Undergraduate Program in Sustainable Development Defining Sustainable Development Sustainable development is one of the most pressing challenges facing humanity. As the world’s population grows, we must develop new ways to meet our requirements for food, energy, water and other basic needs without undermining the planet’s natural systems. This challenge touches on a variety of issues, such as poverty alleviation, climate change, and food security, which are so intertwined that none can be viewed apart from the others.
The term “sustainable” refers to managing the world’s economy in a manner consistent with the continued healthy functioning of Earth’s ecosystems, oceans, atmosphere, and climate. In this context, “development” refers to continued social, political and economic progress aimed at improving the well-being of the global community, especially for the poorest people.
Achieving sustainable development requires systemic and integrated approaches that consider the complex interactions between the planet’s natural and social systems, while working at multiple levels of society, from the local to the global.
Columbia University has long worked at the forefront of sus- The program provides a unique experience, comprising classes tainable development issues through its research centers and specifically designed for sustainable development students graduate programs. More recently, the University began incor- and developed by experienced faculty and practitioners. The porating this work into its undergraduate degree programs. program provides students with a well-rounded, interdisciplinary The Earth Institute — in collaboration with Columbia College; education that is geared to the real and complex challenges of the School of General Studies; the School of International and sustainable development and our emerging understanding of Public Affairs; the Department of Earth and Environmental how to address them. Students will explore how to move toward Sciences; the Department of Ecology, Evolution and Environ- a trajectory of sustainability that will allow future generations to mental Biology; and the Department of Earth and Environmen- pursue further progress in human well-being without causing tal Engineering —offers a major and a special concentration in irreparable harm to the planet. Study abroad and internships sustainable development for students interested in studying are strongly encouraged, particularly as a basis for thesis research the complex issues of development as they relate to the inter- and to provide students with practical experience early in their actions between natural and social systems. professional development.
In 2007, the Earth Institute helped to create the special con- centration in sustainable development for undergraduate students. The concentration was designed as a cluster of specialized courses that complemented the expert training in existing dis- ciplinary majors at Columbia. The energy and interest that the special concentration generated from faculty and students foretold the need for a full major in sustainable development, which was launched in the fall of 2010. The Curriculum The Special Students will take courses within the VI. Capstone Workshop Concentration following framework for both the major The capstone experience provides stu- The special concentration in sustainable de- and special concentration: dents with the opportunity to apply con- cepts learned in the classroom to real velopment is not a stand-alone concentra- I. Sustainable Development Foundation life. Students meet with practitioners tion; it is intended to serve as a complement Three courses provide students with an and work as consultants with real-world to the disciplinary specialization and meth- understanding of the complex scientific, clients in need of sustainable solutions odological training inherent in a concentra- tion or major. In order to graduate, a student social and economic issues that underlie for specific problems. sustainable development. must complete a concentration or major in addition to the special concentration. II. Basic Disciplinary Foundation/ Natural Science/ Human Science The Major Special Concentration Curriculum Core courses in basic disciplines require A minimum of nine courses and a practi- students to develop a deeper knowledge One of the first programs of its kind in the cum are required, for a total of approxi- of the natural and social sciences that are United States, Columbia University’s un- mately 28 points to complete the special important to sustainable development. The dergraduate major in sustainable develop- concentration. Students who wish to com- plete the special concentration will work natural science courses cultivate knowl- ment is founded on the belief that students with their program adviser to select and edge in physics, chemistry, biology and/or must be trained in a variety of disciplines in sequence courses, but the general frame- environmental science, allowing students order to be effective leaders in the field of work will be structured as follows: to be scientifically literate in several core sustainable development. The interdisci- disciplines. Social science courses com- plinary major extends from the philosophi- I. Sustainable Development Foundation (3 courses) plement disciplinary foundations, allowing cal, ideological, and structural traditions of the students to develop an understanding the Columbia Core and addresses sustain- II. Natural Science Systems (1 course) of economic, political and demographic able development through the lens of inter- III. Human Science Systems (1 course) acting natural and social systems. Students topics in sustainable development. IV. Analysis and Solutions to Complex learn, for example, how to navigate com- Problems (2 courses) III. Analysis and Solutions to Complex plex public health and urbanization issues, V. Skills/Actions (1 course) Problems or how to apply analytical skills to develop VI. Practicum (1 practicum course) Coursework in Water, Energy, Food, Public improved water management strategies. Health, Climate Change, Natural Disasters Through these experiences with applied VII. Capstone Workshop (1 course) and Urbanization allow students to devel- problems and solutions, students take their Total Points ~ 28 op an expertise in critical thematic areas of first step toward addressing the broader PLEASE NOTE: For a complete list of courses sustainable development. challenges of sustainable development offered by semester, please visit currently faced by our global community. www.earth.columbia.edu/susdevundergrad. IV. Skills/Actions These courses equip students with the- Major Curriculum oretical foundations and practical skills A minimum of 15 courses and a practicum The Capstone (such as GIS, statistics and social sci- are required, for a total of approximately ence survey methods) that are in demand Workshop 47 points to complete the major. Students in the public, private and nonprofit sec- who wish to complete the major will work Through this workshop, using the com- tors, as well as in graduate education with their program adviser to select and bined skills gained in their classrooms, programs. sequence courses, but the general frame- students have the opportunity to work with V. Electives/Practicum work will be structured as follows: real-world clients and craft practical solu- tions to critical problems. They are required Elective courses allow students to take I. Sustainable Development Foundation to take this course in their senior year. Re- additional courses in the framework of (3 courses) cent projects have involved working with Analysis and Solutions to Complex Prob- II. Basic Disciplinary Foundation the Natural Resources Defense Council lems, and Skills/Actions, or to participate in (5 courses) to collect data on rainfall runoff and iden- the Senior Thesis Seminar. The Practicum III. Analysis and Solutions to Complex tify ways in which property owners could is a unique class that exposes students to Problems (2 courses) decrease the volume of untreated water the renowned research conducted at the IV. Skills/Actions (2 courses) entering rivers; creating course curriculum Earth Institute, and helps them understand V. Electives/Practicum on climate change for the NYC Urban Park its application to sustainability issues. (1 practicum and 2 elective courses) Rangers to promote the Natural Class- room program; and helping the Population VI. Capstone Workshop (1 course) Council to research the impact of flooding Total Points ~ 47 on women in Bangladesh.
Our Faculty Our Alumni Courses are taught by an expert faculty, including world-class Graduates of the program go on to work in public, private, and non- researchers in the fields of Earth science, engineering, and profit organizations, and many pursue graduate studies. Program environmental management, and renowned practitioners in graduates been employed by organizations such as the Natural fields ranging from environmental law to alternative energy Resources Defense Council, Boston Consulting Group, Booz & financing. For a list of faculty teaching in the program, please Company, Earthjustice; Clinton Global Initiative, USAID, ICF visit our website. International, Unilever; and Teach For America. Former students are also pursuing higher degrees in sustainable development, environ- mental law and public policy.
Our Students The Community Students in the program complement the major or special con- As one of the few undergraduate programs offered in sustainable centration with studies in other departments, ranging from development, the Columbia program is notable for its strong economics to chemistry. They come from diverse backgrounds, connections to the Earth Institute and key leaders in the field, bringing an array of perspectives on sustainability topics into such as Jeffrey D. Sachs, director of the Earth Institute. Students the program and building upon the knowledge learned in the take full advantage of these opportunities by attending lectures classroom through internships, field research, and cocurricular and career panels, becoming active in student organizations, activities. Many students are also involved in efforts dedicated and pursuing internship opportunities. An undergraduate lecture to creating a more sustainable campus, city, and world. Students series and fieldtrips allow students to learn about current issues in are active in groups such as NOM3, a student-run sustainable sustainability from practitioners. Fieldwork is an integral part of foods nonprofit catering company, serving Columbia University the academic experience and funding is provided for students and the Upper West Side; Columbia Eco Reps, a group of to undertake fieldwork off campus through the Global Fellows student employees that collaborate with Columbia’s Office of in Sustainable Development Program. Students are also able to Housing and Dining and the Office of Environmental Steward- participate in the Global Honors College, an international academic ship to provide peer-to-peer student resources for making the exchange program. The Summer Ecosystems Experience for campus more environmentally sustainable; and Consilience, a Undergraduates (SEE-U) program provides students with the global online publication dedicated to promoting an interdisciplin- opportunity to conduct fieldwork in unique natural settings and to ary dialogue on sustainable development. The Student Union participate in a combination of classroom lectures and lab work. for Sustainable Development (SUS-D) collaborates with the Students can apply this field/coursework in ecology and environ- program to strengthen student advocacy in campus adminis- mental sustainability for credit in the program. tration. To learn more about students in the program, please visit our website.
Through the Global Fellows in Sustainable Development Program, funding is provided for students to undertake fieldwork related to independent research or a senior thesis. To Declare To Learn More
Columbia College students who would like to declare the For more information on the major or the special concentration major or special concentration in sustainable development in sustainable development, please visit may do so by submitting a declaration form in person during earth.columbia.edu/susdevundergrad the spring semester of their sophomore year. General Stud- ies students may also declare their major or special concen- for the following forms and information: tration in the spring semester using the online declaration • Sample Course Schedules system. If you have any questions prior to making your • Opportunities for Students Outside the Classroom declaration, please feel free to contact the program in order • Information on How to Study Abroad to schedule a meeting. • Declaration Forms • Course Planning Form • Course Approval Form • Internship Substitution Form
Professor Stuart Gaffin, who teaches the Workshop in Sustainable Development, making the case for the widespread use of green roofs, like the one on the top of a Columbia building at 116th Street and Amsterdam Avenue. Photos: Eileen Barroso, Desmond Beirne, Photos: Eileen Barroso, Alan Orling program Contact
Program Directors Ruth DeFries Professor, Denning Family Professor of Sustainable Development Department of Ecology, Evolution and Environmental Biology
Jason Smerdon Lamont Associate Research Professor Lamont-Doherty Earth Observatory of Columbia University
Kevin Griffin Professor, Earth and Environmental Sciences and of Ecology, Evolution and Environmental Biology
Natalie Unwin-Kuruneri Associate Director of Education The Earth Institute, Columbia University 212-854-8536 [email protected]
Undergraduate Admissions Columbia College 212 Hamilton Hall 212-854-2522 [email protected]
General Studies 408 Lewisohn Hall 212-854-2772 [email protected]
earth.columbia.edu/susdevundergrad