U California Berkeley to Debut Energy Engineering Major
The University of California, Berkeley has announced a new energy engineering major beginning in fall 2012. The major will focus on energy generation and policy principles with classes in chemistry, mathematics, physics and engineering. Students will also be able to declare an energy engineering minor.
Iowa State U Creates Sustainability Minor
Iowa State University has launched a new minor in sustainability. The program includes two core classes with elective courses in many different majors including agronomy, food science and English.
U Vermont Launches Sustainable Campus Innovation Certificate
The University of Vermont has launched a new sustainable campus innovation certificate program that can be taken entirely online. The program will equip those working within higher education operations, administration and student leadership with the training to inspire and guide a green transformation across their campus and surrounding community. Participants will learn how to institute sustainable practices, drive environmental innovation to boost enrollment of eco-savvy students, and incorporate sustainability into the curriculum to encourage student participation and retention.
Bristol CC Partners with High School for Green Energy Curriculum
Bristol Community College (MA) has announced a pilot project with a local high school that will expose both high school and higher education students to sustainable and green energy technologies. With a combination of theory, experimentation and field trips to a solar farm and green energy plant, students will learn about wind energy, efficient lighting, brownfield redevelopment, city planning and transportation, urban agriculture, solar thermal design and greenhouse technology.
Lane CC Creates Watershed Science Technician Program
The Lane Community College (OR) Board of Education has approved a watershed science technician associate degree. The water conservation curriculum will provide career opportunities for students who previously only had the certificate option.
U Nevada Reno Launches Renewable Energy Certificate
The University of Nevada, Reno has announced a new online graduate certificate in renewable energy, beginning in the spring 2012 semester. The online, 12-credit certificate is designed for professionals including business staff and managers, practicing engineers, government regulators and others interested in developing knowledge in the renewable energy fields. The multi-disciplinary curriculum includes elements of engineering disciplines as well as science, business and policy/political science.
Bainbridge Graduate Institute Offers New Sustainable Programs
The Bainbridge Graduate Institute (WA) has announced three new certificate programs for working executives seeking to develop skills in the areas of the sustainable built environment, sustainable food and agriculture, and sustainable energy solutions. The new programs are expected to provide students with a deeper understanding of the sustainability landscape and further prepare them to offer smart and sustainable business solutions.
Illinois Central College Announces New Solar Technology Program
Illinois Central College has announced plans to offer courses in solar photovoltaic and solar thermal technology as part of a new energy-efficiency and renewable energy program. Working closely with local members of the International Brotherhood of Electrical Workers to craft the program, the college aims to train students to become certified to install and maintain solar panels.
Metro State College to Create Water Studies Minor
Metro State College (CO) has received an anonymous gift of $1 million to implement a minor in water studies. The program, which will begin in fall 2012, will enhance water stewardship on and beyond the campus by promoting the effective use of water resources. Classes will explore issues including urban waterway restoration, water law, hydro-philanthropy, conflict resolution, conservation and stream reclamation.
U Maryland Launches Sustainability Studies Minor
The University of Maryland has launched a new sustainability studies minor for students looking to learn about green practices and how to address issues including decreasing energy consumption and water runoff. Students can begin taking classes to complete the 15-credit minor this spring. The first introductory course is designed to familiarize students with the concept of sustainability and encourage them to examine global issues in the field.
U South Dakota Offers New Sustainability Degrees
The University of South Dakota has announced a new Bachelor of Science and a Bachelor of Arts in sustainability starting in fall 2012. The programs are designed to train students in wind energy, hydroelectric power, geothermal energy technologies, biofuels and green construction practices.
Southern Methodist U Offers Graduate Sustainability Degree
Southern Methodist University (TX) has announced a new graduate degree in sustainability and development. Debuting in January, the interdisciplinary program’s coursework will focus on sustainability-related topics from policy to design in both developed and developing worlds. The program will advance wise use of sustainable resources in urban development with the goal of creating and rebuilding economically and environmentally healthy cities.
U Utah Trustees Approve Peace Studies Major
The University of Utah’s Board of Trustees has approved a proposal for a new peace and conflicts studies major, which builds on an existing minor. If approved by the state Board of Regents, the major will offer 33 hours of class, ethnicity, race, gender, environment and religion curriculum.
Tennessee Tech Plans Sustainability Studies Degree
Tennessee Technical University has announced plans to offer an undergraduate degree in environmental and sustainability studies in fall 2012. The program will combine disciplines and courses already in existence including economics, engineering, sociology, biology and chemistry. Additional classes in environmental law are in development.
San Diego State U Launches Sustainability Degree Program
San Diego State University's (CA) College of Arts and Letters has announced a new bachelor's degree in sustainability that will launch in fall 2012. The new major will prepare students for careers in sustainable business, public policy, sustainability education and other fields.
SUNY Oswego Creates New Sustainability Minor
The State University of New York, Oswego has approved a new sustainability minor to provide students with greater knowledge and experience in environmental issues and the growing job market related to sustainability. Requirements include core courses in geology, economics and political science.
Yale U Students Perform 'Energy Blitz'
As part of an environmental studies course assignment, a group of students at Yale University (CT) recently performed an "Energy Blitz," monitoring outdoor light sources across campus over a 24-hour period. In addition to increasing student awareness and involvement in energy-related issues, the assignment aims to determine what changes can be made to the current outdoor lighting system to use less energy. Once the data is collected and analyzed, the students will present their findings to the Office of Facilities to implement energy saving measures.
Fanshawe College to Create Renewable Energy Technician Program
Fanshawe College (ON) has received a $405,000 donation to help kick-start a renewable energies technician program. Students will have an opportunity to receive hands-on training in the renewable energy industry. The program is set to launch in September 2012.
Rider U Creates New Sustainability Studies Minor
Rider University (NJ) has created a new sustainability studies minor that is designed to make sustainability approachable to students from all majors. The program includes a focus on experiential learning through field trips to the Rutgers EcoComplex and Fernwood Farm, a farm that practices community supported agriculture.
U Hawaii to Expand Sustainability Curriculum Offerings
The University of Hawaii has announced plans to expand its focus on sustainability and native Hawaiian studies. Eight new professors will be hired for the fall 2012 semester to focus on coastal civil engineering, coastal policy and community development, environmental economics, and native Hawaiian health and knowledge. The university aims to foster a campus-wide sustainability dialogue beyond its Natural Resources and Environmental Management departments.
U Notre Dame Creates Required Sustainability Seminar
The University of Notre Dame has created a mandatory seminar for first-year students titled "Contemporary Topics." The material, in comic strip and video format, is designed to engage students in sustainable energy and resource use topics through humor.
Arizona State U Creates Social Justice Graduate Degree
Arizona State University has created a new master's degree in social justice and human rights. The program will offer a non-governmental organization management track and a research track to prepare students for agency careers and doctoral programs in social sciences and law.
U California Davis Extension Launches Sustainability Curriculum
The University of California, Davis Extension has launched a new sustainability studies certificate program. The multidisciplinary collaboration combines aspects of green building, sustainable design and energy. Students will have the ability to take just one course, pursue a whole certificate or choose from a number of courses within a variety of programs.
Dickinson College Receives Grant for Environmental Asian Studies
Dickinson College (PA) has received a $50,000 grant from the Henry Luce Foundation’s Luce Initiative on Asian Studies and the Environment program. The program encourages innovative approaches to Asian studies through the lens of the environment and sustainable development. The college will use sustainability as a unifying theme to incorporate Asian content into academic courses and research.
Rochester Inst. of Tech Starts Global Sustainability Ed Exchange
The Rochester Institute of Technology (NY) has announced plans to share its model of sustainability education with institutions in five developing countries. By sharing curricula and supporting faculty exchanges and mentorships, the university aims to educate a global generation of scientists, engineers and businesspeople who can help find solutions to climate change, pollution and growing energy consumption.
Wellesley College Spearheads Inter-Campus Sustainability Cert.
Wellesley College has received a $55,000 grant from the Andrew W. Mellon Foundation to lead a collaboration among fellow Massachusetts institutions Babson College and Franklin W. Olin College of Engineering to launch an inter-campus certificate program in sustainability. The new program will include courses relating to human impact on the environment across the liberal arts and sciences, business and engineering curricula that will be offered on all three campuses.
San Diego State U Launches Sustainable Surf Tourism Program
San Diego State University (CA) has debuted a new nonprofit Center for Surf Research and sustainable surf tourism curriculum. The center will engage with the surf industry to create a research agenda, disseminate specialist knowledge and shape responsible global citizens.
Marylhurst U Debuts New Sustainable Business Programs
Marylhurst University (OR) has launched a new online undergraduate degree in sustainable business and online post-baccalaureate and post-graduate certificates in sustainable business. Students will gain relevant knowledge that is transferable to careers that implement sustainability across all business practices.
U New Hampshire Launches Corporate Sustainability Certificate
In partnership with New Hampshire Businesses for Social Responsibility, the University of New Hampshire has launched a professional certificate in corporate sustainability. The program will make its debut in October and is directed toward mid-level and senior professionals seeking to increase knowledge and functional skills in the practices and principles of corporate sustainability.
U Washington Introduces Green IT Certificate
The University of Washington's Professional & Continuing Education program has launched a new green IT certificate. The first course covers the basics of green computing and overall sustainability, the second focuses on managing the transition to green IT and the final course requires students to develop a compelling green IT roadmap for an enterprise.
Truman State U Offers Online Certificate Course in Sustainability
Truman State University (MO) has launched an online graduate certificate in sustainability and environmental studies. Designed in an interdisciplinary fashion, the coursework includes biology, political science, economics, geography and business perspectives.
Winona State U Creates Sustainability Minor
Winona State University (MN) has launched a minor in sustainability with the intention of connecting the study of sustainability with other academic areas. The new minor is the university’s first academic commitment to sustainability.
Washington State U Faculty Project Promotes Sustainability
Washington State University has created the Palouse Project, an initiative that brings together faculty from across campus to raise interest in sustainability education. The project will encourage faculty to apply locally inspired lessons to their classes and hold a monthly series, open to the community, that will feature interdisciplinary conversations about sustainability related to research and teaching.
Jefferson CC Offers Renewable Energy Management Certificate
Jefferson Community College (KY) has launched a renewable energy management certificate. The program is designed to serve students who want to enter into the alternative energy field and begin searching for employment options through the use of wind turbines and solar panels. The courses will also be offered to professionals who would like to further their growth in the renewable energy field. Five wind turbines and a solar panel have been installed on campus for the program.
New River CC Offers Solar Power Certification
New River Community College (VA) has been approved to offer the North American Board of Energy Practitioners Photovoltaic Entry Level Exam and will be able to offer solar power certification. The exam certifies basic knowledge for the application, design, installation and operation of grid-tied and stand-alone solar power systems. The exam will be an advantage for students participating in the college’s alternative energy career studies certificate. Within the certificate program, students study subjects such as electricity, industrial safety, wind turbine technology and photovoltaic energy systems. These subjects address many of the primary learning objectives for the exam.
Oakland U Creates Energy Management Program
Oakland University’s (CA) School of Business Management and School of Engineering and Computer Sciences have partnered to create an energy management certificate program that focuses on innovative means of reducing energy costs. Students in the six-week course will learn to better understand energy usage, implement cost- and energy-saving strategies, apply sustainable principles and practices, and acquire practical skills to evaluate efficient energy choices. The program is geared toward engineers and technicians; facility, maintenance and energy managers; design professionals; green sales representatives; architects, contractors and subcontractors; and any business professional or individual interested or involved in the green energy field.
U Alaska Fairbanks to Create Living Laboratory
The University of Alaska Fairbanks has announced plans for a Sustainable Village, a dormitory that will serve as a living laboratory for students to study renewable energy, graywater recycling and elements of hyper-efficient design. In partnership with the Cold Climate Housing Research Center, the first phase of the project will house 16 students who will also serve as researchers. The 60-acre village will emphasize local building materials and environmentally sound land use. A community garden, shared open space and network of footpaths will be integrated among the buildings. Village rental fees are expected to pay off the university's initial $1 million investment.
AP Reports on Growth of Sustainable Agriculture Curriculum
Graduate students studying sustainable and organic agriculture shouldn't have trouble finding jobs as the agriculture industry replaces aging farmers and farmers increasingly look to diversify their operations, according to a recent article by the Associated Press. A growing number of universities are offering courses, certificates or degree programs focused on organic and sustainable agriculture including Washington State University's online organic agriculture certificate and the University of California, Davis' new agriculture and food systems program debuting this fall. The article also mentions that some schools have shifted their focus from organic to sustainable agriculture, which takes into account global issues that are becoming increasingly important as food and agriculture is central to issues revolving around the environment, hunger and treatment of workers.
Southern Maine CC Debuts Sustainability Center, Curriculum
Southern Maine Community College is preparing to open the doors of its new Sustainability and Energy Alternatives Center. The center will be home to a new one-year building science and sustainability curriculum program for students and community members that includes energy auditing, building science, residential weatherization, renewable energy and introductory sustainability courses. The center, which received a $375,000 grant from Efficiency Maine and $100,000 from MaineHousing, will begin offering classes this fall.
U California Davis to Offer Sustainable Ag, Food Systems Degree
The University of California, Davis has announced that it will offer a new interdisciplinary sustainable agriculture and food systems major. The major will be designed to help students acquire the knowledge, skills and understanding needed to develop and work in more ecologically, economically and socially viable food and farming systems.
Kennebec Valley CC Opens Solar Tech Training Lab
Kennebec Valley Community College (ME) has opened a new solar heating and cooling lab on campus. The lab will be home to a solar technology training program to prepare participants from other community colleges, career and technical education centers, apprenticeship programs and private companies to be solar technology trainers. After the 40-hour course, the trainers will return to their respective areas and prepare their students for careers as solar energy installers. The U.S. Department of Energy chose the college as one of nine regional resource and training sites across the nation.
Illinois Central College to Provide Green Building Training
Illinois Central College has announced plans to offer a 12-week training course for green building professionals. The training will provide a comprehensive look at the design, construction and operation of green buildings and communities. Emphasis will be placed on the categories developed by the U.S. Green Building Council’s LEED program including sustainable sites, water efficiency, energy and atmosphere, materials and resources, indoor environmental quality, and innovation in design. The training is sponsored by the Green Workforce Alliance. Funding for the training is provided by a grant from the U.S. Department of Labor.
Santa Clara U Debuts Sustainable Energy Graduate Program
Santa Clara University’s (CA) School of Engineering has announced a new graduate degree in sustainable energy. Debuting this fall, the interdisciplinary program’s coursework will focus on societal responses to environmental problems, allowing graduate students to later pursue careers in energy management, smart grids, and energy generation and distribution. The program places a heavy reliance on project-based learning, case analyses and industrial practices. The master’s degree program is open to all students who have completed their bachelor’s in any engineering discipline.
U Maine Offers Renewable Energy Curriculum
The University of Maine has announced three new undergraduate minors in renewable energy. The renewable energy engineering minor will focus on the design and implementation of both existing and emerging technologies. The renewable energy science and technology minor will focus on electricity production, climate change and life cycle analysis, providing students with a foundation in renewable energy science, both in terms of generation and lasting environmental impacts. The renewable energy economics and policy minor will focus on the financial, ethical, political and legal considerations that constrain or enhance energy decisions, providing a conceptual understanding of energy science and detailed exposure to the varied impacts of energy systems. The College of Engineering is also designing a Master of Science in renewable energy engineering and the environment for deployment in fall 2012.
San Diego State U Students Assess Sustainability in the Dominican
San Diego State University students recently traveled to the Dominican Republic to complete research for a sustainability evaluation of the Punta Cana region as part of a four-week study abroad program on sustainable development. The students are developing a sustainability evaluation that will create benchmarks based on the United Nations Millennium Development Goals, and will be used to assess development in the region as the region applies for the United Nations Global Cities Compact Certification.
U Delaware Class Installs Green Roof
A University of Delaware professor and a group of chemical engineering students have created a green roof as a solution to their classroom building’s hot temperature. The idea bloomed on an especially hot day in 2008, when the temperature was 86 degrees inside and the construction outside was too noisy to open the window. The class treated it as an engineering problem and came up with a green roof as the solution. The roof contains 14,000 square feet of small sedums planted in trays with 4 to 8 inches of soil. The plants act as a natural heat shield, absorbing and deflecting the sun’s radiation. Recent temperature readings revealed that the plants cause the peak temperature of the roof to occur later in the day.
U Toledo Creates New Green Chemistry School
The University of Toledo (OH) has announced the creation of a new school that will teach students about green chemistry and engineering. The School for Green Chemistry and Engineering will focus on the need for sustainability with the design of products that use renewable raw materials and environmentally safe processes. The university is positioning itself to be a leader in teaching, researching and applying green chemistry and biomimicry, which is green chemistry and engineering that uses natural raw materials and processes that mimic nature and produce zero waste.
