Faculty of Science

Minor study programs

Master’s Minor in Sustainable Development

The Centre for Development and Environment (CDE) offers a Master’s Minor in Sustainable Development (MSc Mi SD). This innovative programme, worth 30 ECTS credits, aims to equip graduates with the skills needed to tackle real-world challenges in an inter- and transdisciplinary way. Students will learn to independently identify and describe global societal challenges, drawing on the latest sustainability-related research as well as inter- and transdisciplinary theories and approaches to transformation. An important focus of the programme is on enabling students to integrate discipline-specific knowledge from their majors into transformative approaches to promote a sustainable and just society. Students learn to apply sound theoretical and methodological approaches to analyse and develop solutions to complex problems. They also learn to communicate and disseminate their findings in a targeted way to different audiences.

To sign up for the MSc Mi SD, you must be enrolled in a Master’s programme at the University of Bern or at another Swiss university.

Learn more about the Master’s Minor in Sustainable Development in this flyer.

Explore CDE’s website here.

Questions? Ask the Student Advisory Service.

Basic information
Degree: -
Degree programs: Minor 30 ECTS credits
Combination possibilities: several; see master's major
Duration: The period of study is in line with the master's major
Languages: 90% English / 10% German
Beginning studies: Fall

Details of program

Contents

The Master’s Minor in Sustainable Development equips students with a comprehensive education in the scientific principles underlying sustainable development. This foundation, spanning natural, social, and human sciences, enables graduates to tackle sustainable development challenges scientifically and collaboratively through inter- and transdisciplinary approaches. In a special feature of the programme, students apply and build on discipline-specific knowledge from their major to develop transformations to a sustainable and just society. Graduates of the MSc Mi SD are able to independently identify and describe global and societal challenges of sustainable development, taking into account the latest research, different perspectives, and inter- and transdisciplinary theories and transformation approaches. Rigorous theoretical and methodological training sharpens the students’ ability to analyse complex problems and develop well-founded solutions. Students also hone their skills in presenting findings in a tailored manner to diverse audiences.


Learning outcomes

At the end of the programme, you will be able to

  • Address the challenges of sustainable development in an interdisciplinary and transdisciplinary manner, using transformative approaches for a sustainable and just society and contributing knowledge and skills from the study of your major discipline.
  • Independently identify and describe the global social challenges of sustainable development, the current state and perspectives of research, and inter- and transdisciplinary theories and transformation approaches to sustainable development.
  • Use sound theoretical and methodological approaches to answer questions on complex problems and develop solutions.
  • Present the results in a targeted way, tailored to your audience.

Scheme of program

The Master’s Minor in Sustainable Development consists of 30 ECTS credits, of which 24 are for compulsory and 6 for elective courses. The programme corresponds to the workload of four semesters (two years) of full-time study.

The study programme consists of three modules.

  • Module A: Foundations of sustainability transformations
  • Module B: Challenges of sustainable development in practice
  • Module C: Envisioning and implementing sustainable futures

The following figure provides an overview of the structure of the study programme.

Current course overview

Course overview AT2024 / ST2025

Current course schedule

Course schedule AT2024 / ST2025

News and information

Course overview autumn term 2024 / spring term 2025

The course overview AT2024 / ST2025 according to the new study plan is here.

Course overview autumn term 2023 / spring term 2024 (FS2023 / SS2024)

The course overview FS2023 / SS2024 according to the old study plan is here (in German).

Welcome Event Student Association for Sustainable Development

Welcome event: Student Association for Sustainable Development

Dear students of sustainable development,

Since May 2024, the new Student Association for Sustainable Development (FSNE) has been established. It represents the students of the Bachelor's and Master's Minor in Sustainable Development and the new Mono Master's in Sustainability Transformations. The main tasks include advising and supporting students, organizing events, and representing students' interests within the university. Additionally, the student association provides a platform for exchange among students.

To celebrate the new student association, get to know other students, and facilitate an exchange, the association board invites all students majoring or minoring in Sustainable Development to the Welcome Event.

It will take place on Thursday, October 10, 2024, starting at 5:00 PM at the SUB-Hüsli. Address: Lerchenweg 32, 3012 Bern.

To ensure you don’t miss any information about what’s happening in the Student Association for Sustainable Development, feel free to follow us on Instagram: @sustainabilityunibern.
If you have any questions or concerns, or if you would like to contact us for any reason, please feel free to send us an email at sustainability.bern@gmail.com or message us on Instagram.

Since the Student Association for Sustainable Development is still very young, we are looking for members to join the board. There are many interesting positions that can be filled. If you're interested, feel free to reach out via email or on Instagram. The only requirement is active enrollment in the Minor in Sustainable Development or the Mono Master's in Sustainability Transformations.

We are looking for the following positions: Treasurer // Event organization (multiple people) // Sponsorship acquisition // Social media/ communication management // Design/creative direction // Board member without a defined role/just being part of the team :)

The next student association meeting is expected to take place on October 17 at 10:00 AM at the SUB-Hüsli. Anyone interested is welcome to join.

Last but not least: The SUB board is also looking for new members. If you’re interested, feel free to check out the announcements (in German): Board member social affairs, Board member legal affairs.

Sincerely,
Michele Iannuzzo
President of the Student Association for Sustainable Development

Notice board study programs Sustainable Development

You can find information about events, job postings, announcements, and a "Diverses" section on the notice board for the students (in German).

Information video Master’s Minor in Sustainable Development

Find out more about the content and structure of the study program in this video:

 

Freshers' day for first-year students

The introductory event for the Master's Minor in Sustainable Development will take place on Friday, 13 September 2024, from 14:15 to 14:45, room 224 (Mittelstrasse 43). The event can also be attended via Zoom: https://unibe-ch.zoom.us/j/62064114272?pwd=K1UrdlN0ZVVEcldFYjN1OFVPcm83UT09.
All new students are cordially invited to this event!

Deadlines

Requirements

Specific prerequisites

Entry to the MSc Mi SD does not require any specific studies or achievements in Sustainable Development at Bachelor’s level.



Language requirements

Most of the courses are taught in English. Depending on the audience, courses may also be taught in German. Students are expected to have advanced English language skills (listening, speaking, reading, writing).

 
For questions regarding application and admission, please contact the Admissions Office.

Promotion

Once you have completed the graduation formalities required for your discipline, you can apply for the completion of your degree programme at the Dean’s Office. The graduation procedure is described here.