Sustainability (minor)

The Sustainability Minor allows cadets to build analytical and practical foundations to develop and apply sustainable approaches. These principles will support the Department of the Air Force in a manner that increases efficiency, optimizes performance, eliminates unnecessary use of resources, and protects the environment. Cadets in any major can explore the economic, environmental, and social principles of sustainability through a series of elective course offerings across an interdisciplinary spectrum. Cadets will be able to select courses that fit best with how sustainability is addressed within their area of study and prospective Air and Space Force careers. Skills developed in Sustainability Minor coursework complement cadet pursuits in research, writing, and hands-on involvement with sustainability-related projects. 

Educational outcomes

Cadets completing the course sequence for a Sustainability Minor will 

1. examine the theories, principles, and practices of sustainability. 
2. learn technical and social approaches to historic and emergent sustainability problems and learn to integrate environmental, economic, and social considerations across disciplines. 
3. examine how human activities affect sustainability through real-world case studies, including measurements of impacts. 
4. develop skills for quantitative problem solving through independent research and/or interdisciplinary teamwork that addresses a specific aspect of sustainability. 

Course requirements

The Sustainability Minor requires a minimum of 15-semester hours. At least six-semester hours must count exclusively towards this minor and be taken in residence. No more than three academic courses can be completed within the same discipline as a cadet’s major. The course requirements for the minor are designed to provide both technical understanding of sustainable application and a sociocultural understanding of the importance of sustainability. 

Sociocultural concentration

The sociocultural concentration focuses on the societal impacts of an organization and approaches towards creating value for all stakeholders such as communities, employees, or individuals. Cadets who elect to pursue the sociocultural concentration will select two breadth options and one depth option from the lists below. 

Environmental concentration

The environmental concentration focuses on planetary impacts. This concentration will focus on how an organization’s actions can affect environmental health, ecosystems, and global climate. Cadets who elect to pursue the environmental concentration will select one breadth option and one depth track from the lists below. 

P – Requires Physics 215
C – Requires Chem 200
B – Requires Bio 215

Global Economy and Data Management concentration

Economic sustainability shifts the focus from traditional bottom-line to a measure of impact on the economic environment. This track will focus on the money and supply chain aspects of sustainability. Cadets who elect to pursue the global economy and data management concentration will select one breadth option and one depth track from the lists below.

Course substitutions

From time to time, departments may offer special topics courses that meet the significant Educational Outcomes of the minor. Courses not listed above that meet significant Educational Outcomes of the minor may be considered for substitution. To request a course substitute, advisors must submit an Academic Waiver Request to the minor’s AIC, which will include a description of the Educational Outcomes that are met and assessed by the course, as well as a copy of the course syllabus.