Environmental Sustainability
Women's College
Overview
Major
Minor
Course Descriptions
John T. Cookson, Jr. Ph.D., Program Director
The environmental sustainability major provides a multi-disciplinary approach to understanding the complex interrelationships between environmental concerns and social, political and economic institutions. Students who specialize in this discipline focus on protections for human health, the environment and the biosphere. Students gain the knowledge, skills and perspectives that will enable them to become leaders in a wide range of environmentally-oriented fields and professions. The scope of professional expertise needed in this field for the future opens opportunities for generalists and specialists in science, public policy, and management. The major also relates well to study in engineering.
The program curriculum includes a strong emphasis on gender. Globally, women are disproportionately affected by environmental injustice. The major addresses the interconnected issues of women and the environment, poverty, health, quality of family life, and the economy.
The major may be tailored to student interests though course work in many disciplines, including biology, chemistry business, and the social sciences. Upon completing the core requirements, students elect an emphasis in science, public policy or sustainable entrepreneurship. Each emphasis provides students with the specialized knowledge to pursue graduate study or employment within the chosen area. The program also stresses experiential learning, including such options as internship placements in a “green business” corporate environment or a dedicated research project . Students frequently connect their environmental studies coursework with Notre Dame's international programs, including Alternative Spring Break, Service Abroad, and study abroad.
A curriculum for a minor program of study is also available.
The general education requirement in the natural sciences may be fulfilled by ENV-120 and ENV-121. The general education requirement in the social sciences may be fulfilled by ENV-210 and ENV-220.
Environmental studies majors and minors must complete all required courses for the major or minor with a grade of C or higher.
Program of Study
Required Courses for a Major in Environmental Sustainability
ENV-120 Earth's Biosphere (4)
ENV-121 Earth's Physical Spheres (4)
ENV-210 Economics for a Sustainable Environment (3)
ENV-220 Environmental Politics and Policy (3)
ENV-410 Experiential Learning in Environmental Sustainability (3)
ENV-430 Environmental Sustainability Capstone (3)
PHL-336 Environmental Ethics (3)
In addition, all majors will select an area of emphasis and complete its requirements.
Emphasis in Science
BIO-111 Fundamentals of Biology (4)
BIO-307 Ecology (4)
CHM-106 Introduction to Organic Chemistry (3)
CHM-110/111 General Chemistry I, II (8)
CHM-303 Analytical Chemistry (4)
One additional upper-level biology course, as approved by the program coordinator (4)
Emphasis in Public Policy
POL-102 Introduction to American Politics (3)
POL/HIS-390 Environmental Policy at the U.S. State and National Level (3)
Two of the following
POL-401 Political and Economic Globalization (3)
POL-430 International Organizations (3)
POL-440 Issues in Global Affairs (3)
Three of the following
BUS-418 Government Relations to Business (3)
PHL-334 Business Ethics (3)
POL-351 Problems of Developing Nations (3)
RST-345 Justice and Peace (3)
RST-424 Ecology and Theology (3)
SOC-301 Social Justice (3)
Emphasis in Sustainable Entrepreneurship
BUS-303 Principles of Marketing (3)
BUS-416 Managing Financial Resources (3)
BUS-436 Socially Responsible and Sustainable Business Practices (3)
Choose one of the following courses:
BUS-302 Principles of Management (3)
BUS-334 Teamwork and Negotiation (3)
BUS-350 International Business (3)
BUS-418 Government Relations to Business (3)
ECO-211 Introduction to Macroeconomics (3)
ECO-212 Introduction to Microeconomics (3)
PHL -334 Business Ethics (3)
POL-351 Problems of Developing Nations (3)
POL-401 Political and Economic Globalization (3)
POL- 440 Global Issues (3)
RST-345 Justice and Peace (3)
RST-424 Ecology and Theology (3)
SOC-301 Social Justice (3)
Choose one of the following areas of specialization (all courses required):
Business/Economics
ECO-230 The End of Food (3)
ECO-404 International Economics (3)
ECO-440 Economics of Environment and Natural Resources (3)
Social Entrepreneurship Credits
BUS-401 Entrepreneurship I (3)
BUS-402 Entrepreneurship II (3)
NPM-411 Topics in Nonprofit Management (3)
Leadership
BUS-400 Leadership and Empowerment (3)
POL-317 Civic Participation and Leadership (3)
BUS-406 Leading Innovation and Change (3)
Required Courses for a Minor in Environmental Sustainability
ENV-120 Earth's Biosphere (4)
ENV-121 Earth's Physical Spheres (4)
ENV-210 Economics for a Sustainable Environment (3)
ENV-220 Environmental Politics and Policy (3)
ENV-410 Experiential Learning in Environmental Sustainability (3)
PHL-336 Environmental Ethics (3)
Note: Descriptions for courses in other disciplines can be found in their respective departmental catalog sections.