Sustainability and Environmental Studies Undergraduate Certificate

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Applicants must be degree seeking students at Radford University in good standing and must successfully complete Introduction to Environmental Studies (GEOG 140 ) with a “C” or higher.

Certificate Requirements (18-22 credits)

1) Introductory Class

GEOG 140 - Introduction to Environmental Studies (SS) (GE)

Note(s):

Students take four courses (12-15 credit hours) in Areas 2 through 4. At least one course must be taken in each of the three areas, and a second course must be taken in one of the three areas, in consultation with the advisor. Courses appropriate to each area but which are not listed may be substituted with Certificate advisor approval.

2) Physical Systems and the Environment (choose one: 3 – 4 credits)

This area will introduce students to how the natural world works from the perspective of the natural sciences. Courses focus on earth systems and processes, ecology, biological diversity, and energy.

ANSC 361 - Human Impacts on the Prehistoric Environment
BIOL 103 - Environmental Biology (GE)
BIOL 131 - Ecology and Adaptation (GE) (Will not count toward the university or college core requirement.)
BIOL 390 - Conservation Biology
CHEM 215 - Environmental Chemistry
GEOL 100 - Earth Resources and Natural Hazards
GEOS 130 - Physical Geography (PS) (GE)
GEOS 335 - Biogeography (PS)
PHSC 431 - Energy and the Environment

3) Policy and Economics (choose one: 3 – 4 credits)

Courses in this area help students develop their ability to analyze public policies for influencing human impact on the environment.

4) Human Dimensions (choose one: 3 credits)

Courses in this area focus on how humans have interacted with their environmental and how different cultural attitudes have brought about and responded to environmental change. Using the methods of the humanities, design, and social sciences, these courses focus on a range of environmental problems and the ethical, aesthetic, practical, and sociological issues associated with them.

5) Field Applications and Capstone Experience (choose one with approval of advisor: 3-4 credits)

This capstone provides experiential learning opportunities combined with a culminating capstone experience through which students can synthesize and apply the understandings and tools gained in fulfilling the other area requirements. Emphasis is placed on active learning through a field-based experience. The student’s advisor and Area 5 instructor approve and co-facilitate the capstone project. Only students who have completed the requirements in the other four areas are eligible to take the capstone course as the culminating course for this certificate program. The student will be responsible for securing the cooperation of the capstone course instructor through a written agreement to be signed by the student, the instructor, and the advisor. Students will 1) apply their body of knowledge in environmental studies and sustainability in a field-based context; 2) synthesize their knowledge and skills through a meaningful capstone project; and 3) demonstrate a broad understanding of environmental studies and sustainability by presenting their capstone project in a public forum.

Appropriate Capstone Class Approved by Advisor 3-4 credits.