Academic Catalog

Environmental & Sustainability Studies

The St. Catherine University Environmental & Sustainability Studies major provides an interdisciplinary education focused on the complex relationship between humans and the environment, emphasizing environmental justice and sustainability. Students develop the knowledge, skills, and perspectives to address pressing environmental challenges and promote equitable solutions for a sustainable future.

The program fosters a deep understanding of the complex and interdisciplinary nature of environmental issues, including their interconnectedness, the stakeholders involved, and the language needed to work across diverse disciplines. With a foundation in the environment, sustainability, economics, ethics, leadership, and the liberal arts, graduates are prepared to lead and influence positive environmental and sustainability change across diverse fields, within their communities, and beyond. Our program is distinctive with its focus on women, integration across the liberal arts, and grounding in the long-term environmental justice efforts of the Sisters of St. Joseph, reflecting the principles of kinship embedded in our tradition of Catholic Social Teaching.

See also: Sustainability Studies Minor

Consider pairing the Environmental and Sustainability studies major with a major or minor in another program such as:
  • Biology
  • Business
  • Chemistry
  • Community Engagement
  • Critical Studies of Race and Ethnicity
  • Data Science
  • Economics
  • Fashion Design and Merchandising
  • Leadership
  • Longevity and Aging 
  • Philosophy
  • Political Science
  • Public Health
  • Public Policy
  • Sociology
or...explore another major of interest to you!

This major is offered in the College for Women only.

Curriculum

Required major courses
INDI 2222Building a Sustainable World2
LEAD 2202Leadership and Influence2
BIOL 1110Environmental Biology with Lab4
ECON 3300Environmental Economics and Policy4
PHIL 3100Environmental Ethics4
DSCI 1000Telling Stories with Data - Introduction to Data Visualization4
ECON 3650Cost-Benefit Analysis4
One internship or research course from one of the following subjects2-4
Biology
Data Science
Economics
Philosophy
Leadership
BIOL 4860WSenior Seminar4
or ENGL 4860W Senior Seminar: Humanities Capstone
or ECON 4850W Theory to Action
or HIST 4850W Senior Seminar: Humanities Capstone
Choose 12 credits from the following: 112
Introduction to Ecology with Lab
Algal Ecology in a Modern World
Biology of Microorganisms with Lab
Quantitative Analysis with Lab
Advanced Analytical Chemistry with Lab
Analyzing Social Issues with Data
Introduction to Machine Learning for Data Science
Quantitative Impact Evaluation: Applied Research Skills
Environmental Health
Leadership, Effective Teams, and Change Management
Applied Leadership Ethics
Global Sourcing
Sustainable Product Development
LEAD 3460
Leading within a Diverse World
Public Policy
Topics
Challenging Oppressions, Civic Engagement and Change
Social Movements-Social Change
SOCI XXXX
Environmental Racism
Total Credits42-44
1

Students are advised to check course prerequisites prior to selecting the courses they will take for this interdisciplinary major

Prerequisite Courses
ECON 1120Economics of Social Issues4
ECON 1090Statistical Analysis for Decision Making4
Total Credits8
Fall Term
CORE 1000WThe Reflective Woman4
ECON 1120Economics of Social Issues4
DSCI 1000Telling Stories with Data - Introduction to Data Visualization4
Spring Term
Art & Humanities Core course4
ECON 1090Statistical Analysis for Decision Making4
INDI 2222Building a Sustainable World2
BIOL 1110Environmental Biology with Lab4
Fall Term
Theology Core course
ECON 3300Environmental Economics and Policy4
LEAD 2202Leadership and Influence2
Spring Term
CORE 3990WGlobal Search for Justice 14
Major course4
Major course4
Fall Term
ECON 3650Cost-Benefit Analysis4
LEAD 4750Leadership Practicum2-4
Major course4
Spring Term
PHIL 3100Environmental Ethics4
BIOL 4860WSenior Seminar4
or ENGL 4860W Senior Seminar: Humanities Capstone
or ECON 4850
or HIST 4850W Senior Seminar: Humanities Capstone
Total Credits62-64
1

Students may want to consider taking a section of CORE 3990W that focuses on environmental justice or environmental sustainability.

Fall Term
CORE 1000WThe Reflective Woman4
ECON 1120Economics of Social Issues4
DSCI 1000Telling Stories with Data - Introduction to Data Visualization4
Spring Term
Arts & Humanities Core course4
ECON 1090Statistical Analysis for Decision Making4
BIOL 1110Environmental Biology with Lab4
Fall Term
Theology Core course
ECON 3650Cost-Benefit Analysis4
LEAD 2202Leadership and Influence2
Major course
Spring Term
CORE 3990WGlobal Search for Justice 14
PHIL 3100Environmental Ethics4
INDI 2222Building a Sustainable World2
Fall Term
ECON 3300Environmental Economics and Policy4
LEAD 4750Leadership Practicum2-4
Major course
Spring Term
Major course
BIOL 4860WSenior Seminar4
or ENGL 4860W Senior Seminar: Humanities Capstone
or ECON 4850
or HIST 4850W Senior Seminar: Humanities Capstone
Total Credits50-52
1

Students may want to consider taking a section of CORE 3990W that focuses on environmental justice or environmental sustainability.