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:
- examine the theories, principles, and practices of sustainability
- learn technical and social approaches to historic and emergent sustainability problems and learn to integrate environmental, economic, and social considerations across disciplines
- examine how human activities affect sustainability through real-world case studies, including measurements of impacts
- 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.
1. Required courses: | |
---|---|
Civ Engr 356 | Introduction to Sustainability |
Civ Engr 456 | Sustainability Capstone |
2. Cadets should choose three electives from one principal concentration (Sociocultural; Environmental; or Global Economy and Data Management); deviations require the minor’s AIC approval. |
---|
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.
1. Breadth Options (Pick two): | |
---|---|
Beh Sci 366 | Environmental Sociology |
English 375 | Literature, Language, and Science |
Geo 375 | Geography of International Conflict |
Philos 320 | Ethics and Technology |
History 369 | Globalization: The history of People, Products, Ideas and Systems in Motion |
2. Depth Options (Pick One): | |
---|---|
Mgt 478 | Supply Chain Management Sociology |
Pol Sci 445 | Global Governance and International Institutions |
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.
1. Breadth Options (Pick one): | |
---|---|
Chem 381C | Chemistry of the Environment |
Civ Engr 362C | Introduction to Environmental Engineering |
Civ Engr 363 | Humanitarian Engineering |
Geo 375 | Geography of International Conflict |
Beh Sci 366 | Environmental Sociology |
Philos 320 | Ethics and Technology |
2. Depth Track (Pick one track comprised of two courses): | |||
---|---|---|---|
Ecology | Geomorphology | Climate | Energy |
Bio 380B | Geo 351 | Meteor 320 | Mech Engr 312P |
Bio 481B | Geo 353 | Meteor 352 | Mech Engr 468P |
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.
1. Breadth Options (Pick one): | |
---|---|
Econ 369 | Causal pathways |
Geo 375 | Geography of International Conflict |
Pol Sci 445 | Global Governance and International Institutions |
Mgt 478 | Supply Chain Management |
Philos 320 | Ethics and Technology |
2. Depth Options (Pick one track comprised of two courses): | |||
---|---|---|---|
Geographic Economy | Economics | Statistics | Database Management |
Geo 250 | Econ 367 | Math 377 | Comp Sci 211 |
Geo 360 | Econ 467 | Math 378 | Data 364 |
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.