Overall Rating Silver
Overall Score 56.22
Liaison Olivia Wiebe
Submission Date Jan. 28, 2022

STARS v2.2

University of Idaho
AC-3: Undergraduate Program

Status Score Responsible Party
Complete 3.00 / 3.00 Sara Mahuron
Associate Director of Accreditation and Assessment
Vice Provost for Academic Initiatives
"---" 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:
Bachelor in Environmental Science

A brief description of the undergraduate degree program:

Today’s global environmental issues demand professionals who understand the science, economics, social and political factors behind them. Take advantage of this unique program that includes classes from a variety of sciences. Focus your studies through a range of courses in the biological, physical or social sciences, while you learn to protect, conserve and make a difference in tomorrow's world.


Website URL for the undergraduate degree program:
Name of the sustainability-focused, undergraduate degree program (2nd program):
Bachelor in Natural Resource Conservation

A brief description of the undergraduate degree program (2nd program):

Examine the human dimensions of natural resource management and conservation and apply this knowledge while working with diverse stakeholders across disciplines and private and public sectors. Explore social-ecological systems and shape the relationship with the landscape that sustains us all. This nationally recognized program offers two options, Conservation Planning and Management and Conservation Science.


Website URL for the undergraduate degree program (2nd program):
Name of the sustainability-focused, undergraduate degree program (3rd program):
Bachelor in Renewable Materials

A brief description of the undergraduate degree program (3rd program):

Sustainability, innovation and green building are words to live by for professionals in renewable materials. Learn to design, develop and promote forest products that use renewable wood-based building materials and create new pathways for bio-based energy. Customize your education based on your career goals in a program accredited by the Society of Wood Science and Technology.


Website URL for the undergraduate degree program (3rd program):
The name and website URLs of all other sustainability-focused, undergraduate degree program(s):
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:
Climate Change Certificate

A brief description of the undergraduate minor or concentration:

There is a need for personnel who have a working knowledge of the science of climate change, its potential impacts, and adaptation and mitigation strategies to build climate resilient societies and landscapes. The Climate Change Certificate will prepare students at the University of Idaho to meet that need. The Climate Change Certificate educates students on the multifaceted aspects of climate science, adaptation and policy. In direct alignment with the University of Idaho's land-grant mission, it prepares students to understand the causes and ramifications of climate change on agriculture, natural resources, communities and society.
The U.S. Global Change Research Program has outlined specific educational goals for training the next generation of scientists and decision makers in climate literacy across all disciplines. The curriculum required for the climate change certificate builds in the flexibility for students across various colleges while adhering to the following "climate literacy" goals:
1. to understand the essential principles of Earth’s climate system,
2. to know how to assess scientifically credible information about climate,
3. to communicate about climate and climate change in a meaningful way, and to make informed and responsible decisions regarding actions that may affect climate

Thus, the certificate is intended to prepare students in many fields to understand the scientific drivers and impacts of climate change, as well as the necessary knowledge base to become active participants in planning mitigation strategies and necessary community/societal adaptations.


Website URL for the undergraduate minor or concentration:
Name of the sustainability-focused undergraduate minor or concentration (2nd program):
Climate Change Minor

A brief description of the undergraduate minor or concentration (2nd program):

There is a growing national need for qualified personnel who have a working knowledge of climate science, potential impacts, and strategies for adapting and mitigating these potential impacts. The Climate Change Minor will prepare students at the University of Idaho to meet current and future workforce needs across the state, as well as nationally, preparing students for an expanding job market in the areas of climate science, as well with the growing workforce in climate adaptation and mitigation strategies. In addition, the Climate Change Minor is designed to better inform students on the multifaceted aspects of climate science, adaptation and policy - a field that is expected to greatly increase over the next decade. Finally, the climate change minor is also in direct alignment with the land-grant mission of the University of Idaho in that it will prepare students to understand the causes and ramifications of climate change on agriculture, natural resources, communities and society.


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

A brief description of the undergraduate minor or concentration (3rd program):

The Environmental Communications Minor is offered through the College of Natural Resources but requires coursework in the humanities and journalism as well. This interdisciplinary minor introduces students to the communications skills in the context of natural resources, including environmental and cultural interpretation; communication psychology and media applied to non-captive audiences in natural resource situations. Additional coursework in environmental education and public involvement in natural resource management expand the scope of this minor.


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

Research completed by Maraya Hanson, former student


Research completed by Maraya Hanson, former student

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