| Course Number | Course Name | Description | Faculty |
|---|---|---|---|
| SUS- ANTH 1020 | Biological Anthropology | This course explores the human fossil record, human evolution, population genetics, primate ecology and conservation, modern human biological diversity, and the connections between humans and their environments through time from a biocultural perspective. | All Sections |
| SUS- ART 2200 | Intro to Printmaking | An introduction to all printmaking classes covering the processes of intaglio, screen printing, relief, lithography, and monotype. Projects are framed around sustainability discourse and representation. During this course ideas, research, and motivations behind imagery used and how it ties to our own interests in sustainability will be discussed. | All Sections |
| SUS- ECON 2020 | Principles of Macroeconomics | This course through a series of lectures, discussions, reading and writing assignments introduces students to the most important concepts in macroeconomics. Topics progress from the underpinnings of economic thinking with supply and demand analysis to understanding economic data. We learn what GDP includes and what it does not, what inflation is and how it is computed. We cover economic growth, and its relation to economic environmental sustainability, the basics of the financial and monetary system, and aggregate fluctuations in the economy. Throughout the course, we will rely on newspaper articles, podcasts, movies and other media that relates to the macroeconomics concepts. | Valentinas Rudys |
| SUS- ENGL 2010 | Intermediate College Writing | Students are required to read, write, and discuss readings and information that have sustainability themes and information. | Kyra Hudson |
| SUS- GEO 1710/3710 | Introduction to GIS | Mapping and geographical analysis are key to raising awareness to sustainability concepts and thus our students will be able to create maps and disseminate information in a concise and efficient manner around sustainability ideas. | All Sections |
| SUS- GEOG 1000 | Planet Earth: Air, Water, Land & Life | A study of the interrelated systems that constitute the earth's surface environment of landforms, weather, climate, natural vegetation, hydrology, and soils. | All Sections |
| SUS- GEOG 1300 | Global Issues: Places, People & the Planet | Course explores different regions around the world and seeks to understand the processes at work, in making places what they are. Society-environment linkages, including sustainability challenges, are a key part of this. | All Sections |
| SUS- GEOG 1500 | Climate Change: Science Society & Solutions | This course focuses on the science of global warming. The topic of sustainability is a major focus of the class, as it includes examination of humans' addition of greenhouse gases to the atmosphere since the industrial revolution. Particularly, students analyze various energy practices and their economic viabilities in the goal to mitigate increased warming. | All Sections |
| SUS- GEOG 3500 | Geography of Utah and the American West | Explore the physical, cultural, historical, economic and political geography of this region and its subregions, including a consideration of issues of sustainability. | Jeremy Bryson |
| SUS- GSE 6020 | Environments Student Success | This course is designed to equip educators with the necessary tools to navigate the complexities of diversity within educational settings while also recognizing the inherent link between the sustainability of communities and the institutions that shape them. We will critically examine how educational institutions play a vital role in fostering sustainable communities. By incorporating sustainability principles into our discussions, we will explore how educational practices can contribute to the resilience and well-being of communities over time. | Stephanie Speicher |
| SUS- MATH 1040 | Introduction to Statistics | This course uses the role of data and statistical analysis to measure sustainability in the real world. The connection is immediate with data sets on global warming, sex discrimination, energy use consumption, mortality and environmental factors. The statistical analysis allows students to measure the relationships between these types of data. | All Sections |
| SUS- MBA 6700 | Managing for Sustainability | MBA 6700 addresses how organizations (whether business, government, or other types) impact the natural environment and society. It's a practical course, grounded in the science of sustainability, that focuses on the various concepts, methods and practices that can move organizations toward environmental, social and economic sustainability. It educates persons to be knowledgeable agents for sustainability improvement. | All Sections |
| SUS- ME 4100 | Senior Project I | The ME 4100 Senior Project I is a required mechanical engineering course where a group of students is assigned to complete the preliminary design phase, which includes concept generation, engineering analysis, and design selection of a mechanical product or instrument. The following tasks in the course address the sustainability issues/challenges: a) Students do a preliminary design review that addresses technical risks, hazards associated with safety, ethical and professional responsibilities. b) Students need to maintain professional codes & standards in their modeling, drafting, and analysis. c) Students need to minimize initial rapid-prototyping costs by using low-cost materials and computer simulations. d) Students need to consider environment-friendly, reusable, and easily replaceable materials (e.g., machine components, gears, motors, etc.). e) Students need to minimize the use of hazardous and toxic elements (e.g., lipo batteries, explosive chemicals, etc.) in their prototypes. | All Sections |
| SUS- MICR 3502 | Environmental Health | In this course you will explore many ways that environmental factors can influence health and disease. This course focuses primarily on human health issues, but occasionally addresses threats to wildlife and natural ecosystems. We will address many issues related to sustainability including toxins in the environment, zoonotic and vector-borne diseases, radiation, water quality, air quality, and solid and liquid wastes. The overarching themes of the course are: 1. Human activities can impact the environment and threaten health, and 2. Environmental health threats can be mitigated through monitoring, risk assessments, policies, and technology. | All Sections |
| SUS- MLS 4410 | Interdisciplinary Health Teams | Study of economic, political, ecological, and cultural globalization in the late 20th and early 21st century. The course examines the history, theories and critiques of globalization, the key actors in the global political economy, the institutions and events that shape global processes, and globalization’s impact on local economies, politics, culture, stratification, and the natural environment. | All Sections |
| SUS- NRSG 4200 | Evidence Based Practice | In this course students will create an evidence-based literature review regarding interventions to address a Social Determinant of Health (SDoH) in their community. Addressing these SDoHs promotes sustainable health access and outcomes. As a component of their literature review, students will also complete a health assessment within their county to see what environmental conditions may contribute to poorer health outcomes, particularly for vulnerable populations. | All Sections |
| SUS- NRSG 4400 | Population Health in Nursing | In this course students will conduct an environmental assessment to determine what factors at the local, regional, and state levels disproportionately have an adverse influence on health, particularly for each student's selected vulnerable population. Primary focus is on ways to provide sustainable health access and outcomes to vulnerable populations. | All Sections |
| SUS- NUTR 1020 | Science of Human Nutrition | Relate the ecological impact and the role for environmental responsibility pertaining to food choices and food system sustainability. | All Sections |
| SUS- NUTR 1240 | Nutrition & Sustainable Cooking | This course explores sustainable ways to acquire, prepare and consume food to support a healthier individual, population, and environment. Food science principles will be emphasized in the laboratory experience. | All Sections |
| SUS- POLS 2100 | Intro to International Politics | Examines international political theories and concepts such as traditional Realism (power, state, and nationalism) with contrasting theories of Liberalism (globalization, organizations, and law). Application of these theories will be examined through case studies of powerful countries and regions in addition to problems such as the refugee crises, environmental concerns, and threats of global terrorism. | All Sections |
| SUS- PSY 3000 | Child Psychology | Principles and theories of physiological, psychological, emotional, cognitive, personality and social child development and parent-child relations and developmental problems. | Melinda Russell-Stamp |
| SUS- PSY 3460 | Social Psychology | The purpose of this course is to explore social psychological theory and research. Social psychology is the study of how individuals think, feel, and behave in everyday social situations. We investigate social factors pertaining to sustainability, including norms pertaining to sustainable behaviors, biases and heuristics that influence whether people endorse climate change, social dilemmas that pit short-sighted self-interest against long-term group goals, and how to utilize persuasive techniques to encourage people to behave in more sustainable ways. | Sarah Herrmann |
| SUS- SE 6010 | Foundations of Systems Engineering | Systems Engineering is a multifaceted discipline, involving human, organizational, and various technical variables that work together to create complex systems. Within that creation includes human and societal needs, trade off analyses, and addressing quality characteristics or the abilities; which include reliability, maintainability, sustainability, and disposability. | All Sections |
| SUS- SOC 1010 | Intro to Sociology | Sociology 1010 is an introductory survey course designed to give you a broad overview of the field of sociology. It focuses on all aspects of society: culture; social interaction; institutions; group processes; deviance and social control; stratification, diversity and inequality based on race, ethnicity, class, gender, etc.; and society-environment interactions, and social change. | Rob Reynolds |
Sustainability Courses
Courses with the SUS in front of the course number have been formally approved to use the SUS attribute indicating that the course focuses on or includes sustainability in some way. See more info about the SUS attribute here.
2025 Summer Semester
2025 Fall Semester
| Course Number | Course Name | Description | Faculty |
|---|---|---|---|
| SUS- ANTH 1020 | Biological Anthropology | This course explores the human fossil record, human evolution, population genetics, primatology, and modern human biological diversity from a biocultural perspective. | All Sections |
| SUS- ANTH 2010 | People and Cultures of the World | This course consists of a survey of world cultures from an anthropological perspective. Using the concepts of culture as human adaptation and modes of subsistence as a typological framing device, course content utilizes ethnographic case studies to introduce students to the wide range of human adaptive possibilities in a variety of ecosystems throughout human history. The last module in the course addresses climate change in terms of the adaptive challenges it poses to existing cultural, political, and economic systems. | Mark Stevenson |
| SUS- ART 2200 | Intro to Printmaking | An introduction to all printmaking classes covering the processes of intaglio, screen printing, relief, lithography, and monotype. Projects are framed around sustainability discourse and representation. During this course ideas, research, and motivations behind imagery used and how it ties to our own interests in sustainability will be discussed. | All Sections |
| SUS- ART 3200 | Intermediate Printmaking | An intermediate level class with emphasis on screen printing, relief, and intaglio with further exploration into print processes that include photographic stencils and multicolor printing. Projects will focus around ideas of sustainability and how we can communicate and reflect our communities through our artworks. | All Sections |
| SUS- ART 3720 | Public Art | This course is a visual art and design field that includes all mediums and ranges from murals to photo-mosaics, to sculpture and design-based work such as light-installations. This course explores a broad range of Public Art approaches through image presentations that examine permanent and temporary artworks ranging from murals, monuments, community-based projects, ecologically-focused projects, site-specificity and environmental artworks. Special attention will be given to incorporating sustainability in public art concepts and project proposals. Students will learn to create 2D, 3D and/or digital renderings and models to develop public art concepts, while gaining knowledge of real-world opportunities for visual artists and designers. | Jason Manley |
| SUS- ART 4200 | Advanced Printmaking | An advanced level class in printmaking with emphasis on screen printing, relief, intaglio, and/or lithography. Emphasis on individual portfolio production. Projects will focus around ideas of Sustainability and how we communicate and reflect our communities through our artworks. | All Sections |
| SUS- ATTC 3760 | Advanced Automotive Technologies | This course explores the latest trends and innovations in the automotive industry, with a strong focus on sustainability. Students will examine alternative fuels, emissions reduction technologies, and the environmental and economic impacts of these advancements, while participating in hands-on projects that promote sustainable practices in automotive engineering. | Brandon Stevenson |
| SUS- BTNY 1010 | Plants: Apocalypse Prevention | This course focuses on the utility, beauty, and wonder of plants. We read about some of the amazing discoveries about plants, have several hands-on activities discovering their biology, and discuss how we can use plants to help solve problems that society faces. Students have opportunities to observe wild plants changing though the season and develop their own presentations about plants that they find interesting. | All Sections |
| SUS- BTNY 1403 | Introduction to Environmental Science | A life science general education course focused on the relationship between people and their environment. | All Sections |
| SUS- CHEM 3510 | Environmental Chemistry | This course focuses on the chemical processes that determine how matter moves through environmental systems. The course emphasizes chemical equilibrium, mass transport, and the relative timescales of chemical, physical, and biological processes in the environment. The lab portion of this course develops students’ benchtop chemistry and programming skills in the context of researching the fate of a chemical product in the environment. All laboratory data analysis and calculations will be carried out using the Python programming language. | Demetrios Pagonis |
| SUS- CHEM 4630 | Materials Chemistry | This course is the study of the synthesis, structure, properties, and applications of solid materials. Our technology-driven world is fueled by advances in materials chemistry with examples of application in areas such as nanomaterials, polymers, and energy technology. This survey course will focus on the synthesis of materials through gas, liquid, and solid phase reactions. Crystalline and molecular structure of materials will be related to electronic, optical, thermal, and mechanical properties. Some material characterization techniques including x-ray diffraction and microscopy will be covered. | Brandon Burnett |
| SUS- ECON 1100 | Environmental Issues and Economic Policy | This course explores the intricate relationship between economics and sustainability. Learn about topics like resource management cost-benefit analysis to understand how economic policies shape our environmental future. Equip yourself with the tools to create a more sustainable world. | Matt Gnagey |
| SUS- ECON 3300 | Environmental Economics | This course focuses on environmental issues and the role that economic policies can have on improving environmental outcomes. | Matt Gnagey |
| SUS- EEN 4420 | Renewable Energy Systems Design I | This course teaches fundamental concepts of sustainable energy uses and contemporary social, economic, and environmental issues. The topics covered in this course include an introduction to renewable energy systems and an in-depth coverage of the analysis and design of solar and wind energy systems. | All Sections |
| SUS- ENGL 2010 | Intermediate College Writing | In this course students are required to read, write, and discuss readings and information that have sustainability themes and information. | Kyra Hudson |
| SUS- GEO 1710/3710 | Introduction to GIS | Mapping and geographical analysis are key to raising awareness to sustainability concepts and thus our students will be able to create maps and disseminate information in a concise and efficient manner around sustainability ideas. | All Sections |
| SUS- GEO 3010 | Oceanography & Earth's Systems | This course investigates the major aspects of the marine environment and how the oceans are an integral part of Earth's system. You will learn about how the atmosphere, Earth and ocean interact, how ocean currents circulate water and modulate climate, the fundamentals of nearshore processes, how the oceans modulate climate, and how the climate is changing today. Additional topics discussed in this course will include the origin of the oceans, plate tectonics, seafloor features, seawater properties, climate, waves, tides, coastal landforms, and biological oceanography. The course will explore problems of environmental change and marine pollution and encourage you to develop the scientific skills needed to assess new problems, new information, and developments in the future. | All Sections |
| SUS- GEO 3840 | Remote Sensing: Principle and Application | This course examines how earth observation data is acquired, corrected, displayed, and analyzed. This course uses remotely sensed imagery to better understand wildfire severity, development induced sprawl, and how we can better understand our ever changing world, with pictures from space! From understanding the light and electromagnetic spectrum to ensuring your end product data is accurate, this course is great for people that want to know more about Earth observation data. | Ryan Frazier |
| SUS- GEOG 1000 | Planet Earth: Air, Water, Land & Life | This course studies the interrelated systems that constitute the earth's surface environment of landforms, weather, climate, natural vegetation, hydrology, and soils. | All Sections |
| SUS- GEOG 1300 | Global Issues: Places, People & the Planet | This course explores different regions around the world and seeks to understand the processes at work, in making places what they are. Society-environment linkages, including sustainability challenges, are a key part of this. | All Sections |
| SUS- GEOG 1500 | Climate Change: Science Society & Solutions | This course focuses on the science of global warming. The topic of sustainability is a major focus of the class, as it includes examination of humans' addition of greenhouse gases to the atmosphere since the industrial revolution. Particularly, students analyze various energy practices and their economic viabilities in the goal to mitigate increased warming. | All Sections |
| SUS- GEOG 1520 | United States & Canada: Geography, Diversity & Change | This course focuses on the study of North America's natural environment, ethnic diversity, culture, gender, age, class, social structure, spatial organization, economic activities and present social and cultural conditions. | All Sections |
| SUS- GEOG 2400 | Cartography and Map Design | In this course you will learn how to create great maps, and the decisions that go into making them. We will examine the Arctic Sea ice extent, show the history of wildfire in Utah and Idaho, and learn basic Geographic Information Science skills along the way (no prerequisites required!) - the perfect course for those who are interested and want to learn about mapping and maps! | Ryan Frazier |
| SUS- GEOG 3050 | Weather and Climate | In this course you will learn about the workings of Earth’s climate system, how the complex interactions between multiple elements produce El Nino and La Nina events, major storm systems, hurricanes, and what future climate change has in store for us. | Dan Bedford |
| SUS- GEOG 4400 | Cartography and Map Design | This course introduces the foundations of Cartography and Map Design including topics and techniques important to the creation of cartographic visualizations using Geographic Information Systems (GIS) for digital and hardcopy maps. Students will explore and practice the guiding principles and cutting edge techniques that make modern cartographic products in such high demand across our multimedia social spaces and marketplaces as well as research and data environments. | Ryan Frazier |
| SUS- GEOG 4410 | Sustainable Land Use Planning | This course is a study of the status and tools of planning, planning office organization, the federal and state role in planning, and problems in planning. The course emphasizes concepts of sustainable land use planning such as resource conservation, air and water quality improvement, agricultural land preservation, transit oriented development, and alternatives to suburban sprawl. | All Sections |
| SUS- ID 2060 | Sustainability II: Hard Materials | Exploration and research of interior finishes, materials, and sustainable practices. Practical application for specifying and installation of materials will be emphasized. Three-dimensional projects may be required as part of this course. | All Sections |
| SUS- MATH 1040 | Introduction to Statistics | This course uses the role of data and statistical analysis to measure sustainability in the real world. The connection is immediate with data sets on global warming, sex discrimination, energy use consumption, mortality and environmental factors. The statistical analysis allows students to measure the relationships between these types of data. | All Sections |
| SUS- ME 4100 | Senior Project I | This course is a required mechanical engineering course where a group of students is assigned to complete the preliminary design phase, which includes concept generation, engineering analysis, and design selection of a mechanical product or instrument. The following tasks in the course address the sustainability issues/challenges: a) Students do a preliminary design review that addresses technical risks, hazards associated with safety, ethical and professional responsibilities. b) Students need to maintain professional codes & standards in their modeling, drafting, and analysis. c) Students need to minimize initial rapid-prototyping costs by using low-cost materials and computer simulations. d) Students need to consider environment-friendly, reusable, and easily replaceable materials (e.g., machine components, gears, motors, etc.). e) Students need to minimize the use of hazardous and toxic elements (e.g., lipo batteries, explosive chemicals, etc.) in their prototypes. | All Sections |
| SUS- ME 4200 | Senior Project II | In this course, students are required to test and optimize their design through analysis and prototyping. Students will gain the ability to apply engineering design to produce solutions that meet specified needs with consideration of public health, safety, and welfare, as well as global, cultural, social, environmental, and economic factors. | All Sections |
| SUS- MET 4500 | Senior Project I | A mechanical engineering technology project will be selected for team participation. Projects will require planning, analysis, design, development, production, testing, and documentation. An eco-friendly and cost-effective design approach is needed to optimize the prototype process. | All Sections |
| SUS- MICR 3502 | Environmental Health | In this course you will explore many ways that environmental factors can influence health and disease. This course focuses primarily on human health issues, but occasionally addresses threats to wildlife and natural ecosystems. We will address many issues related to sustainability including toxins in the environment, zoonotic and vector-borne diseases, radiation, water quality, air quality, and solid and liquid wastes. The overarching themes of the course are: 1. Human activities can impact the environment and threaten health, and 2. Environmental health threats can be mitigated through monitoring, risk assessments, policies, and technology. | All Sections |
| SUS- MLS 4410 | Interdisciplinary Health Teams | This course provides an interdisciplinary experience with the team concept as a priority. Students learn the roles and responsibilities of various healthcare professionals. The course teaches students to practice an interdisciplinary approach as they research, interact and learn in the interdisciplinary environment of a healthcare setting. In addition, students will learn about how the following factors promote equitable and effective healthcare: sustainability, environmental quality, accessibility, cultural competence, emotional intelligence, communication, resilience, and self-efficacy. | All Sections |
| SUS- NRSG 4200 | Evidence Based Practice | In this course students will create an evidence-based literature review regarding interventions to address a Social Determinant of Health (SDoH) in their community. Addressing these SDoHs promotes sustainable health access and outcomes. As a component of their literature review, students will also complete a health assessment within their county to see what environmental conditions may contribute to poorer health outcomes, particularly for vulnerable populations. | All Sections |
| SUS- NRSG 4400 | Population Health in Nursing | In this course students will conduct an environmental assessment to determine what factors at the local, regional, and state levels disproportionately have an adverse influence on health, particularly for each student's selected vulnerable population. This course focuses on ways to provide sustainable health access and outcomes to vulnerable populations. | All Sections |
| SUS- NUTR 1020 | Science of Human Nutrition | Relate the ecological impact and the role for environmental responsibility pertaining to food choices and food system sustainability. | All Sections |
| SUS- NUTR 1240 | Nutrition & Sustainable Cooking | This course explores sustainable ways to acquire, prepare and consume food to support a healthier individual, population, and environment. Food science principles will be emphasized in the laboratory experience. | All Sections |
| SUS- POLS 2100 | Intro to International Politics | Examines international political theories and concepts such as traditional Realism (power, state, and nationalism) with contrasting theories of Liberalism (globalization, organizations, and law). Application of these theories will be examined through case studies of powerful countries and regions in addition to problems such as the refugee crises, environmental concerns, and threats of global terrorism. | All Sections |
| SUS- PSY 1010 | Intro to Psychology | Psychology is the scientific study of behavior and mental processes. Psychology helps us to understand why it’s hard for people to change (e.g., biases and heuristics) as well as how we can influence sustainable behaviors and strategies (e.g., persuasion, nudges) necessary to enable and encourage societies to live in more sustainable ways. | Sarah Herrmann |
| SUS- PSY 3000 | Child Psychology | Principles and theories of physiological, psychological, emotional, cognitive, personality and social child development and parent-child relations and developmental problems. | Melinda Russell-Stamp |
| SUS- PSY 3460 | Social Psychology | The purpose of this course is to explore social psychological theory and research. Social psychology is the study of how individuals think, feel, and behave in everyday social situations. We investigate social factors pertaining to sustainability, including norms pertaining to sustainable behaviors, biases and heuristics that influence whether people endorse climate change, social dilemmas that pit short-sighted self-interest against long-term group goals, and how to utilize persuasive techniques to encourage people to behave in more sustainable ways. | Sarah Herrmann |
| SUS- QUAN 2600 | Business Statistics I | This is an introductory course in statistics intended for business college students but also just as useful in a wide variety of areas of study. Topics discussed include displaying and describing data, the normal curve, sampling distributions, probability, statistical inference, confidence intervals, and hypothesis tests with applications in the real world. We will apply these techniques to real world data with emphasis on the Salt Lake City region. Students also learn to analyze data sets and visualize data using Microsoft Excel. | Valentinas Rudys |
| SUS- SE 6010 | Foundations of Systems Engineering | This course is a multifaceted discipline, involving human, organizational, and various technical variables that work together to create complex systems. Within that creation includes human and societal needs, trade off analyses, and addressing quality characteristics or the abilities; which include reliability, maintainability, sustainability, and disposability. | All Sections |
| SUS- SOC 1010 | Intro to Sociology | Sociology is the study of the dual nature of the individual in society and society in the individual. Introduction to Sociology provides an overview of how individuals shape the way our society functions including many of the challenges facing our world today related to things like gender, family, race, ethnicity, wealth and poverty, politics, as well as the individual's role in protecting the environment. The final unit of the course includes a debate style presentation titled, "Is Humankind Dangerously Harming the Environment?" During the debate, students will engage with this topic from multiple angles to uncover the dual nature of the individual in society and society in the individual as it relates to a sustainable future for humanity. | R.C. Morris |
| SUS- SOC 4410 | Sociology of Globalization | Study of economic, political, ecological, and cultural globalization in the late 20th and early 21st century. The course examines the history, theories and critiques of globalization, the key actors in the global political economy, the institutions and events that shape global processes, and globalization’s impact on local economies, politics, culture, stratification, and the natural environment. | All Sections |
| SUS- THEA/ENGL 3505 | Playwriting | This course serves as an exploration of the craft of writing for the theatre. To prepare for a staged reading of an original short play, in this workshop-style class students will read a variety of plays and articles, discuss the major components of playwriting, complete writing assignments, share writing, and provide feedback to one another. This course also involves components and learning outcomes around the concept of economic, social and environmental sustainability. We will approach sustainability thematically, as we discuss the intersections of social systems with economy and environment through plays which also serve as examples for ways to engage topics of social and environmental justice in contemporary writing practices for the stage. | Sarah Grunnah |
For more information on these courses, visit the Course Catalog.