Science for Sustainability

Catalog description

Students will explore the science fundamentals of sustainability via the principles of ecology, climate science and systems thinking especially as they relate to human and other-than-human systems. Through lectures, case studies, and hands-on activities, students will explore the major concepts of Earth as a living system, along with the science behind successful sustainability research, trends and practices. Students will investigate how modern challenges stem from particular worldviews. By the end of the course, students will be able to discern, analyze, and explain the critical components of sustainability science, research, methods and practices, and examine their efficacy. This course will also provide students the opportunity to develop a self-directed research or action project that integrates the key learning strands in the major. The goal of this course is to equip students with the tools and resources needed to assess, encourage and implement sustainability initiatives within their communities and beyond. Required for ENV majors