McMaster University

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McMaster University Centre for Engineering and Public Policy 1280 Main St. W. ITB 109 Hamilton, ON, Canada, L2S 4K1 Program Link: http://msep.mcmaster.ca/

Professor and Director: Dr. Gail Krantzberg Phone: 905 525 9140 x 22153 Email: krantz@mcmaster.ca

Background

The complex and interdisciplinary matters challenging the sustainability of regional and global societies demands the expertise of engineers who understand the imperatives for a healthy future. Our vision is to educate world class engineers from the public and private sectors to effectively shape public policy on matters of sustainability.

The Master of Engineering and Public Policy (MEPP) program is designed for tomorrow's science and engineering leaders who will have an enhanced understanding of the public policy process and its effects on technological, social and ecological systems.

Graduate Degrees Offered

The program is designed for recent graduates, early-career, mid-career and executive students. An overarching set of techniques and assignments are integrated into our Master's courses. Technical skills will be enhanced through question-driven inquiry focused on research, analysis and interpretation of public policy measures.

Professional faculty will train our students in relevant techniques such as life-cycle analyses, material/energy audits and statistical analyses. Concepts such as sustainability, holistic thinking, the precautionary principle and stewardship will be integrated throughout the curriculum. A series of four core courses are followed by specialized electives in the areas of:

1. Environment
2. Energy
3. Transportation
4. International affairs
5. Infrastructure
6. Manufacturing
7. Information Technology
8. Others as advanced by our students

Admissions Requirements

For admission into the Dofasco Centre for Engineering and Public Policy, students must hold a B.S. in engineering or science, and must meet the admissions criteria for Engineering at McMaster. The evaluation criteria include overall academic record, GRE scores, strength of letters of recommendation and compatibility of student goals with those of the program. When applying to this program, students must indicate that their application is to MEPP and provide a letter of intent that expresses their interests and fit with the program.

Degree Requirements

Students must successfully complete all courses listed on an Approved Plan of Study with a minimum B-.0 over all courses. The curriculum has four main components:

1. Focus elective courses;
2. The completion of a substantive research paper on a problem at the interface of science, engineering and public policy;
3. Attendance and participation at an intensive workshop/seminar week on current and emerging challenges in the engineering and public policy arena;
4. Core courses that provide the content and methods skills necessary for understanding and analyzing problems.

All students take four core courses:

• Theory and Practice of Policy Analysis:
  Government structure and mandates for municipal, provincial and federal levels; procedures for legislation and policy setting; process of understanding societal values and preferences; establishment of policy goals and objectives; models and frame works for the evaluation and analysis of public policy; application of frameworks and models to engineering and public policy problems.
• Systems Engineering and Public Policy
  Application of linear programming, integer programming and dynamic programming to public policy applications; application of simulation modeling to evaluate scenarios; application of decision analysis approaches and software for micro- and macro-policy analysis problems; coupling of GIS-based approaches with conventional systems engineering tools; project planning and project management; soft systems techniques.
• Applied Environmental Economics
  Marginal benefit/cost analysis; willingness to pay and indifference curves; ecological economics; allocation of environmental ser vices; estimation of externalities; measurement of environmental benefits; taxes; trading permits and other instruments; application of approaches to infrastructure renewal and environmental management problems.
• SEP*709 Emerging Issues, Technology and Public Policy
  The future problems of environmental concerns will be examined, as permutations of those we are already attempting to address. Such threats include chemical contaminants and their effects, excess nutrients, climate change, exotic species, changes to the biological community, shoreline development, sprawl and transportation matters. Institutional effectiveness and policy implications for new programs will address greater interoperability of the institutional framework in the region.

• Up to two graduate engineering core courses selected to develop technical depth in policy area of interest
• Graduate electives in Political Science, Geography, Biology, Health and Medicine, Economics, and other fields in consultation with the student's advisor and Director

Student Information

Candidates for the Master's of Engineering and Public Policy must (i) have earned or will earn before enrollment in the program a bachelor's degree (BS) in engineering or science from an accredited college or university in Canada or its equivalent in another country, (ii) satisfy the quality standards for admission to the Faculty of Engineering, and (iii) satisfy the quality standards for admission to the Centre for Engineering and Public Policy.

Faculty Information

The core faculty in the Masters of Engineering and Public Policy program cover in their research and course offerings:

1. Environmental Science and Public Policy
2. Engineering and Energy Policy
3. Engineering and Infrastructure Policy
4. Transportation and Public Policy
5. Urban Fabric and Sustainable Communities
6. Information Technology and Public Policy
7. Interjurisdictional Resource Management Policy
8. Sustainable Development
9. Engineering and Waste Management Policy
10. International Policy Formulation

Positions for Graduates

Students will be considered for internship and employment opportunities with partnering government and nongovernment institutions. Our graduates have a career advantage. Virtually all our alumni have jobs in either the public or private sector, pursuing fascinating careers. We are excited that our professional program has led to our students' successes in being world-class leaders and agents of change.

Financial Information

We offer merit-based financial aid packages that range from research assistantships to scholarships.

Other Information

McMaster's campus, which is restricted to pedestrian traffic, is at the western end of Lake Ontario. Area attractions include Cootes Paradise, the Bruce Trail, the Niagara Escarpment, the Waterfront Trail, and the Royal Botanical Gardens.

The University is minutes from downtown Hamilton, Ontario, and the activities that a major city has to offer. Buses from the region's public transit system make frequent stops on campus, facilitating travel between McMaster, Hamilton, and the surrounding area. McMaster University is located in Hamilton, less than one hour from Toronto, home of Ontario's provincial parliament.

MEPP students advance their careers by the close interaction we provide with leaders involved in policymaking aimed at a sustainable future.