SUS - Sustainability Studies

SUS 101 Introduction to Sustainability

Prerequisites: None. This course introduces students to the concepts of sustainability science. It provides an overview of the history and principles of sustainability and then introduces the concepts of systems thinking to critically evaluate interactions among humans, societies, and nature.

Credits

3.0

Core

Scientific Thought-Non-Lab

Offered

Spring Semester

SUS 201 Sophomore Sustainability Seminar

Prerequisites: SUS 101 and MATH 112. This course is an introduction to the ways scientists approach and investigate problems in sustainability science, including experimental design and critical evaluation of published literature. Each semester the topic will vary according to instructor and student interest.

Credits

3.0

Offered

Fall Semester

SUS 301 Sustainable Energy Systems

Prerequisites: None. This course introduces students to the concepts of sustainability science. It provides an overview of the history and principles of sustainability and then introduces the concepts of systems thinking to critically evaluate interactions among humans, societies, and nature.

Credits

3.0

Offered

Spring Semester

SUS 302 Sustainable Watershed Management

Prerequisite: Completion of SUS 201 or concurrent enrollment. This course is designed to introduce students to watershed science, management, and sustainability concepts. The course will begin with an overview of watersheds and their ecology. It will also cover the chemical, biological, economic, and social factors that affect watersheds.

Credits

4.0

Offered

Spring Semester

SUS 303 Sustainable Food Systems

Prerequisite: Completion of SUS 201 or concurrent enrollment. This course will introduce the basic concepts and terminology of global, national, and local food systems. We will explore the history of our current food system, and students will use systems thinking to assess its environmental, social, and economic sustainability.

Credits

3.0

Offered

Spring Semester

SUS 310 Experiential Rotation in Sustainability

Prerequisites: SUS 301, SUS 302, SUS 303This class is a lab-driven study of theory and practice in all sustainability program focus areas, allowing students to develop facility with fundamental techniques. The team-taught course is composed of three, five-week rotations conducted in lecture/lab format.

Credits

4.0

Offered

Fall Semester

SUS 315 Community-Based Food Systems

Prerequisite: SUS 303. Combining lecture with a lab, students will investigate the theory as well as the practical tools to implement sustainable community-based food systems. We will discuss local food policy and the role of food sovereignty and food justice in community-based solutions.

Credits

4.0

Offered

Fall Semester (Even Years)

SUS 320 Biotechnology of Food and Fuels

Prerequisite: SUS 301 and SUS 303This course is designed to give an overview of the biotech industry and to teach the scientific principles that apply to the numerous biotechnology sectors. The intersection of biology and technology will be emphasized in the context of foods, biomolecules and biofuels.

Credits

3.0

Offered

Spring Semester (Odd Years)

SUS 325 Agroecology

Prerequisite: BIOL 201 or ENSP 300This course introduces students to agricultural systems from an ecological perspective, exploring the interplay between abiotic and biotic factors which drive the successes and failures in crop production.

Credits

4.0

Offered

Fall Semester (Odd Years)

SUS 375 Independent Study in Sustainability

Prerequisite: Permission of the instructor. Laboratory, library or field investigation of a sustainability issue. Selection of topic, preparation of study plan and evaluations of results are guided by means of weekly conferences with the instructor.

Credits

1.0 - 3.0

Offered

Both Semesters and Summer

SUS 399 Internship in Sustainability

Prerequisites:College-wide Internship Requirements and Permission of Sustainability Director. Students work at off-campus sites with organizations concerned with issues of sustainability. These may be, but are not limited to, government agencies; legislators; or nongovernmental organizations at local, state, regional and national levels. Grading is S/U.

Credits

3.0 - 15.0

Offered

Both Semesters and Summer

SUS 410 Bioengineering for Sustainability

Prerequisite: SUS 320This course will provide an introduction to the use of enzymatic and microbial reactions in the production of desirable foods, beverages, biofuels and other bio-products.

Credits

4.0

Offered

Fall Semester (Odd Years)

SUS 415 Urban Agriculture

Prerequisites: Completion of SUS 325 or concurrent enrollment. This course provides a solid foundation in sustainable urban agriculture and the community building process. Students will gain hands-on experience working with organizations within the Frederick Food Security Network who have, or will be installing, an urban garden.

Credits

4.0

Offered

Fall Semester (Odd Years)

SUS 499 Departmental Honors in Sustainability

Prerequisite: By invitation of the Biology Department. 
A department honors paper is a two-semester senior-year program designed for students who wish to pursue intensive research or special projects. Students doing departmental honors in sustainability will also present a poster during the departmental poster session spring semester.

Credits

6.0

Offered

Year Long