SUNY College of Environmental Science and Forestry · Courses
SUS
23 courses with the subject SUS, each shown exactly as we captured it from the college's catalog, with every element we hold. Where the wording looks broken, that is our reading of the catalog, not the college's text.
SUS 205Sustainable Ecology3
During this course we will gain an understanding of many kinds of interactions, both biotic and abiotic, that regulate ecological population size and community structure. The overarching goal of this course is to be able to identify and characterize the diversity of non-human life, and to understand the patterns and processes that support this diversity. Students will learn the fundamental principles of ecology through studying a diverse mosaic of ecosystems, habitats, and species along elevation gradients, succession gradients, and geomorphic features. Online asynchronous only.
Online asynchronous. Experimental and developmental courses in new areas of sustainability management not covered in regularly scheduled courses. A detailed course description will be presented as the topic areas is identified and developed. Fall, Spring and Summer.
Online This course defines sustainability and sustainable development, introduces the United Nations Sustainable Development Goals and helps the student begin to understand the complex interactions between the environment, the economy, and society, and their implications for sustainable development. Fall, with Spring and Summer as needed Note: Enrollment in the Sustainability Management major, or permission of Sustainability Management program advisor, is required.
Online SUS 310: Human and Social Dimensions of Sustainability; Online; This course explores how social systems and systems of governance, individual and collective human behaviors, attitudes, values, and ethics influence sustainability. It considers examples of the forces and factors which SUNY ESF | 426 | Course Catalog
Online This course will expand on the interconnected nature of biophysical systems and cycles, and human dependence upon the sustainable use of resources in these systems. Our atmosphere, water, mineral, energy, and biological resources are all limited in ways which demand understanding and stewardship to sustain human and natural communities. Fall, with Spring and Summer as needed. Note: Enrollment in the Sustainability Management major, or permission of Sustainability Management program advisor, is required.
Online This course will introduce students to various types of metrics and analyses to assess sustainability outcomes/results. The course provides students with an overview of analytical methods and tools including spreadsheets and statistics. Specific examples of how these methods and tools are applied to sustainability solutions are included. Fall, with Spring and Summer as needed. Note: Enrollment in the Sustainability Management major, or permission of Sustainability Management program advisor, is required.
Online asynchronous. This course introduces students to many commonly used statistical tests that allow them to answer questions about the population with which they are working. Students will be able to estimate population values, determine if there have been significant changes to the variables you are studying, compare these population values between groups, and create models that will help you to track and predict changes within your population. Fall, with Spring and Summer as needed
Online Concepts of sustainable development, specifically focusing on the drivers of change and the roles and limitations of the private and governmental sectors in supporting sustainable alternatives. Spring, with Fall and Summer as needed. Note: Enrollment in the Sustainability Management major, or permission of Sustainability Management program advisor, is required.
An introduction to the basic concepts of photovoltaics including assessing energy load, photovoltaic function, on-grid design, and residential installation. Students will investigate integration of site design, financial planning, safety, building code, and electrical code. Successful participants should have a basic understanding of wiring and circuitry prior to starting the course. A capstone project includes design of PV system. Online asynchronous only.
Online SUS 350: Introduction to Spatial Analysis & Geographic Information Systems; Online; This course will introduce students to various types of spatial analyses, and provide students with an overview of GIS technology and applications, including the uses and limitations of geospatial data, remote sensing, and GIS software & associated tools. Specific examples of how GIS may be applied to sustainability solutions are included. Spring, with Fall and Summer as needed. Note: SUNY ESF | 427 | Course Catalog
Online. This course introduces essential concepts in conservation biology, focusing on a system that has created a global crisis for people, wildlife, and ecosystems. We will study the principles underlying older and newer approaches to conservation biology, as well as explore evidence that may illuminate when, and under what conditions, approaches to each may be successful. The paradigm is shifting towards the integration of human communities in the management and conservation of protected areas, and the valuation of ecosystem services. Innovative ways are needed to integrate human communities with conservation efforts, while adding value to ecosystem services. Through this lens we will assess the relationship of people and protected areas, investigate the role economics and politics plays in decision making, and debate the costs and benefits of a new paradigm shift away from traditional conservation. Fall, with Spring and
Online This course will introduce the basic science of climate change and the social, economic, and environmental implications of climate change. Students will compare climate model projections, and evaluate various climate adaptation and mitigation strategies in global, regional and local environments. Pre-requisites: SUS 330: Introduction to Sustainability Data Analysis or equivalent, or permission of program advisor Spring, with Fall and Summer as needed. Note: Enrollment in the Sustainability Management major, or permission of Sustainability Management program advisor, is required.
Online. This course provides an introduction to the basic principles of environmental economics. It seeks the application of economic theory and models to examine how environmental resources are managed, the way people make decisions that lead to environmental destruction and/or environmental improvements. Topics covered include the current state of the environment, economic incentives, market failures, economic valuation, environmental policy analysis in the United States and global environmental issues. Spring, with Fall and Summer as needed. Note: Enrollment in the Sustainability Management major, or permission of Sustainability Management program advisor is required.
This is a multidisciplinary course focus on LEED® (Leadership in Energy and Environmental Design) as the most widely used green building rating system in the world, and reviews its credit categories, prerequisites, requirements, total possible points, and four (4) levels of certifications. It will equip students to understand how different benchmarks and standards for green buildings have evolved over time and how they, as future green building leaders, can participate in that process. The course will use various materials including readings, videos, online discussions and case-based assignments to engage students in learning and provide opportunities for them to move from consumers to creators. Successful course completion can prepare the student for LEED Green Associate exam or becoming a LEED Accredited Professional. Online asynchronous only.
Online asynchronous. This course examines the social, economic, and environmental dimensions of sustainable agriculture and the emerging global challenges and constraints on modern (conventional) farming. Students examine farming systems and approaches worldwide to improve sustainability, including integrated crop management, conservation agriculture, organic farming, regenerative, and permaculture among others. The course emphasizes the principles and practices of sustainable agriculture and drivers and constraints affecting the adoption of ecologically based farming practices. Students assess agricultural operations concerning crops, animals, soil, and pest management. Spring, with Fall and Summer as needed
Online This course explores concepts and various technologies in sustainable energy production, consumption, storage, environmental and social impact, and explores the ways in which these relate to sustainability. Topics cover a wide range of energy systems, including nuclear, fossil fuels, wind, solar, biofuels, and biomass. Fall, with Spring and Summer as needed. Note: Enrollment in the Sustainability Management major, or permission of Sustainability Management program advisor, is required.
Online Every manager of a for-profit or not-for-profit organization must answer the question: "How do we use economic information to make better business and resource management decisions given a sustainability objective?" These decisions require identifying alternative means of achieving given sustainability and other objective(s) and then selecting the alternative that accomplishes the stated objective(s) in the most resource efficient manner given the goals of the organization. Pre-requisites: SUS 330: Introduction to Sustainability Data Analysis and an Introduction to Economics class, or permission of program advisor. Fall, with Spring and Summer as needed. Note: Enrollment in the Sustainability Management major, or permission of Sustainability Management program advisor, is required.
Online This course examines political, economic and social conditions that promote environmental inequality and explores the modern history of environmental exploitation of marginalized populations in the U.S. This course introduces students to the principles of environmental justice. Students will evaluate relevant environmental law and policy, examine SUNY ESF | 429 | Course Catalog
Online This course entails an analysis of civic engagement and participatory planning processes. Students will identify the purposes and best practices for empowering communities and organizations to participate in the informed design and management of sustainability projects and processes. Students will examine social theories and evaluate the dynamics, strategies and motivations of various stakeholders such as government institutions, public and private organizations, and individual participants. Students will apply skills and knowledge to create a planning process around a sustainability topic of their choice. Spring, with Fall and Summer as needed. Note: Enrollment in the Sustainability Management major, or permission of Sustainability Management program advisor, is required.
Online. Supervised office or field experience in a professional working environment. Students shall report their activities to their instructor on a weekly basis for the duration of the course. Fall, Spring, and Summer. Note: Enrollment in the sustainability management major and permission of Sustainability Management program coordinator are required. ESF FACULTY AND PROFESSIONAL STAFF Nasri Abdel-Aziz, (2001), Director, Math Program and Instructor, Environmental Studies, MS, Syracuse University, 2001 Neal M Abrams, (2007), Associate Professor, Associate Chair Chemistry, Chemistry, PHD, Pennsylvania State University-Main Campus, 2005 Aidan C Ackerman, (2018), Associate Professor 10 Months, Landscape Architecture, MLA, Harvard University, 2011 Ebby M Adukkalil, (2021), LSAMP Coordinator, Instruction and Graduate Studies, BA, Canisius College, 2001 Erica S Allen, (2023), Director of Counseling, Student Affairs, MS, SUNY College At Oswego, 2012 Shannon Allen, (), Instructional Support Technician, Environmental Health and Safety Office, SUNY ESF | 430 | Course Catalog
