Overall Rating Gold
Overall Score 68.35
Liaison Jessica Bast
Submission Date Aug. 9, 2022

STARS v2.2

North Carolina State University
AC-3: Undergraduate Program

Status Score Responsible Party
Complete 3.00 / 3.00 Jessica Bast
Sustainability Program Coordinator
University Sustainability Office
"---" indicates that no data was submitted for this field

Does the institution offer at least one ​sustainability-focused​ major, degree, or certificate program for undergraduate students?:
Yes

Name of the sustainability-focused undergraduate degree program:
Environmental Sciences

A brief description of the undergraduate degree program:
As the need for understanding issues such as mitigating and adapting to climate change, advancing sustainability and predicting outcomes of environmental policies continues to increase, so does the need for environmental experts across industries. This program provides opportunities for students to rigorously explore complex, interdisciplinary environmental issues by combining courses throughout NC State.

Website URL for the undergraduate degree program:
Name of the sustainability-focused, undergraduate degree program (2nd program):
Sustainable Materials and Technology (BS)

A brief description of the undergraduate degree program (2nd program):
From housing to packaging, manufactured materials are integral to our everyday lives. However, many of these materials are derived from depletable sources, such as petroleum, and fabricated in ways that could cause harm to humans and the environment. Students in Sustainable Materials and Technology learn how to create and manipulate materials derived from renewable natural resources, most often plant based.

Through classes in materials science, environmental studies, applied engineering and technology, as well as business and economics, students in this STEM (Science, Technology, Engineering and Mathematics) major gain an in-depth understanding of the benefits–and costs–of using renewable materials such as wood, bamboo and grasses.

Website URL for the undergraduate degree program (2nd program):
Name of the sustainability-focused, undergraduate degree program (3rd program):
Natural Resources (BS)

A brief description of the undergraduate degree program (3rd program):
This STEM (Science, Technology, Engineering and Mathematics) major blends science, economics, policy, technology and management techniques to prepare students to conserve our natural systems and green infrastructure in the face of a growing population and limited resources. Through hands-on learning and teamwork, students develop critical skills, such as communication, collaboration and problem solving, all of which are needed to effectively address the challenges that arise when integrating people and nature.

Website URL for the undergraduate degree program (3rd program):
The name and website URLs of all other sustainability-focused, undergraduate degree program(s):
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Does the institution offer one or more sustainability-focused minors or concentrations for undergraduate students?:
Yes

Name of the sustainability-focused undergraduate minor or concentration:
Renewable Energy Assessment (minor)

A brief description of the undergraduate minor or concentration:
The minor in Renewable Energy Assessment provides students the opportunity to assess and implement renewable energy technologies. The minor is intended to provide students with the ability to assess facilities and land for renewable energy production. The minor is achieved by taking 15 credit hours in renewable energy assessment topics. The minor is designed to engage students from all majors and may be especially appropriate for students majoring in many of the environmental degrees on campus.

Website URL for the undergraduate minor or concentration:
Name of the sustainability-focused undergraduate minor or concentration (2nd program):
Environmental Education (minor)

A brief description of the undergraduate minor or concentration (2nd program):
The undergraduate minor in Environmental Education is offered to students interested in building environmental literacy among pre-K through adult audiences. Environmental literacy includes environmental awareness and knowledge, pro-environmental attitudes and sensitivity, critical thinking skills necessary to analyze complex environmental challenges, and motivation to act in environmentally responsible ways. Undergraduates may be interested in careers including informal science education (e.g., in museums or aquaria), environmental interpretation (e.g., parks and nature centers), or formal K- 12 education. The minor is designed to give an opportunity to make substantial progress toward the NC Environmental Education Certification program, a certification listed as a requirement (or working towards) for positions within many parks, informal science education facilities, and recognized and favored nationally by many museums, aquaria, and nature centers.

Website URL for the undergraduate minor, concentration or certificate (2nd program):
Name of the sustainability-focused undergraduate minor or concentration (3rd program):
Agroecology (minor)

A brief description of the undergraduate minor or concentration (3rd program):
Agroecology instruction provides students a fundamental understanding of agriculture and its interaction with natural and social systems. Students selecting the Agroecology minor will gain an understanding of modern production agriculture from an ecological and sociological perspective, obtain new skills in analyzing agricultural systems, and the knowledge to design a plan for change. This knowledge will improve a student's ability to work with agricultural professionals to implement a system that meets ecological and social needs while remaining profitable for farmers.

Website URL for the undergraduate minor or concentration (3rd program):
The name and website URLs of all other sustainability-focused undergraduate minors and concentrations:
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Additional documentation to support the submission:
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Data source(s) and notes about the submission:
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