Sustainability Undergraduate Academic Certificate
The 12-credit multidisciplinary Sustainability Certificate can be completed by students in any program across the university and is comprised of classes from all nine academic colleges. Sustainability is an interdisciplinary topic relevant to nearly every area of work and life. Certificate completion will allow students to contribute to an informed citizenry that is creating sustainable solutions for Idaho and beyond, and to cultivate an ecologically sound, economically prosperous, and equitable society for current and future generations. Students are required to take at least three credits in the integrative core course category and at least three credits from each of the following three categories: ecological, social, and economic. A minimum of 12 credits must be achieved for certificate completion.
Integrative core courses introduce students to the breadth of sustainability as a concept involving ecological, social, and economic processes. Courses centered around ecological sustainability focus on protecting and restoring the integrity of Earth’s ecological systems, with special concern for biological diversity and the natural processes that sustain life. Courses centered on social sustainability focus on meeting the needs of communities without compromising the ability of future generations to meet their own needs. Courses centered on economic sustainability focus on long-term economic prosperity without negative impacts on the environment, society, or culture.
All required coursework must be completed with a grade of C or better (O-10-a).
| Code | Title | Hours |
|---|---|---|
| Core Integrative Course | ||
| Select at least one of the following: | 3 | |
| Forest and Sustainable Products for a Green Planet | ||
| Climate Change Mitigation | ||
| Landscape, Culture and the Environment | ||
| Environmental Psychology | ||
| Principles of Sustainability | ||
| Corporate Social Responsibility and Sustainability | ||
| Ecological Course | ||
| Select at least one of the following: | 3 | |
| Biology and Society | ||
| Mountain Ecology | ||
| Human, Plant, Animal and Insect Epidemics: Drivers of Society | ||
| Drinking Water and Human Health | ||
| Global Climate Change | ||
| Climate Change Ecology | ||
| Ground Water Hydrology | ||
| Stable Isotopes in the Environment | ||
| Plant Materials & Design 1 | ||
| Restoration Ecology | ||
| Economic Course | ||
| Select at least one of the following: | 3 | |
| Applied Environmental and Natural Resource Economics | ||
or ECON 451 | Applied Environmental and Natural Resource Economics | |
| Water Economics and Policy Analysis | ||
| Principles of Environmental Building Design | ||
| Sustainable and Renewable Energy | ||
| International Development Economics | ||
or AGEC 447 | International Development Economics | |
| Planning Sustainable Places | ||
| Sustainable Finance and Investments | ||
| Water Quality in the Pacific Northwest | ||
| Materials for Health and Sustainability | ||
| Industrial Sustainability Analysis | ||
| Agriculture and Environmental Law | ||
| Sustainable Energy Sources and Systems | ||
| Social Course | ||
| Select at least one of the following: | 3 | |
| Environmental Writing | ||
| Climate Change Fiction | ||
| American Environmental History | ||
| Introduction to Interior Architecture and Design | ||
| Universal Design | ||
| Foundations of Natural Resources Law | ||
| Principles of Travel and Tourism | ||
| Environmental Sociology and Globalization | ||
| Understanding Communities | ||
| Environmental Justice | ||
| Climate Change and Society | ||
| Total Hours | 12 | |
Courses to total 12 credits for this certificate.
1. Students will be able to define sustainability and identify major local, national, and global sustainability challenges.
2. Students will be able to explain how natural, economic, and social systems interact to create or prevent sustainability.
3. Students will be able to reflect critically on the global implications of their personal and professional actions.