New masters of the universe

SUSTAINABILITY MANAGEMENT
With more and more companies now realising and embracing the importance of sustainability as part of their business model, more “green collar” sustainability experts are needed who can explain how companies can incorporate — and even profit from — such concepts as recycling and social awareness.
One of the first to offer this programme was the Maharishi University of Management in Fairfield, Iowa, which offers a BS that covers renewable energy, sustainable agriculture, bio-geophysiology, green business and more. However, several new degrees are now available, with some targeting specific audiences. One such is the Master’s Degree in Sustainable Development being offered by the Columbia University Earth Institute. Aimed at business professionals, it promises that students will learn sophisticated environmental measurement tools and cutting-edge environmental science to fully understand the systematic and organisational role of sustainability in any organisation.
The School of Sustainability at Arizona at Arizona State University offers courses from undergraduate to PhD levels and a new University of Pennsylvania programme lets students earn an MBA and a master’s in environmental studies at the same time.
While the US has taken the lead on this front, there are courses in India, too, such as the post-graduate course in rural management and sustainable development offered by the Indian Institute of Bio-Social Research and Development.
Apply: mdp.ei.columbia.edu; schoolofsustainability.asu.edu; Ibradindia.org
 
ENERGY AND CLIMATE CHANGE
In our carbon-constrained environment, climate change is one of the most important issues facing society today and in the future. And its social and economic cost is estimated at running into billions of dollars over the next 30 years. Consequently, both the public and private sector are increasingly attempting to understand the associated risks and impacts in order to develop adaptation and mitigation strategies.
Several new courses attempt to train professionals for careers in the field of climate change — and these are far from courses on studying weather patterns!
The MSc in Climate Change and Risk Management from the University of Exeter in the UK combines an understanding of risk with climate change, providing students with the skills demanded across a range of sectors. It is suitable for anyone with an interest in climate change and risk management from a wide range of degree backgrounds, including the humanities and social sciences.
In the US, John Hopkins University has launched a master of science degree in energy policy and climate at its Morton K Blaustein Department of Earth and Planetary Sciences in the Krieger School of Arts and Sciences.
The programme addresses the management skills needed for a carbon constrained environment and helps students develop an understanding of policy strategies employed at the local and international levels in response to climate change challenges as well as offering an understanding of the approaches to both mitigation and adaptation to global warming.And in India, the Ahmedabad-based Centre for Environmental Planning and Technology will introduce a master’s programme in climate change from July this year, following the signing of an MoU with an NGO, Indian Society for Community Education, to study the impact of climate change on various communities, especially those in rural areas.
Apply: exeter.ac.uk; advanced.jhu.edu; cept.ac.in
 
DIGITAL FORENSICS
The rise in cybercrime and online identity theft has seen demand for cyber sleuths skyrocket in recent years, accompanied by a consequent increase in digital forensics courses.
Digital Forensics is the application of forensic science techniques to the acquisition and analysis of evidence that exists in digital form and several universities now offer post-graduate programmes around the world.
IT professionals involved in this work need an understanding of information security and network security measures. They need to understand intrusion prevention and detection, and forensic analysis for comprised systems. They also need to be able to accurately report both orally and in writing to colleagues and to others within criminal investigation teams and to the courts of law. In the past many cases have collapsed simply because of the lack of this expertise.
In the US, the University of Rhode Island has one of the most comprehensive courses on this front, while Middlesex University has earned a name for its faculty in the UK.
Apply: forensics.cs.uri.edu; mdx.ac.uk
 
RELIGIOUS MANAGEMENT
With resources dwindling worldwide as a once-faithful flock turns its back on God, places of worship must both improve cost efficiencies and manage themselves better. Enter the dual MA/MBA in church management and pastoral ministry, which Jesuit-run Boston College has been offering since 2005. It aims at students interested in the competent and ethical administration of churches and church-related organisations such as dioceses, hospital systems, and social service agencies.
Apply: bc.edu/schools/stm
 
GENETIC COUNSELLING
With more genetic disorders now documented and understood, more people now want to manage, ameliorate or prevent their expression. Enter the genetic counsellor, whose job it is to help patients negotiate what can be a minefield of complex information about their genetic heritage. Expert educators who are skilled at translating the language of genomic medicine into easy terms, these medically trained counsellors find work at specialty prenatal clinics, paediatric care centres and at adult genetics centres for adult onset genetic conditions.
They provide supportive counselling to families, serve as patient advocates and refer individuals and families for further treatment.
The School of Medicine at the University of Manchester was one of the first to offer an MSc in Genetic Counselling, but for students looking to study in the US, one of the best courses is at Stanford University, which offers an MS in Human Genetics and Genetic Counselling.
At present the only course in India is a short-term certificate offered by the Reliance School of Life Sciences in Mumbai.
Apply: medicine.manchester.ac.uk; med.stanford.edu/genetic-counselling