Unleashing the Power of Data Analytics in Sustainable World: Introducing the Master of Science in Sustainability and Environmental Analytics

The Master of Science in Sustainability and Environmental Analytics (SEA) programme offered by Lingnan University's Science Unit (SU) is a response to the growing demand for sustainable development and environmental management in the 21st century. The programme is designed to equip students with the necessary skills and knowledge to address the challenges of sustainable development and environmental management and prepare them for the complex challenges they will encounter in their careers.

What sets SEA apart is its focus on data analytics to assist sustainable transformation and achieve the United Nations Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs). The programme is centred around the SDGs, addressing a majority of them, including affordable and clean energy (SDG7), sustainable cities and communities (SDG11), and climate action (SDG13), and among others. Students will learn about strategies for analysing environmental data and designing effective sustainability plans, gaining a deep understanding of the social, economic, and environmental factors that influence sustainable development. Data analytics is also a key tool for implementing Environmental, Social and Governance (ESG) Planning, which is a core component of the programme. SEA students will learn how to use data analytics to evaluate and improve the ESG performance of organisations and projects, as well as to communicate their ESG impacts to stakeholders. and tackle the ESG challenges.

SEA is developed in collaboration with renowned industry partners, ensuring that the programme meets future industry needs while prioritizing sustainable growth. SEA students will gain hands-on experience in applying their knowledge to real-world environmental and sustainability problems through field trips led by NGOs and/or experts in the field, as well as through research training and internship opportunities. These experiential learning deepens students' understanding of the concepts and theories taught in the programme, improve their experiences and skills in tackling global and local real-world problems, and more importantly enhance their up-to-date understanding of the job market.

Mode of Study

Full-time/Part-time

Programme Duration

Medium of Instruction

English (supplemented with Putonghua/Cantonese if necessary)

Credits Required

30 credits

Modules Required

8 required courses (24 credits); and

2 elective courses (6 credits) (select one from each of the two elective clusters: (1) Sustainable City & Society Cluster and (2) Data Analytics Cluster)

Programme Curriculum

Required courses (8 courses, a total of 24 credits):

1. SCI501 Geospatial Intelligence for Sustainable Development (3 credits)
2. SCI502 Climate Change Literacy and Science (3 credits)
3. SCI503 Sustainability and Environmental Communication (3 credits)
4. SCI504 Urban Ecology and Sustainable Planning (3 credits)
5. SCI505 Introduction to Environmental, Social and Governance (ESG) Planning (3 credits)
6. SCI506 Data Analysis and Modelling in the R Statistical Environment for Environmental Issues (3 credits)
7. SCI507 Practical and Research Training: Topics in Environment, Society, and Sustainable
   Future (3 credits)
8. SCI508 Green Energy and Sustainability (3 credits)

Elective courses (2 courses; 1 from each elective cluster):

Sustainable City & Society Cluster

1. HTI503 Rural Food-Energy-Water Systems (FEWS) (3 credits)
2. MCG503 History, Heritage and Regional Perspectives (3 credits)

Data Analytics Cluster

1. CDS521 Foundation of Artificial Intelligence (3 credits)
2. HAM503 Principles of Data Analytics (3 credits)

Graduation Requirements

To qualify for the award of the Master of Science in Sustainability and Environmental Analytics offered by Lingnan University (LU), students must, where applicable:

• Obtain 30 credits from 8 required courses and 2 elective courses (1 course from each of the two clusters, Sustainable City & Society and Data Analytics);
• Attain a cumulative grade point average (CGPA) of 2.67 (equivalent to B-) or above;
• Fulfil the university exit requirement on English language competency, if applicable; and
• Fulfil all programme and university requirements for graduation.

A student who fulfils all the requirements for graduation shall be awarded a Master of Science in Sustainability and Environmental Analytics degree with one of the following classifications:

Students will be awarded a Postgraduate Diploma in Sustainability and Environmental Analytics if they complete 5 courses with a minimum CGPA of 2.33, and do not continue in the programme hereafter. Acceptance of an intermediate award implies an intention not to complete the final award.

Tuition Fees

Application Fee

HKD 400

Scholarships

All applicants admitted to SEA will automatically be qualified for competing the entrance scholarship, which will be offered to outstanding admittees.

Minimum Admission Requirements

Academic Qualification(s)

• hold a relevant bachelor’s degree awarded by a tertiary education institution recognised for this purpose by the University; or
• have obtained an equivalent qualification; or
• have provided satisfactory evidence of academic and professional attainment.

English Proficiency

In addition to the above, applicants whose degree or, exceptionally, an alternative qualification deemed equivalent from a tertiary institution is not using English as the medium of instruction (MOI) for the programme should obtain:

• a minimum score of 550 (paper-based test) or 79 (internet-based test) in the Test of English as a Foreign Language (TOEFL)^{1 2}; or
• a band score of 6.5 or above in the International English Language Testing System (IELTS)¹, or
• an equivalent score in a recognised test, or
• an equivalent qualification to prove his/her English language proficiency which will be considered on a case-by-case basis.

¹For IELTS and TOEFL qualifications, the University only accepts results that are within the validity period, viz. 2 years, from the time of submission of an admission application for the specific intake cohort.

²For an applicant using TOEFL “MyBest scores” to fulfill the minimum required score of 79, the programme should use interview or other means to assess the applicant’s proficiency in English.

Additional Admission Requirements

• Interviews may be conducted if deemed necessary by the Admissions Coordinator and the Programme Director. Interviews will be used to verify the motivation and competence of the applicants, especially for applicants with degrees not directly relevant to the programme.

Please refer to the programme website for details.

Application Method

Apply through the online application system:

https://www.ln.edu.hk/admission/apply