Stony Brook University
AC-7: Incentives for Developing Courses

Stony Brook University (SBU) is a national leader in sustainability education. Within the Sustainability Studies academic program, SBU offers a group of 5 majors and 6 minors that prepare students for careers in developing sustainable solutions to the problems our planet faces. The multi-disciplinary programs train students to think critically while learning hands on skills. The enrollment is steadily rising in all 5 majors and in the 6 minors. In addition to the required courses, students take an interdisciplinary program that includes team building, leadership, and assessment skills, in addition to hands on problem solving that will allow them to be better prepared for the labor force upon graduation. Since inception, the program has approximately doubled in size and a new minor and Graduate Certificate Program has been added in Geospatial Science. The academic program encourages faculty to develop new sustainability courses and/or incorporate sustainability into existing courses, by actively engaging both on and off campus sustainability networks. These networks include Campus Dining Services, the SBU Office of Sustainability and local area farms. The academic program specifically aims to increase student understanding of sustainability in classes, as well as through volunteer opportunities.

Faculty continue to develop new courses for the program. Through this on going development, the graduate certificate curriculum for the Geospatial Science program was developed. The academic program in Sustainability is working on the development of a graduate Certificate, a Masters of Arts degree, a Doctorate and a combined 5 year BA-MA fast track degree. All of these initiatives are pending State University of New York approval. Faculty attend conferences for professional development, as well as attend lectures and talks on environmental topics. As enrollment continues to grow, more resources are allocated to add additional course requirements for majors. Faculty lead independent research projects and mentor students on research work, related to their capstone projects.