Sustainable Development Minor

Sustainable Development is an interdisciplinary minor with courses offered from departments and colleges across campus. Many courses emphasize experiential, project-based and service learning. The minor is designed to prepare students for the challenges and obligations of the 21st century, specifically by contributing to UCCS and local organizations on issues relating to the environment and social equity, promoting economic vitality, and recognizing civic responsibilities both at home and abroad.

Learning Outcomes

• Identify core concepts and critiques of sustainable development
• Learn to describe the interdependency of sustainable development’s three pillars of equity, environment, and economy
• Understand the current state of knowledge regarding global climate change, accurately depict where uncertainty exists with respect to climate change, and identify examples of social (i.e., equity), economic, and environmental impacts resulting from climate changes
• Develop independent and collaborative research skills

Rationale for Sustainable Development Minor

The success of higher education in the future will be judged, in part, by our ability to prepare students to become environmentally responsible, socially aware, and economically just members of local and regional communities. UCCS has affirmed a commitment to sustainability education both in its Compass Curriculum requirements and in its Sustainability Strategic Plan (http://www.uccs.edu/sustain/overview/uccs-commitments.html).

The Sustainable Development minor contributes to these efforts in a directed, intentional program that prepares students for relevant careers, graduate study, and to become engaged citizens.

General Requirements

• 18 credit hours of coursework, 12 of which must be upper division (3000+ level). Crosslisted courses may not count twice if taken as both subjects.
• There are three focal perspectives in sustainability: environment, equity, and economy. Students must choose one core course from two of the three perspectives, and select at least one elective course from the third perspective.
• Students must complete GES 4800 - Sustainability Seminar , which provides an opportunity for an in-depth group project that contributes to improved local sustainability.  The seminar culminates in a public presentation at the end of the semester.
• Special topics courses, internships, independent studies, or other courses that are not listed below may qualify for credit in the minor by consent of the Director of the Sustainable Development Minor.
• Students may double count up to 9 credit hours between a major and the Sustainable Development Minor. Coursework applied toward a minor may also be applied toward general education requirements.

Course Requirements

• GES 4800 - Sustainability Seminar
    
• (Students who declare the minor in Fall 2018 or thereafter will be required to complete GES 1500 - Introduction to Environmental Studies and Sustainability .)