My Intent To Pursue The Master Of Environmental Sustainability (MES) Program

My career goal is to be an environmental scientist engaged in environmental monitoring, assessment, remediation and restoration. I hope to acquire abilities that foster the independent use of scientific-based information to understand the environment and its destruction resulting from human activities and hazards, as well as the assessment of available and future mitigation options. The Master of Environmental Sustainability (MES) program at the University of Western Ontario places emphasis on multidisciplinary content coupled with an experiential learning component which would not only equip me with the knowledge through coursework, but the tools and critical skill sets for a productive career.

The relationship between my previous undergraduate study in Agriculture Science and the MES program is best explained by the complex relationship between agriculture and natural environment in which it thrives. Today, Agriculture and its practices has become one of the main concerns of global society organizations due to the numerous environmental challenges it has created over the years. To avoid ecological consequences such as unsound management pertaining to soil nutrient leaching deep beyond the reach of plant roots, eutrophication due to the influx of fertilizer from agricultural fields into water bodies and pesticides moving long distances from their area of application, agriculture needs to be practiced sustainably.

Moreover, the MES program at Western offers a strong complement to my current Master's in Biodiversity and Environmental Health (BEH) at the University of Siena. Currently, I am working on a thesis topic “Comparison of heavy metal, Copper (Cu) and Zinc (Zn) absorption in Chitin, Chitosan and Lichen” which is aimed at understanding how these biological components absorb heavy metal under different contamination levels. I am also exploring possibilities of its application in the treatment of wastewater from mine sites and aquatic systems contaminated with these metals. Whilst my current program emphasizes training in modern biological approaches to the study of biodiversity, ecology and evolution, I am confident the MES program offers a unique avenue to bolster my knowledge and provide practical applications of sustainability approaches whilst engaging with diverse perspectives given the interdisciplinary design of the program.

Furthermore, my experience studying at the University of Toronto Scarborough as an exchange student will be very key for my success in the MES program. I am currently taking courses in Soil contamination chemistry, Biogeochemical Principles and Application to Ecosystem Restoration and Hydrology and Watershed management. Knowledge gained from these courses will be very useful for a highly motivated student to contribute immensely to the diverse perspective the MES program encourages.

Personally, I am looking forward to meeting and learning from graduate students, professors and sharing thoughts and ideas. I expect that the lecture sessions, group assignments, workshops and presentations which are an integral part of this program will provide me the opportunity to hone my communication, writing, cross-disciplinary teamwork and leadership skills.

As industry, government and non-government organizations look to hire young Environmental scientists who have not only acquired knowledge but are able to put it to practice, I am confident that the unique co-op work term component of the MES program will provide me the opportunity to gain significant experience in real work environment and put knowledge gained in the classroom to work.