Duluth campus

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Duluth Campus

Environment and Sustainability B.A.

Geography & Philosophy
College of Arts, Humanities and Social Sciences
  • Students will no longer be accepted into this program after Fall 2018. Program requirements below are for current students only.
  • The environment and sustainability degree is now being offered through the environment, sustainability, and geography degree. Students interested are encouraged to pursue this degree option.
  • Program Type: Baccalaureate
  • Requirements for this program are current for Spring 2023
  • Required credits to graduate with this degree: 120
  • Required credits within the major: 77 to 80
  • This program requires summer terms.
  • Degree: Bachelor of Arts
The environment and sustainability program provides a sound interdisciplinary grounding in the natural sciences, social sciences, and the humanities, producing graduates who understand and think creatively about complex global environmental and social problems. The curriculum encourages multidisciplinary thinking and problem-solving skills at the nexus of the natural sciences and social sciences. Coursework develops skills in research, writing, creative thinking, and sound policy making, as students draw upon a range of disciplines to understand and solve specific issues and problems. Honors Requirements: Candidates must be majors with a 3.00 overall GPA and 3.30 in the major. Students must complete an honors project supervised by a faculty member and approved by the program director. In some cases, the project may develop out of the environment and sustainability internship. Students must notify the director of their intent to participate in the honors program by the end of the first week of the semester of graduation and the completed project must be approved by the faculty adviser and the director at least 30 days before the end of the term. The project is presented orally or by exhibition.
Program Delivery
This program is available:
  • via classroom (the majority of instruction is face-to-face)
Admission Requirements
For information about University of Minnesota admission requirements, visit the Office of Admissions website.
Required prerequisites
Introductory Requirement (1 cr)
Transfer students with 24 or more credits and current UMD students who change colleges to CLA are exempt from this requirement. New first-year students with 24 or more PSEO credits may request to be waived from this requirement.
UST 1000 - Learning in Community (1.0-2.0 cr)
General Requirements
  1. Students must meet all course and credit requirements of the departments and colleges or schools in which they are enrolled including an advanced writing course. Students seeking two degrees must fulfill the requirements of both degrees. However, two degrees cannot be awarded for the same major.
  2. Students must complete all requirements of the Liberal Education Program or its approved equivalent.
  3. Students must complete a minimum of 120 semester credits completed in compliance with University of Minnesota Duluth academic policies with credit limits (e.g., Satisfactory/Non-Satisfactory Grading Policy, Credit for Prior Learning, etc).
  4. At least 30 semester credits must be earned through UMD, and 15 of the last 30 credits earned immediately before graduation must be awarded by UMD.
  5. At least half of upper-division (3xxx-level or higher) credits that satisfy major requirements (major requirements includes all courses required for the major, including courses in a subplan) through UMD.
  6. If a minor is required, students must take at least three upper division credits in their minor field from UMD.
  7. For certificate programs, at least 3 upper-division credits that satisfy requirements for the certificate must be taken through UMD. If the program does not require upper division credits students must take at least one course from the certificate program from UMD.
  8. The minimum cumulative University of Minnesota (UMN) GPA required for graduation is 2.00 and includes only University of Minnesota coursework. A minimum UMN GPA of 2.00 is required in each UMD undergraduate major, minor, and certificate. No academic unit may impose a higher GPA standard to graduate.
  9. Diploma, transcripts, licensure, and certification will be withheld until all financial obligations to the University have been met.
Program Requirements
Environment and Sustainability Core (19 cr)
ES 4097 is only offered during the summer term.
ES 1001 {Inactive} (2.0 cr)
ES 2803 - Issues in Global Ecology [LE CAT] (3.0 cr)
ES 3100 - Sustainable Food Systems (4.0 cr)
ES 3500 - Ecological Economics (3.0 cr)
ES 4010 - Seminar (4.0 cr)
ES 4090 - Internship Preparation & Career Development (1.0 cr)
ES 4097 - Internship (3.0 cr)
Natural Science Core (17 cr)
BIOL 1011 - General Biology I [LE CAT, NAT SCI] (5.0 cr)
BIOL 1012 - General Biology II [SUSTAIN] (5.0 cr)
BIOL 2801 - General Ecology (3.0 cr)
GEOG 1414 - The Physical Geography [LE CAT, NAT SCI, SUSTAIN] (4.0 cr)
or EES 1110 - Geology and Earth Systems [LE CAT, NAT SCI, SUSTAIN] (4.0 cr)
Social Science Core (22-23 cr)
Economics
ECON 1023 - Principles of Economics: Micro [LE CAT, SOC SCI] (3.0 cr)
ECON 3721 - Natural Resource and Energy Economics (3.0 cr)
or ECON 3777 - Environmental Economics (3.0 cr)
Geography
GIS 3563 - Geographic Information Science I: Theory and Analysis (4.0 cr)
GEOG 3335 - Urban Planning (3.0 cr)
or GEOG 4451 - The Geography of Soils (4.0 cr)
Political Science
POL 1011 - American Government and Politics [LE CAT6, SOC SCI] (3.0 cr)
POL 3080 - Environment and Politics (3.0 cr)
or POL 3170 {Inactive} (3.0 cr)
or POL 3570 - Politics of Developing Nations (3.0 cr)
Sociology
SOC 3901 - Social Change and Social Policy (3.0 cr)
or SOC 4860 - Environmental Sociology [SUSTAIN] (3.0 cr)
Supporting Core (7-9 cr)
Math Requirement
Take no more than 1 course(s) from the following:
· MATH 1160 - Finite Mathematics and Introduction to Calculus [LE CAT, LOGIC & QR] (5.0 cr)
· MATH 1250 - Precalculus Analysis [LE CAT2, LOGIC & QR] (4.0 cr)
· MATH 1290 - Calculus for the Natural Sciences [LE CAT2, LOGIC & QR] (5.0 cr)
· MATH 1296 - Calculus I [LE CAT, LOGIC & QR] (5.0 cr)
· MATH 1297 - Calculus II [LOGIC & QR] (5.0 cr)
· MATH 1596 {Inactive} [LE CAT2, LOGIC & QR] (5.0 cr)
· MATH 1597 {Inactive} [LOGIC & QR] (5.0 cr)
Statistical Requirement
STAT 2411 preferred; if GIS 4585 or SOC 2155 is taken, neither can apply as an elective course.
Take no more than 1 course(s) from the following:
· ECON 2030 - Applied Statistics for Business and Economics [LOGIC & QR] (3.0 cr)
· ECON 3030 - Econometrics I (3.0 cr)
· GIS 4585 - Advanced GIS Analytics (4.0 cr)
· POL 2700 - Methodology and Analysis [LOGIC & QR] (4.0 cr)
· PSY 3020 - Statistical Methods (4.0 cr)
· SOC 2155 - Introduction to Research Methods and Analysis (4.0 cr)
· STAT 2411 - Statistical Methods [LE CAT, LOGIC & QR] (3.0 cr)
· STAT 3xxx
· STAT 4xxx
Environment and Sustainability Electives (8 cr)
Students propose at least three elective courses above the 2xxx level; courses already taken may or may not be accepted. Since the major does not require a second field of study, only two proposed courses can be applicable to a second major or minor. Students must consult with their adviser before selecting their elective courses.
Take 3 or more course(s) from the following:
Proposal form found here: z.umn.edu/umdclaprograms
· (ES proposed course)
Advanced Writing Requirement (3 cr)
Any WRIT 31xx course will satisfy this requirement.
WRIT 31xx-Adv Writing (3 cr)
 
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UST 1000 - Learning in Community
Credits: 1.0 -2.0 [max 2.0]
Course Equivalencies: EHS 1000/UST 1000/ ES 1000
Grading Basis: A-F or Aud
Typically offered: Every Fall & Spring
Facilitates the successful transition into college learning and student life at UMD. Credit will not be granted if already received for EHS 1000.
ES 2803 - Issues in Global Ecology (LE CAT)
Credits: 3.0 [max 3.0]
Grading Basis: A-F only
Typically offered: Every Spring
An examination of our most pressing global environmental problems and their most promising solutions.
ES 3100 - Sustainable Food Systems
Credits: 4.0 [max 4.0]
Grading Basis: A-F only
Typically offered: Every Fall
Historical and contemporary food systems within sustainability framework. Understands food within social, political, economic and environmental contexts. Looks at sustainable production, consumption and processing issues. Lab time is spent at the UMD Land Lab and include experiential learning opportunities within the Duluth community.
ES 3500 - Ecological Economics
Credits: 3.0 [max 3.0]
Grading Basis: A-F only
Typically offered: Every Fall
Examine the basic principles and assumptions of Micro and Macro Economics, and their relevance in our modern global economic system. Examine the environmental/social consequences of deviations from these assumptions, and alternative economic models/analyses and policies consistent with sustainable development. prereq: [ES major or minor or URS major] and [Econ 1022 or Econ 1023] or instructor consent
ES 4010 - Seminar
Credits: 4.0 [max 4.0]
Grading Basis: A-F only
Typically offered: Every Spring
Compare and contrast global free market capitalism and democratic socialism. Identify political and economic barriers to achieving the goal of sustainable development. Examine the recent history of the move towards global free market capitalism around the world and its implications for sustainable development. Develop sustainable development projects and write proposals to targeted funders. prereq: ES major or minor, 90 credits; credit will not be granted if already received for 5001
ES 4090 - Internship Preparation & Career Development
Credits: 1.0 [max 1.0]
Grading Basis: S-N only
Typically offered: Every Spring
Various employers and members of environmental/social organizations from Duluth and northern Minnesota will speak to describe how their organization supports a transition towards sustainability in the region. Students will work together under the guidance of their instructor to assess, reflect, and prepare for graduation and the job market. prereq: ESG major
ES 4097 - Internship
Credits: 3.0 [max 6.0]
Grading Basis: S-N only
Typically offered: Periodic Fall, Spring & Summer
Experience in the field of environment and sustainability with direct supervision in public agencies or relevant private firms. prereq: instructor consent; no grad credit
BIOL 1011 - General Biology I (LE CAT, NAT SCI)
Credits: 5.0 [max 5.0]
Course Equivalencies: BIOL 1011/BIOL 1013
Grading Basis: A-F or Aud
Typically offered: Every Fall & Spring
Fundamental concepts of biology, including chemical basis of life, cell structure and function, energy transformations, photosynthesis, cellular respiration, genetics, molecular biology, DNA technology, development, origin of life, and evolution. (4 hrs lect, 2.5 hrs lab) prereq: 1 yr high school Chem or 1 semester college Chem, Math ACT 21 or higher or MATH 1005 or higher; credit will not be granted if already received for BIOL 1013
BIOL 1012 - General Biology II (SUSTAIN)
Credits: 5.0 [max 5.0]
Grading Basis: A-F or Aud
Typically offered: Every Fall & Spring
Fundamental concepts of biology, including classification and diversity of life, anatomy, physiology, and development of prokaryotes, protistans, fungi, animals, and plants; behavior; population, community, and ecosystem ecology. (4 hrs lect, 2.5 hrs lab) prereq: A grade of C- or better in 1011
BIOL 2801 - General Ecology
Credits: 3.0 [max 3.0]
Grading Basis: A-F or Aud
Typically offered: Every Fall & Spring
Relationships between life and environment for individuals, populations, communities, and ecosystems; surveys of environmental factors and biomes. May be taken without lab 2802. (3 hrs lect) prereq: A grade of C- or better in both 1011 and 1012; may be taken without lab BIOL 2802
GEOG 1414 - The Physical Geography (LE CAT, NAT SCI, SUSTAIN)
Credits: 4.0 [max 4.0]
Grading Basis: A-F only
Typically offered: Periodic Fall, Spring & Summer
The environment is highly dynamic and is continually modified by human and environmental processes. This course examines these processes to better understand how the Earth's landscapes were formed and how they are currently being transformed. Specifically, students will understand the fundamental processes that govern the physical environment including Earth-sun relations, water resources, landforms, weather and climate, natural vegetation, and soils.
EES 1110 - Geology and Earth Systems (LE CAT, NAT SCI, SUSTAIN)
Credits: 4.0 [max 4.0]
Course Equivalencies: EES 1110 FST 1409
Grading Basis: A-F or Aud
Typically offered: Every Fall & Spring
Earth systems science is an interdisciplinary approach to understanding the processes operating within and the interactions between the geosphere, hydrosphere, atmosphere, and biosphere. In this course we investigate the changing nature of the Earth; its composition, architecture, and antiquity; the internal and external processes that shape it through time; cycles of energy and matter; the development of life and impact of human activity; and both local environmental issues and global change. For students using a 2012-2021 LEP catalog year, the GEOL subject is now EES. If you took GEOL 1610, EES 1110 will not fulfill the requirement of a different subject. Credit will not be granted if already received for GEOL 1110
ECON 1023 - Principles of Economics: Micro (LE CAT, SOC SCI)
Credits: 3.0 [max 3.0]
Grading Basis: A-F or Aud
Typically offered: Every Fall & Spring
Analyzing free enterprise system through study of product and resource markets. Supply and demand, utility, production and cost, market structure, resource use, market failures, regulatory role of government, and real-world application of these concepts. prereq: Minimum 15 credits or department consent
ECON 3721 - Natural Resource and Energy Economics
Credits: 3.0 [max 3.0]
Grading Basis: A-F or Aud
Typically offered: Periodic Fall, Spring & Summer
Microeconomic analysis of natural resource and energy markets. Role of these resources in production processes and waste generation, use and pricing of nonrenewable and renewable resources over time, resource availability, sustainable development, and ecological economics. prereq: 1023, preferred but not required: 3023; credit will not be granted if already received for ECON 4721
ECON 3777 - Environmental Economics
Credits: 3.0 [max 3.0]
Grading Basis: A-F or Aud
Typically offered: Periodic Fall, Spring & Summer
Microeconomic analysis of environmental quality as an economic good. Pollution control, benefit-cost analysis, valuation methodologies and their application to air and water quality, hazardous waste management, preservation, and global pollutants. prereq: 1023, preferred but not required: 3023; credit will not be granted if already received for ECON 4777
GIS 3563 - Geographic Information Science I: Theory and Analysis
Credits: 4.0 [max 4.0]
Grading Basis: A-F only
Typically offered: Every Fall & Spring
GIS 3563 emphasizes the concepts needed to use GIS effectively for acquiring, editing, querying, analyzing and visualizing spatial data. This course is an introduction to GIS and trains basic skills with industry standard GIS software in a wide variety of applications in both the natural and social sciences. The course covers basic data modeling, data manipulation, analytical methods and implications of geospatial technologies on society. prereq: credit will not be granted if already received for GEOG 3564 or 4563 and 4564 or GIS4565.
GEOG 3335 - Urban Planning
Credits: 3.0 [max 3.0]
Grading Basis: A-F only
Typically offered: Every Spring
Urban planning explores the purpose, practice, and theories of modern community planning for the promotion of social and economic well-being. The causes of urban problems, and the tools planners can use to solve them will be investigated. Special focus will be paid to citizen participation and how the voices of community members can be heard in the planning process. prereq: Minimum 30 credits
GEOG 4451 - The Geography of Soils
Credits: 4.0 [max 4.0]
Grading Basis: A-F only
Typically offered: Every Fall
This course gives students a fundamental understanding of the soil as a living resource. The course covers basic soil science and the critical need for sustainable soil management in the context of current agricultural and climate change. The course includes outdoor field excursions, hands-on soil study both in the field and in the lab. Course includes a weekend field trip. prereq: 1414 or Geol 1110 or grad student or instructor consent
POL 1011 - American Government and Politics (LE CAT6, SOC SCI)
Credits: 3.0 [max 3.0]
Grading Basis: A-F or Aud
Typically offered: Every Fall & Spring
Principles of American national government. Survey of American governmental system, structure, operations, and services; constitutionalism, federalism, civil liberties, parties, pressure groups, and elections.
POL 3080 - Environment and Politics
Credits: 3.0 [max 3.0]
Grading Basis: A-F or Aud
Typically offered: Periodic Fall
American natural resource problems with special attention to conservation activities on national, state, and local levels; development of conservation agencies in Minnesota. prereq: 30 earned or in-progress credits or instructor consent
POL 3570 - Politics of Developing Nations
Credits: 3.0 [max 3.0]
Grading Basis: A-F or Aud
Typically offered: Periodic Fall & Spring
Nature of political development; individual and institutional causes and consequences of development; political economy of the Third World. prereq: 30 earned or in-progress credits or instructor consent
SOC 3901 - Social Change and Social Policy
Credits: 3.0 [max 3.0]
Grading Basis: A-F or Aud
Typically offered: Periodic Fall & Spring
Social change and maintenance forces as they affect social life. Emphasis on social theory and research along with formation and implementation of social policy leading to both change and maintenance. prereq: 30 cr or instructor consent
SOC 4860 - Environmental Sociology (SUSTAIN)
Credits: 3.0 [max 3.0]
Grading Basis: A-F or Aud
Typically offered: Periodic Spring
Environmental sociology examines the social roots of contemporary ecological problems. This course explores how the science of the natural environment interacts with economic, social, cultural, and political forces in a local, national and global context. It emphasizes the social justice implications of contemporary topics, such as climate change, sustainable agriculture and energy. We will also explore diverse positions and actions of environmental movements and possible solutions to environmental problems. prereq: 60 cr or grad student or instructor consent
MATH 1160 - Finite Mathematics and Introduction to Calculus (LE CAT, LOGIC & QR)
Credits: 5.0 [max 5.0]
Grading Basis: A-F or Aud
Typically offered: Every Fall, Spring & Summer
Elementary functions, matrices, graphical and algebraic methods for solving systems of linear equations and inequalities, introduction to linear programming, and abbreviated treatment of calculus with emphasis on business and social science applications. prereq: Math ACT 24 or higher or a grade of at least C- in Math 1005 or department consent; if you have received credit for 1290 or 1296 or 1596, you will not receive credit for Math 1160.
MATH 1250 - Precalculus Analysis (LE CAT2, LOGIC & QR)
Credits: 4.0 [max 4.0]
Grading Basis: A-F or Aud
Typically offered: Every Fall & Spring
This course introduces the concepts of analytical geometry, relations, functions, and graphs. It includes exponential, logarithmic, and trigonometric functions as well as conic sections, sequences and series, and systems of linear equations. prereq: Math ACT 24 or higher or a grade of at least C- in Math 1005 or department consent
MATH 1290 - Calculus for the Natural Sciences (LE CAT2, LOGIC & QR)
Credits: 5.0 [max 5.0]
Course Equivalencies: Math1290/1296/1596
Grading Basis: A-F or Aud
Typically offered: Every Fall & Spring
Differential and integral calculus needed for modeling in earth and life sciences. Computational software. Not intended for students in mathematics, engineering, or physical sciences. prereq: Math ACT 27 or higher or a grade of at least C- in Math 1250 or department consent
MATH 1296 - Calculus I (LE CAT, LOGIC & QR)
Credits: 5.0 [max 5.0]
Course Equivalencies: Math1290/1296/1596
Grading Basis: A-F or Aud
Typically offered: Every Fall, Spring & Summer
First part of a standard introduction to calculus of functions of a single variable. Limits, continuity, derivatives, integrals, and their applications. prereq: Math ACT 27 or higher or a grade of at least C- in Math 1250 or department consent
MATH 1297 - Calculus II (LOGIC & QR)
Credits: 5.0 [max 5.0]
Course Equivalencies: Math 1597/1297
Grading Basis: A-F or Aud
Typically offered: Every Fall, Spring & Summer
Second part of a standard introduction to calculus. Vectors, applications of integrals, transcendental functions, series, and multivariable functions and partial derivatives. prereq: A grade of at least C- in 1290 or 1296 or 1596
ECON 2030 - Applied Statistics for Business and Economics (LOGIC & QR)
Credits: 3.0 [max 3.0]
Grading Basis: A-F or Aud
Typically offered: Every Fall, Spring & Summer
Introduction to modern business statistics, emphasizing problem solving applications through statistical decision making using case studies. Topics include organization and presentation of data, summary statistics, distributions, statistical inference including estimation, and hypothesis testing. prereq: minimum 30 credits, LSBE student, pre-business or pre-accounting or Econ BA major or Graphic Design and Marketing major or Graphic Design with Marketing subplan major or Econ minor or Accounting minor or Business Admin minor or Arts Administration; credit will not be granted if already received for Econ 2020, Stat 1411, Stat 2411, Stat 3611, Soc 3151, Psy 3020
ECON 3030 - Econometrics I
Credits: 3.0 [max 3.0]
Grading Basis: A-F or Aud
Typically offered: Every Fall & Spring
Techniques used in analyzing economic and business data; emphasis on computer methods and research applications. Analysis of variance, qualitative data analysis, modeling, regression, residual and influence analysis, time series. prereq: 1022, 1023, (2030 or Stat 1411 or Stat 2411 or Stat 3611), Math 1160 or Math 1296, Econ 3020 or STAT 3612, Econ major or minor or LSBE candidate
GIS 4585 - Advanced GIS Analytics
Credits: 4.0 [max 4.0]
Grading Basis: A-F only
Typically offered: Periodic Fall & Spring
This course provides GIS students, or students in related fields and interested in spatial data analysis with advanced GIS methods and techniques to analyze spatial data and publish valuable insights and monitoring solutions. Methods covered in this course may be applied across a wide variety of fields (social or environmental studies, economics and management, sciences and engineering), whenever spatial information needs to be analyzed. The course marries theory and applications and relies on a variety of desktop or "as-service" software. Examples are: ArcGIS Pro, ArcGIS online, QGIS. prereq: GIS 3563, preferred STAT 1411 or 2411; no grad credit
POL 2700 - Methodology and Analysis (LOGIC & QR)
Credits: 4.0 [max 4.0]
Grading Basis: A-F or Aud
Typically offered: Every Fall
Theory and methods of conducting political research: theory construction, concept formulation, survey research and sampling design, basic statistical analysis, and measurement of relationships.
PSY 3020 - Statistical Methods
Credits: 4.0 [max 4.0]
Grading Basis: A-F or Aud
Typically offered: Every Fall, Spring & Summer
Descriptive statistics; introduction to correlational analysis and regression; sampling techniques and statistical inference; applications of simple and factorial design analysis of variance and other parametric and nonparametric hypothesis-test statistics in the behavioral sciences. prereq: Math ACT 21 or higher or Accuplacer score of 237-300 or higher or MATH 1005
SOC 2155 - Introduction to Research Methods and Analysis
Credits: 4.0 [max 4.0]
Grading Basis: A-F or Aud
Typically offered: Every Fall & Spring
Principles/practice of research design, sampling, data collection including field observation/surveys. Data management, analysis, and reporting of quantitative/qualitative data. Ethics/administration in sociological research. Introduction to SPSS statistical software. Lab
STAT 2411 - Statistical Methods (LE CAT, LOGIC & QR)
Credits: 3.0 [max 3.0]
Grading Basis: A-F or Aud
Typically offered: Every Fall & Spring
Graphical and numerical descriptions of data, elementary probability, sampling distributions, estimations, confidence intervals, one-sample and two-sample t-test. prereq: Math ACT 24 or higher or a grade of at least C- in Math 1005 or higher or department approval