| Department: | Interdisciplinary |
| Hours Required: | 15 |
| Categories: | Minor, Undergraduate |
| Delivery: |
This interdisciplinary minor at SAU is designed to approach sustainability by integrating topics from different fields. It offers numerous benefits and advantages in today’s world.
Students who complete the minor will be able to:
- Understand the interdisciplinary nature of sustainability and how it relates to their field of interest.
- Communicate the implications of sustainability in environmental, social, and governance issues for organizations, communities, and people.
- Recognize sustainability issues from diverse perspectives.
- Generate and implement strategies to tackle sustainability problems.
Benefits and Advantages
Addressing global challenges: Sustainability encompasses environmental, social, and economic aspects, preparing students to tackle pressing global issues such as climate change, resource depletion, and social inequality. It equips students with knowledge and skills to contribute to a more sustainable and resilient future.
Career opportunities: Sustainability has become a critical consideration for organizations across industries. Students can enhance their employability and gain a competitive edge in the job market. They can pursue careers in sustainable business, renewable energy, environmental consulting, sustainable design, policy and advocacy, and more.
Interdisciplinary learning: Sustainability is inherently interdisciplinary, integrating concepts from various fields such as environmental science, economics, social sciences, and engineering. Study in this area involves critical thinking, systems thinking, and problem-solving skills that can be applied across disciplines.
Ethical and responsible decision-making: Sustainability education encourages students to think critically about the environmental and social impacts of their decisions. It promotes ethical considerations and encourages responsible behavior, both as individuals and professionals. This mindset is valuable in any career path and in making informed choices as global citizens.
Personal growth and well-being: Studying sustainability often leads to deeper understanding of the interconnectedness of natural systems and human societies. This knowledge can enrich personal lives, cultivate a sense of environmental stewardship, and contribute to personal well-being. It empowers individuals to make positive changes in their own lives and inspire others to do the same.
Minoring in sustainability equips students with the knowledge, skills, and perspectives necessary to address global challenges, opens up diverse career opportunities, fosters interdisciplinary learning, promotes ethical decision-making, and enhances personal growth and well-being.
The annual sustainability conference, SOAR, is a way for students to learn about current issues in sustainability and present research.
The interdisciplinary minor in Sustainability is designed to approach the issue of sustainability from various views and is open to all Southern Arkansas University students. Starting with a foundational course that covers sustainability topics related to environmental, social, and governance matters, students then branch out into studies related to their major and interests. The capstone course is designed for students to develop an action- or research-based project.
Learning Goals
Students who complete the minor will be able to:
Understand the interdisciplinary nature of sustainability and how it relates to their field of interest.
Communicate the implications of sustainability in environmental, social, and governance issues for organizations, communities, and people.
Recognize sustainability issues from a variety of perspectives.
Generate and implement strategies to tackle sustainability problems.
Minor Requirements (15 hours)
SUST 1003 – Foundations of Sustainability
SUST 4013 – Sustainability Research and Applications
or ENGR 4933 – Advanced Topics in Engineering (with sustainability focus)
Select 9 hours from the following:
AGRI 4033 – Issues in Agriculture
BIOL 1051 – Issues in Conservation Biology
BIOL 3443 – Global Environmental Change
BIOL 4101 – Biology Colloquium
BIOL 4663 – Natural Resource Policy and Administration
CHEM 3243 – Introduction to Toxicology
CHEM 3253 – Analysis and Identification of Environmental Toxins
CHEM 4053 – Environmental Toxicology
CHEM 4183 – Ecotoxicology
ECON 4043 – Issues in Environmental Economics
ENGR 3143 – Manufacturing Processes
ENGR 3073 – Engineering Economics
PH 3053 – The Business of Health Care
PSCI 4083 – Global Issues
SCM 4053 – Environmentally Sustainable Practices
