Campuses:
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Twin Cities Campus
Sustainable Systems Management B.S.Bioproducts and Biosystems Engineering
College of Food, Agricultural and Natural Resource Sciences
Businesses, governments, and nonprofit organizations are making decisions with sustainability in mind with increasing frequency. They recognize that to ensure positive environmental, economic, and social outcomes, they must prepare comprehensive, long-term plans and employ informed, proficient individuals to carry them out. To accomplish these tasks, these public and private entities rely upon the expertise of employees and consultants who possess both a broad understanding of sustainability and an in-depth familiarity with the particular sector in which they operate.
The sustainable systems management major prepares students to enter the workforce with the knowledge and skills necessary to design, assess, implement, and manage systems to advance the goals of sustainability. Key features of this inherently interdisciplinary major include its skills-based and content-based integrated core courses, its emphasis on the development of strong analytical and quantitative skill sets, and its broad requirement of foundation courses in mathematics, science, business, economics, history, and policy.
Students choose to specialize in one of four tracks: (1) corporate sustainability systems, (2) sustainable products business management, (3) building science and technology, or (4) energy systems.
Program Delivery
This program is available:
Admission Requirements
For information about University of Minnesota admission requirements, visit the
Office of Admissions
website.
General Requirements
All students in baccalaureate degree programs are required to complete general University and college requirements including writing and liberal education courses. For more information about University-wide requirements, see the
liberal education requirements.
Required courses for the major, minor or certificate in which a student receives a D grade (with or without plus or minus) do not count toward the major, minor or certificate (including transfer courses).
Program Requirements
All major requirements must be taken A-F (unless only offered S-N), and students must earn a grade of at least C- or better.
Core and Foundation Courses
Orientation
SSM 1004 - Sustainable Systems Management Orientation
(1.0 cr)
Mathematical Thinking
MATH 1271 - Calculus I
[MATH]
(4.0 cr)
Statistics
STAT 3011 - Introduction to Statistical Analysis
[MATH]
(4.0 cr)
or
STAT 3021 - Introduction to Probability and Statistics
(3.0 cr)
or
CEGE 3102 - Uncertainty and Decision Analysis
(3.0 cr)
or
ESPM 3012 - Statistical Methods for Environmental Scientists and Managers
[MATH]
(4.0 cr)
Physical and Biological Sciences
CHEM 1061 - Chemical Principles I
[PHYS]
(3.0 cr)
CHEM 1065 - Chemical Principles I Laboratory
[PHYS]
(1.0 cr)
Biology
BIOL 1001 - Introductory Biology: Evolutionary and Ecological Perspectives
[BIOL]
(4.0 cr)
or
BIOL 1009 - General Biology
[BIOL]
(4.0 cr)
Social Sciences and Historical Perspective
ESPM 3241W - Natural Resource and Environmental Policy
[SOCS, CIV, WI]
(3.0 cr)
HSCI 3244 - Nature's History: Science, Humans, and the Environment
[HIS, ENV]
(3.0 cr)
or
HSCI 5244 - Nature's History: Science, Humans, and the Environment
(3.0 cr)
Economics
APEC 1101 - Principles of Microeconomics
[SOCS, GP]
(4.0 cr)
or
ECON 1101 - Principles of Microeconomics
[SOCS, GP]
(4.0 cr)
or
ESPM 3261 - Economics and Natural Resources Management
[SOCS, ENV]
(4.0 cr)
Skills Based Integrated Core
ESPM 3603 - Environmental Life Cycle Analysis
(3.0 cr)
SSM 4506W - Sustainable Systems Management Capstone
[WI]
(3.0 cr)
Intro to Systems Thinking
SSM 2003 - Systems Thinking: Development and Applications in Sustainability
(3.0 cr)
or
ESPM 2021 - Environmental Sciences: Integrated Problem Solving
(3.0 cr)
Content Based Integrate Core
SSM 4407W - Sustainable Manufacturing Principles and Practices
[WI]
(3.0 cr)
SSM 4504W - Sustainable Products Systems Management
[WI]
(3.0 cr)
ESPM 3607 - Natural Resources Consumption and Sustainability
[GP]
(3.0 cr)
Content Based Integrate Core
ESPM 3601 - Sustainable Housing--Community, Environment, and Technology
[TS]
(3.0 cr)
or
HSG 3482 {Inactive}
[TS]
(3.0 cr)
Experiential Learning
Take 0 - 1 course(s) from the following:
·
SSM 4504W - Sustainable Products Systems Management
[WI]
(3.0 cr)
Upper Division Writing Intensive within the Major
Students are required to take one upper division writing intensive course within the major. If that requirement has not been satisfied within the core major requirements, students must choose one course from the following list. Some of these courses may also fulfill other major requirements.
Take 0 - 1 course(s) from the following:
·
SSM 4407W - Sustainable Manufacturing Principles and Practices
[WI]
(3.0 cr)
·
SSM 4504W - Sustainable Products Systems Management
[WI]
(3.0 cr)
·
SSM 4506W - Sustainable Systems Management Capstone
[WI]
(3.0 cr)
·
ESPM 3241W - Natural Resource and Environmental Policy
[SOCS, CIV, WI]
(3.0 cr)
Program Sub-plans
Students are required to complete one of the following sub-plans.
Sustainable Products Business Management
The sustainable products business management sub-plan combines science, engineering, technology, and business coursework with cutting-edge research related to sustainable product development, business management, and their applications. This specialization prepares students to enter the workforce with the knowledge and skills necessary to design, assess, implement, and manage business systems to advance the goals of sustainable products and technologies, and bring them closer to consumers.
Additional Foundation Courses
CHEM 1062 - Chemical Principles II
[PHYS]
(3.0 cr)
CHEM 1066 - Chemical Principles II Laboratory
[PHYS]
(1.0 cr)
PHYS 1101W - Introductory College Physics I
[PHYS, WI]
(4.0 cr)
Sustainable Products Business Mgmt Specialization Courses
ACCT 2051 - Introduction to Financial Reporting
(4.0 cr)
FINA 3001 - Finance Fundamentals
(3.0 cr)
MGMT 3001 - Fundamentals of Management
(3.0 cr)
MKTG 3001 - Principles of Marketing
(3.0 cr)
BBE 1002 - Biorenewable Resources
[TS]
(3.0 cr)
BBE 2201 - Renewable Energy and the Environment
[TS]
(3.0 cr)
SSM 3503 - Marketing of Bio-based Products
(4.0 cr)
BBE 4302 - Biodegradation of Bioproducts
(3.0 cr)
ESPM 3605 - Recycling: Extending Raw Materials
[TS]
(3.0 cr)
Building Science and Technology
The building science and technology sub-plan is designed to investigate and enrich the important relationships between people, their homes, and the environment. From a solid scientific and engineering base, this interdisciplinary specialization builds critical thinking skills and helps students explore the opportunities that can enhance the performance of houses and building systems.
Additional Foundation Courses
MATH 1272 - Calculus II
(4.0 cr)
PHYS 1301W - Introductory Physics for Science and Engineering I
[PHYS, WI]
(4.0 cr)
PHYS 1302W - Introductory Physics for Science and Engineering II
[PHYS, WI]
(4.0 cr)
Building Science and Technology Specialization Courses
BBE 1002 - Biorenewable Resources
[TS]
(3.0 cr)
BBE 2001 - Mechanics and Structural Design
(4.0 cr)
BBE 4302 - Biodegradation of Bioproducts
(3.0 cr)
SSM 3612 - Systems Approach to Building Science and Construction
(4.0 cr)
SSM 4616 - Building Science I: Fundamentals
(4.0 cr)
SSM 4614 - Building Systems Performance: Testing & Diagnostics
(2.0 cr)
SSM 4618 - Building Science II: Applications
(3.0 cr)
CEGE 3402 - Civil Engineering Materials
(3.0 cr)
CMGT 3011 - Construction Plan Reading
(2.0 cr)
CMGT 4021 - Construction Planning and Scheduling
(3.0 cr)
Corporate Sustainability Systems
The corporate sustainability systems sub-plan specialization prepares students to enter the workforce with the knowledge and skills necessary to design, assess, implement, and manage systems to advance the goals of sustainability within a business, industrial, corporate, and non-profit organization context.
Additional Foundation Courses
CHEM 1062 - Chemical Principles II
[PHYS]
(3.0 cr)
CHEM 1066 - Chemical Principles II Laboratory
[PHYS]
(1.0 cr)
MATH 1272 - Calculus II
(4.0 cr)
PHYS 1301W - Introductory Physics for Science and Engineering I
[PHYS, WI]
(4.0 cr)
PHYS 1302W - Introductory Physics for Science and Engineering II
[PHYS, WI]
(4.0 cr)
Corporate Sustainability Systems Specialization Courses
APEC 3611W - Environmental and Natural Resource Economics
[ENV, WI]
(3.0 cr)
CEGE 3501 - Introduction to Environmental Engineering
[ENV]
(3.0 cr)
ESPM 3602 - Regulations and Corporate Environmental Management
(3.0 cr)
ESPM 3604 - Environmental Management Systems and Strategy
(3.0 cr)
ESPM 3605 - Recycling: Extending Raw Materials
[TS]
(3.0 cr)
MGMT 3001 - Fundamentals of Management
(3.0 cr)
Energy Systems
The energy systems sub-plan specialization combines science, engineering, technology, and systems thinking coursework with cutting-edge research related to sustainable energy systems and their applications. This specialization prepares students to enter the workforce with the knowledge and skills necessary to design, assess, implement, and manage energy systems to advance the goals of sustainability.
Additional Foundation Courses
CHEM 1062 - Chemical Principles II
[PHYS]
(3.0 cr)
CHEM 1066 - Chemical Principles II Laboratory
[PHYS]
(1.0 cr)
MATH 1272 - Calculus II
(4.0 cr)
PHYS 1301W - Introductory Physics for Science and Engineering I
[PHYS, WI]
(4.0 cr)
PHYS 1302W - Introductory Physics for Science and Engineering II
[PHYS, WI]
(4.0 cr)
Energy Systems Specialization Courses
APEC 3611W - Environmental and Natural Resource Economics
[ENV, WI]
(3.0 cr)
BBE 2201 - Renewable Energy and the Environment
[TS]
(3.0 cr)
BBE 3033 - Material and Energy Balances in Biological Systems
(3.0 cr)
BBE 4733 - Renewable Energy Technologies
[TS]
(3.0 cr)
ESPM 3602 - Regulations and Corporate Environmental Management
(3.0 cr)
ESPM 3605 - Recycling: Extending Raw Materials
[TS]
(3.0 cr)
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Credits: | 1.0 [max 1.0] |
Grading Basis: | S-N only |
Typically offered: | Every Fall |
Credits: | 4.0 [max 4.0] |
Course Equivalencies: | Math 1271/Math 1281/Math 1371/ |
Typically offered: | Every Fall, Spring & Summer |
Credits: | 4.0 [max 4.0] |
Course Equivalencies: | AnSc 3011/ESPM 3012/Stat 3011/ |
Typically offered: | Every Fall, Spring & Summer |
Credits: | 3.0 [max 3.0] |
Course Equivalencies: | STAT 3021/STAT 3021H |
Typically offered: | Every Fall, Spring & Summer |
Credits: | 3.0 [max 3.0] |
Grading Basis: | A-F or Aud |
Typically offered: | Every Fall & Spring |
Credits: | 4.0 [max 4.0] |
Course Equivalencies: | AnSc 3011/ESPM 3012/Stat 3011/ |
Grading Basis: | A-F or Aud |
Typically offered: | Every Spring |
Credits: | 3.0 [max 3.0] |
Course Equivalencies: | Chem 1061/Chem 1071H/Chem 1081 |
Typically offered: | Every Fall, Spring & Summer |
Credits: | 1.0 [max 1.0] |
Course Equivalencies: | Chem 1065/Chem 1075H |
Grading Basis: | A-F only |
Typically offered: | Every Fall, Spring & Summer |
Credits: | 4.0 [max 4.0] |
Course Equivalencies: | Biol 1001/Biol 1001H/Biol 1003 |
Typically offered: | Every Fall & Spring |
Credits: | 4.0 [max 4.0] |
Course Equivalencies: | Biol 1009/Biol 1009H |
Typically offered: | Every Fall, Spring & Summer |
Credits: | 3.0 [max 3.0] |
Course Equivalencies: | ESPM 3241W/ESPM 5241 |
Typically offered: | Every Spring |
Credits: | 3.0 [max 3.0] |
Course Equivalencies: | HSci 3244/5244 |
Typically offered: | Every Fall |
Credits: | 3.0 [max 3.0] |
Course Equivalencies: | HSci 3244/5244 |
Typically offered: | Every Fall |
Credits: | 4.0 [max 4.0] |
Course Equivalencies: | Econ 1101/1165 ApEc 1101/1101H |
Typically offered: | Every Fall & Spring |
Credits: | 4.0 [max 4.0] |
Course Equivalencies: | Econ 1101/1165 ApEc 1101/1101H |
Typically offered: | Every Fall, Spring & Summer |
Credits: | 4.0 [max 4.0] |
Course Equivalencies: | ESPM 3261/ESPM 5261 |
Grading Basis: | A-F or Aud |
Typically offered: | Every Spring |
Credits: | 3.0 [max 3.0] |
Course Equivalencies: | ESPM 3603/ESPM 5603 |
Grading Basis: | A-F only |
Typically offered: | Every Fall |
Credits: | 3.0 [max 3.0] |
Grading Basis: | A-F only |
Typically offered: | Every Spring |
Credits: | 3.0 [max 3.0] |
Grading Basis: | A-F only |
Typically offered: | Every Fall |
Credits: | 3.0 [max 3.0] |
Grading Basis: | A-F or Aud |
Typically offered: | Periodic Fall & Spring |
Credits: | 3.0 [max 3.0] |
Course Equivalencies: | SSM 4407W/SSM 5407 |
Grading Basis: | A-F only |
Typically offered: | Every Fall |
Credits: | 3.0 [max 3.0] |
Course Equivalencies: | SSM 4504W/SSM 5504 |
Grading Basis: | A-F only |
Typically offered: | Every Spring |
Credits: | 3.0 [max 3.0] |
Grading Basis: | A-F only |
Typically offered: | Every Spring |
Credits: | 3.0 [max 3.0] |
Course Equivalencies: | ESPM 3601/Hsg 3482 |
Grading Basis: | A-F or Aud |
Typically offered: | Every Fall & Spring |
Credits: | 3.0 [max 3.0] |
Course Equivalencies: | SSM 4504W/SSM 5504 |
Grading Basis: | A-F only |
Typically offered: | Every Spring |
Credits: | 3.0 [max 3.0] |
Grading Basis: | A-F or Aud |
Typically offered: | Periodic Fall & Spring |
Credits: | 3.0 [max 3.0] |
Course Equivalencies: | SSM 4407W/SSM 5407 |
Grading Basis: | A-F only |
Typically offered: | Every Fall |
Credits: | 3.0 [max 3.0] |
Course Equivalencies: | SSM 4407W/SSM 5407 |
Grading Basis: | A-F only |
Typically offered: | Every Fall |
Credits: | 3.0 [max 3.0] |
Course Equivalencies: | SSM 4504W/SSM 5504 |
Grading Basis: | A-F only |
Typically offered: | Every Spring |
Credits: | 3.0 [max 3.0] |
Grading Basis: | A-F only |
Typically offered: | Every Spring |
Credits: | 3.0 [max 3.0] |
Course Equivalencies: | ESPM 3241W/ESPM 5241 |
Typically offered: | Every Spring |
Credits: | 3.0 [max 3.0] |
Course Equivalencies: | Chem 1062/1072H/1082 |
Typically offered: | Every Fall, Spring & Summer |
Credits: | 1.0 [max 1.0] |
Course Equivalencies: | Chem 1066/Chem 1076H |
Grading Basis: | A-F only |
Typically offered: | Every Fall, Spring & Summer |
Credits: | 4.0 [max 4.0] |
Course Equivalencies: | Phys 1101W/Phys 1107 |
Typically offered: | Every Fall & Spring |
Credits: | 3.0 [max 3.0] |
Course Equivalencies: | ApEc 1102/Econ 1102/1105/1112 |
Typically offered: | Every Spring |
Credits: | 4.0 [max 4.0] |
Course Equivalencies: | ApEc 1102/Econ 1102/1105/1112 |
Typically offered: | Every Fall, Spring & Summer |
Credits: | 4.0 [max 4.0] |
Course Equivalencies: | Acct 2050/ApEc 1251/Dbln 2051 |
Grading Basis: | A-F or Aud |
Typically offered: | Every Fall, Spring & Summer |
Credits: | 3.0 [max 3.0] |
Course Equivalencies: | ApEc 3501/Fina 3001/Fina 3001H |
Grading Basis: | A-F or Aud |
Typically offered: | Every Fall & Spring |
Credits: | 3.0 [max 3.0] |
Grading Basis: | A-F or Aud |
Typically offered: | Every Fall, Spring & Summer |
Credits: | 3.0 [max 3.0] |
Course Equivalencies: | Mktg 3001/Mktg 3001H |
Grading Basis: | A-F or Aud |
Typically offered: | Every Fall, Spring & Summer |
Credits: | 3.0 [max 3.0] |
Typically offered: | Every Fall & Spring |
Credits: | 3.0 [max 3.0] |
Typically offered: | Every Fall, Spring & Summer |
Credits: | 4.0 [max 4.0] |
Course Equivalencies: | SSM 3503/SSM 5503 |
Grading Basis: | A-F or Aud |
Typically offered: | Every Fall |
Credits: | 3.0 [max 3.0] |
Course Equivalencies: | BBE 4302/BBE 5302/BP 4302/5302 |
Typically offered: | Every Spring |
Credits: | 3.0 [max 3.0] |
Course Equivalencies: | ESPM 3605/ESPM 5605 |
Grading Basis: | A-F only |
Typically offered: | Every Spring |
Credits: | 4.0 [max 4.0] |
Course Equivalencies: | Math 1272/Math 1282/Math 1372/ |
Typically offered: | Every Fall, Spring & Summer |
Credits: | 4.0 [max 4.0] |
Course Equivalencies: | Phys 1201W/1301W/1401V/1501V |
Typically offered: | Every Fall, Spring & Summer |
Credits: | 4.0 [max 4.0] |
Course Equivalencies: | Phys 1202W/1302W/1402V/1502V |
Typically offered: | Every Fall & Spring |
Credits: | 3.0 [max 3.0] |
Typically offered: | Every Fall & Spring |
Credits: | 4.0 [max 4.0] |
Grading Basis: | A-F or Aud |
Typically offered: | Every Fall |
Credits: | 3.0 [max 3.0] |
Course Equivalencies: | BBE 4302/BBE 5302/BP 4302/5302 |
Typically offered: | Every Spring |
Credits: | 4.0 [max 4.0] |
Course Equivalencies: | SSM 3612/SSM 5612 |
Typically offered: | Every Fall |
Credits: | 4.0 [max 4.0] |
Course Equivalencies: | SSM 4616/SSM 5616 |
Typically offered: | Fall Even Year |
Credits: | 2.0 [max 2.0] |
Course Equivalencies: | SSM 4614/SSM 5614 |
Typically offered: | Spring Even Year |
Credits: | 3.0 [max 3.0] |
Course Equivalencies: | SSM 4618/SSM 5618 |
Grading Basis: | A-F or Aud |
Typically offered: | Spring Odd Year |
Credits: | 3.0 [max 3.0] |
Grading Basis: | A-F or Aud |
Typically offered: | Every Fall & Spring |
Credits: | 2.0 [max 2.0] |
Typically offered: | Every Fall, Spring & Summer |
Credits: | 3.0 [max 3.0] |
Typically offered: | Every Fall & Spring |
Credits: | 3.0 [max 3.0] |
Course Equivalencies: | Chem 1062/1072H/1082 |
Typically offered: | Every Fall, Spring & Summer |
Credits: | 1.0 [max 1.0] |
Course Equivalencies: | Chem 1066/Chem 1076H |
Grading Basis: | A-F only |
Typically offered: | Every Fall, Spring & Summer |
Credits: | 4.0 [max 4.0] |
Course Equivalencies: | Math 1272/Math 1282/Math 1372/ |
Typically offered: | Every Fall, Spring & Summer |
Credits: | 4.0 [max 4.0] |
Course Equivalencies: | Phys 1201W/1301W/1401V/1501V |
Typically offered: | Every Fall, Spring & Summer |
Credits: | 4.0 [max 4.0] |
Course Equivalencies: | Phys 1202W/1302W/1402V/1502V |
Typically offered: | Every Fall & Spring |
Credits: | 3.0 [max 3.0] |
Course Equivalencies: | ApEc 1102/Econ 1102/1105/1112 |
Typically offered: | Every Spring |
Credits: | 4.0 [max 4.0] |
Course Equivalencies: | ApEc 1102/Econ 1102/1105/1112 |
Typically offered: | Every Fall, Spring & Summer |
Credits: | 3.0 [max 3.0] |
Typically offered: | Every Spring |
Credits: | 3.0 [max 3.0] |
Grading Basis: | A-F or Aud |
Typically offered: | Every Fall & Spring |
Credits: | 3.0 [max 3.0] |
Course Equivalencies: | ESPM 3602/ESPM 5602 |
Grading Basis: | A-F only |
Typically offered: | Every Spring |
Credits: | 3.0 [max 3.0] |
Course Equivalencies: | ESPM 3604/ESPM 5604 |
Grading Basis: | A-F only |
Typically offered: | Every Fall |
Credits: | 3.0 [max 3.0] |
Course Equivalencies: | ESPM 3605/ESPM 5605 |
Grading Basis: | A-F only |
Typically offered: | Every Spring |
Credits: | 3.0 [max 3.0] |
Grading Basis: | A-F or Aud |
Typically offered: | Every Fall, Spring & Summer |
Credits: | 3.0 [max 3.0] |
Course Equivalencies: | Acct 2050/ApEc 1251/Dbln 2051 |
Grading Basis: | A-F only |
Typically offered: | Every Fall |
Credits: | 4.0 [max 4.0] |
Course Equivalencies: | Acct 2050/ApEc 1251/Dbln 2051 |
Grading Basis: | A-F or Aud |
Typically offered: | Every Fall, Spring & Summer |
Credits: | 3.0 [max 3.0] |
Course Equivalencies: | Chem 1062/1072H/1082 |
Typically offered: | Every Fall, Spring & Summer |
Credits: | 1.0 [max 1.0] |
Course Equivalencies: | Chem 1066/Chem 1076H |
Grading Basis: | A-F only |
Typically offered: | Every Fall, Spring & Summer |
Credits: | 4.0 [max 4.0] |
Course Equivalencies: | Math 1272/Math 1282/Math 1372/ |
Typically offered: | Every Fall, Spring & Summer |
Credits: | 4.0 [max 4.0] |
Course Equivalencies: | Phys 1201W/1301W/1401V/1501V |
Typically offered: | Every Fall, Spring & Summer |
Credits: | 4.0 [max 4.0] |
Course Equivalencies: | Phys 1202W/1302W/1402V/1502V |
Typically offered: | Every Fall & Spring |
Credits: | 3.0 [max 3.0] |
Typically offered: | Every Spring |
Credits: | 3.0 [max 3.0] |
Typically offered: | Every Fall, Spring & Summer |
Credits: | 3.0 [max 3.0] |
Grading Basis: | A-F or Aud |
Typically offered: | Every Spring |
Credits: | 3.0 [max 3.0] |
Course Equivalencies: | BBE 4733/CEGE 4513/ChEn 5551 |
Grading Basis: | A-F or Aud |
Typically offered: | Every Spring |
Credits: | 3.0 [max 3.0] |
Course Equivalencies: | ESPM 3602/ESPM 5602 |
Grading Basis: | A-F only |
Typically offered: | Every Spring |
Credits: | 3.0 [max 3.0] |
Course Equivalencies: | ESPM 3605/ESPM 5605 |
Grading Basis: | A-F only |
Typically offered: | Every Spring |
Credits: | 3.0 [max 3.0] |
Grading Basis: | A-F or Aud |
Typically offered: | Every Spring |
Credits: | 3.0 [max 3.0] |
Course Equivalencies: | ME 3321/ME 3331 |
Grading Basis: | A-F only |
Typically offered: | Every Fall, Spring & Summer |