Academics
Certificates
University Extension offers a Sustainable Development and Green Building Design professional certificate program. The program introduces the concepts and principles of sustainability through green building design, clean technologies, and innovative approaches to achieving the "triple bottom line" — economic, environmental and social sustainability. The curriculum addresses design and construction ranging from the micro- to the macro-environment as well as overarching subjects like economics and public policy.
Courses
The UCR class schedule is a good place for students to search for environment-themed courses offerings. These classes raise awareto issues affecting our environment. Search for Environmental Sciences under the Subject area. Below are a few examples of the classes offered at UCR.
Contemporary Issues in the Environmental Sciences (ENSC003 or ENSC003H)
This is an issue-oriented course for understanding the scientific principles behind environmental problems. Case studies of environmental issues are discussed.
Introduction to Environmental Economics (ENSC006)
This is an introduction to economics and their application to problems of environmental quality and natural resource use. It focuses on the failure of markets as a cause of environmental degradation and the failure of government in resolving resource scarcity.
Introductory Atmospheric Science (ENSC102)
This course discuses the structure of the atmosphere and the impact of humans on it, including the causes and consequences of air pollution, air quality standards, and stratospheric and tropospheric ozone. It introduces the chemistry of air pollution and control strategies.
Water Quality (ENSC142)
This course covers principles and practices of water pollution control, basic concepts of water quality management, and the chemistry and physics of water purification.
Research
There are several world-reknowned centers and institutes at UCR that promote sustainability concepts and principles.
Best Practices
A preliminary survey of UCR’s course offerings indicates that a range of environmental science and study topics are available to students. While there is some inherent uncertainty in identifying courses that address sustainability given the broad and interdisciplinary nature of the subject, the following courses directly address one or more of the following areas: environmental science, study or management; environmental quality; natural resource use; wildlife ecology or
management; environmental policy or law; or other directly-relevant environmental topic as related through the online course description.
Short-Term Goals
- Offer a student-run colloquium series on sustainability
- Offer a sustainability service-learning course
- Offer an Education for Sustainable Living Program course
- Pass The Green Initiative Fund (TGIF)
- Develop metrics for the Academics and Research focus area
- Enhance outreach on the UCR sustainability website
- Advertise sustainability courses on the UCR sustainability website
- Create an active California Student Sustainability Coalition (CSSC) chapter
- Create a Chancellor’s Committee on Sustainability (CCS) Student Internship Program
- Submit UCR as a spotlight campus with the Association for the Advancement of Sustainability in Higher Education (AASHE)
Intermediate Goals
- Develop an Environmental Literacy or Sustainability General Education graduation requirement
- Highlight sustainability issues through student-written publications
- Create an Environmental Chair in the Associated Students UCR (ASUCR) Senate
Long-Term Goals
- Have 100 percent of undergraduates take at least one sustainability-related course before graduating
- Inspire students in different areas of study to become involved in sustainability