Sustainability (B.A./B.S.)

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37-54 Major Hours, 120 Degree Hours

Students in this major must also complete requirements for a degree in the College of Arts & Sciences .

USD’s Sustainability major includes a choice of two specializations for the B.S. degree, the B.A. degree is only available with the Human and Natural Systems specialization.

Sustainability Core Requirements (22 hours)

Take one of the following courses (1 hour):

Environmental Science Specialization (30-32 hours)

This specialization is only available to B.S. students.

Sustainability B.S. student choose one specialization (15 cr. from course groups or specialization electives plus foundational requirements)

Foundational Requirements (credits may also be applied toward a minor or second major) 15-17 cr hrs

BIOL 151 - General Biology I (C) [SGR #6, HSDC]
BIOL 151L - General Biology I Lab (C) [SGR #6, HSDC]
ESCI 101 - Dynamic Earth [SGR #6, HSDC]
ESCI 101L - Dynamic Earth Laboratory [SGR #6, HSDC]
Complete one course and its corresponding lab (4 credit hours) from the list below:
CHEM 106 - Chemistry Survey (C) [SGR #6, HSDC]
CHEM 106L - Chemistry Survey Laboratory (C) [SGR #6, HSDC]
CHEM 112 - General Chemistry I (C) [SGR #6, HSDC]
CHEM 112L - General Chemistry I Laboratory (C) [SGR #6, HSDC]
CHEM 116 - Honors Principles of Chemistry [SGR #6, HSDC]
CHEM 116L - Honors Principles of Chemistry Laboratory [SGR #6, HSDC]
Complete one quantitative course and its corresponding lab, if applicable, (3-5 credit hours total) from the list below:
STAT 281 - Introduction to Statistics (C) [SGR #5, HSDC]
BIOL 420 - Introduction to Biostatistics & Computational Biology (C)
BIOL 420L - Introduction to Biostatistics & Computational Biology Laboratory (C)
MATH 121 - Survey of Calculus (C) [SGR #5, HSDC]
MATH 123 - Calculus I (C) [SGR #5, HSDC] (5 credit hours required)

Human and Natural Systems Specialization (15 hours)

This specialization is available to both the B.A. and B.S. degree students.

Sustainable Communities Emphasis (at least 3 courses from the Social Systems course group and 1 from Natural Systems course group)

Science and Society Emphasis (at least 3 courses from the Natural Systems Course Group and at least 1 from Social Systems course group)

Note:

*Inclusion of SUST 491 and 492 is subject to approval of the chairperson of the Sustainability and Environment Department to ensure suitability for the specialization.

B.A. and B.S. Distribution Requirements:

The following SUST courses count toward the B.A. and B.S. distribution requirements:

Natural Sciences ONLY

These courses may be used only to satisfy distribution requirements in natural sciences:

Social Sciences ONLY

These courses may be used only to satisfy distribution requirements in social sciences:

Note:

Depending upon the content of Special Topics and individual study courses, they may be designated as either natural sciences or social sciences.

Sustainability Double Major (31 hours)

Sustainability Double Major

Students who choose Sustainability as one of two majors complete a 31-credit hour version of the Sustainability major. Double-majors complete all core requirements for the major (22 hours) and select a specialization. In the specialization, 9 hours of coursework are required with at least one course selected from each course group for the selected specialization.

Four-Year Program Guides and Costs

USD encourages students to take 15 credits per semester or 30 credits within the year in order to graduate in 4 years. To help students complete their academic degree program in four years, we provide a sample academic plan. Please work with your academic advisor to confirm your plan.