Overall Rating Silver
Overall Score 61.60
Liaison Megan Curtis-Murphy
Submission Date Feb. 28, 2023

STARS v2.2

Northeastern University
AC-3: Undergraduate Program

Status Score Responsible Party
Complete 3.00 / 3.00 Megan Curtis-Murphy
Director of Campus Sustainability & Engagement
Climate Justice & Sustainability Hub
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Majors, degrees and certificate programs

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 Studies, BA

A brief description of the undergraduate degree program:
The Bachelor of Arts in Environmental Studies degree is designed to provide a flexible platform for students whose primary interest is in the area of environmental policy. In their first two years, all environmental studies majors complete introductory courses in the sciences (biology, chemistry, geology), as well as introductory- to intermediate-level course work in economics, political science, philosophy, and sociology. Students then work with a faculty advisor to select a cluster composed of intermediate- to upper-level courses in an area appropriate to the student’s career objectives. These cluster areas include sustainability, urban environmental issues, water issues, international affairs, public policy, and marine studies. A senior thesis is required in the environmental studies major.

Website URL for the undergraduate degree program:

Additional degree programs (optional) 

Name of the sustainability-focused, undergraduate degree program (2nd program):
Environmental and Sustainability Sciences, BS

None
A brief description of the undergraduate degree program (2nd program):
The Bachelor of Science in Environmental and Sustainability Sciences is designed to provide students comprehensive and transdisciplinary skills needed to tackle the pressing environmental problems we face. Our core curriculum is grounded in a solid foundation in Earth systems, ecology, sustainable development, and required skills courses in data management and geographic information systems. Students then diverge into one of four concentrations.

Website URL for the undergraduate degree program (2nd program):
Name of the sustainability-focused, undergraduate degree program (3rd program):
Combined Major in Environmental Engineering and Landscape Architecture, BS

None
A brief description of the undergraduate degree program (3rd program):
This combined major provides students an opportunity to obtain the fundamental scientific background and practical training to tackle environmental and landscape-related issues. The program seeks to prepare students for advanced studies or careers in fields of urban planning, urban design, sustainable development, environmental consulting and/or other fields focusing on the interactions among landscapes, the built environment, human societies, and overall climatic impacts.

Website URL for the undergraduate degree program (3rd program):
None
The name and website URLs of all other sustainability-focused, undergraduate degree program(s):
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Minors and concentrations

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:
Sustainable Energy Systems

A brief description of the undergraduate minor or concentration:
The sustainable energy systems minor is an interdisciplinary selection of courses designed to offer flexibility and exposure to the principles and applications of sustainable energy systems that are needed to meet the challenges of the world’s growing energy needs. Students have an opportunity to learn technical skills, analysis techniques, design strategies, and principles of economics and energy policy in topic areas including traditional (fossil fuel), alternative, renewable, and sustainable energy sources and energy system applications.

Website URL for the undergraduate minor or concentration:

Additional minors and concentrations (optional) 

Name of the sustainability-focused undergraduate minor or concentration (2nd program):
Urban Studies

A brief description of the undergraduate minor or concentration (2nd program):
The urban studies minor offers students interested in cities an opportunity to take advantage of the resources of an urban university situated in a major metropolitan area. The minor seeks to equip students with an understanding of the dynamics of urban growth and development and includes the study of urban social and political institutions. Many courses cover climate change, sustainability, housing, and the urban economy. The minor complements many social science majors as well as architecture, business, and engineering. The minor is designed to provide a solid background for graduate study and professional careers in urban planning and policy, social work, and related fields.

Website URL for the undergraduate minor, concentration or certificate (2nd program):
Name of the sustainability-focused undergraduate minor or concentration (3rd program):
Food Systems Sustainability, Health, and Equity

A brief description of the undergraduate minor or concentration (3rd program):
The minor in food systems sustainability, health, and equity is an interdisciplinary exploration of the contemporary food system, with particular attention to how the system evolved; its diverse societal, health, and environmental impacts; and ideas for making the food system more sustainable, healthy, and equitable for all.

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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Optional Fields  

Additional documentation to support the submission:
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Data source(s) and notes about the submission:
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