The discipline of sustainability grows from the recognition that the current trajectory humans are on cannot be sustained. This minor gives you grounding in sustainability practice and theory, and creates a foundational understanding of local and global problems from a social, economic and environmental perspective. Solutions for many of the complex, large scale sustainability issues we currently face, such as social injustice, economic inequity, environmental destruction and climate change require an understanding of these issues from multiple perspectives. It is within the overlap of these multiple perspectives that sustainability solutions exist. This is why the minor in Sustainability is such a valuable addition to any major, including business and engineering.

Foundation (15 credits)
  • TESC 201 The Science of Environmental Sustainability
  • TEST 295 Valuing Ecosystems Services and Natural Capital
  • TSUD 222 Introduction to Sustainability
Additional requirements (15 credits)

Programs will advise students where to focus within the three areas to complement their majors.

Policy, Society and Economics

Science, Environmental Issues and Environmental Thought

  • TBIOL 232 Issues in Biological Conservation
  • TBIOL 236 Sustainable Agriculture
  • TEGL 210 Introduction to Qualitative Methodology and Research Ethics
  • TESC 239 Energy and the Environment
  • TESC 345 Pollution and Public Policy
  • TGEOS 341 Climate Change
  • TINST 401 Technology in the Service of Society: A Seminar in the Integration of Technology and Social Interests
  • TLIT 237 Introduction to Literature and the Environment
  • TPHIL 456 Environmental Ethics
  • TWRT 372 Writing Eco-poetry
  • TWRT 389 Nature Writing

Social Justice and Global Perspectives in Sustainability

Capstone course options
  • TBIOMD 490 Context for Global Health Experiential Learning AND TBIOMD 491 Global Health Experiential Learning Program
  • TBIOMD 495 Biomedical Research Program
  • TESC 301 Sustainability in Action
  • TESC 495 Environmental Research Experiences
  • TMGMT 465 Board Governance I
  • TMGMT 466 Board Governance II
  • TSUD 475 Community and Economy
     

ADVISOR

Please work with your assigned major advisor to plan for this minor. If you have any additional questions, please email siasadv@uw.edu.

DEPARTMENT

Department of Sciences and Mathematics (SAM)

CAREER OPPORTUNITIES

  • Corporate Sustainability
  • Environmental Policy
  • Environmental Consulting
  • Government
  • Nonprofit Organizations
  • Post-graduate Studies

ADMISSION REQUIREMENTS

To declare the Sustainability minor, students must have earned a minimum of 45 credits and declared a major. Declare the minor by reaching out to your major advisor.

DEGREE REQUIREMENTS

For a Sustainability minor, you must complete 32–35 credits. At least 10 credits must be from upper-division (300-400 level) courses. Students select 15 credits from the three areas. 60 percent of the coursework applied to the minor must be taken outside of the student’s major requirements. A capstone project is required and must be different from the student’s major capstone. All courses in the minor must be completed with a cumulative 2.0 GPA.