Sustainability Studies, BA

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Sustainability Studies, BA

Bachelor of Arts in Sustainability Studies

Catalog page

Typical path

+ First Year Seminar

+ SBC

+ First Year Seminar

+ SBC

+ Elective

+ SBC

+ Elective

+ Upper-division track elective ×2

+ SBC

+ Elective

+ Upper-division track elective ×2

+ SBC

+ Elective

+ Upper-division track elective ×2

+ SBC

+ Elective

+ SBC

+ Upper-division SBC

+ Upper-division elective

All options

Hide courses not offered in

Capstone Course (3 credits)

Pick 1 course · 6 courses to choose from

100s

None

200s

None

300s

400s

TrackEcosystems and Human Impact1 group of options

Pick 7 courses

28 courses to choose from

100s

None

200s

None

300s

400s

TrackEnvironmental Humanities1 group of options

Pick 7 courses

22 courses to choose from

100s

None

200s

None

300s

400s

TrackSocieties, Economics, and Governance1 group of options

Pick 6 courses

32 courses to choose from

100s

None

200s

None

300s

400s

A.Common Foundation Courses (15-17 credits)

- AMS 102Elements of Statistics3 cr
- or
  AMS 110Probability and Statistics in the Life Sciences3 cr
- or
  BIO 211Statistics and Data Analysis: A Conceptual Approach4 cr
- CHE 115Chemistry, Life, and Environment3 cr
- or
  ENV 115Chemistry, Life, and Environment3 cr
- SUS 111Introduction to Sustainability3 cr
- or
  ENS 101Prospects for Planet Earth3 cr
- SUS 113Physical Geography Lecture3 cr
- or
  GEO 102The Earth3 cr
SUS 201Systems and Models3 cr

Catalog text

A. Common Foundation Courses (15-17 credits): AMS 102 - Elements of Statistics OR AMS 110 - Probability and Statistics in the Life Sciences OR BIO 211 - Statistics and Data Analysis: A Conceptual Approach; CHE 115 - Chemistry, Life, and Environment; ENV 115 - Chemistry, Life, and Environment; SUS 111 - Introduction to Sustainability OR ENS 101 - Prospects for Planet Earth; SUS 113 - Physical Geography Lecture OR GEO 102 - The Earth; SUS 201 - Systems and Models

B.Common Core Courses (12-13 credits)

- ATM 201Introduction to Climate and Climate Change3 cr
- or
  ENV 304Global Environmental Change3 cr
- or
  SUS 343Age of the Anthropocene3 cr
One of
- All of
  - GSS 313GIS Design and Application I3 cr
  - GSS 314GIS Laboratory1 cr
- or
  GSS 317Geospatial Narratives: Deep Mapping for Humanities and Social Sciences3 cr
- SUS 301Technical Writing and Communication3 cr
- or
  COM 365Talking Science3 cr
- SUS 305Collective Action and Advocacy3 cr
- or
  SUS 323Environmental Justice3 cr

Catalog text

B. Common Core Courses (12-13 credits): ATM 201 - Introduction to Climate and Climate Change OR ENV 304 - Global Environmental Change OR SUS 343 - Age of the Anthropocene; GSS 313 - GIS Design and Application I; GSS 314 - GIS Laboratory OR GSS 317 - Geospatial Narratives: Deep Mapping for Humanities and Social Sciences; SUS 301 - Technical Writing and Communication OR COM 365 - Talking Science; SUS 305 - Collective Action and Advocacy OR SUS 323 - Environmental Justice

C.Capstone Course (3 credits)

Choose 1 course

ENV 301Sustainability of the Long Island Pine Barrens3 cr
SUS 352Conduct and Communicate a Research Project in Ecotoxicology3 cr
SUS 390Environmental Humanities Capstone3 cr
SUS 401Integrative, Collaborative Systems Studies3 cr
SUS 487Research in Sustainability0–6 cr
SUS 488Internship in Sustainability Studies0–12 cr

Catalog text

C. Capstone Course (3 credits): One course selected from the choices below: ENV 301 - Sustainability of the Long Island Pine Barrens; SUS 352 - Conduct and Communicate a Research Project in Ecotoxicology; SUS 390 - Environmental Humanities Capstone; SUS 401 - Integrative, Collaborative Systems Studies; SUS 487 - Research in Sustainability 0-6 credits; SUS 488 - Internship in Sustainability Studies 0-12 credits

D.Tracks (Choose one, 39-40 credits)

One track

Ecosystems and Human Impact
All of
- ANT 120Introduction to Biological Anthropology3 cr
- BIO 201Fundamentals of Biology: Organisms to Ecosystems3 cr
- BIO 204Fundamentals of Scientific Inquiry in the Biological Sciences I2 cr
- ECO 108Introduction to Economics4 cr
  or
  ECO 111Introduction to Macroeconomics3 cr
- One of
  MAT 125Calculus A3 cr
  or
  All of
  MAT 130Trigonometry and Logarithms1 cr
  MAT 125Calculus A3 cr
  or
  MAT 131Calculus I4 cr
  or
  AMS 151Applied Calculus I3 cr
- SUS 204Population Studies3 cr
- If students do not place into MAT 125 or MAT 131 or AMS 151 on the basis of the math placement examination, MAT 123 (or MAT 119 /MAT 123 ) is a required course for the major.
- Choose 7 courses
  ANT 309Comparing Ecosystems in Madagascar3 cr
  ANT 352Methods in Studying Primates3 cr
  ANT 353Biodiversity Assessment Methods for Tropical Field Research3 cr
  ANT 408Pastoralism Under Pressure: Savannas, Societies, and Sustainability in East Africa3 cr
  BIO 319Landscape Ecology Laboratory3 cr
  BIO 351Ecology3 cr
  BIO 352Ecology Laboratory3 cr
  BIO 371Restoration of Aquatic Ecosystems4 cr
  ENS 311Ecosystem Ecology and the Global Environment3 cr
  BIO 386Ecosystem Ecology and the Global Environment3 cr
  GEO 304Energy, Mineral Resources, and the Environment3 cr
  GEO 313Understanding Water Resources for the 21st Century3 cr
  GSS 325GIS Design & Applications II3 cr
  MAR 303Long Island Marine Habitats4 cr
  MAR 315Marine Conservation3 cr
  MAR 320Limnology4 cr
  MAR 336Marine Pollution3 cr
  MAR 340Environmental Problems and Solutions3 cr
  MAR 388Tropical Marine Ecology4 cr
  MAR 394Environmental Toxicology and Public Health3 cr
  SUS 319Restoration Ecology3 cr
  SUS 322Human Ecology3 cr
  SUS 326Conservation Genetics3 cr
  SUS 340Ecological and Social Dimensions of Disease3 cr
  SUS 344Sustainable Natural Resources3 cr
  SUS 350Contemporary Topics in Sustainability3 cr
  SUS 351Design and Implement a Research Project in Ecotoxicology3 cr
  SUS 405Environmental Sustainability in Tanzania3 cr
Environmental Humanities
All of
- ANT 102What Makes Us Human?3 cr
- GSS 105Introduction to Maps and Mapping3 cr
- MAR 104Oceanography3 cr
- PHI 104Moral Reasoning (II)3 cr
  or
  PHI 105Politics and Society (II)3 cr
- SUS 202Introduction to Environmental Humanities3 cr
- SUS 203Interpretation and Critical Analysis3 cr
- Choose 7 courses
  ENS 333Environmental Law3 cr
  POL 333Environmental Law3 cr
  GSS 325GIS Design & Applications II3 cr
  HIS 302Environmental History in Global Perspective3 cr
  HIS 352Environmental History of China3 cr
  AAS 352Environmental History of China3 cr
  MAR 355Coastal Cultural Experience2 cr
  MAR 356Maritime Traditions of New England3 cr
  SOC 344Environmental Sociology3 cr
  SUS 314Civilizations and Collapse3 cr
  SUS 316Cuba and Sustainability3 cr
  SUS 317American Environmental History3 cr
  SUS 320Utopia and Dystopia and the Environment in Literature and Culture3 cr
  SUS 321Ecology and Evolution in American Literature3 cr
  SUS 324Human Geography and the Environment3 cr
  SUS 325Environmental Writing and the Media3 cr
  SUS 328Ecofeminism, Literature & Film3 cr
  SUS 350Contemporary Topics in Sustainability3 cr
  SUS 362Resilient Communities3 cr
  SUS 366Philosophy of the Environment (III)3 cr
  PHI 366Philosophy of the Environment (III)3 cr
  SUS 405Environmental Sustainability in Tanzania3 cr
Societies, Economics, and Governance
All of
- BIO 201Fundamentals of Biology: Organisms to Ecosystems3 cr
- ECO 108Introduction to Economics4 cr
  or
  ECO 110Introduction to Microeconomics3 cr
  or
  ECO 111Introduction to Macroeconomics3 cr
- One of
  MAT 125Calculus A3 cr
  or
  All of
  MAT 130Trigonometry and Logarithms1 cr
  MAT 125Calculus A3 cr
  or
  MAT 131Calculus I4 cr
  or
  AMS 151Applied Calculus I3 cr
- POL 102Introduction to American Government3 cr
- SUS 115Introduction to Human Demography3 cr
  or
  SUS 204Population Studies3 cr
- SUS 200Human Settlement: History and Future3 cr
- SUS 206Economics and Sustainability3 cr
- If students do not place into MAT 125 or MAT 131 or AMS 151 on the basis of the math placement examination, MAT 123 (or MAT 119 /MAT 123 ) is a required course for the major.
- Choose 6 courses
  EDP 303Spatial Economics3 cr
  EDP 305Risk Assessment and Sustainable Development3 cr
  ENS 311Ecosystem Ecology and the Global Environment3 cr
  BIO 386Ecosystem Ecology and the Global Environment3 cr
  ENS 333Environmental Law3 cr
  POL 333Environmental Law3 cr
  ENV 316Coastal Zone Management3 cr
  ENV 339Economics of Coastal and Marine Ecosystems3 cr
  GEO 304Energy, Mineral Resources, and the Environment3 cr
  GEO 313Understanding Water Resources for the 21st Century3 cr
  GSS 325GIS Design & Applications II3 cr
  GSS 350Applied Spatial Data Analysis3 cr
  HIS 302Environmental History in Global Perspective3 cr
  HIS 352Environmental History of China3 cr
  AAS 352Environmental History of China3 cr
  MAR 392Waste Management Issues3 cr
  POL 310Immigration and Refugee Politics3 cr
  POL 359Public Policy and Administration3 cr
  SOC 344Environmental Sociology3 cr
  SUS 302Integrative Assessment Models3 cr
  SUS 306Business and Sustainability3 cr
  SUS 307Environmental Economics and Management3 cr
  SUS 316Cuba and Sustainability3 cr
  SUS 317American Environmental History3 cr
  SUS 318American Environmental Politics3 cr
  SUS 324Human Geography and the Environment3 cr
  SUS 340Ecological and Social Dimensions of Disease3 cr
  SUS 350Contemporary Topics in Sustainability3 cr
  SUS 362Resilient Communities3 cr
  SUS 366Philosophy of the Environment (III)3 cr
  PHI 366Philosophy of the Environment (III)3 cr
  SUS 405Environmental Sustainability in Tanzania3 cr

Catalog text

D. Tracks (Choose one, 39-40 credits): 1. Ecosystems and Human Impact; 2. Environmental Humanities; 3. Societies, Economics, and Governance

E.Communications and Writing Requirement

SUS 459Write Effectively in Sustainability0 cr

Catalog text

E. Communications and Writing Requirement: The advanced writing component of the major in SUS requires registration in the 0-credit SUS 459 and approval of either a term paper or a laboratory report written for an advanced course in the appropriate major at Stony Brook (including Readings and Research courses). Completion of SUS 459 with a grade of S will result in approval of the WRTD requirement.

Passing grades below C and Pass/NC

No more than one course (4 credits maximum) with a passing grade lower than C can be credited towards the major. Courses taken with the Pass/NC option may not be applied to the major.

Catalog text

Note: No more than one course (4 credits maximum) with a passing grade lower than C can be credited towards the major. Courses taken with the Pass/NC option may not be applied to the major.

Double majors within SoMAS

Excluding ENV 301, SUS 301, SUS 305, and SUS 401, no more than 6 credits of 300-400 level course credits can be applied to two majors within the School of Marine and Atmospheric Sciences.

Catalog text

Double Majors: Excluding ENV 301 - Sustainability of the Long Island Pine Barrens, SUS 301 - Technical Writing and Communication, SUS 305 - Collective Action and Advocacy, and SUS 401 - Integrative, Collaborative Systems Studies, no more than 6 credits of 300-400 level course credits can be applied to two majors within the School of Marine and Atmospheric Sciences.

Sample schedule

Year 1 · Fall16 cr

First Year Seminar 1011
WRT 101Introductory Writing Workshop3
MAT 125Calculus A3
ENS 101 / SUS 111Prospects for Planet Earth3
SUS 113 / GEO 102Physical Geography Lecture3
SBC3

Year 1 · Spring16 cr

First Year Seminar 1021
WRT 102Intermediate Writing Workshop3
CHE 115 / ENV 115Chemistry, Life, and Environment3
AMS 102Elements of Statistics3
POL 102Introduction to American Government3
SBC3

Year 2 · Fall16 cr

ECO 110 / ECO 111Introduction to Microeconomics4
SUS 200Human Settlement: History and Future3
SUS 201Systems and Models3
SBC3
Elective3

Year 2 · Spring15 cr

BIO 201Fundamentals of Biology: Organisms to Ecosystems3
SUS 115Introduction to Human Demography3
SUS 206Economics and Sustainability3
SBC3
Elective3

Year 3 · Fall15 cr

SUS 305Collective Action and Advocacy3
Upper-division track elective3
Upper-division track elective3
SBC3
Elective3

Year 3 · Spring15 cr

SUS 343Age of the Anthropocene3
Upper-division track elective3
Upper-division track elective3
SBC3
Elective3

Year 4 · Fall16 cr

GSS 313GIS Design and Application I3
GSS 314GIS Laboratory1
Upper-division track elective3
Upper-division track elective3
SBC3
Elective3

Year 4 · Spring15 cr

SUS 301Technical Writing and Communication3
SUS 401Integrative, Collaborative Systems Studies3
SBC3
Upper-division SBC3
Upper-division elective3

Stony Brook Curriculum

WRTD satisfied by

SUS 459Write Effectively in Sustainability0 cr

Catalog text

Completion of SUS 459 with a grade of S will result in approval of the WRTD requirement.

Notes

Advising: Undergraduate Advisor: Nancy Black (nancy.black@stonybrook.edu). Program Director: Adam Charboneau. Program Office: E2361 Melville Library, (631) 632-9404.
Note: ANT 120 is listed as formerly ANP 120; ANT 309, ANT 352, ANT 353, and ANT 408 are listed as formerly ANP 307, ANP 350, ANP 351, and ANP 401. Verify transcript codes against the current course numbers.
Note: Courses marked * in the tracks have a prerequisite outside the major/track and/or require CHE 129, CHE 131, or CHE 152.
Note: Other classes may be substituted with permission of the undergraduate director. This is not evaluated by the audit.
Note: Study abroad experiences in Cuba, Madagascar, and the Turkana Basin (Kenya) are available. Students should talk with the major director about how study abroad coursework can fulfill major requirements.
SBC: Students completing the Stony Brook Curriculum must complete a WRTD course to graduate; SUS 459 is the department's WRTD route.
Note: Sample sequence note: students in the Ecosystems and Human Impact track should take ECO 111; students in the Societies, Economics, and Governance track may take either ECO 110 or ECO 111.