Sustainability, Energy and Environment
The minor in Sustainability, Energy and the Environment (SEE) is a multidisciplinary effort to encourage students to explore complex societal sustainabilty issues that do not fit easily into one traditional academic discipline. The genesis of this program lies in the realization that a scientific and technical knowledge of environmental, ecological and energy system challenges will not be sufficient to develop viable answers. Many disciplines at the University make contributions to these issues, ranging from ethical, spiritual and artistic, to economic, political and sociological approaches. Students will be introduced to the minor through a seminar-style course, will take at a minimum two further team-taught and interdisciplinary courses, and will gain experience in interdisciplinary research.
Students desiring to minor in sustainability, energy and environment should notify the coordinator of sustainability, energy and environment.
Sustainability, Energy and Environment Advisory Committee
Robert Brecha (Physics), Coordinator
Cassiman (Social Work), Fouke (Philosophy), Hallinan (Mechanical Engineering), Jablonski (Marianist Environmental Education Center and Religious Studies), Kwon (Visual Arts), McEwan (Biology), Pautz (Political Science), Potter (English), Wu (Geology)
Minor in Sustainability, Energy and Environment (see)
| Sustainability, Energy and Environment | ||
| SEE 250 | Intr-Sustn Ergy&Envr | 3 |
| Select two or three core courses from: | 6-9 | |
| Cities and Energy | ||
| Cities and Suburbs | ||
or ASI 323 | Cities and Suburbs | |
or ASI 324 | Cities and Suburbs | |
| Glbl Chng&Erth Sys 1 | ||
| Constructns of Place | ||
| Select one depth option from: | 6 | |
| Sustnblty Research I and Sustnblty Resrch II 2 | ||
Two courses approved by SEE coordinator | ||
| Select one SEE depth course from above | 0-3 | |
| Total Hours | 18 | |
| 1 | Required for students not majoring in natural science. |
| 2 | SEE 477 and SEE 478 (Honors Thesis) may substitute for SEE 401 and SEE 402. |
Courses
SEE 250. Intr-Sustn Ergy&Envr. 3 Hours
INTRODUCTION TO SUSTAINABILITY, ENERGY AND THE ENVIRONMENT
- Emphasis on learning how to view complex issues from different disciplinary points of view, developing reading and critical thinking skills about current issues in sustainability, gaining an awareness of different ethical positions and how these influence the quest for solutions, and learning how scientific and sociopolitical processes work to investigate and address sustainability issues.
SEE 301. Glbl Chng&Erth Sys. 3 Hours
GLOBAL CHANGE AND EARTH SYSTEMS
- Multidisciplinary introduction to the science of the earth system. Focus is on the interrelatedness of geological, biological, chemical and physical processes, and on methods used to understand both the past natural history and potential future scenarios for change in the earth system.
Corequisite(s): BIO 101, SCI 230, or equivalent.
SEE 303. Constructns of Place. 3 Hours
CONSTRUCTIONS OF PLACE
- Multidisciplinary, arts-based course that explores the complex connections between our sense of place and the physical and environmental conditions that influence landscapes and communities.
SEE 401. Sustnblty Research I. 3 Hours
SUSTAINABILITY RESEARCH I
- Interdisciplinary exploration of the issues of sustainability. The scientific, moral, spiritual, social, political, historical, ethical and economic dimensions of sustainability will be explored. Will also provide exploration of the foundations of ethical theory and their application to environmental issues. Students will pursue a research project with the primary focus of sustainability on campus.
Prerequisite(s): PHL 103; completion of General Education Natural Science Requirements; junior or senior standing.
SEE 402. Sustnblty Resrch II. 3 Hours
SUSTAINABILITY RESEARCH II
- An interdisciplinary exploration of the issues of sustainability as they affect the Dayton community. Course will also explore political philosophy and the ethical foundations of public policy. Students will choose an in-depth community-based research project.
Prerequisite(s): PHL 103; completion of General Education Natural Science Requirements; junior or senior standing.
SEE 477. SEE-Honors Thesis. 3 Hours
SUSTAINABILITY, ENERGY AND ENVIRONMENT HONORS THESIS PROJECT
- First of two courses leading to the selection, design, investigation, and completion of an independent, original Honors Thesis project under the guidance of a faculty research advisor. Restricted to students in the University Honors Program with permission of the program director and department chairperson. Students pursuing an interdisciplinary thesis topic may register for three semester hours each in two separate disciplines in consultation with department chairpersons. Prerequisite(s): Approval of University Honors Program.
SEE 478. SEE-Honors Thesis. 3 Hours
SUSTAINABILITY, ENERGY AND ENVIRONMENT HONORS THESIS PROJECT
- Second of two courses leading to the selection, design, investigation, and completion of an independent, original Honors Thesis project under the guidance of a faculty research advisor. Restricted to students in the University Honors Program with permission of the program director and department chairperson. Students pursuing an interdisciplinary thesis topic may register for three semester hours each in two separate disciplines in consultation with department chairpersons. Prerequisite(s): Approved 477; approval of University Honors Program.
