Course Listing For Sustainability Management Courses

This course introduces Environmental Sustainability as an interdisciplinary field of study focused on environmental problems and managing natural resources in a sustainable manner. It cuts across agricultural sciences, biological sciences, and engineering, integrating physical and biological sciences to current environmental problems. Contemporary global environmental problems and the research that is being performed on environmental issues are explored. Discussion includes sustainable agriculture, natural resource management, pollution control and mitigation, and global climate change. A systems approach to the analysis of environmental problems is used to find effective solutions. Prerequisites: Acceptance in the Sustainability Management accelerated degree program.

This course introduces Environmental Sustainability as an interdisciplinary field of study, focused on environmental problems and managing natural resources in a sustainable manner. It cuts across agricultural sciences, biological sciences, and engineering, integrating physical and biological sciences to current environmental problems. Contemporary global environmental problems and the research that is being performed on environmental issues are explored. Discussion includes sustainable agriculture, natural resource management, pollution control and mitigation, emerging technologies of energy capture (solar, wind, biomass, etc.) and global climate change. A systems approach to the analysis of environmental problems is used to find effective solutions.

This course explores energy sources and overall energy needs and impacts. A comparative study of the trends, status and policies of alternative energy technologies and how these can be applied to current and future industrial or residential scale projects will be conducted. Coverage also includes biofuels and synthetic fuels, emerging technologies of energy capture (solar, wind, geothermal, etc.) and innovative energy management (e.g. Smart Grid). Prerequisites: Acceptance in the Sustainability Management accelerated degree program.

This course provides an overview of emerging technologies for natural resource conservation. Discussions will focus on how innovations in technology are being developed to use natural resources in a more efficient and sustainable manner. Examples will cover new developments in green chemistry, sustainable agriculture, and ‘smart’ energy-efficient appliances. The use of current technologies (e.g. GIS, geographical information systems) in environmental assessment will also be discussed. Prerequisites: Acceptance in the Sustainability Management accelerated degree program.

This course provides a foundation for Project Management in the context of green, sustainable projects. Coverage includes life cycle assessment of the entire project from initiating, to planning and executing strategies that consider long term impacts. Scenario-based case studies are incorporated with emphasis on the importance of making strategic changes that can create sustainable competitive advantage. Prerequisites: Acceptance in the Sustainability Management accelerated degree program.

This course explores the interconnectivity of energy, environment and business strategy. Topics covered include economic principles related to the use of environmental goods and services, and the influence of environmental effects on the decision-making process. Strategies for adapting to the impact of environmental changes, energy production, consumption, and government policies are discussed. Corporate Social Responsibility (CSR), which focuses on economic, social and environmental impacts, and plays an increasing role in organizational strategy, is explored. Prerequisites: Acceptance in the Sustainability Management accelerated degree program.

This course examines legal and government policy approaches to sustainability. A wide range of political issues that arise when viewing the Earth’s environment as an integrated global system are discussed. Major federal environmental laws and a study of local policy and regulations relating to sustainable and green projects are introduced. Topics also include grant writing and contracting for sustainable projects. Prerequisites: Acceptance in the Sustainability Management accelerated degree program.

This course provides a study of human-environment interaction as seen from a global perspective. The interrelationship between population growth, food security, water availability, urbanization, technological change, international trade and global environmental change is explored. The economic, social and environmental impact of global trade is assessed. Discussion also includes maintaining historic principles of economic growth and development, and the implications for sustainability. Prerequisites: Acceptance in the Sustainability Management accelerated degree program.

The course focuses on the ‘4 E principles’ of Environment/Energy/Efficiency/Empower. These principles relate to efficiency in resource usage, sustainable energy use, environmental consciousness and empowering sustainable personal leadership. Emphasis is placed on the role of leadership to successfully complete sustainability projects. Coverage includes how to engage peers and company management in sustainable projects, how to coach and instruct sustainability across an organization, and how to communicate to a variety of audiences. Discussion also includes the application of ethical principles to actions affecting the environment. Prerequisites: Acceptance in the Sustainability Management accelerated degree program.

This course is an application of the principles of environmentally sustainable construction to new and existing green building projects. Emphasis is placed on providing projects with a life cycle analysis that aims to reduce environmental impact and optimize the comfort and safety of people. The Green Building Rating System LEED (Leadership in Energy and Environmental Design) for benchmarking the design, construction and operation of high performance green buildings is introduced. Students will work closely with industry on a project related to sustainability. Prerequisites: Acceptance in the Sustainability Management accelerated degree program.