Sustainability Undergraduate Major (BS, HBS)
This program is available at the following locations:
- Corvallis
- Ecampus
- OSU-Cascades (hybrid)
Confronting global crises like climate change will require a new generation of leaders. Students trained in sustainability learn to think across disciplines, handle complexity, and cooperate effectively. They can envision solutions that support the health of both ecosystems and human communities. This skillset can be applied to work in any profession and will be increasingly sought after by employers in every sector.
Students who graduate with the Sustainability double degree will be able to integrate knowledge from their major with concepts and practices of sustainability. They will communicate effectively with multiple audiences, work collaboratively with multiple and conflicting interests, and apply content-level knowledge of economic, business, scientific, and sociological principles of sustainability to an ongoing practice of sustainable thinking and action.
Sustainability double degree students complete seven core courses, several electives, and a minimum of 3 credits of experiential learning. Experiential learning opportunities include internships, research, study abroad, service learning, and work towards earning a sustainability credential from a professional organization. When paired with a primary major, a B.S. degree in Sustainability provides foundational training for a variety of careers, including those in consulting, energy analysis and management, land use planning, waste management, and supply chain. Sustainability graduates go on to improve the environmental and social outcomes of work performed by federal, state, and local agencies, non-profits, and businesses. The Sustainability undergraduate major is a concurrent degree subject to Academic Regulation 26. This interdisciplinary double degree pairs well with all undergraduate majors.
Contact Information
Corvallis and Ecampus
Agricultural and Life Sciences Building (ALS)
Oregon State University
Corvallis, OR 97331
Phone: 541-737-2441
Email: sus.advising@oregonstate.edu
OSU-Cascades Campus
Matt Shinderman
Forest Ecosystems and Society
Oregon State University Cascades
Phone: 541-322-3159
Email: matt.shinderman@osucascades.edu
Major Code: 870
Upon successful completion of the program, students will meet the following learning outcomes:
- Describe the structure and interdependence of social and ecological systems.
- Interpret data critically and demonstrate understanding of the strengths and weaknesses of data as a decision support tool.
- Design and evaluate responses to conditions that compromise sustainability by employing systems thinking. Envision future scenarios in which natural environments and human communities are healthy and resilient.
- Describe the use of sustainability assessment tools and the measurement of sustainability outcomes across all dimensions of sustainability.
- Communicate clearly and effectively with diverse groups using oral, written, and other modalities. Demonstrate the ability to discuss complex sustainability concepts and problems with people from a variety of disciplines, cultures, and perspectives.
All OSU undergraduate students may obtain a second degree in Sustainability by completing a minimum of 32 credits in addition to the 180 credits required for one Bachelor degree, for a total of 212 credits. Post-baccalaureate students may obtain a degree in Sustainability by completing the requirements below and the requirements for a subsequent degree as outlined in Academic Regulation 26b.
Courses in the major may be taken S/U.
| Code | Title | Credits |
|---|---|---|
| Sustainability Core | ||
| SUS 200 | ORIENTATION TO SUSTAINABILITY | 2 |
| SUS 304 | *SUSTAINABILITY ASSESSMENT | 4 |
| SUS 350 | *SUSTAINABLE COMMUNITIES | 4 |
| SUS 450 | SUSTAINABLE ORGANIZATIONS 1 | 3 |
| or SUS 401 | RESEARCH | |
| Ecological Dimensions of Sustainability | ||
| Select one course from the following: | 3-4 | |
| *INTRODUCTION TO ENVIRONMENTAL SCIENCE AND SUSTAINABILITY | ||
| *ENVIRONMENTAL ECOLOGY | ||
| *HUMAN IMPACTS ON ECOSYSTEMS | ||
| Social Dimensions of Sustainability | ||
| Select one course from the following: | 3-4 | |
| SOCIAL DIMENSIONS OF SUSTAINABILITY | ||
| *ENVIRONMENTAL SOCIOLOGY | ||
| *SOCIETY AND NATURAL RESOURCES | ||
| *SUSTAINABILITY, JUSTICE, AND ENGAGEMENT | ||
| SOCIAL DIMENSIONS OF SUSTAINABILITY | ||
| Economic Dimensions of Sustainability | ||
| Select one course from the following: | 3-4 | |
| *INTRODUCTION TO ENVIRONMENTAL ECONOMICS AND POLICY | ||
| *NATURAL RESOURCE ECONOMICS AND POLICY | ||
| *ENVIRONMENTAL ECONOMICS AND POLICY | ||
| Experiential Learning | ||
| Select one of the following: 2 | 3-12 | |
| RESEARCH 1 | ||
| INTERNSHIP 3 | ||
| SPECIAL TOPICS | ||
| Electives | ||
| Select courses from the list of electives or other courses with advisor approval 4 | 0-7 | |
| Total Credits | 32 | |
- 1
SUS 401 credits may be achieved by participation in OSU faculty-supported research, faculty led study tour, or completion of a sustainability credential exam with advisor approval. If SUS 401 is used in the Sustainability Core, it cannot be double counted in the Practicum requirement. If more than 3 credits of SUS 401 are completed, they will count towards the Practicum and electives
- 2
Credits beyond the 3 credit requirement will be applied to Sustainability Electives. Before registering for a Practicum, students must get approval from their campus Sustainability Double Degree Advisor
- 3
SUS 410 credits may be achieved by participation in an on-site or remote internship, alternative break trip, or international internship with advisor approval
- 4
32 total credits are required. Students who achieve 32 credits after completing their core, dimensions and experiential learning requirements are exempt from taking electives
Electives
Courses that can be used to fulfill remaining elective course requirements are listed below. Students must work with the Sustainability Double Degree Advisor to select elective courses relevant to their discipline and career path interests. Students are not limited to taking courses within their primary major of study. The Sustainability Double Degree Advisor will approve courses not listed here if they have an obvious link to sustainability and fulfill the intent of the Sustainability Double Degree and the student's path of study.
| Code | Title | Credits |
|---|---|---|
| College of Agricultural Sciences | ||
| AEC 122 | *INTRODUCTION TO CLIMATE CHANGE ECONOMICS AND POLICY | 3 |
| AEC 243 | *GLOBAL POVERTY AND SUSTAINABLE DEVELOPMENT | 3 |
| AEC 250 | *INTRODUCTION TO ENVIRONMENTAL ECONOMICS AND POLICY (if not used above) | 4 |
| AEC 253 | *ENVIRONMENTAL LAW, POLICY, AND ECONOMICS | 4 |
| AEC 351 | *NATURAL RESOURCE ECONOMICS AND POLICY (if not used above) | 3 |
| AEC 352/ECON 352 | *ENVIRONMENTAL ECONOMICS AND POLICY (if not used above) | 3 |
| AEC 353 | *INTRODUCTION TO COASTAL AND MARINE RESOURCE ECONOMICS | 3 |
| AEC 411 | *INTRODUCTION TO FOOD SYSTEMS: LOCAL TO GLOBAL | 3 |
| AEC 432 | ENVIRONMENTAL LAW | 4 |
| AEC 434 | ^BENEFIT-COST ANALYSIS | 4 |
| AG 301 | *ECOSYSTEM SCIENCE OF PACIFIC NW INDIANS | 3 |
| BOT 301 | *HUMAN IMPACTS ON ECOSYSTEMS (if not used above) | 3 |
| BRR 325 | ENERGY TECHNOLOGY AND SOCIAL CHANGE | 3 |
| FST 327 | INTRODUCTION TO SUSTAINABLE FOOD PROCESSING | 3 |
| FST 455 | FOOD AND CLIMATE CHANGE | 3 |
| FW 251 | PRINCIPLES OF FISH AND WILDLIFE CONSERVATION | 3 |
| FW 303 | SURVEY OF GEOGRAPHIC INFORMATION SYSTEMS IN NATURAL RESOURCE | 3 |
| FW 321 | APPLIED COMMUNITY AND ECOSYSTEM ECOLOGY | 3 |
| FW 324 | *FOOD FROM THE SEA | 3 |
| FW 325 | *GLOBAL CRISES IN RESOURCE ECOLOGY | 3 |
| FW 326 | INTEGRATED WATERSHED MANAGEMENT | 3 |
| FW 340 | *MULTICULTURAL PERSPECTIVES IN NATURAL RESOURCES | 3 |
| FW 350 | *ENDANGERED SPECIES, SOCIETY AND SUSTAINABILITY | 3 |
| FW 435 | ^WILDLIFE IN AGRICULTURAL ECOSYSTEMS | 3 |
| FW 462 | ECOSYSTEM SERVICES | 3 |
| HORT 217 | *SOCIAL IMPACTS OF SCIENCE | 3 |
| HORT 260 | ORGANIC FARMING AND GARDENING | 3 |
| HORT 285 | PERMACULTURE DESIGN AND THEORY: CERTIFICATE COURSE | 4 |
| LEAD 242 | PERSONAL LEADERSHIP DEVELOPMENT | 3 |
| LEAD 342 | *TEAM AND ORGANIZATIONAL LEADERSHIP | 3 |
| RNG 341 | PRINCIPLES OF RANGELAND ECOLOGY AND MANAGEMENT | 3 |
| RNG 421 | RANGELAND RESTORATION AND MANAGEMENT | 4 |
| SUS 103 | *INTRODUCTION TO CLIMATE CHANGE | 4 |
| SUS 325/CROP 325/SOIL 325 | ^AG AND ENVIRONMENTAL PREDICAMENTS: A CASE STUDY APPROACH | 3 |
| SUS 331 | *SUSTAINABILITY, JUSTICE, AND ENGAGEMENT (if not used above) | 3 |
| College of Business | ||
| BA 351/BA 251 | MANAGING ORGANIZATIONS | 4 |
| or BA 352/252 | MANAGING INDIVIDUAL AND TEAM PERFORMANCE | |
| BA 354 | ^MANAGING ETHICS AND CORPORATE SOCIAL RESPONSIBILITY | 4 |
| BA 432 | *ENVIRONMENTAL LAW, SUSTAINABILITY AND BUSINESS | 3 |
| BA 466 | INTEGRATIVE STRATEGIC EXPERIENCE | 4 |
| DSGN 383 | BUILDING CONSTRUCTION AND MATERIALS | 3 |
| DSGN 475 | *GLOBAL SOURCING OF TEXTILES, APPAREL, AND FOOTWEAR | 4 |
| MGMT 452 | LEADERSHIP | 4 |
| College of Earth, Ocean, and Atmospheric Sciences | ||
| ATS 201 | +*CLIMATE SCIENCE | 4 |
| ATS 341 | *SNOW, SMOKE, AND STORMS: CLIMATE CHANGE IMPACTS IN THE PNW | 3 |
| GEO 306 | *MINERALS, ENERGY, WATER AND THE ENVIRONMENT | 3 |
| GEO 332 | *GLOBAL WARMING: SCIENCE, IMPACTS, AND SOLUTIONS | 3 |
| GEOG 100 | *CLIMATE JUSTICE | 3 |
| GEOG 241 | *TRANSFORMING ENVIRONMENTAL CONFLICTS | 3 |
| GEOG 250 | *LAND USE PLANNING FOR SUSTAINABLE COMMUNITIES | 3 |
| GEOG 300 | *SUSTAINABILITY FOR THE COMMON GOOD | 3 |
| GEOG 324 | ^ECOLOGICAL BIOGEOGRAPHY | 4 |
| GEOG 330 | *GEOGRAPHY OF INTERNATIONAL DEVELOPMENT AND GLOBALIZATION | 3 |
| GEOG 331 | *POPULATION, CONSUMPTION, AND ENVIRONMENT | 3 |
| GEOG 332/H 332 | *CLIMATE AND HEALTH | 3 |
| GEOG 333 | *ENVIRONMENTAL JUSTICE | 3 |
| GEOG 340 | *INTRODUCTION TO WATER SCIENCE AND POLICY | 3 |
| GEOG 360 | GISCIENCE I: GEOGRAPHIC INFORMATION SYSTEMS AND THEORY | 4 |
| GEOG 430 | RESILIENCE-BASED NATURAL RESOURCE MANAGEMENT | 3 |
| GEOG 440 | CONFLICT, COOPERATION, AND CONTROL OF WATER IN THE US | 3 |
| GEOG 441 | THE WORLD'S WATER | 3 |
| GEOG 451 | PLANNING PRINCIPLES AND PRACTICES FOR RESILIENT COMMUNITIES | 4 |
| GEOG 452/ENSC 452 | ENVIRONMENTAL ASSESSMENT | 3 |
| OC 333 | *OCEANS, COASTS, AND PEOPLE | 3 |
| College of Engineering | ||
| BEE 221 | FUNDAMENTALS OF ECOLOGICAL ENGINEERING | 3 |
| BEE 320 | BIOSYSTEMS ANALYSIS AND MODELING | 4 |
| BEE 322 | ECOLOGICAL ENGINEERING THERMODYNAMICS AND TRANSFER PROCESS | 4 |
| CCE 422 | GREEN BUILDING MATERIALS | 3 |
| CHE 450 | CONVENTIONAL AND ALTERNATIVE ENERGY SYSTEMS | 3 |
| CHE 451 | SOLAR ENERGY TECHNOLOGIES | 3 |
| ECE 438 | ELECTRIC AND HYBRID ELECTRIC VEHICLES | 4 |
| ENGR 350 | *SUSTAINABLE ENGINEERING | 3 |
| ENVE 321 | ENVIRONMENTAL ENGINEERING FUNDAMENTALS | 4 |
| ENVE 322 | FUNDAMENTALS OF ENVIRONMENTAL ENGINEERING | 4 |
| ESE 355 | ENERGY REGULATION | 4 |
| ESE 360 | ENERGY CONSUMPTION ANALYSIS | 4 |
| HEST 201 | INNOVATION FOR SOCIAL IMPACT | 3 |
| HEST 320 | *ENGINEERING FOR GLOBAL HEALTH SOLUTIONS | 3 |
| HEST 412 | MULTIDISCIPLINARY CASE STUDIES IN HUMANITARIAN ENGINEERING, SCIENCE AND TECHNOLOGY | 3 |
| HEST 462 | SYSTEM DYNAMICS MODELING FOR HUMANITARIAN ENGINEERING | 3 |
| College of Forestry | ||
| FES 341 | FOREST ECOLOGY | 3 |
| FES 365 | *ISSUES IN NATURAL RESOURCES CONSERVATION | 3 |
| FES 430 | FOREST AS CLASSROOM | 4 |
| FES 435/TOX 435 | *GENES AND CHEMICALS IN AGRICULTURE: VALUE AND RISK | 3 |
| FES 445 | ECOLOGICAL RESTORATION | 4 |
| FES 455/HORT 455 | URBAN FOREST PLANNING, POLICY AND MANAGEMENT | 4 |
| FES 477/NR 477 | *AGROFORESTRY | 3 |
| FES 485 | *CONSENSUS AND NATURAL RESOURCES | 3 |
| FES 486 | ^PUBLIC LANDS POLICY AND MANAGEMENT | 3 |
| FOR 346 | TOPICS IN WILDLAND FIRE | 3 |
| NR 201 | MANAGING NATURAL RESOURCES FOR THE FUTURE | 3 |
| NR 202 | NATURAL RESOURCE PROBLEMS AND SOLUTIONS | 3 |
| NR 312 | CRITICAL THINKING FOR NATURAL RESOURCE CHALLENGES | 3 |
| NR 351 | *WHEN SCIENCE ESCAPES THE LAB: SCIENCE AND RESOURCE MANAGEMENT | 3 |
| TRAL 351 | OUTDOOR RECREATION MANAGEMENT ON PUBLIC LANDS | 3 |
| TRAL 354 | COMMUNITIES, NATURAL AREAS, AND SUSTAINABLE TOURISM | 3 |
| WSE 111 | WOOD INNOVATIONS FOR SUSTAINABILITY | 2 |
| WSE 210 | *BIOLOGY, STRUCTURE, AND UTILIZATION OF WOODY PLANTS | 4 |
| WSE 266 | HEMPOLOGY: THE INDUSTRIAL HEMP STORY | 3 |
| WSE 385 | *EVALUATING SUSTAINABILITY THROUGH LIFE CYCLE ANALYSIS | 3 |
| WSE 392 | *BAMBOOLOOZA: THE FASCINATING WORLD OF BAMBOO | 3 |
| College of Health | ||
| H 333 | *GLOBAL PUBLIC HEALTH | 3 |
| H 344 | *FOUNDATIONS OF ENVIRONMENTAL HEALTH | 3 |
| H 388 | *GLOBAL ENVIRONMENTAL HEALTH | 3 |
| College of Liberal Arts | ||
| ANTH 352 | *ANTHROPOLOGY, HEALTH, AND ENVIRONMENT | 3 |
| ANTH 361/FCSJ 361 | *FOOD JUSTICE | 4 |
| ANTH 477 | ECOLOGICAL ANTHROPOLOGY | 4 |
| ANTH 481 | *NATURAL RESOURCES AND COMMUNITY VALUES | 3 |
| ANTH 482 | *ANTHROPOLOGY OF INTERNATIONAL DEVELOPMENT | 4 |
| COMM 440 | THEORIES OF CONFLICT AND CONFLICT MANAGEMENT | 3 |
| COMM 442 | BARGAINING AND NEGOTIATION PROCESSES | 3 |
| ECON 202 | +*INTRODUCTION TO MACROECONOMICS | 4 |
| ECON 466 | ECONOMICS OF TRADITIONAL AND RENEWABLE ENERGY | 4 |
| EAH 411 | *PERSPECTIVES IN ENVIRONMENTAL ARTS AND HUMANITIES | 4 |
| ENG 482 | STUDIES IN AMERICAN LITERATURE, CULTURE, AND THE ENVIRONMENT | 4 |
| HST 481 | *ENVIRONMENTAL HISTORY OF THE UNITED STATES | 4 |
| NMC 311 | INTRODUCTION TO NONPROFIT MANAGEMENT | 3 |
| PHL 325 | *SCIENTIFIC REASONING | 4 |
| PHL 440 | *ENVIRONMENTAL ETHICS | 3 |
| PHL 443/REL 443 | *WORLD VIEWS AND ENVIRONMENTAL VALUES | 3 |
| PPOL 441/SOC 482 | *ENERGY, CLIMATE AND SOCIETY | 4 |
| PS 331 | *STATE AND LOCAL POLITICS | 4 |
| PS 374 | *SUSTAINABLE LIVING: PRACTICES AND POLICIES | 4 |
| PS 455 | *THE POLITICS OF CLIMATE CHANGE | 4 |
| PS 475 | ENVIRONMENTAL POLITICS AND POLICY | 4 |
| PS 477 | INTERNATIONAL ENVIRONMENTAL POLITICS AND POLICY | 4 |
| PSY 492 | CONSERVATION PSYCHOLOGY | 4 |
| SOC 360 | *POPULATION TRENDS AND POLICY | 4 |
| SOC 381 | SOCIAL DIMENSIONS OF SUSTAINABILITY (if not used above) | 4 |
| SOC 480 | *ENVIRONMENTAL SOCIOLOGY (if not used above) | 4 |
| SOC 481 | *SOCIETY AND NATURAL RESOURCES (if not used above) | 4 |
| WGSS 440 | *WOMEN AND NATURAL RESOURCES | 3 |
| College of Science | ||
| BI 306H | *ENVIRONMENTAL ECOLOGY (if not used above) | 3 |
| BI 347 | *OCEANS IN PERIL | 3 |
| BI 348 | *HUMAN ECOLOGY | 3 |
| BI 351 | MARINE ECOLOGY | 3 |
| BI 370 | ECOLOGY | 3 |
| CH 390 | ENVIRONMENTAL CHEMISTRY | 3 |
| MB 330 | *DISEASE AND SOCIETY | 3 |
| PH 313 | *ENERGY ALTERNATIVES | 3 |
| Z 349 | *BIODIVERSITY: CAUSES, CONSEQUENCES, AND CONSERVATION | 3 |
- *
Baccalaureate Core Course (BCC)
- ^
Writing Intensive Course (WIC)
- +
Core Education course. Applies only to students admitted to an OSU undergraduate degree from Summer 2025 onwards
Major Code: 870