University of Utah
AC-3: Undergraduate Program

Environmental and Sustainability Studies (ENVST) students develop an understanding of ecological systems and the consequences of human-environment interactions, with grounding in earth systems and social science. The curriculum emphasizes human impacts on the environment, policy and decision making, ethics, and historical approaches to the human-environment relationship. This interdisciplinary program is unique in its emphasis on peer learning and community engagement regarding the environment, social responsibility, and sustainability.

The undergraduate degree in Urban Ecology focuses on exploring the interrelationships among social, environmental and economic systems, with an aim toward enhancing the vitality and sustainability of places and communities. For those seeking work at the graduate level, it also provides preparation for the Master of City & Metropolitan degree. The program is designed to respond to the particular problems and opportunities that exist in the “new west.” These might be characterized as environmental management, fragile landscape protection, recreation and tourism, public lands planning, rapid population growth, rural towns, regional transportation, energy production and low density sprawl. The field of Urban Ecology helps communities understand the complexity of issues that affect daily quality of life as well as the long-term health of the environment. It is a highly interdisciplinary field and the workday usually brings a variety of different activities including analytical work, community meetings, problem solving, and administrative actions. The undergraduate program in Urban Ecology will prepare students well for professional careers in environmental and sustainability planning, urban planning, public health, public policy, and community development.

The Peace and Conflict Studies (P&CS) Program is an interdisciplinary program that deals with conflicts ranging from the interpersonal to the global level. The program enables students to understand the dynamics of peace and conflict and to contribute to the creation of more just and peaceable conditions in the home, the work place, and the world. Students choose from an interdisciplinary menu of courses that explore such topics as conflict theory, war and terrorism, just war theory, the history of peace efforts and non-violent social movements, community-based conflict management and resolution, and human rights. Students also take practical courses that challenge them to develop greater self-awareness, communication skills, and dialogue facilitation skills.

Atmospheric Sciences BS http://www.atmos.utah.edu/ Civil and Environmental Engineering BS http://www.civil.utah.edu/

Environmental and Sustainability Studies (ENVST) students develop an understanding of ecological systems and the consequences of human-environment interactions, with grounding in earth systems and social science. The curriculum emphasizes human impacts on the environment, policy and decision making, ethics, and historical approaches to the human-environment relationship. This interdisciplinary program is unique in its emphasis on peer learning and community engagement regarding the environment, social responsibility, and sustainability. The following are core courses for all Environmental and Sustainability Studies Minor students ENVST 2050 Intro. to Enviro. & Sust. Science (4) SF ENVST 2100 Intro. to Enviro. & Sustainability (3) BF ENVST 3364 Challenges to Global Sustainability (3) IR ENVST 3365 Environmental Justice (3) DV, CEL ENVST/GEOG 3210 Global Climate Change(3) SF POLS 5322 Environmental Policy(3)

Among the many topics that are of concern to tourism and hospitality students are cultural and ethical implications of tourism, tourism policy, biodiversity and cultural heritage conservation, destination infrastructure and analysis, visitor management, customer service, meetings and event management, tourism economics, and destination marketing. This emphasis is designed to provide students with the theoretical knowledge, operational expertise, and technical skills to be successful contributors to this diverse and exciting field.

GEOG Climate Change Emphasis: Recent and future changes in the Earth’s climate represent one of the great challenges for modern society. Greenhouse gas-induced warming has critical environmental, societal, and economic impacts. Courses in this emphasis cover the components of the climate system from small to large scales, how climate changes over long and short time scales, and how the projected future climate will impact physical, natural and social systems. This emphasis is designed to provide the necessary context to critically analyze and discuss the issues facing students as they prepare for climate change during their lifetimes, as well as GEOG, Global Development, Population, & Sustainability Emphasis: This emphasis focuses on using geographical perspectives to understand issues related to global development, population health and transitions, and the sustainability of human-environment systems. This emphasis would be especially valuable for students interested in working for public or private employers in areas related with population wellbeing, the environment, and globalization or who intend to pursue further study in population health, environment change, and globalization. GEOG Urban Systems, Location, & Resilience Emphasis: This emphasis focuses on the spatial organization of human activities within cities as well as the connections between cities. Geographic education promotes the understanding of processes and forces that affect dynamic changes within urban areas, including economic development, industrial location, migration and urbanization, neighborhood change, and planning process, to help with human decision making, planning and policy to make cities livable and resilient.

Other Emphasis Areas: Biology BA/BS, Environmental and Organismal Emphasis (BIO) http://www.biology.utah.edu/undergraduate/programs.php Geoscience, Emphasis in Environmental Geoscience (GEO) http://www.earth.utah.edu/undergraduate/index.php Other Minors: Atmospheric Sciences Minor (ATMOS) Ecology & Legacy Minor (HONOR) http://taft-nicholson.utah.edu/programs/courses/ecology-and-legacy.php Peace and Conflict Studies Minor (PCS) http://peace.utah.edu/ Urban Ecology Minor (CMP) http://plan.cap.utah.edu/urban-planning-minor/ Certificates: Climate Change Certificate (GEOG) http://www.geog.utah.edu/undergraduate/certificates/13-certificates/26-climate-change-certificate.html Social Justice Advocacy Certificate (SW) http://socialwork.utah.edu/wp-content/uploads/sites/4/2015/10/UndergradCertSocialJusticeAdvocacy.pdf Sustainable Tourism Certificate (PRT) http://www.health.utah.edu/parks-recreation-tourism/degrees/tourism-certificate.php Block U (A two-semester Learning Community for undergraduate students) This program frequently offers sustainability-related themes: --Arts & Advocacy, 2014-15, 2015-16, 2016-17 --Food, Health & Social Justice, 2015-16, 2016-17 --Water & Sustainability, 2014-15,2015-16 --Sustainability, 2013-14

SOURCES University of Utah General Catalog, 2015-16: http://www.utah.edu/students/catalog.php Environmental Studies Major Bulletin, 2016-17 http://envst.utah.edu/students/degrees/major_bulletin_16_17.pdf Environmental Studies Minor Bulletin, 2015-2016 http://envst.utah.edu/students/degrees/minor_bulletin%2016_17.pdf "University of Utah Minor in Environmental Studies," (2013) URL: http://curriculum.utah.edu/degrees/_pdf/_minors/envst_minor.pdf Request to Change the Name of the Environmental Studies Program to the Environmental and Sustainability Studies Program (2010, approved 2/13/11) URL: http://curriculum.utah.edu/degrees/_pdf/_minors/envst_minor.pdf