University of Oklahoma
AC-3: Undergraduate Program
| Status | Score | Responsible Party |
|---|---|---|
|
Reporter |
Sarah
Ballew Director, Energy Management & Sustainability Facilities Management |
Majors, degrees and certificate programs
Name of the sustainability-focused undergraduate degree program:
A brief description of the undergraduate degree program:
Students within the Environmental Sustainability program study how human societies can meet the needs of the present without compromising the ability of future generations to meet their needs. Achieving this goal requires balancing short- and long-term needs related to jobs and economic growth, societal well-being, and environmental health. The program fosters interest in how individuals, organizations and societies can affect the environment, resulting in a better world in which to live. This degree enables students to develop the necessary technical skills to address relevant environmental and societal problems, including skills in Geographic Information Systems (GIS), statistical and spatial reasoning, and remote sensing. The nature of the degree allows for flexibility, as multiple electives and degree options are available. Students may pursue either a Bachelor of Arts or Bachelor of Science degree in any of the following options: Science and Natural Resources, Culture and Society, Planning and Management.
Website URL for the undergraduate degree program:
Additional degree programs (optional)
Students pursuing a Bachelor of Science in Environmental Science complete fundamental courses in chemistry, math, physics, biology, microbiology, and environmental science. Students then choose three upper division track electives electives in one of four areas: chemistry, biology, math or physical sciences. Students also choose two upper division Professional Electives in the preferred area of emphasis within environmental science. This flexible program prepares students for careers in government, consulting and industry.
Website URL for the undergraduate degree program (2nd program):
Name of the sustainability-focused, undergraduate degree program (3rd program):
The core curriculum for environmental engineering is similar to civil engineering; however, the last two years of the program focus strictly on environmental courses. Students are required to take courses in air pollution control engineering; water and wastewater engineering, and solid and hazardous waste management. Students also choose two upper division Professional Electives in their preferred area of emphasis.
Website URL for the undergraduate degree program (3rd program):
A fourth program is the Bachelor of Science in Environmental Studies:
https://www.ou.edu/cas/environmentalstudies
Minors and concentrations
Name of the sustainability-focused undergraduate minor or concentration:
A brief description of the undergraduate minor or concentration:
A minor in Environmental Sustainability combines the study of weather systems, economic geography, geographic information science, and the Earth’s natural resources and climate. Using the knowledge within these interconnected areas of study, which incorporate the basic pillars of the Sustainability Movement — ecology, social responsibility, democracy, and non-violence — students design a senior project that benefits the OU campus or the Norman community. A minimum 2.00 GPA is required in all work presented for minor credit. The Environmental Sustainability minor requires a minimum of 18 hours of coursework, to include the following hours Foundations (3-4), Economics and Culture (3), Natural Resources (3), Techniques (3), Climate (3) and Senior Project (3).
Website URL for the undergraduate minor or concentration:
Additional minors and concentrations (optional)
A brief description of the undergraduate minor or concentration (2nd program):
The minor in Environmental Studies provides an interdisciplinary skillset which prepares students to participate in conversations on environmental topics with others who have a range of academic backgrounds. The minor is 16 hours and has a 3 course requirement (The Cornerstone, The Research Project, The Learning Community), 2 interdisciplinary electives, and 1 single-disciplinary elective outside of the student's major.
Website URL for the undergraduate minor, concentration or certificate (2nd program):
Name of the sustainability-focused undergraduate minor or concentration (3rd program):
A brief description of the undergraduate minor or concentration (3rd program):
The minor has a minumum credit hour requirement of 16 hours. The following pre-requisites must be completed prior to application for the minor in Environmental Science:
Math 1823/1914 and MATH 2423/2924
CHEM 1315 and CHEM 1415
BIOL 1134 or PBIO 1114
PHYS 2514 or PHYS 2414
Sixteen hours are required to complete the minor, including:
CEES 2313 Water Quality Fundamentals (Fall only)
CEES 2323 Environmental Transport and Fate Processes (Spring only)
CEES 4263G Hazardous and Solid Waste Management (Fall only)
CEES 4114/5114 Aquatic Chemistry or CEES 4324/5324 Environmental Biology and Ecology (Fall only)
Plus, one course from the following list:
CEES 4243 Water Technologies for Emerging Regions
ENGR 4513 Intro. to Sustainable Engineering
CEES 4000 or 5000-level course with permission from advisor
Website URL for the undergraduate minor or concentration (3rd program):
The name and website URLs of all other sustainability-focused undergraduate minors and concentrations:
Minor in Climate Adaptation
https://ou-public.courseleaf.com/atmospheric-geographic-sciences/geography-environmental-sustainability/climate-adaptation-minor/
Water and Sanitation for Health and Sustainable Development
https://ou-public.courseleaf.com/gallogly-engineering/civil-engineering-environmental-science/water-sanitation-health-sustainable-development-minor/
Optional Fields
Data source(s) and notes about the submission:
The information presented here is self-reported. While AASHE staff review portions of all STARS reports and institutions are welcome to seek additional forms of review, the data in STARS reports are not verified by AASHE. If you believe any of this information is erroneous or inconsistent with credit criteria, please review the process for inquiring about the information reported by an institution or simply email your inquiry to stars@aashe.org.