The BS in Environmental Sustainability requires students to take one introductory course, four core courses, five upper-level elective courses, one internship, and two capstone courses. Students interested in the major should consult with their academic advisor to enroll in the following courses as part of their general education/core curriculum:

  • BI 103 Introductory Biology I/ Lab
  • BI 104 Introductory Biology II/ Lab
  • BI 108 General Microbiology/ Lab or BI 209 Intro Microbiology/ Lab
  • MA 210 Statistics

In order to take upper-level biology electives a student must complete:

  • BI 103 Introductory Biology I / Lab
  • BI 104 Introductory Biology II / Lab
  • BI 209 Intro Microbiology / Lab or BI 108 General Microbiology
  • BI 210 Cell Biology/ Lab

In order to take upper-level chemistry electives students must complete:

  • CH 103 Chemical Structure and Reactions / Lab
  • CH 104 Chemical Structure and Reactions / Lab
  • CH 305 Organic Chemistry / Lab

Introductory Course

  • ES 200 Principles of Sustainability Science for the Environment
    • Introduction to the concepts of sustainability and the complex problems associated with sustainability.

Core Courses

Core courses introduce the three systems of global sustainability and laboratories focus on an introduction to specific methods within each system. The fourth course focuses on how complex, dynamic systems are modeled. Laboratories cover an introduction to basic methods common in global environmental systems, human systems, and social systems.

  • ES 201 Ethics and Policy in Environmental Sustainability
  • ES 3XX Environmental Science / Lab
  • ES 2XX Human System / Lab
  • ES 3XX Dynamic Systems Modeling / Lab

Upper-Level Electives

Students will take a total of five electives from the list of approved elective courses below. At least one elective from each category and no more than three electives from any one area can be selected. These areas focus on the complex problems of global sustainability that arise within each of the global, human, and social systems, as well as feedbacks between the systems.

Environmental degradation, inequitable access to natural resources and the transboundary movement of hazardous materials can lead to conflict and pose a risk to national security and human health

Environmental Security

  • BI 326 Environmental Microbiology/Lab
  • BI 305 Ecology/Lab
  • CH 303 Environmental Science and Toxicology
  • CH 402 Science and Public Policy
  • PBH 203 Introduction to Epidemiology
The protection of the vital core of all human lives in ways that enhance human freedoms and human fulfillment.
"Human Security In Theory And Practice" Human Security Unit, United Nations

Human Security

  • PHB 200 Introduction to Public Health
  • PBH 203 Introduction to Epidemiology
  • PBH 300 Environmental Health
  • PBH 206 Global Health
  • PBH 307 Public Health Policy and Advocacy
  • SO 335 Society, Technology and Environment

Sustainable Production and Consumption

  • ID 214 Environmental Studies: People, Planet, Prosperity
  • EC 327 Environmental Economics
  • PO 345 Politics of Development
  • PO 333 International Political Economy

Capstone Courses

  • ID 402 and ID 403 Environmental Sustainability Research and Analysis
    - This is a research, analysis, and writing course based on data collected by the student during the fall semester for use in the spring semester part of the year-long research project. These courses must be taken in sequence.

Internship

  • ID 413 Interdisciplinary Internship Seminars

Students pursuing a the major in environmental sustainability are to complete Statistics (MA 210) to fulfill the university general education/core curriculum requirement. Additional course work in mathematics, particularly calculus, is strongly recommended but not required.

Sample Four Year Curriculum

The following is a sample four-year curriculum schedule for environmental sustainability majors. You also have the option to participate in the university Honors Program.

Year One

Fall Semester
Course Credits
BI 103 Introductory Biology/­Lab I 4
Math requirement 1 3
First Year Seminar 3
EN 105 Writing Seminar 3
Elective 4
Total 17
Spring Semester
Course Credits
ES 200 Principles of Sustainability Science for the Environment 3
BI 104 Introductory Biology/Lab II 4
First Year Seminar 3
Environmental Sustainability Elective 3
Elective 3
Total 16

Year Two

Fall Semester
Course Credits
ES 201 Ethics and Policy in Environmental Sustainability 3
MA 210 Statistics 3
BI 108 General Microbiology 4
Elective 3
Total 13
Spring Semester
Course Credits
ES 3XX Environmental Science/­Lab 4
Environmental Sustainability Elective 3
Elective 3
Elective 3
Total 13

Year Three

Fall Semester
Course Credits
ES 2XX Human System/­Lab 4
Environmental Sustainability Elective 3
Elective 3
Elective 3
Total 13
Spring Semester
Course Credits
ES 3XX Dynamic Systems Modeling/­Lab 4
Environmental Sustainability Elective 3
Elective 3
Elective 3
Total 13

Year Four

Fall Semester
Course Credits
ID 402 Environmental Sustainability Research and Analysis 3
Environmental Sustainability Elective 3
ID 413 Interdisciplinary Internship Seminars 3
Elective 3
Total 12
Spring Semester
Course Credits
ID 403 Environmental Sustainability Research and Analysis 3
Elective 3
Elective 3
Elective 3
Total 12
  1. One course beyond QR 101/101A, or achieving a score of three, four, or five on the Advanced Placement calculus test. QR 100/101A may be waived by passing a competency exam prepared by the math department.