This course prepares students to understand grand challenges in sustainability, conduct original research related to sustainable production and consumption systems, and apply the scientific method in an integrative, team-based approach to graduate research. This course introduces fundamental concepts that are essential to understanding the interaction of economic, environmental, and social systems. Successful students will understand multiple perspectives on sustainability, the importance of sustainability as an ethical concept, behavioral impacts to sustainable solutions, and a life-cycle approach to organizing research related to sustainability. It is a core course within the Sustainability program.

An independent project in sustainability serving as a capstone experience for students completing the non-thesis option. This course requires a formal proposal and a faculty sponsor.

Independent research in sustainability leading to the completion of the MS thesis. This course requires a formal proposal and a faculty sponsor.

MS or PhD students requiring additional time to complete their thesis

Research in fulfillment of Sustainability Ph.D. dissertation or M.S. capstone requirements.

This class will explore how decisions are made when confronted with multiple, often conflicting, criteria or constraints. The focus will be on the following analytical methods: linear and stochastic programming, optimization, and Monte Carlo simulation. Case studies will focus on sustainability multi-criteria problems such as energy planning, sustainable development, resource management, and recycling. Students will apply methods learned to a project involving their graduate research.

The Research Internship is designed to enhance the educational experience of PhD students through full-time employment.

Research fulfillment of Sustainability Ph.D. dissertation requirements.