Grand Valley State University
AC-3: Undergraduate Program

Interdisciplinary environmental and sustainability studies draw upon a variety of disciplines - arts and humanities, physical and life sciences, and economic and policy studies - to develop a holistic, place-based, and solutions-oriented understanding of environmental and sustainability challenges. While all aspects of humans' interaction with their environments may be relevant to environmental and sustainability studies, students organize their studies around one or more of four focus areas: sustainable food systems, energy, water resources, or culture and the built environment.
Students will gain the broad educational background needed to create positive change as leaders, thinkers, decision-makers, and citizens. The program emphasizes a practical approach to environmental issues through collaborative problem-solving, involvement in faculty-led research projects, internships, practicums, and community engagement projects. Our students gain an understanding of the way interconnected physical, institutional, and cultural systems shape our attitudes and behavior toward the environment. They have first-hand experience addressing large and complex "wicked problems" from an interdisciplinary perspective.
Sustainability practitioners seek to understand and address such problems through the lens of the "triple bottom line," which highlights the environmental, social, and economic impacts of our actions. This orientation is reflected in the organization of coursework under three "perspectives" categories that highlight social and cultural considerations, physical and life science considerations, and political and economic considerations. The arts, humanities, and social sciences create, interpret, and analyze cultural narratives that influence humans' interactions with their environments. Knowledge from the physical and life sciences defines the context and limits of humans' interactions with their environments. Policy studies, economics, and social sciences describe and analyze social structures that influence humans' interactions with their environments. Students pursue either a B.A. or B.S. degree.

The natural resources management program prepares students to care for the land- and water-based ecosystems of Michigan and beyond, as well as to serve the people whose well-being depends on these resources.

Geography is an interdisciplinary, problem-solving field that bridges the natural and social sciences. It is the spatial science focused on understanding where phenomena are located, how they got there, where they are going, and why. City and regional planning uses the tools, techniques, and strategies of land use planning and zoning, site plan review, and the law to develop public policy to efficiently, sustainably, and imaginatively manage our land use practices to preserve the health, safety and welfare of the public.

Public and Nonprofit Adminstration - Specialty in Community Development and Planning (http://www.gvsu.edu/spnha/undergraduate-major-78.htm)

Liberal Studies - Sustainability Emphasis (http://www.gvsu.edu/liberalstudies/)

The environmental studies minor provides an academic framework within which students consider the multiple facets of environmental issues.

A Certificate in Green Chemistry provides a major advantage to an applicant on the job market in the area of chemistry and environmental sciences. A Certificate in Green Chemistry is neither a major nor a minor; it can/should be used as a focus investigation area of Chemistry, Environmental Sciences, Engineering, Environmental Studies, or Sustainability.  Additional information is available on Green Chemistry.

This 15 credit hour (minimum) Certificate in Sustainable City and Regional Planning provides students with a foundational knowledge of sustainability in planning and land use issues. This certificate can be completed in three semesters.

Certificate in Sustainable Food Systems (http://catalog.gvsu.edu/preview_program.php?catoid=42&poid=6396)