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Sustainability Studies Minor

Lead the way in creating a sustainable stewardship of our planet by seeking balance between environment, society and economy.

Develop the skills and knowledge for an interdisciplinary understanding of sustainability goals and the science and strategies needed to achieve these goals in modern society. This UND minor offers opportunities to creatively address sustainability issues, as local and global citizens, through a more systemic approach to solve real-world problems.

Program type:
Minor
Format:
On Campus
Est. time to complete:
2 years
Credit hours:
21
  • Requirements
  • How to Apply

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Why minor in sustainability?

With the increasing emphasis on sustainability through the development of green economy jobs, the need for professionals trained in sustainability studies continues to increase. This program gives you greater training and opportunities to join this growing employment field.

With this UND minor, you will gain insight to a multidisciplinary approach to problem solving for sustainability and sustainability-related issues as well as a set of skills and tools pertinent to solve problems within the coupled human-environment. This minor is for students interested in "greening" their major and in bridging the environment, economy and equity for healthy people and the planet.

The minor in Sustainability Studies pairs well with many majors, including:

  • Atmospheric Sciences
  • Biology
  • Geography and Environmental Geoscience
  • Geology
  • International Studies
  • Political Science
  • Public Affairs
  • Earth Science
  • Civil Engineering

Sustainability Studies Minor at UND

  • Prepare to join the green economy while embracing a range of careers in industry, government agencies, non-governmental agencies and education.

  • Benefit from a curriculum that gives an interdisciplinary knowledge and understanding of theories and practices of sustainability.

  • Learn a multidisciplinary approach to problem solving for sustainability and sustainability-related issues and acquire a set of skills and tools pertinent to solve problems within the coupled human-environment.

Sustainability Minor Courses

ESSP 160. Sustainability & Society. 3 Credits.

Human interactions with the natural environment are often perceived as conflicts between environmental protection and socio-economics. Sustainability attempts to redefine that world view by seeking balance between the 'three Es' -environment, economy, equity. This course examines the concept of sustainability, the theory behind it, and what it means for society. F.

ESSP 450. Environmental and Natural Resource Economics. 3 Credits.

This course will cover the general topics in the field of environmental and natural resource economics: market failure, pollution regulation, the valuation of environmental amenities, renewable and non-renewable resources management, and the economics of biodiversity conservation, climate change and sustainability. The course has a strong focus on the interaction between human society and natural environmental systems and the connection between market equilibrium and social sustainability. F, odd years.

ESSP 310. Sustainable Food Systems. 3 Credits.

This course will examine the need for development of sustainable food production systems. The course will introduce the concept of an integrated agro-ecosystem. Students will learn how food production systems work, how they impact natural ecosystems, how fragile the human food resource has become, and gain an appreciation of the complexity of relationships between humans and food. F, even years.

ESSP 420. Sustainable Energy. 3 Credits.

This course is an interdisciplinary exploration of Sustainable Energy. The interdisciplinary exploration includes the analysis of renewable energy systems as well as the socio-economical, political, and environmental aspects of renewable energy. The course will specifically analyze the origin and dimensions of global energy issues and identify how renewable energy issues and policies are critical to the sustainable future of global environmental quality, economic growth, social justice, and democracy. S, even years.

ESSP 320. Land and Water Sustainability. 3 Credits.

This course covers topics of sustainability of physical landscapes and water on the Earth. Class lectures will introduce concepts related to landscape use, perception of landscape and water use as a resource, and most importantly how to use the physical landscape and freshwater as a resource in a manner to which it will be viable for future generations (i.e. landscape and water resource sustainability). Topics include, but are not limited to snow and glacier melt water, ground water, mountain environment resources, river flood plain land use, and water use in desert environments. F, odd years.

ESSP 460. Global Environmental Policy. 3 Credits.

Governance and policy are the most common strategies used to address environmental problems. This course introduces students to the foundation, development, actors, process, challenges, and future outlook of global environmental policy. By navigating various levels of US and global governance, students will explore a variety of concepts and principles in the development and implementation of environmental policies. S, odd years.

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Looking to connect with the college or find a similar minor?

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