science electives previously taken by students in the program, please see here.
Continued participation in the Sustainable Development seminar is also required.
- Submission and approval of the dissertation prospectus
- Fulfillment of requirements to prove competency in two research tools
Students should possess at least two research tools before starting the dissertation portion of this program. Among these is an advanced understanding of quantitative methods, to be gained through the mandatory core courses in quantitative methods (Introduction to Econometrics I and II, and a third Quantitative Analysis course). The other research tool should be appropriate to the student's dissertation work. In consultation with the student's academic advisers, this second tool could be fulfilled through a two-course sequence in GIS or other analytic modeling systems, or through a proficiency examination in a language that may be particularly important for understanding the literature of the student's chosen specialty, and selected with the approval of the academic adviser. English is not accepted as a foreign language in fulfillment of this requirement.
- Successful completion of the M. Phil. Qualifying Exams
The exams are in three fields in at least two disciplines (one of which shall be a social science and one a natural science), and the fields are determined by the student and his or her adviser. The exams are oral, with a half hour devoted to each field and a half hour devoted to consultation between the faculty and, subsequently, with the student. Qualifying exams include assessment of the student's familiarity with development economics or environmental economics.
Requirements for the PhD Dissertation
The PhD dissertation will be on a social science topic in sustainable development. The social science research will be informed by an understanding of physical and natural science constraints and opportunities influencing economic development.
Students with a regional area of interest to their dissertation may wish to conduct research abroad, to conduct field studies, use archives, improve language skills, or confer with local experts. In order that students may complete the PhD program without delay, it is preferred that they make use of summers to conduct such research. Students who feel they require a longer period of field research or language training need the approval of their adviser, the director of graduate studies, and – if relevant – the director of the associated regional institute at the School of International and Public Affairs. Students may not receive extended residence credit for study or research away from Columbia before the completion of all course work requirements and comprehensive examinations.
Teaching Requirements
In addition to the completion of the requirements for the M.A. and the M.Phil., students have to fulfill a teaching and research requirement. This entails six semesters of work as a teaching assistant or a research assistant, as assigned by the director of the program. Students typically serve as teaching assistants in SIPA master-level classes as well as a few undergraduate courses. Students who secure external fellowship funding may reduce this requirement with the approval of the Director of Graduate Studies, but in all cases every student must teach at least two semesters.