Program Overview
Prepare to address environmental, social, and economic challenges with a Bachelor of Arts or Bachelor of Science in Sustainability from the University of North Alabama. This undergraduate program helps students understand the complex relationships between Earth systems, climate, water, energy, food, waste, environmental justice, public policy, and human communities.
Why Choose This Program?
- Study sustainability from multiple perspectives. Students explore sustainable Earth systems, climate change, environmental systems, ecosystems, water resources, energy, food and agriculture, waste, and environmental justice.
- Build practical geoscience and GIS skills. Explore coursework in Digital Earth, Economic Geography, Remote Sensing, Geographic Information Systems, Occupational Safety and Health, World Politics, and Public Policy.
- Prepare for meaningful environmental careers. The Department of Geoscience states that the Sustainability degree prepares students to enter careers in sustainability in Earth sciences and other diverse areas.
Curriculum & Coursework
The BS in Sustainability requires 120 total credit hours. Students complete general education requirements, major core requirements in sustainability, prescribed supporting courses, and general electives as needed. A minor is not required for the Sustainability major. For students pursuing the BA degree, six hours of introductory foreign language are required.
Sample Courses:
- ES 146 Sustainable Earth
- ES 200 Climate Change
- ES 251 Environmental Systems
- ES 220 Sustainable Ecosystems
- ES 301 Water Resources
- ES 302 Energy
Learning Outcomes:
[UNA: Please confirm official undergraduate learning outcomes for the BA/BS in Sustainability.]
Career Paths & Outcomes
Sustainability graduates are prepared for careers in sustainability, environmental work, Earth sciences, public policy, GIS, planning, conservation, energy, agriculture, waste management, environmental justice, and related fields. This degree also supports students who plan to pursue future study in sustainability, Earth sciences, environmental science, public policy, urban or regional planning, or related disciplines.
Common Career Paths:
- Sustainability Coordinator
- Environmental Specialist
- Conservation or natural resources professional
- GIS or Geospatial Technician
- Environmental policy assistant
- Climate or resilience planning assistant
Admissions Requirements
- Admission to the University of North Alabama.
- Completion of applicable undergraduate student requirements.
- Completion of general education requirements, sustainability major core requirements, prescribed supporting courses, and general electives as needed.
- Completion of 120 total credit hours.
- For the BA degree, completion of six hours of introductory foreign language.
[UNA: Please confirm official undergraduate admissions requirements for the BA/BS in Sustainability.]
Student Experience
Sustainability students will study in UNA’s Department of Geoscience, where they can explore environmental systems, climate, ecosystems, water, energy, food and agriculture, waste, environmental justice, GIS, remote sensing, policy, and related topics. Students also benefit from UNA’s broader sustainability environment, including the Center for Sustainability, which promotes awareness and engagement around sustainability issues at local, state, national, and global scales.
Opportunities Include:
- Sustainability-focused coursework
- GIS and remote sensing coursework
- Topics in Earth Science
- Environmental justice coursework
- Water, energy, food, and waste systems coursework
Meet the Faculty
Dr. Emmanuel Ackom
Assistant Professor
eackom@una.edu
Mr. Matthew Balentine
Assistant Professor
mdbalentine@una.edu
Dr. Greg Buckley
Professor
gbuckley@una.edu
Dr. Jian Chen
Associate Professor
jchen18@una.edu
Dr. Mario Mighty
Associate Professor
mmighty@una.edu
Dr. Melissa Moore
Professor
mmmoore@una.edu
Dr. Michael Pretes
Professor
mjpretes@una.edu
Dr. Sunny Sim
Professor
ssim@una.edu
Dr. Kazi Ullah
Assistant Professor
kullah@una.edu
[UNA: Please confirm faculty copy, preferred featured faculty, and the correct primary contact or program advisor for Sustainability.]
