ASU Now Offers a Minor in Sustainability

Arizona State University's School of Sustainability was a ground breaking program when it started in 2007. The school offered a Bachelor of Science or a Bachelor of Art in Sustainability and a Master's Program; a concentration for W.P. Carey students was also available. Now the School of Sustainability offers a green minor to any ASU student with the tagline- "Green Minor for Major Change". The minor is 18 credits and four different themes are offered:

• Earth Systems
• Human Transformation of the Earth
• Coupled Human-Environment Systems
• Economic Treatment of Natural Resources and the Environment

Students must take courses which touch on two of the themes in addition to courses which introduce sustainability principles and how it relates to a wide range of professions. What I feel is a unique aspect of the minor is although it was developed by the School of Sustainability, it is owned by the university meaning any adviser can offer the minor to students. Lisa Murphy, program development specialist, states "advisers across the university will be equipped to answer questions and add the sustainability minor to their student’s plan of study.” 


I feel this is a great opportunity for the students and I hope many take advantage of the minor- I wish ASU had offered this when I was still a student!




Curriculum for the Minor in Sustainability


Required Courses- 6 credit hours
SOS 100: Introduction to Sustainability (3)*
SOS 300: Advanced Concepts and Integrated Approaches in Sustainability (3)
* If taken already, SOS 110 or SOS 111/PUP 190 may substitute for SOS 100. If SOS 110 and SOS 111/PUP 190 have both been taken, one course may substitute for SOS 100 and the other course may be used as a "theme" course.


Theme Courses- 6 credit hours
Two courses, one from each of the two themes selected (6)


Electives- 6 credit hours
Two upper division courses within their major that relates to sustainability (6)*
*Must coordinate classes with advisor of their declared major, advisors approve the final decision of classes which will count




For more information on the new minor, please visit The School of Sustainability or meet with your advisor. 




External Links: http://schoolofsustainability.asu.edu/future-students/minor/ and http://asunews.asu.edu/20100910_greenminor