By Sarah Shapiro, Student in the M.S. in Sustainability Science Program, School of Professional Studies
Crystal-clear waters teem with the vibrant colors of fish and coral species, just a short swim from calm beaches lined with swaying palm trees. If you look out at the right moment, you might catch a glimpse of the dorsal fin of a lemon shark or the head of a hawksbill turtle. To some, this might sound like a tropical vacation. For 19 Columbia graduate students this past July, it was their classroom.
Earlier this year, the M.S. in Sustainability Science (SUSCI) program introduced a new field course, SUSC PS5400: Sustainability and Resilience of Tropical Coastal Ecosystems. In the course announcement, co-instructors Brendan Buckley (SUSCI co-director, Lamont Research Professor, and longtime member of the Tree Ring Lab at the Lamont-Doherty Earth Observatory (LDEO) and William F. Precht (lecturer in professional studies and director of coastal and marine science programs at Bio-Tech Consulting) shared their inspiration for developing this immersive experience. Designed to bridge classroom theory with real-world application, the course offers students firsthand exposure to tropical coastal ecosystems and the scientific tools used to study and protect them, advancing SUSCI’s mission to equip sustainability professionals through both academic rigor and practical engagement.
That vision came to life this summer, as students put theory into practice during 10 days of field-based learning in the Cayman Islands, primarily at the Central Caribbean Marine Institute (CCMI) Little Cayman Research Centre on the island’s north coast. Upon returning to New York, it was clear that the experience left a lasting impression, one that cannot be replicated in a traditional classroom.
"I began this course knowing very little about the Caribbean, but by the end, I had learned enough to be able to identify species in the field just by sight,” said SUSCI student Sarah Howard. “The educators, researchers, and professionals who guided us on this trip brought an incredible depth of expertise and real-world experience that shaped every step of our learning.”
The daily routine included traditional class lectures followed by, as Buckley puts it, “getting [our] hands dirty and [our] feet wet.” Students spent time outside every day, snorkeling and hiking their way through three coastal ecosystems: coral reefs, seagrass, and mangroves. In the process, the students gained an up-close understanding of the interconnectedness of these systems and the stressors each faces under a changing climate. Thanks to its limited development and absence of rivers, Little Cayman maintains remarkably low pollution levels, making it an ideal natural laboratory for studying the interactions among coastal ecosystems with minimal human interference.
“I went to the Cayman Islands hoping to discover the niche I’d build my future career around. Through each snorkel, field survey, and conversation with experts, my interests began to take shape. The course’s immersive approach bridged the gap between theory and practice, deepening my understanding of tropical coastal ecosystems by interacting with them in the real world,” said Howard.
Being outside a traditional classroom offered unique learning opportunities. Howard added that she “soon found [herself] doing things I never imagined—even coming face-to-face with a shark at night in the open ocean!”
Though the course is offered by the SUSCI program, students in the M.S. in Sustainability Management and M.A. in Climate and Society programs were also able to participate. “Although my current career focus is in climate policy, I studied marine biology as an undergrad and my first love was the ocean and all its critters,” shared Climate and Society student Well Witoonchart. “It’s been so wonderful to have the opportunity to cross-register into this SUSC course and get my hands muddy studying ecology again. It felt like a return to my roots.”
For Witoonchart, the experience rekindled a sense of purpose: “It reminded me why I started this whole journey in environmental conservation to begin with—to protect this beautiful blue planet.”
Views and opinions expressed here are those of the authors, and do not necessarily reflect the official position of Columbia School of Professional Studies or Columbia University.
About the Program
The Columbia University M.S. in Sustainability Science program, offered by the School of Professional Studies in partnership with the Climate School, prepares students for management and leadership positions in which they help organizations address environmental impacts. Students learn strategies to respond to the ever-changing environment and predict future environmental changes—and the impact on corporations, not-for-profits, and the public.
Designed by research faculty at the Lamont-Doherty Earth Observatory in collaboration with Columbia’s Earth Institute, the program develops a new generation of scientific leaders through a cutting-edge curriculum led by the world’s top sustainability scientists, the majority of whom are Lamont Research Professors. Graduates are well prepared for management and leadership positions, armed with the scientific expertise to drive meaningful environmental change and lead organizations in a rapidly evolving sustainability landscape. With the flexibility to choose from a variety of courses, students can tailor their education to career goals, while New York City serves as a living laboratory for sustainability innovations and connects them with employers actively seeking program graduates.
Learn more about the program here.
