University of Nebraska - Lincoln
AC-2: Learning Outcomes

The University of Nebraska-Lincoln focuses on 10 different levels of the achievement-centered education (ACE). Every undergraduate student is required to take at least one course in each of these 10 levels. In two of the categories, every class has some learning outcome relating to sustainability. The description for the ACE 4 classes is: to use scientific methods and knowledge to pose questions, frame hypotheses, interpret data, and evaluate whether conclusions about the natural and physical world are reasonable, encompassing the environmental/ecological dimension of sustainability. For the ACE 8 courses, the description is: to use knowledge, theories, and analysis to explain ethical principles and their importance in society. In this description ethical principles include respect and social justice, encompassing the social dimension of sustainability. These ACE requirements, as a whole, contain an institution level learning outcome addressing sustainability as an integrated concept.

Using the UNL Fact Book, we looked at data from 2019 including its spring, summer and fall semesters. By adding up the total number of graduates in each semester we got the total of 5,854 graduates in the year 2019. Listed below are the nine degree programs that require an understanding of the concept of sustainability. We added up the number of graduates in 2019 from each of the below programs (done in UNL Factbook) to get the total of graduates from degree programs that require an understanding of the concept of sustainability, which was 974.

Here is the list of program level sustainability learning outcomes, or sustainability-focused programs:

1) Environmental Studies Major: The environmental studies major is designed for students who want to make a difference and contribute to solving environmental challenges on a local to global scale. Solutions to challenges such as climate change, pollution, and resource conservation require individuals who have a broad-based knowledge in the natural and social sciences, as well as strength in a specific discipline.

2) Society and the Environment Minor: Explain the relationship among social, economic, and environmental systems for the development of solutions for global environmental and natural resource issues. Employ concepts of sustainability to the campus and community by engaging in the challenges and solutions of applied sustainability.

3) Energy Science Minor: Provide a comprehensive overview of energy in society, fundamental energy principles, the economics of energy, and environmental issues related to producing and using energy.

4) Natural Resources and Environmental Economics Major: Combines in-depth study of the natural sciences with economics, law, and other social sciences. The program provides students with training in the analysis of the benefits and costs of using natural resources and the environment for a variety of purposes including recreation, agriculture, wildlife habitat, industry, logging, and mining. In addition, the program emphasizes the assessment of public policies regulating the use of natural resources and environmental amenities.

5) Master of Science in Environmental Engineering: This program at the University of Nebraska-Lincoln is a multidisciplinary, interdepartmental program jointly administered by the Departments of Civil Engineering and Biological Systems Engineering. Environmental Engineers focus on developing innovative solutions to complex problems involving physical, chemical, biological and ecological components. Environmental engineering training offers opportunities to work in any aspect of environmental protection.

6) Environmental Restoration Science Major: Environmental restoration initiates or accelerates the recovery of an ecosystem that has been degraded, damaged or contaminated from human activity or natural agents. Students interested in this major will receive a variety of classroom and field experiences to help them develop the skills needed to become environmental scientists. All students majoring in Environmental Restoration Science will receive a thorough understanding of the soil-water environment, environmental regulations, toxicology, environmental sampling, and restoration techniques

7) Horticulture Major: Horticulture is the science and art of growing and using trees, shrubs, flowers and other landscape plants, along with fruits and vegetables to enhance our living environment and to diversify human diets. It includes landscape design, organic farming, entrepreneurship, research, and crop production in greenhouses, fields, and nurseries.

8) Fisheries and Wildlife Major: Students in the Fisheries and Wildlife major receive hands-on training with active demonstrations, problem-based exercises, community-based service learning opportunities, and experiential learning to understand the conservation, protection, regulation, and management of our nation's fish and wildlife resources.

9) Agricultural and Environmental Science Communication Major: Prepares you to develop and share messages about critical issues related to food, fuel, water, landscapes and people. You will learn to communicate clearly and effectively to diverse audiences about the wide range of topics related to producing food for a world population expected to reach 9 billion before 2050.

All undergraduates are required to complete the ACE program as described above. Of the 5,854 students, there are 1,398 that we can not confirm have adopted learning outcomes regarding sustainability. These 1,398 students are masters or doctoral students.

Provided above was a screen shot of the website to our UNL Fact Book where the data was retrieved. Here is a direct link to the database that allows for filtering. We used data out of the degrees category for semesters spring, summer and fall of 2019.
https://iea.unl.edu/publication/fact-book.