Overall Rating Gold - expired
Overall Score 66.00
Liaison Jonna Korpi
Submission Date Nov. 4, 2019
Executive Letter Download

STARS v2.1

University of Minnesota, Duluth
AC-3: Undergraduate Program

Status Score Responsible Party
Complete 3.00 / 3.00 Mindy Granley
Sustainability Director
UMD Office of Sustainability
"---" indicates that no data was submitted for this field

Does the institution offer at least one sustainability-focused major, degree program, or the equivalent for undergraduate students (I.e. an interdisciplinary academic program that concentrates on sustainability as an integrated concept)?:
Yes

Name of the sustainability-focused undergraduate degree program:
Environmental Science (B.S.)

A brief description of the undergraduate degree program:

The B.S. in environmental science is designed for students who want a multidisciplinary science education focusing on aspects of the environment. This environmental science program requires a broad base of knowledge in the basic sciences and mathematics, physics, chemistry, biology, Earth sciences, and statistics. In addition, prudent study of environmental science requires understanding of economic, political, and ethical considerations.

Environmental science features an intense grounding in resource issues (including courses in water, mineral, and energy resources) and builds on the strength of UMD in freshwater issues. In addition, the capstone course in environmental assessment deals with sources, distribution, and ultimate fate of air, water, and solid waste pollution.


The website URL for the undergraduate degree program:
Name of the sustainability-focused, undergraduate degree program (2nd program):
Environment, Sustainability, and Geography (B.A.)

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

The Program in Geography provides a unique degree in Environment, Sustainability & Geography (ESG) emphasizing the notion of Sustainable Development. Students will examine the environmental, social, and economic problems associated with continued economic expansion on a finite planet, and explore the many emerging solutions for transitioning to a more sustainable future.

The ESG Program provides detailed coverage of our most pressing environmental problems and their most promising sustainable solutions at local, regional and global scales. In addition, students will explore the barriers to developing and implementing these solutions rooted in the workings of our policy -making processes. Finally, students will have the opportunity to work directly on a wide variety of regional sustainable community development projects to truly appreciate what they have learned in the classroom, and better prepare themselves to be effective sustainable development practitioners.


The website URL for the undergraduate degree program (2nd program):
Name of the sustainability-focused, undergraduate degree program (3rd program):
Environmental & Outdoor Education (B.A.Sc.)

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

The Bachelor of Applied Science (B.A.Sc.) in Environmental and Outdoor Education major familiarizes students with nonformal outdoor education settings and provides extensive training in outdoor education methodology and program delivery. In addition, nature-based outdoor recreation is emphasized as both method and goal. The major prepares students for professional careers in the broad field of outdoor education, including adventure education, environmental interpretation, and environmental education. Graduates from this program are prepared for careers in a variety of settings, such as environmental education centers (nature centers, residential environmental learning centers); natural resource agencies and facilities (DNR, NPS, USFS, State Parks); non-profits (scouts, museums, zoos, camps); adventure education schools; adjudicated youth facilities; and high adventure camps. Core degree components include outdoor education methods, physical skills development, program planning and delivery, management, evaluation, and principles of outdoor education and recreation. The environmental and outdoor education major is a four-year curriculum including one full semester of field placement in an outdoor educational setting.

This major provides professional training for nonformal education settings that do not require a teaching license as a prerequisite credential. Refer to the environmental education concentration under the teaching life science and/or teaching earth and space science majors for a related training that includes teaching licensure.


The 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, concentrations or certificates for undergraduate students?:
Yes

Name of the sustainability-focused undergraduate minor, concentration or certificate:
Sustainable Business and Organizations

A brief description of the undergraduate minor, concentration or certificate:

The Sustainable Business and Organizations minor is an interdisciplinary minor, which will complement any LSBE major. Sustainability is an approach to business in which business goals are aligned with social and environmental goals. Opportunities for 21st century managers require, in addition to traditional business skills, understanding of increasingly complex social, environmental, and governance issues. Sustainability careers span a broad set of options in large companies, startups, nonprofits, and government entities.


The website URL for the undergraduate minor, concentration or certificate:
Name of the sustainability-focused undergraduate minor, concentration or certificate (2nd program):
Environment, Sustainability, and Geography Minor

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

The purpose of the environment, sustainability and geography program is to prepare students to create sustainable communities for present and future generations. This program provides students with the tools to understand the physical and social systems of the earth to become informed change makers locally and globally. Sustainability challenges are all around us: from climate change, to vulnerabilities in the industrial food system, to the way we design cities. One of the fundamental hurdles in a transition toward sustainability is bridging the ecological and social sciences with decision making. The program trains students to analyze the interwoven nature of social and ecological systems, and translate that knowledge into policies to enact change. Meaningful engagement with the world outside the classroom prepares students to comprehend and address these challenges. To this end, the program provides students with theoretical and hands-on instruction in ecological and social processes, mentoring, as well as opportunities for professional and real-world experiences through internships and applied research.


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

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

The environmental science minor enhances a student's understanding of the scope of environmental problems, the biochemical and physical processes of environmental degradation, the sciences of non-renewable and renewable resources, and economic and political issues surrounding environmental problems. The minor provides valuable background for many environmental careers and applications.


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