Sustainability and Climate Action Concentration:
The Sustainability and Climate Action concentration empowers students to examine critical sustainability issues across business, healthcare, and environmental sectors. This program provides a robust framework for understanding how climate action intersects with organizational practices and consumer expectations, including emissions disclosures, greenhouse gas accounting, waste circularity, ESG, greenwashing, and nature-based solutions.
Students will delve into the strategic environmental frameworks that are increasingly essential in today’s marketplace, where businesses are held accountable for their sustainability efforts. This concentration not only enhances students' technical expertise in their primary fields—such as marketing, finance, or healthcare—but also equips them with the skills to integrate sustainability into business operations effectively.
Through hands-on projects and real-world applications, students will practice applying their knowledge to enhance business practices, leading to improved outcomes for consumers, increased profitability, and a positive impact on the environment. By fostering innovative solutions and responsible decision-making, this concentration prepares students to become leaders who drive meaningful change in their organizations and communities.
Ultimately, the concentration in Sustainability and Climate Action inspires students to align their career aspirations with a commitment to sustainability, contributing to a future that balances economic success with environmental stewardship.
Program Goals for the Concentration
Foundational Knowledge:
Students will demonstrate a comprehensive understanding of the principles of sustainability and climate action, particularly how these concepts apply across various sectors, including business, healthcare, and the environment. This goal includes recognizing the interconnectedness of ecological, social, and economic systems and their implications for organizational practices.
Strategic Integration:
Students will be equipped to integrate sustainability principles into core organizational practices effectively. This includes analyzing consumer expectations and corporate accountability, and developing strategic frameworks that align sustainability initiatives with business objectives. Students will learn to evaluate the impact of sustainable practices on operational efficiency and market competitiveness.
Practical Application:
Through hands-on projects and real-world applications, students will apply their knowledge of sustainability strategies to real organizational challenges. This goal emphasizes developing innovative solutions that enhance business practices, improve consumer outcomes, and contribute positively to environmental health and climate mitigation. Students will engage in collaborative projects that require critical thinking and problem-solving skills.
Ethical Leadership and Advocacy:
Students will cultivate strong ethical decision-making skills and a commitment to advocacy for responsible sustainability practices, with equitable climate solutions regardless of socioeconomic status. This goal encourages students to analyze the ethical implications of business decisions on climate and the environment, preparing them to lead with integrity and foster a culture of sustainability within their organizations.
Impact Measurement and Communication:
Students will learn to measure and communicate the impact of sustainability initiatives effectively. This includes developing skills in data analysis, reporting, and stakeholder engagement to convey the benefits of sustainability practices to diverse audiences. Students will be prepared to advocate for sustainability efforts within their organizations and the broader community.
Sustainability and Climate Action Concentration Requirements:
| Required Courses | ||
| SCI 268 | Introduction to Environmental Sustainability | 3 |
| SCI 269 | Climate Change | 3 |
| SCI 403 | Innovations for Sustainable Futures | 3 |
| Elective Options (Choose 3 Additional Courses) | ||
| ANTH 301 | Working for a Sustainable Future | 3 |
| SCI 355 | Energy Strategies for a Sustainable World | 3 |
| SCI 371 | Human Impact on the Global Environment | 3 |
| SCI 376 | GIS for Health, Business, and the Environment | 3 |
| SCI 391 | Science Internship | 3 |
| SCI 392 | Real World Applications for Sustainability and Climate Action | 3 |
| LCS 362 | Topics in the Environmental Humanities | 3 |
| or POLS 367 | Environmental Justice Policy | |
A minimum of 18 credits are required for the concentration.