Sustainability, BA

Introduction

The study of Sustainability is focused on the sociopolitical, economic, ethical, and scientific efforts that help bring human existence into balance with the natural world. We live on a planet under stress; and a degree in Sustainability helps prepare students to define a more just, verdant, healthy and environmentally-sound future. This challenge exists at the intersection of multiple fields of knowledge, including the natural sciences, social sciences, humanities and professional studies. Therefore, students in the Sustainability program are required to begin by developing a broad-based understanding, with early coursework in mathematics, physics, and chemistry, and core program courses in policy, economics, ecology, energy and applied technology.  

Students are prepared for a wide variety of career options, depending largely on their chosen area of concentration. Graduates define careers in a wide array of fields, including as field engineers in alternative energy, green building design consultants, non-profit management, environmental and energy education and advocacy, sustainable farming and food systems, and industrial sustainability and business. 

The Sustainability (SUST) program draws on the interdisciplinary strengths of the School of Natural Sciences and Mathematics that offers degree programs and courses in Environmental Science/Studies, Geology, Marine Science, Physics and Sustainability, as well as courses in other Schools including Political Science and Economics. The programs are described within the Bulletin in alphabetical order. The Environmental Science/Studies program offers a Bachelor of Science in Environmental Science and a Bachelor of Arts in Environmental Studies. The Geology program offers Bachelor of Arts and Bachelor of Science degrees. A related program, Sustainability provides a broader interdisciplinary approach, incorporating policy, ethics, economics, natural sciences, and technology.

The Sustainability Program

The Sustainability program offers a Bachelor of Science and a Bachelor of Arts degree. Each degree program has multiple possible concentrations of study; and every student is required to select a concentration. Students pursuing a BA may choose to focus their studies on public policy, advocacy, and sustainability planning with a concentration Policy and Economy or they may prepare for a career in the for-profit sector with a concentration in Sustainability Management. Students pursuing a BS can select a concentration in Agroecology, and focus their studies on sustainable farming practices, agroecology, and food systems. Or they may prepare for a career in building science, design and alternative energy with a concentration in Energy. Alternatively, students may also select a BS concentration in Policy, allowing a more in-depth and focused study in public policy and advocacy related to environmental sustainability and social justice. 

A related degree, the Professional Science Masters (PSM) in Environmental Science, is described elsewhere in the Bulletin. Students in the PSM can choose to focus their graduate studies in energy, allowing advanced applied energy training for students who did not select energy as their undergraduate concentration. Both the Sustainability and the Environmental Science degree programs offer exceptional students the option of completing a bachelor’s and a master’s Degree in five years under a BS/PSM dual-degree program. 

The Sustainability curriculum is innovative and engaging, providing students with both a rigorous and broad education in concepts and theory, as well as extensive hands-on training with the latest technology and practices. And, with a focus on community engagement and experiential learning, the program expects students to take what they learn in the classroom and apply it in communities and businesses across the state as they complete their studies. Each student completes several hands-on assignments, applied practical research projects, and an internship. 

Admission to the Program

The program is open to any student admitted to Stockton University. High school coursework in the sciences and mathematics is strongly recommended. Students transferring to Stockton in the junior year (64 credits) should consult with a Sustainability program preceptor as soon as possible to determine whether credits beyond the 128-credit minimum are necessary to earn a Sustainability degree. This is more likely if prospective transfers have not taken college biology, chemistry, and advanced math courses. Due to the sequential prerequisites in the sustainability curriculum, it is vital that prospective students speak to a Sustainability Program advisor as soon as possible, ideally prior to starting their first term at Stockton. Students seeking a nontraditional degree, or a second bachelor’s degree are also encouraged to apply, although it will not be possible to obtain the regular degree by taking courses only in the evenings. 

All interested students are welcome. Before students can begin most science courses as a Sustainability major, students must demonstrate math readiness in ONE of the following ways: 

• SAT Math score of 570 or above

• ACT Math score of 24 and above

• Transfer of college-level algebra course (or college-level Precalculus/Calculus)

• Advanced Algebra and Function (AAF) Accuplacer test score of 260 or higher (test available at Stockton free of charge) 

• Advanced Placement (AP) testing (refer to the AP credits policy)

• Successfully complete a sequence of math courses to become eligible to take Precalculus (MATH 1100) 

Stockton University stands ready to assist students without this math preparation to develop a strong math foundation with our introductory and intermediate courses in Mathematics. These math courses are in addition to the courses required to complete a degree in Sustainability and may require additional time for a student to complete their degree. A student with math preparatory needs may have to take math courses during summer to expedite progress toward the degree. 

Degrees Offered

Students can pursue either a B.A. or a B.S. in Sustainability. Both degrees require a series of courses in the natural and physical sciences, and both share similar core program courses. However, each option offers different opportunities for concentrations of study. 

Students in the B.A. degree can choose to concentrate in Policy and Economy, or they can focus their studies in Sustainability Management. The Policy and Economy concentration is ideal for students planning a career in public policy, planning, environmental advocacy, non-profits, sustainable development or law. The concentration in Sustainability Management will help train students to work in business and industry as sustainability professionals. 

Students pursuing a B.S. can choose among three concentrations: Energy, Agroecology, or Policy. The Energy concentration allows students to gain advanced training in alternative energy technology, high performance buildings, sustainable design, energy planning, and energy analysis and management. The Agroecology concentration is excellent science-based training for those interested in alternative food systems and sustainable agriculture. The Policy concentration offers a more scientifically-rigorous, policy-focused curriculum than the B.A. alternative, and is excellent preparation for those planning a career in natural resource stewardship, conservation advocacy, sustainable development, planning, and environmental law, as well as leadership and management in related businesses and industries. 

Courses

Sustainability program courses are designated with a SUST acronym. Because of the degree’s highly interdisciplinary nature, numerous core and concentration requirements are drawn from courses in other degree programs, including designated courses in environmental science, marine science, political science, physics and economics. Sustainability courses are numbered as follows: 1000 level is introductory, 2000 level is intermediate, 3000 and 4000 levels are advanced.

Cognate courses are those courses related to Sustainability and required as preparation for program courses, including courses in biology, chemistry, mathematics, and physics. 

Each student is required to complete General Studies requirements and At-Some-Distance courses. Courses outside of the sciences and mathematics that are unrelated to the student’s major are qualified as At-Some-Distance courses. This includes courses taken in history, philosophy, art, literature, or languages, for example. 

Graduation Requirements

The minimum requirement for the Bachelor of Arts (B.A.) in Sustainability is 64 credits of program and cognate courses. The Bachelor of Science (B.S.) degree requires a minimum of 80 credits in program and cognate courses. These program credits, in combination with the University’s General Studies requirements and At-Some-Distance (ASD) courses, constitute the minimum of 128 credits necessary for a Stockton degree. University’s General Studies course requirements include the G-course distribution (32 credits), W, Q and R course requirements and AHVI attributes. For details on General Studies requirements, visit the relevant section in this Bulletin. The ASD course requirement for the B.A. degree is 32 credits and for the B.S. degree is 16 credits. These courses are not directly related to the program and would include G-courses or courses from other programs. W, Q, R and AHVI requirements could be met via G-course requirements, program course requirements, or ASD course requirements. Courses should be chosen carefully with frequent guidance from preceptor, to meet graduation requirements and each student’s career goals. It is the student’s responsibility to ensure that all graduation requirements are met in a timely manner. 

In order to be able to graduate, a student must meet all University graduation requirements, including a minimum overall Grade Point Average (GPA) of 2.0. University requirements for graduation can also be found in the relevant section of this Bulletin. Special graduation requirements apply to transfer students as detailed in the relevant pages of this Bulletin. All Natural Sciences and Mathematics (NAMS) majors are required to meet a minimum overall GPA of 2.0 in all NAMS courses. In addition, a student must satisfy the Sustainability program course distribution requirements and have a minimum grade of C for all program and cognate core courses.  

Students are expected to meet prerequisites specified for each required course on the course catalog. Students with deficiencies in incoming preparation may need to take additional courses as prerequisites, which may or may not count toward the degree requirements. A transfer student who wishes to major in Sustainability should contact the Program Chair prior to registering for courses at Stockton. Some transfer students may take longer to fulfill degree requirements, particularly if they are deficient in the science background. Also, continuously maintaining good standing as a student, including academic achievements and code of conduct as per University requirements is imperative to the success of a student in any major. 

Graduation with Distinction

A degree with distinction in Sustainability will be awarded, as determined by Sustainability program faculty, to students who meet University criteria, achieve University honors, an A in Senior Synthesis and in Senior Project or Internship, and the recommendation of program faculty. 

Career Opportunities

The Sustainability program answers a growing demand by employers for professionals with specialized training in sustainability. As industry and businesses develop a greater interest in their green profile, and as alternative energy and conservation gain prominence, the need for sustainability professionals has grown sharply. This program will help students serve that pressing need. Graduates in Sustainability work across the spectrum, in public agencies, nonprofit organizations, industry, business, public advocacy, education and many other fields. In addition to the concentrations, a certificate in Energy Studies is offered. 

Preparation for Graduate Education

Some bachelor’s degree graduates attend graduate school immediately upon finishing their undergraduate degree and often are supported by teaching and research assistantships. Others attend graduate school while working or after a period of work experience. Graduate school can increase students’ professional options, salaries and opportunities for creative work. Students interested in graduate school are advised to talk to their preceptors early in their college careers. Graduate programs are highly variable and often have different requirements. In the sciences, these commonly include a semester or two of calculus, and two semesters of physics, biology, or chemistry, depending on the academic discipline of study. 

There is a growing interest in sustainability in higher education, exemplified by an expanding number of interdisciplinary research centers at the nation’s leading universities. Columbia University’s Earth Institute, the University of California’s Energy Institute, and MIT’s Environmental Research Council, are just a few of the multiple and diverse examples. These are joined by a rising number of graduate level programs in the sustainability field. Hence, the potential for Stockton graduates to continue graduate studies at some of the nation’s leading universities is high. Opportunities for professional graduate studies in design, planning, architecture, law and related areas are also very good. Increasing numbers of professional graduate programs are expanding and enriching their opportunities for advanced sustainability- related training. A major in sustainability could also be a desirable background for Law School-bound undergraduates. 

Energy Certificate Program

Energy Studies is an interdisciplinary program. This undergraduate certificate is appropriate for those who wish to develop expertise in energy production, technology, management and planning, or who desire experience in applied technology. It is designed to educate in the multifaceted problems associated with energy use in our society and to pose methods for possible solutions to problems. It can be completed by anyone, as a matriculated student or not. Upon the completion of the required courses, a certificate will be awarded. This certification program can also be completed as an integral curriculum for students pursuing a Professional Science Masters with a concentration in Energy Science. Upon completion of the concentration of study, the student will be awarded both a PSM degree and a certification in Energy Studies. 

The future need for energy expertise is clear. Energy prices and supplies have become a challenge, and will remain for the foreseeable future, a major concern for homeowners, businesses and industry. The majority of residential and commercial buildings in the United States are greatly energy-inefficient and will require upgrades over the next decade; and overall energy production and distribution in the U.S. will require significant changes, if we are to meet our future energy needs. As a result, the nation will require experts able to define these necessary changes and guide us to a sound energy future. There will be a demand for expertise in building energy use, design, and management. There will also be a need for energy planning to design community plans and shape energy policy at the local, state and national level. In addition, an understanding of energy and applied technology is an asset in many career fields from science and research to policymaking. 

The campus serves as a national model for some of the most promising options, including geothermal, photovoltaic solar electric and advanced aquifer thermal energy storage systems. This certificate program utilizes this opportunity to train students on leading-edge technology, with hands on experiential learning on alternative energy generation, as well as building and systems energy efficiency analysis. Our energy challenge is complex and involves scientific, technological, economical, and political components. Hence, the Energy Certificate program involves faculty from several programs across the University. 

Program Organization: The Energy Studies curriculum defines a series of courses that are taken in parallel with a students’ degree requirements in their major and leads to a certificate that will be awarded at graduation. Any Stockton student, regardless of major, who can meet the requirements detailed below will be fully eligible for certification. 

Career Opportunities: The Energy Certificate program will be of direct use to students pursuing careers in newly emerging fields, such as energy planning, energy conservation in buildings, alternative energy sources (e.g., wind and solar power) and other fields. 

The Energy Certificate program is also designed to give non-specialists an enhanced appreciation of how energy issues affect their own disciplines (e.g., economics, environmental science, marine science) and even their own immediate lives. Thus, it can provide non-specialists with an understanding of energy conservation in their homes and applied training in the use and potential of advanced energy technology. 

Full degree curriculum and transfer audits for the sustainability program can be explored using the Degree Works web based tool. Full details about the curriculum are accessible on the Sustainability website.