Degrees and Courses

These programs utilize an interdisciplinary approach to sustainability, capitalizing on the breadth of RIT’s academic program portfolio in science, engineering, math, technology, business, and the social sciences.

Ph.D. Programs

Conduct research in nano-engineering, design methods, and technologies for micro- and nano-scaled systems. This microsystems engineering doctorate is a multidisciplinary program that addresses the technical challenges of micro- and nano-systems.

Learn more about the Microsystems Engineering Ph.D. program 

The Ph.D. in sustainability fosters innovation and creativity in solving real-world challenges within social, economic, technological, and business realms. In this inherently interdisciplinary program, you’ll become part of a network of academics from across RIT who are working to optimize sustainable systems and practices in engineering, manufacturing, energy, education, and more.

Learn more about the Sustainability Ph.D. program 

Master's Programs

A NAAB-accredited master of architecture program that provides a well-balanced education that integrates design, technology, and research with sustainability to prepare graduates to enter the modern field of architecture.

Learn more about the Architecture M.Arch. program 

RIT’s master’s in business administration prepares you for leadership positions with a strong focus on technology, strategy, entrepreneurship, and data analytics.

Learn more about the Business Administration MBA program 

An environmental science master’s degree that balances environmental conservation, human well-being, and economic development to tackle the biggest problems plaguing our environment.

Learn more about the Environmental Science MS program 

In our master’s in environmental health and safety you'll acquire a foundation in the managerial aspects of developing and implementing environmental health and safety management systems to help companies meet sustainability and safety standards.

Learn more about the Environmental, Health and Safety Management MS program 

In the ME in mechanical engineering, you’ll apply mechanical engineering principles and theories to enhance your skills through formal education, training, and independent inquiry.

Learn more about the Mechanical Engineering ME program 

In an immersive, two-course graduate certificate, you'll gain comprehensive knowledge of printmaking and aesthetic applications through design, principles, production, and print creation.

Learn more about the Non-toxic Printmaking Adv. Cert. program 

The master’s in packaging science enables you to create visually stunning, environmentally friendly packaging that’s functional and durable enough to be aesthetically pleasing and sustainable for the environmental while also withstanding the stresses of distribution and transportation.

Learn more about the Packaging Science MS program 

RIT’s master’s in professional studies provides you with flexibility and independence to craft an individualized graduate program unique to your interests and career aspirations.

Learn more about the Professional Studies MS program 

In this science, technology, and public policy ms, you'll have a significant impact on public policy affecting the environment, transportation, science, emerging technology, and scientific developments. 

 

Learn more about the Science, Technology and Public Policy MS program 

A sustainability degree that teaches you to apply sustainability science principles to any field to help solve the world’s grand challenges—including pollution, food scarcity, public health crises, and more.

Learn more about the Sustainable Systems MS program 

Bachelor's Programs

In RIT’s civil engineering technology degree, you’ll gain the practical theory, knowledge, and skills necessary to analyze and solve complex challenges posed by our nation’s growing infrastructure needs.

Learn more about the Civil Engineering Technology BS program 

Create a sustainable future for our planet in this innovative bachelor’s degree in environmental science, where you’ll combine a love for nature with cutting-edge research. 

Learn more about the Environmental Science BS program 

In RIT’s environmental sustainability, health and safety degree you’ll become an effective champion in making organizations and companies more sustainable and less polluting and employees safer at work. 

Learn more about the Environmental Sustainability, Health and Safety BS program 

In RIT’s industrial design BFA, you’ll create and develop innovative products for both consumers and manufacturers with your choice of diverse industries to work in.

Learn more about the Industrial Design BFA program 

Mechanical engineers put energy and machines to work–from rockets, robots, and airplanes to automobiles, satellites, and renewable energy systems. In RIT’s mechanical engineering BS degree you'll study math, science, physics, engineering science, and engineering systems.

Learn more about the Mechanical Engineering BS program 

RIT's mechanical engineering technology degree teaches you how products and machinery work through course work and hands-on experiences.

Learn more about the Mechanical Engineering Technology BS program 

Pursue an innovative packaging science degree where you’ll learn how to design, develop, and test sustainable product packaging for a variety of industries including food, medical products, and consumer goods.

Learn more about the Packaging Science BS program 

Minors and Immersions

The environmental science minor introduces students to the complexities of environmental issues and concepts, and provides them with opportunities to further investigate many of these issues through advanced course work. Central to this minor are the development of field, analytical, and problem solving skills and an understanding of the multiple perspectives often embedded in environmental issues. Students interested in becoming citizen scientists, or those pursuing employment or an advanced degree with an environmental focus, will find this minor beneficial.

Learn more about the Environmental Science Minor program 

The environmental studies immersion is an examination of the basic environmental problems we face, how environmental resource depletion and energy issues are related, and what kind of environmental ethics and/or values we have today and have had in the past. The immersion also explores the economic, legislative, and regulatory framework within which most environmental decisions are made. Since most technological areas are associated with significant environmental implications, it is essential that students have an understanding of and a well-thought-out value orientation about such environmental consequences.

Learn more about the Environmental Studies Immersion program 

With an emphasis on sustainability and holistic thinking, the environmental studies minor provides students with opportunities for the in-depth analysis of global and regional environmental issues, their causes, and their potential solutions. In particular, a required 500-level seminar serves as a capstone experience, helping students to integrate knowledge from several disciplinary perspectives, including socio-cultural, historical, political, economic, ethical, scientific, and/or technological factors. Having completed the minor, students will possess a high level of environmental literacy, an important component of many professional fields within the sciences, engineering, law, journalism, and public affairs.

Learn more about the Environmental Studies Minor program 

The global justice immersion examines attempts to create lasting peace and social justice on the international scale. Courses in philosophy and the social sciences help students to understand concepts of human rights, world poverty, and global solidarity. The immersion is well suited for students considering careers in law, politics, or public policy related fields.

Learn more about the Global Justice Immersion program 

The impact of global change is dramatic and far-reaching, altering the dynamics of everyday life on a planetary scale. The minor in globalization provides students with the opportunity to think creatively about a range of globalizing processes, theories, and practices (in cultural, political, social, biomedical, economic, and artistic contexts). Courses investigate issues pertinent to the phenomenon of globalization, including cultural exchange; multicultural communities; global governance; information transfer; and social, environmental, health, and labor issues. Accelerated by communication technologies, globalization redefines how individuals and communities experience and view the world.

Learn more about the Globalization Minor program 

Social inequalities and collective responses to them, both locally and globally, are the focus of this immersion. Students explore the interplay between social and cultural dimensions of the rapid globalization of societies, and the concurrent inequalities of race, ethnicity, class, gender, and culture. The egalitarian strivings that emerge from these inequalities also will be examined. Courses offer the unique standpoints of two academic disciplines, sociology and anthropology, to analyze the roles of powerful social institutions and culture industries, and to identify and explain social inequalities and resulting conflicts and egalitarian hopes.

Learn more about the Social Inequalities Immersion program 

This multidisciplinary minor is for students interested in exploring issues associated with developing and delivering sustainable product systems. Courses enhance the understanding of the three dimensions of sustainability (economic, ethical, and environmental), develop awareness of the need for more sustainable approaches to product development, and explore strategies for developing and delivering sustainable product systems.

Learn more about the Sustainable Product Development Minor program 

Metropolitan areas must address such enduring issues as poverty, homelessness, affordable housing, transportation, pollution, education, water and food security, health, crime, safety, recreation, zoning, segregation, ethno-racial tensions, and economic development. Each city must do so with recognition of its place in the wider regional, national, and global contexts. The urban studies immersion helps students identify and analyze such fundamental issues and allows them to explore and assess various ways policy-makers respond to those issues.

Learn more about the Urban Studies Immersion program 

The water resources minor broadens the learning experiences and professional opportunities of students in technical disciplines who have an interest in courses related to water treatment, wastewater treatment, hydrology, the environment and society.

Learn more about the Water Resources Minor program 
Students studying greenhouse effect

Courses

In addition to sustainability-focused degree programs and concentrations, faculty and staff have been working to incorporate sustainability into courses across RIT’s colleges and departments.

RIT Sustainability maintains an inventory of sustainability courses offered at the undergraduate and graduate level. Courses included in the inventory are categorized as sustainability focused or related using the STARS v2.1 guidelines. If there is a course you believe should be added to the inventory, please email us at sustainability@rit.edu.