Frostburg State University
ER-5: Sustainability Course Identification

LGLG defines sustainability as improving the quality of life for current and future generations by addressing environmental, social and economic needs at Frostburg State University.

The College of Education, through the Department of Educational Professions, has the course ELED 474 Science Methods, “Environmental Factors in Elementary Science.” The course explores science aspects in STEM Education for aspiring elementary/middle school teachers. The College of Education received a grant from the Maryland Department of Education ($80,000) to develop Elementary Science STEM Certification. The focus is on teacher-preparation of STEM; direct focus on sustainability, and is offered to aspiring undergraduate students in teacher preparation with mentor teachers in the field. The CoB has one sustainability-related course, MGMT 405, Business Ethics and Social Responsibility, that is currently being offered as part of the Common Body of Knowledge to undergraduate Business Administration and Accounting majors. It also serves as an elective course for the Sustainability Studies minor offered at the University. Although this course is taught by several instructors, sustainability issues are covered for at least one but, more commonly, two weeks of course work. A comprehensive, College-wide discussion on sustainability will include a deeper discussion of specific sustainability-focused and sustainability-related courses. This will include a discussion on whether a sustainability-focus in the College menu of offerings or a certificate offering in the area of sustainability should occur. Resource requirements for creation of sustainability-focused courses are presently indeterminate.