Sustainability FAQ

How does the sustainability minor compare with the ENVS minor?

The sustainability minor is one version of the environmental studies minor that requires students to take a track of specific courses focused on sustainability issues. The sustainability minor is an interdisciplinary minor that allows and encourages students to take courses teaching sustainability outside the ENVS program. Overall, the sustainability track will equip you with the knowledge and practical skills needed to understand diverse perspectives on sustainability and to tackle real-world sustainability problems in our communities and the world at large.

Do many of the minor courses have prerequisites?

Most courses applicable to the sustainability minor do not have prerequisites. Of those with prerequisites, most are basic introductory courses that a number of students complete for various majors in their first year. Only a few courses require upper level courses as prerequisites and the minor can be completed without taking these particular courses.

Can you modify a major with the sustainability minor?

The environmental studies major cannot be modified due to its interdisciplinary nature. However, environmental studies majors can declare 'sustainability' as their elective focus by choosing to take 4 courses from either within the ENVS program or other academic departments offering courses on sustainability concepts. (ENVS Major Worksheet or ENVS Major Worksheet 2017 and Beyond.

Non-ENVS majors can modify their major with ENVS and can focus on sustainability by taking three elective courses focused on teaching sustainability concepts, one of which can be from outside the ENVS program. (See See Other Major Modified with ENVS worksheet).

Can a course satisfy both the Sustainability minor and another major or minor?

No one course can be used to satisfy multiple majors and/or minors in any department at the College. A course that is being counted towards fulfilling a requirement of the sustainability minor cannot be counted towards filling the requirements of any other major or minor.