The National Academy of Science defines sustainability sciences as "an emerging field...dealing with the interactions between natural and social systems, and with how those interactions affect the challenge of sustainability: meeting the needs of present and future generations while substantially reducing poverty and conserving the planet's life support systems.” The sustainability science major at the University of Iowa is built on an integrative curriculum, with coursework in the social, natural, and analytical disciplines, thereby providing students with the knowledge and skills needed to help build a more sustainable future in Iowa, the United States, and around the world. The program offers students relevant real-world experiences such as study abroad and community outreach, as well as an academically rigorous curriculum.
Learning Outcomes
Sustainability science graduates will be able to:
- understand the complex processes that connect humans to natural systems;
- analyze the potential impact of decisions given competing information, perceptions, and goals; and
- communicate the importance of sustainability science and management to leaders and the public.
The Bachelor of Science with a major in sustainability science requires a minimum of 120 s.h., including at least 68–71 s.h. of work for the major. Students must maintain a grade-point average of at least 2.00 for the major and in all UI courses for the major. They also must complete the College of Liberal Arts and Sciences GE CLAS Core. Transfer students must earn a minimum of 40 s.h. for the major in residence at the University of Iowa.
Sustainability science majors may earn a second major or minor in geography, environmental policy and planning, and environmental sciences, as well as other majors, minors, or certificates at the University of Iowa (except for the Certificate in Sustainability). Students may count a maximum of 6 s.h. completed for another major toward the sustainability science major, and may count a maximum of 3 s.h. toward a minor.
The BS with a major in sustainability science requires the following work.
| Requirements | Hours |
|---|---|
| Core Courses | 28-30 |
| Analytical Tools Courses | 14 |
| Communication Course | 2-3 |
| Equity/Ethics/Equality Course | 3 |
| Electives | 18 |
| Research/Internship Experience | 3 |
Core Courses
Core courses introduce students to key elements of sustainability science.
Sustainability Science
| Course # | Title | Hours |
|---|---|---|
| Both of these: | ||
| GEOG:2013/BUS:2013/SUST:2013/URP:2013 | Introduction to Sustainability | 3 |
| GEOG:3340 | Ecosystem Services | 3 |
| One of these: | ||
| GEOG:4200/SUST:4200 | Sustainability as a System Science | 3 |
| CBE:4410/CEE:4107 | Sustainable Systems | 3 |
Natural Systems
| Course # | Title | Hours |
|---|---|---|
| One of these: | ||
| CHEM:1070 | General Chemistry I | 3 |
| CHEM:1110 | Principles of Chemistry I | 4 |
| One of these: | ||
| EES:1085/ENVS:1085 | Fundamentals of Environmental Science | 4 |
| GEOG:1020 | The Global Environment | 3 |
| One of these: | ||
| GEOG:4470 | Ecological Climatology | 3 |
| BIOL:2673/ENVS:2673 | Ecology | 3 |
Human Systems
| Course # | Title | Hours |
|---|---|---|
| Both of these: | ||
| GEOG:2110/GHS:2110 | Eight Billion and Counting: Introduction to Population Dynamics | 3 |
| GEOG:3800 | Environmental Economics and Policy | 3 |
| One of these: | ||
| GEOG:4770/AFAM:4770/GHS:4770 | Environmental Justice | 3 |
| POLI:2417 | Comparative Environmental Policy | 3 |
Sustainability Sciences Seminar
| Course # | Title | Hours |
|---|---|---|
| This course: | ||
| A sustainability science seminar course (consult advisor) | 1 | |
Analytical Tools Courses
These courses address the solid analytical skills needed to address sustainability problems.
| Course # | Title | Hours |
|---|---|---|
| All of these: | ||
| GEOG:2050 | Foundations of GIS | 4 |
| STAT:2010 | Statistical Methods and Computing | 3 |
| STAT:3200/DATA:3200/IGPI:3200/ISE:3760 | Applied Linear Regression | 3 |
| One of these: | ||
| CS:1210 | Computer Science I: Fundamentals | 4 |
| CS:2110 | Programming for Informatics | 4 |
| MATH:1380 | Calculus and Matrix Algebra for Business | 4 |
| MATH:1460 | Calculus for the Biological Sciences | 4 |
Communication Course
| Course # | Title | Hours |
|---|---|---|
| At least one of these: | ||
| CNW:2730 | The Art and Craft of Science Writing | 3 |
| CNW:2740 | The Art and Craft of Writing about the Environment | 3 |
| CNW:3664 | Writing About Science | 3 |
| JMC:1800 | Twenty-first-Century Science: Environmental Communication in the Digital Age | 3 |
| JMC:3185 | Topics in Understanding Media | 3 |
| POLI:3107 | Writing in Political Science: Writing for "Science" and for "Politics" | 3 |
Equity/Ethics/Equality Course
| Course # | Title | Hours |
|---|---|---|
| At least one of these: | ||
| GEOG:4770/AFAM:4770/GHS:4770 | Environmental Justice | 3 |
| PHIL:2402 | Introduction to Ethics | 3 |
| SOC:1022/SSW:1022 | Social Justice and Social Welfare in the United States | 3 |
Electives
Elective coursework provides flexibility so that students can gain depth in an area of interest or continue to build a broad platform on which to build subsequent academic or professional careers.
Students cannot use an elective course to satisfy more than one requirement.
Students must select a minimum of 18 s.h. from the following, with at least 9 s.h. numbered above 3000. Students who seek to develop depth in an area may take up to 12 s.h. in a single focal area.
Natural Systems
| Course # | Title | Hours |
|---|---|---|
| GEOG:2374/BIOL:2374 | Biogeography | 3 |
| GEOG:3315 | Ecosystem Ecology | 3 |
| GEOG:3350 | Urban Ecology | 3 |
| GEOG:4010 | Field Methods in Physical Geography | 3 |
| BIOL:2673/ENVS:2673 | Ecology | 3 |
| ENVS:3095 | Field Ecology | 4 |
| Iowa Lakeside Lab courses (prefix IALL); approved by advisor | ||
Human Systems
| Course # | Title | Hours |
|---|---|---|
| GEOG:3300/GHS:3300 | Envisioning Future Worlds: Sustainable Development and Its Alternatives | 3 |
| GEOG:3780/GHS:3780/HIST:3240/POLI:3431 | U.S. Energy Policy in Global Context | 3 |
| GEOG:4750/URP:4750 | Environmental Impact Analysis | 3 |
| GEOG:4770/AFAM:4770/GHS:4770 | Environmental Justice | 3 |
| ANTH:2100 | Anthropology and Contemporary World Problems | 3 |
| ECON:3650 | Policy Analysis | 3 |
| ENTR:3700 | Sustainable Product Innovation and Management | 3 |
| POLI:2417 | Comparative Environmental Policy | 3 |
| URP:3001/GEOG:3920 | Planning Livable Cities | 3 |
Integrated Natural and Human Systems
| Course # | Title | Hours |
|---|---|---|
| GEOG:2930 | Water Resources | 3 |
| GEOG:2950 | Environmental Conservation | 4 |
| GEOG:3331 | Human Dimensions of Climate | 3 |
| GEOG:3760/GHS:3760 | Hazards and Society | 3 |
| GEOG:4310 | Climate Change | 3 |
| ANTH:2261 | Human Impacts on the Environment | 3 |
Analytical Methods and Decision Support
| Course # | Title | Hours |
|---|---|---|
| GEOG:3050/IGPI:3050 | Geospatial Programming | 3 |
| GEOG:3500/IGPI:3500 | Introduction to Environmental Remote Sensing | 3 |
| GEOG:3520/IGPI:3520 | GIS for Environmental Studies | 3 |
| GEOG:3540/IGPI:3540 | Geographic Visualization | 3 |
| GEOG:4150/GHS:4150/IGPI:4150 | Health and Environment: GIS Applications | 3 |
| GEOG:4580/IGPI:4581 | Introduction to Geographic Databases | 3 |
| BAIS:3005 | Information Systems | 2 |
| BAIS:3200 | Database Management | 3 |
| BAIS:3800 | Optimization and Simulation Modeling | 3 |
| CS:1110 | Introduction to Computer Science | 3 |
| CS:1210 | Computer Science I: Fundamentals | 4 |
| CS:2110 | Programming for Informatics | 4 |
| CS:2230 | Computer Science II: Data Structures | 4 |
| CS:3210 | Programming Languages and Tools | 3 |
| CS:4720/MATH:4820 | Optimization Techniques | 3 |
Research/Internship Experience
Students must complete a minimum of 3 s.h. for the research/internship experience requirement. They can fulfill this requirement through active participation in research with faculty, an internship at a public or private agency, or an honors thesis. Students can apply an additional 3 s.h. of research experience to their electives requirement.
Graduating with departmental honors and graduating with university honors are two opportunities available to high-achieving undergraduate students, each with specific and distinct requirements. Some students pursue both options while others pursue one or the other. Membership in the University of Iowa Honors Program is encouraged, though not required, to earn honors in the major.
Honors in the Major
Within the College of Liberal Arts and Sciences, each major develops its own requirements to achieve honors in the major. To graduate with honors, departmental honors students must maintain a cumulative University of Iowa grade-point average (GPA) of at least 3.33 and a GPA of at least 3.33 in all work for the major. They must be admitted to the department's honors program by the first semester of their senior year or earlier. Students also must complete 6 s.h. of research/internship credit, and successfully complete an honors thesis and presentation.
University of Iowa Honors Program
In addition to honors in the major, students have opportunities for honors study and activities through membership in the University of Iowa Honors Program. Visit Honors at Iowa to learn about the university's honors program.
Membership in the UI Honors Program is not required to earn honors in the sustainability science major.
The College of Liberal Arts and Sciences GE CLAS Core requirements provide students with a broad foundation of knowledge and a focused practice of transferable skills necessary for a lifetime of learning.
GE CLAS Core courses are particularly valuable for students making the transition into the University of Iowa. They help students understand the academic expectations of the College of Liberal Arts and Sciences while providing the knowledge and skills needed for more advanced work in the major.
All students in the College of Liberal Arts and Sciences who wish to earn an undergraduate degree—Bachelor of Arts (BA), Bachelor of Science (BS), Bachelor of Fine Arts (BFA), or Bachelor of Music (BM)—must complete the requirements of the GE CLAS Core.
GE CLAS Core Areas and Requirements
The GE CLAS Core has 11 required areas, grouped into three categories. Students must fulfill the requirements in each GE CLAS Core area. The requirements below are for students who entered the University of Iowa during summer 2023 or after. Students who entered during a previous semester are held to different requirements as indicated on a student's degree audit.
Communication and Literacy:
- Diversity and Inclusion: a minimum of 3 s.h.
- Interpretation of Literature: a minimum of 3 s.h.
- Rhetoric: a minimum of 4 s.h.
- World Languages: required credit varies by language (see "World Languages" below)
Sustainability:
Students complete this requirement by choosing an approved GE CLAS Core course that integrates Sustainability (with no additional semester hours) with a course from the Natural, Quantitative, and Social Sciences category or the Culture, Society, and the Arts category.
Natural, Quantitative, and Social Sciences:
- Natural Sciences: a minimum of 7 s.h.; must include one lab
- Quantitative or Formal Reasoning: a minimum of 3 s.h.
- Social Sciences: a minimum of 3 s.h.
Culture, Society, and the Arts:
- Historical Perspectives: a minimum of 3 s.h.
- International and Global Issues: a minimum of 3 s.h.
- Literary, Visual, and Performing Arts: a minimum of 3 s.h.
- Values and Culture: a minimum of 3 s.h.
Students may count transfer credit and/or credit by exam toward some GE CLAS Core requirements. See CLAS Core Policies for details regarding use of transfer credit, credit by exam, and other policies for how GE CLAS Core requirements may be fulfilled.
Communication and Literacy
Diversity and Inclusion
Courses in the Diversity and Inclusion area help to develop students’ recognition of their positions in an increasingly pluralistic world while fostering an understanding of social and cultural differences. Students reflect critically on their own social and cultural perspectives while increasing their ability to engage with people who have backgrounds or ideas different from their own. Students also explore the historical and structural bases of inequality and the benefits and challenges of diversity.
Transfer credit is not accepted for the Diversity and Inclusion requirement; students must complete this requirement with coursework taken at the University of Iowa.
All students must complete at least 3 s.h. of coursework in the Diversity and Inclusion area. The following courses are approved for the area.
| Course # | Title | Hours |
|---|---|---|
| AFAM:1020/AMST:1030 | Introduction to African American Culture | 3 |
| AFAM:1030 | Introduction to African American Society | 3 |
| AFAM:1130 | The History of African American Film | 3 |
| AFAM:1241/MUS:1741 | The Soundtrack of Black America | 3 |
| AFAM:2064/SOC:2064 | African American Families: Urban and Suburban | 3 |
| AFAM:2070/COMM:2069 | Black Television Culture | 3 |
| AFAM:2500 | Black Culture and Experience: Contemporary Issues | 3 |
| AMST:2025 | Diversity in American Culture | 3 |
| ANTH:2151/GWSS:2151/IS:2151 | Global Migration in the Contemporary World | 3 |
| ANTH:2165/AMST:2165/NAIS:2165 | Native Peoples of North America | 3 |
| ARTS:2100 | Printmaking and Politics of Protest | 3 |
| ASIA:2222/GWSS:2222/WLLC:2222 | Women in Premodern East Asian Literature | 3 |
| CCCC:2220 | Foundations of Critical Cultural Competence | 3 |
| CINE:1195 | Video Games and Identity | 3 |
| CINE:1625 | Race, Gender, and Sexuality on Screen | 3 |
| CLSA:1415 | Ancient Origins of Religious Conflict | 3 |
| CLSA:2620/RELS:2620 | Sex and the Bible | 3 |
| CLSA:2800 | Race and Ethnicity in the Ancient Mediterranean World | 3 |
| COMM:1168 | Music and Social Change | 3 |
| COMM:1898/LATS:1898 | Introduction to Latina/o/x Communication and Culture | 3 |
| DANC:2065 | Performing Power/Performing Protest: The Body, Identity, and the Image | 3 |
| DANC:2085 | Introduction to African Caribbean Dance Practices | 3 |
| DST:1101 | Introduction to Disability Studies | 3 |
| EDTL:2670 | Peacebuilding, Singing, and Writing in a Prison Choir | 3 |
| EDTL:4900 | Foundations of Special Education | 3 |
| EPLS:1240 | Finding Your Path in Higher Education | 3 |
| GRMN:2600 | Witch Hunts in Fact and Fiction: A Global History of Exclusion | 3-4 |
| GRMN:2620/WLLC:2620 | Anne Frank and Her Story | 3-4 |
| GRMN:2675 | The Politics of Memory: Holocaust, Genocide, and 9/11 | 3-4 |
| GWSS:1001 | Introduction to Gender, Women's, and Sexuality Studies | 3 |
| GWSS:1002 | Diversity and Power in the U.S. | 3 |
| HHP:1045 | Diversity and Inclusion in Healthy Living | 3 |
| HHP:2280 | Cultural Competency and Health | 3 |
| HIST:1040 | Diversity in History | 3 |
| HIST:2267/AFAM:2267 | African American History to 1877: From Slave Cabin to Senate Floor | 3 |
| HIST:2268/AFAM:2268 | African American History Since the Civil War | 3 |
| IS:2020 | World Events Today! | 3 |
| ITAL:2660 | The Italian American Experience | 3 |
| JMC:2500 | Community Media | 3 |
| JMC:2600 | Freedom of Expression | 3 |
| LATS:2280/HIST:2280 | Introduction to Latina/o/x Studies | 3 |
| LING:1070 | Language Attitudes: Is How You Sound How You Are Seen? | 3 |
| MATH:1210 | Diverse Perspectives in the Mathematical Sciences | 3 |
| NAIS:1290/AMST:1290/GHS:1290/HIST:1290 | Native American Foods and Foodways (GE status effective fall 2022; students with a first degree-seeking session of summer 2017 and beyond may use this course for the Diversity and Inclusion GE requirement) | 3 |
| PHIL:2425 | Sex, Marriage, Friendship, and the Law (GE status effective fall 2022; students with a first degree-seeking session of summer 2017 and beyond may use this course for the Diversity and Inclusion GE requirement) | 3 |
| POLI:1601 | Introduction to Social Media and Politics | 3 |
| POLI:1800 | Introduction to the Politics of Class and Inequality | 3 |
| POLI:1900 | Introduction to the Politics of Race | 3 |
| POLI:1950 | Introduction to the Politics of Religion | 3 |
| PSY:1501 | Everyone's a Little Bit Biased: The Science Behind Prejudice | 3 |
| RELS:1015 | Global Religious Conflict and Diversity | 3 |
| RELS:2000 | Engaging Religious Diversity for Leadership and Entrepreneurship (GE status effective fall 2022) | 3 |
| RELS:2330 | Wealth, Inequality, and Islam | 3 |
| RHET:2135/SJUS:2135 | Rhetorics of Diversity and Inclusion | 3 |
| SJUS:1001/GWSS:1003 | Introduction to Social Justice | 3 |
| SOC:1030 | Contemporary Social Problems | 3-4 |
| SOC:2830 | Race and Ethnicity | 3 |
| SPAN:2050 | Spanish in the United States | 3 |
| SPST:1074/AMST:1074/GWSS:1074 | Inequality in American Sport | 3 |
| THTR:2320 | Playwriting in a Global World | 3 |
| THTR:2405 | Staging Americans: U.S. Cultures Through Theatre and Performance | 3 |
| THTR:2605/EDTL:2963 | Monsters, Victims, and Villains: Changing Perceptions | 3 |
| TRNS:2000 | Translation and Global Society | 3 |
| WLLC:1200/DST:1200/GHS:1200/GRMN:1200 | Disabilities and Inclusion in Writing and Film Around the World | 3 |
| WLLC:2001/ASIA:2001/FREN:2010/RUSS:2001/TRNS:2001 | Global Science Fiction | 3 |
| WRIT:2100 | Writing and Community Outreach | 3 |
Interpretation of Literature
Courses in the Interpretation of Literature area focus on the major genres of literature (short and long fiction, nonfiction, poetry, and drama), improving students' abilities to read and analyze a variety of texts. Small group discussions in these courses challenge students to think critically, to share insights, and to listen thoughtfully to the arguments of others.
All students must complete at least 3 s.h. of coursework in the Interpretation of Literature area. The following courses are approved for the area.
| Course # | Title | Hours |
|---|---|---|
| CLSA:1200 | Interpretation of Ancient Literature | 3 |
| ENGL:1200 | The Interpretation of Literature | 3 |
| FREN:1005 | Texts and Contexts: French-Speaking World | 3 |
| FREN:1007 | Nature/Ecology French Philosophy and Fiction | 3 |
| WLLC:1510/ASIA:1510 | Ghost Stories and Tales of the Weird in Premodern Chinese Literature | 3 |
Rhetoric
Rhetoric courses develop speaking, writing, listening, and critical reading skills and build competence in research, analysis, and argumentation.
All entering first-year students are required to complete RHET:1030 Rhetoric. Because rhetorical skills lay the foundation for further study at the University, most students register for RHET:1030 during their first year at Iowa.
Students who must enroll in English as a Second Language (ESL) courses as determined by their English proficiency evaluation must complete all ESL courses before they may register for RHET:1030 Rhetoric.
Students who have transfer credit in composition, speech, and argumentation but have not been granted an AA degree must complete the equivalent of RHET:1030 Rhetoric and often must take RHET:1040 Writing and Reading or RHET:1060 Speaking and Reading in addition to their transfer courses in composition and/or speech.
Each entering student's degree audit shows the course(s) that must be completed in order to fulfill the Rhetoric requirement.
The following courses are approved for the Rhetoric area.
| Course # | Title | Hours |
|---|---|---|
| RHET:1030 | Rhetoric | 4-5 |
| RHET:1040 | Writing and Reading | 3 |
| RHET:1060 | Speaking and Reading | 3 |
Transfer of Credit for Rhetoric
Transfer students who have been granted an Associate of Arts (AA) degree from an Iowa or Illinois community college or Waldorf College in Iowa have satisfied the Rhetoric requirement.
Transfer credit for students without an AA degree is evaluated as follows:
- transfer students who have completed composition I, composition II, and speech at another institution have satisfied the GE CLAS Core Rhetoric requirement of RHET:1030 Rhetoric;
- transfer students who have completed only composition I must complete RHET:1030 Rhetoric at the University of Iowa;
- transfer students who have completed composition I and speech must complete RHET:1040 Writing and Reading at the University of Iowa;
- transfer students who have completed only speech must complete RHET:1040 Writing and Reading at the University of Iowa;
- transfer students who have completed composition I and II or only composition II must complete RHET:1060 Speaking and Reading at the University of Iowa;
- for transfer students who have completed any other course at another institution that may be equivalent to RHET:1030 Rhetoric, the University of Iowa Office of Admissions examines the content of the course and decides on equivalency based on the content of that course, conferring with the Department of Rhetoric on the correct equivalency, if necessary.
World Languages
GE CLAS Core courses in World Languages provide the practice of important communication skills in a second language as well as the knowledge of the cultures in which the language is spoken. This in-depth study allows students to better understand how languages as a whole function, encouraging students to learn more about their own first language, including how it creates both inclusion and diversity. To fulfill the GE CLAS Core requirement in World Languages, students may choose one of the following options:
- complete four years of a single world language in high school; or
- achieve the fourth level of proficiency in a world language by completing the appropriate sequence of courses offered at the University of Iowa; or
- achieve the fourth level of proficiency by completing appropriate courses at another college or university or through approved study abroad courses; or
- achieve an equivalent score on a related Advanced Placement, International Baccalaureate, or other approved college-level examination accepted by the University of Iowa and the College of Liberal Arts and Sciences (see Credit By Exam Options on the Office of Admissions website); or
- earn an equivalent score on both a UI written placement test and on a UI oral proficiency exam in a language taught at the University of Iowa (see World Languages Placement Test (WLPT) on the New Student Services website); or
- earn an equivalent score on a proficiency exam in a language that is not taught at the University of Iowa (see Proficiency Examinations for Languages Not Taught at UI on the College of Liberal Arts and Sciences website).
A fourth level of proficiency is equivalent to the successful completion of an intermediate II language course (or of a second-year second semester course, for example) as taught at the University of Iowa. Depending on a student's placement test results and the language taken, a student may need to take four semesters of a language, starting with a beginning course and ending with a second semester intermediate course. Other students may be able to start elsewhere in the language sequence and complete the GE World Language requirement by taking two or three courses. See "World Languages Placement Tests" under Placement Tests on the College of Liberal Arts and Sciences website.
Semester hours earned for these courses vary by language. Students should be sure to take the placement test for the language of interest and should be aware of the course sequence required to fulfill the GE requirement in World Languages for that particular language.
Once the World Languages requirement is completed, a student may earn up to an additional 8 s.h. of college credit while studying a world language. See Furthering Language Incentive Program (FLIP) on the College of Liberal Arts and Sciences website.
Students may use the following language course sequences to fulfill the World Languages requirement. To avoid duplication or regression, consult the appropriate language department before registering for courses.
American Sign Language
Courses in American Sign Language (ASL) are offered by the American Sign Language Program. The following sequence fulfills the GE CLAS Core World Languages requirement.
| Course # | Title | Hours |
|---|---|---|
| ASL:1001 | American Sign Language I | 4 |
| ASL:1002 | American Sign Language II | 4 |
| ASL:2001 | American Sign Language III | 4 |
| ASL:2002 | American Sign Language IV | 4 |
Students with previous knowledge of American Sign Language should consult the ASL program for placement.
Arabic
Courses in Arabic are offered by the Department of French and Italian. The following sequence fulfills the GE CLAS Core World Languages requirement.
| Course # | Title | Hours |
|---|---|---|
| ARAB:1001 | Elementary Modern Standard Arabic I | 5 |
| ARAB:1002 | Elementary Modern Standard Arabic II | 5 |
| ARAB:2001 | Intermediate Modern Standard Arabic I | 5 |
| ARAB:2002 | Intermediate Modern Standard Arabic II | 5 |
Students with previous knowledge of Arabic should consult the department for appropriate placement.
Chinese
Courses in Chinese are offered by the Department of Asian and Slavic Languages and Literatures. For students without previous knowledge of Chinese, the department recommends the following sequence to fulfill the GE CLAS Core World Languages requirement.
| Course # | Title | Hours |
|---|---|---|
| CHIN:1111 | First-Year Chinese: First Semester | 5 |
| CHIN:1112 | First-Year Chinese: Second Semester | 5 |
| CHIN:2101 | Second-Year Chinese: First Semester | 5 |
| CHIN:2102 | Second-Year Chinese: Second Semester | 5 |
Students may use varied combinations of Chinese language courses approved to fulfill the GE CLAS Core World Languages requirement. Heritage learners and students who have studied Chinese abroad may be able to fulfill the requirement by substituting CHIN:2103 Accelerated Second-Year Chinese: First Semester and CHIN:2104 Accelerated Second-Year Chinese: Second Semester for CHIN:2101 and CHIN:2102. Consult the department for more information.
French
Courses in French are offered by the Department of French and Italian. For students without previous knowledge of French, the department recommends the following sequence to fulfill the GE CLAS Core World Languages requirement.
| Course # | Title | Hours |
|---|---|---|
| FREN:1001 | Elementary French I | 5 |
| FREN:1002 | Elementary French II | 5 |
| FREN:2001 | Intermediate French I | 5 |
| FREN:2002 | Intermediate French II | 5 |
Students may use varied combinations of French language courses approved to fulfill the GE CLAS Core World Languages requirement. Those with previous knowledge of French may be able to fulfill the requirement by substituting FREN:1010 First-Year French Review for FREN:1001 and FREN:1002 in the sequence above. Some students may be evaluated as ready for FREN:2001 or FREN:2002. Consult the department for appropriate placement.
German
Courses in German are offered by the Department of German. For students without previous knowledge of German, the department recommends the following sequence to fulfill the GE CLAS Core World Languages requirement.
| Course # | Title | Hours |
|---|---|---|
| GRMN:1001 | Elementary German I | 4 |
| GRMN:1002 | Elementary German II | 4 |
| GRMN:2001 | Intermediate German I | 4 |
| GRMN:2002 | Intermediate German II | 4 |
Students may use varied combinations of German language courses approved to fulfill the GE CLAS Core World Languages requirement. Those with previous knowledge of German may be able to fulfill the requirement by substituting GRMN:1010 First-Year German Review for GRMN:1001 and GRMN:1002 in the sequence above. Some students may be evaluated as ready for GRMN:2001 or GRMN:2002. Consult the department for appropriate placement.
The department also offers GRMN:2020 Intensive Intermediate German, which may be appropriate for students with strong language learning abilities or experience. The intensive course may be combined with other courses to create other sequences that may be used to fulfill the GE CLAS Core World Languages requirement. Consult the department to identify an appropriate course sequence.
Greek
Courses in Greek are offered by the Department of Classics. Students without previous knowledge of Greek should fulfill the GE CLAS Core World Languages requirement with the following sequence.
| Course # | Title | Hours |
|---|---|---|
| CLSG:1001 | Classical and New Testament Greek I | 5 |
| CLSG:1002 | Classical and New Testament Greek II | 5 |
| CLSG:2001 | Second-Year Greek I | 3 |
| CLSG:2002 | Second-Year Greek II | 3 |
Students with previous knowledge of Greek should consult the department for appropriate placement.
Italian
Courses in Italian are offered by the Department of French and Italian. Students without previous knowledge of Italian should fulfill the GE CLAS Core World Languages requirement with the following sequence.
| Course # | Title | Hours |
|---|---|---|
| ITAL:1101 | Elementary Italian I | 5 |
| ITAL:1102 | Elementary Italian II | 5 |
| ITAL:2203 | Intermediate Italian I | 4 |
| ITAL:2204 | Intermediate Italian II | 4 |
Students with strong language learning abilities or a background in another Romance language may be able to complete the requirement by substituting ITAL:1103 Intensive Elementary Italian for ITAL:1101 and ITAL:1102 in the sequence above. Consult the department for appropriate placement.
Japanese
Courses in Japanese are offered by the Department of Asian and Slavic Languages and Literatures. For students without previous knowledge of Japanese, the department recommends the following sequence to fulfill the GE CLAS Core World Languages requirement.
| Course # | Title | Hours |
|---|---|---|
| JPNS:1001 | First-Year Japanese: First Semester | 5 |
| JPNS:1002 | First-Year Japanese: Second Semester | 5 |
| JPNS:2001 | Second-Year Japanese: First Semester | 5 |
| JPNS:2002 | Second-Year Japanese: Second Semester | 5 |
Students may use varied combinations of Japanese language courses approved to fulfill the GE CLAS Core World Languages requirement. Those with previous knowledge of Japanese should consult the department for appropriate placement.
Korean
Courses in Korean are offered by the Department of Asian and Slavic Languages and Literatures. For students without previous knowledge of Korean, the department recommends the following sequence to fulfill the GE CLAS Core World Languages requirement.
| Course # | Title | Hours |
|---|---|---|
| KORE:1101 | First-Year Korean: First Semester | 4 |
| KORE:1102 | First-Year Korean: Second Semester | 4 |
| KORE:2101 | Second-Year Korean: First Semester | 4 |
| KORE:2102 | Second-Year Korean: Second Semester | 4 |
Students with previous knowledge of Korean should consult the department for appropriate placement.
Latin
Courses in Latin are offered by the Department of Classics. Students without previous knowledge of Latin should fulfill the GE CLAS Core World Languages requirement with the following sequence. Students must take both CLSL:2001 and CLSL:2002 in order to fulfill the World Languages requirement. These courses require a similar knowledge of Latin, but one focuses on poetry and the other on prose. Other world languages permit a student to complete the last courses in the sequence to meet the GE CLAS Core requirement since the final course is more difficult than the previous ones. This is not true with the Latin sequence, and thus, both courses must be successfully completed.
| Course # | Title | Hours |
|---|---|---|
| CLSL:1001 | Elementary Latin I | 5 |
| CLSL:1002 | Elementary Latin II | 5 |
| CLSL:2001 | World of Cicero | 3 |
| CLSL:2002 | Golden Age of Roman Poetry | 3 |
Students with previous knowledge of Latin should consult the department for appropriate placement.
Portuguese
Courses in Portuguese are offered by the Department of Spanish and Portuguese. Two sequences in Portuguese are approved to fulfill the GE CLAS Core World Languages requirement. All courses are open to entering first-year students.
| Course # | Title | Hours |
|---|---|---|
| PORT:2000 | Accelerated Elementary Portuguese | 5 |
| PORT:2500 | Accelerated Intermediate Portuguese | 5 |
Students may also substitute PORT:2010 Elementary Portuguese I and PORT:2015 Elementary Portuguese II for PORT:2000 in the sequence above.
Students with previous knowledge of Portuguese should consult the department for appropriate placement.
Russian
Courses in Russian are offered by the Department of Asian and Slavic Languages and Literatures. Students without previous knowledge of Russian should fulfill the GE CLAS Core World Languages requirement with the following sequence.
| Course # | Title | Hours |
|---|---|---|
| RUSS:1111 | First-Year Russian I | 5 |
| RUSS:1112 | First-Year Russian II | 5 |
| RUSS:2111 | Second-Year Russian I | 4 |
| RUSS:2112 | Second-Year Russian II | 4 |
Students with previous knowledge of Russian should consult the department for appropriate placement.
Spanish
Courses in Spanish are offered by the Department of Spanish and Portuguese. For students without previous knowledge of Spanish, the department recommends the following sequence to fulfill the GE CLAS Core World Languages requirement.
| Course # | Title | Hours |
|---|---|---|
| SPAN:1001 | Elementary Spanish I | 4 |
| SPAN:1002 | Elementary Spanish II | 4 |
| SPAN:1501 | Intermediate Spanish I | 4 |
| SPAN:1502 | Intermediate Spanish II | 4 |
Students may use varied combinations of Spanish language courses to fulfill the GE CLAS Core World Languages requirement. Those with previous knowledge of Spanish may be able to fulfill the requirement by substituting SPAN:1003 Elementary Spanish Review for SPAN:1001 and SPAN:1002 in the sequence above.
The accelerated course SPAN:1503 Accelerated Intermediate Spanish, which combines SPAN:1501 and SPAN:1502, may be appropriate for some students.
The accelerated course SPAN:1505 Intermediate Spanish for Heritage Speakers may be appropriate for other students.
Students with previous knowledge of Spanish should take the language placement test in Spanish to help determine proper placement.
Swahili
Courses in Swahili are offered by the Department of French and Italian. The following sequence fulfills the GE CLAS Core World Languages requirement. Each of these courses is open to entering first-year students.
| Course # | Title | Hours |
|---|---|---|
| SWAH:1001 | Elementary Swahili I | 4 |
| SWAH:1002 | Elementary Swahili II | 4 |
| SWAH:2001 | Intermediate Swahili I | 4 |
| SWAH:2002 | Intermediate Swahili II | 4 |
Students with previous knowledge of Swahili should consult the department for appropriate placement.
Other Course Sequences
A student who successfully completes a four-semester world language sequence that has not been approved for the GE CLAS Core may have the sequence substituted for a proficiency test to fulfill the GE CLAS Core requirement.
Students who complete a world language sequence this way should notify the department that offers the sequence; the department will contact Graduation Analysis in the Office of the Registrar, which will update a student's degree audit to show fulfillment of the World Languages requirement.
Sustainability
Courses in the Sustainability area focus on identifying concepts and terminology associated with sustainability and systems-thinking, investigating the interconnectedness of human and natural systems, and evaluating how students’ own actions affect and are affected by society’s ability to meet sustainability goals. Students also investigate institutional and/or cultural processes or natural systems processes.
Sustainability learning outcomes are integrated with the outcomes for another GE CLAS Core area so that one approved course satisfies this requirement without adding semester hours. Students complete this requirement by choosing one of the following courses that have been approved for Sustainability and another GE CLAS Core area.
Sustainability and Natural Sciences
| Course # | Title | Hours |
|---|---|---|
| EES:1080/ENVS:1080 | Introduction to Environmental Science | 3-4 |
| EES:1085/ENVS:1085 | Fundamentals of Environmental Science | 4 |
| EES:1400 | Natural Disasters | 3 |
| GEOG:1020 | The Global Environment | 3 |
| GEOG:1030 | Our Digital Earth | 3 |
Sustainability and Social Sciences
| Course # | Title | Hours |
|---|---|---|
| ANTH:2261 | Human Impacts on the Environment | 3 |
| GEOG:2013/BUS:2013/SUST:2013/URP:2013 | Introduction to Sustainability | 3 |
| SOC:1040 | Energy, Sustainability, and Society | 3 |
| URP:2020/PBAF:2020 | Environment and Society: Sustainability, Policy, and Politics | 3 |
Sustainability and Historical Perspectives
| Course # | Title | Hours |
|---|---|---|
| EES:1115/ENVS:1115/GEOG:1115/HIST:1115 | The History of Oil | 3 |
Sustainability and International and Global Issues
| Course # | Title | Hours |
|---|---|---|
| GEOG:1070 | Contemporary Environmental Issues | 3 |
| POLI:1510 | International Politics of Environmental Issues | 3 |
| SPST:2170 | Sport and Globalization | 3 |
Sustainability and Literary, Visual, and Performing Arts
| Course # | Title | Hours |
|---|---|---|
| TDSN:2210 | Introduction to 3D Design | 3 |
Natural, Quantitative, and Social Sciences
Natural Sciences
Courses in the Natural Sciences area explore the scope and major concepts of a scientific discipline. Students learn the attitudes and practices of scientific investigators: logic, precision, experimentation, tentativeness, and objectivity. In courses with a laboratory component, students gain experience in the methods of scientific inquiry.
All students must complete at least 7 s.h. of coursework in the Natural Sciences area, including at least one natural science lab component. The following courses are approved for the area; courses with a lab component are noted "(lab)."
| Course # | Title | Hours |
|---|---|---|
| ANTH:1301 | Human Origins | 3 |
| ASTR:1060/BIOL:1060/EES:1060 | Big Ideas: Origins of the Universe, Earth, and Life | 3 |
| ASTR:1070 | Stars, Galaxies, and the Universe (with lab 4 s.h.; without lab 3 s.h.) | 3-4 |
| ASTR:1079 | Introductory Astronomy Laboratory (lab only) | 1 |
| ASTR:1080 | Exploration of the Solar System (lab) | 4 |
| ASTR:1085 | Citizen Astronomy | 3 |
| ASTR:1771 | Fundamental Astronomy I: The Solar System and Exoplanets (lab) | 4 |
| ASTR:1772 | Fundamental Astronomy II: Evolution of Stars, Galaxies, and the Universe (lab) | 4 |
| BIOL:1140 | Human Biology: Nonmajors (lab) | 4 |
| BIOL:1141 | Human Biology: Health Professions (lab) | 4 |
| BIOL:1251 | How the Brain Works (and Why it Doesn't) | 3-4 |
| BIOL:1260 | Plants and Human Affairs | 2-3 |
| BIOL:1261 | Introduction to Botany (lab) | 4 |
| BIOL:1370 | Understanding Evolution (formerly Ecology and Evolution) | 3 |
| BIOL:1411 | Foundations of Biology (lab) | 4 |
| BIOL:1412 | Diversity of Form and Function (lab) | 4 |
| BIOL:2120 | Good Genes Gone Bad: Genetic Disorders of Notable Celebrities | 3 |
| CHEM:1050 | Chemistry of Our World | 3 |
| CHEM:1060 | Technology and Society Laboratory (lab only) | 1 |
| CHEM:1070 | General Chemistry I | 3 |
| CHEM:1080 | General Chemistry II | 3 |
| CHEM:1100 | Chemistry in Industry and the Economy | 3 |
| CHEM:1110 | Principles of Chemistry I (lab) | 4 |
| CHEM:1120 | Principles of Chemistry II (lab) | 4 |
| CHEM:1160 | Principles of Chemistry Lab (lab only) | 2 |
| EES:1030/CEE:1030 | Introduction to Earth Science (with lab 4 s.h.; without lab 3 s.h.) | 3-4 |
| EES:1031/CEE:1031 | Introduction to Earth Science Laboratory (lab only; students must have previously completed EES:1030/CEE:1030 without the lab) | 1 |
| EES:1040 | Evolution and the History of Life (with lab 4 s.h.; without lab 3 s.h.) | 3-4 |
| EES:1050 | Introduction to Geology (lab) | 4 |
| EES:1070 | Age of Dinosaurs (lab) | 4 |
| EES:1080/ENVS:1080 | Introduction to Environmental Science (with lab 4 s.h.; without lab 3 s.h.; not for students who have taken EES:1085 or ENVS:1085) | 3-4 |
| EES:1081/ENVS:1081 | Introduction to Environmental Sciences Laboratory (lab only) | 1 |
| EES:1085/ENVS:1085 | Fundamentals of Environmental Science (lab; not for students who have taken EES:1080 or ENVS:1080) | 4 |
| EES:1290 | Energy and the Environment | 3 |
| EES:1400 | Natural Disasters | 3 |
| GEOG:1020 | The Global Environment | 3 |
| GEOG:1021 | The Global Environment Lab (lab only) | 1 |
| HHP:1100 | Human Anatomy | 3 |
| HHP:1110 | Human Anatomy Laboratory (lab only) | 1 |
| HHP:1300 | Fundamentals of Human Physiology | 3 |
| HHP:1400 | Human Anatomy and Physiology | 3 |
| HHP:2310 | Nutrition and Health | 3 |
| PCOL:2220 | Drug Use and Abuse | 3 |
| PHYS:1200 | Physics of Everyday Experience | 3 |
| PHYS:1400 | Basic Physics (with lab 4 s.h.; without lab 3 s.h.) | 3-4 |
| PHYS:1409 | Basic Physics Lab (lab only) | 1 |
| PHYS:1410 | Physics of Sound (with lab 4 s.h.; without lab 3 s.h.) | 3-4 |
| PHYS:1511 | College Physics I (lab) | 4 |
| PHYS:1512 | College Physics II (lab) | 4 |
| PHYS:1611 | Introductory Physics I (lab) | 4 |
| PHYS:1612 | Introductory Physics II (lab) | 4 |
| PHYS:1619 | Introductory Physics II Lab (lab only) | 1 |
| PHYS:1701 | Physics I (lab) | 4 |
| PHYS:1702 | Physics II (lab) | 4 |
Quantitative or Formal Reasoning
Courses in the Quantitative or Formal Reasoning area help develop analytical skills through the practice of quantitative or formal symbolic reasoning. Courses focus on presentation and evaluation of evidence and argument; understanding the use and misuse of data; and organization of information in quantitative or other formal symbolic systems, including those used in computer science, linguistics, mathematics, philosophy, and statistics.
All students must complete at least 3 s.h. of coursework in the Quantitative or Formal Reasoning area. Students also may fulfill this GE CLAS Core requirement by completing a course that lists an approved GE CLAS Core course as a prerequisite. The following courses are approved for the area.
| Course # | Title | Hours |
|---|---|---|
| COMM:1117 | Advocacy and Argument | 3 |
| CPH:1600 | Public Health Science: Inquiry and Investigation in Public Health | 3 |
| CS:1020 | Principles of Computing | 3 |
| CS:1110 | Introduction to Computer Science | 3 |
| CS:1210 | Computer Science I: Fundamentals | 4 |
| GEOG:1030 | Our Digital Earth | 3 |
| LING:1050 | Language and Formal Reasoning | 3 |
| MATH:1020 | Elementary Functions | 4 |
| MATH:1120 | Logic of Arithmetic | 4 |
| MATH:1250 | Mathematics for Arts and Humanities | 3 |
| MATH:1260 | PokeMath: The Mathematics of Pokemon Go | 3 |
| MATH:1340 | Mathematics for Business | 4 |
| MATH:1350 | Quantitative Reasoning for Business | 4 |
| MATH:1380 | Calculus and Matrix Algebra for Business | 4 |
| MATH:1440 | Mathematics for the Biological Sciences | 4 |
| MATH:1460 | Calculus for the Biological Sciences | 4 |
| MATH:1550 | Engineering Mathematics I: Single Variable Calculus | 4 |
| MATH:1850 | Calculus I | 4 |
| PHIL:1636 | Principles of Reasoning: Argument and Debate | 3 |
| POLI:1050/RELS:1050 | Big Ideas: Introduction to Information, Society, and Culture | 3 |
| POLI:1700 | Introduction to Political Analysis | 3 |
| PSY:2811 | Research Methods and Data Analysis in Psychology I | 3 |
| STAT:1010 | Statistics and Society | 3 |
| STAT:1015/DATA:1015 | Introduction to Data Science | 3 |
| STAT:1020/PSQF:1020 | Elementary Statistics and Inference | 3 |
| STAT:1030 | Statistics for Business | 4 |
| STAT:2010 | Statistical Methods and Computing | 3 |
Social Sciences
Courses in the Social Sciences area focus on human behavior and the institutions and social systems that shape and are shaped by that behavior. Courses provide an overview of one or more social science disciplines, their theories, and their methods.
All students must complete at least 3 s.h. of coursework in the Social Sciences area. The following courses are approved for the area.
| Course # | Title | Hours |
|---|---|---|
| ANTH:1101/IS:1101 | Cultural Anthropology | 3 |
| ANTH:1401 | Language, Culture, and Communication | 3 |
| ANTH:2100 | Anthropology and Contemporary World Problems | 3 |
| ANTH:2136 | Race, Place, and Power: Urban Anthropology | 3 |
| ANTH:2261 | Human Impacts on the Environment | 3 |
| ASP:1800/CSD:1800/NURS:1800/SSW:1800/TR:1800 | Aging Matters: Introduction to Gerontology | 3 |
| COMM:1170 | Communication Theory in Everyday Life | 3 |
| COMM:1174 | Media and Society | 3 |
| CPH:1400 | Fundamentals of Public Health | 3 |
| CRIM:1410 | Introduction to Criminology | 3 |
| CSD:3117/LING:3117 | Psychology of Language | 3 |
| CSD:3118/LING:3118 | Language Acquisition | 1-3 |
| ECON:1100 | Principles of Microeconomics | 4 |
| ECON:1200 | Principles of Macroeconomics | 4 |
| EDTL:2630 | Introduction to the Psychology of Music | 3 |
| GEOG:1090 | Globalization and Geographic Diversity | 3 |
| GEOG:2013/BUS:2013/SUST:2013/URP:2013 | Introduction to Sustainability (GE status effective summer 2022; students with a first degree-seeking session of summer 2011 and beyond may use this course for the Social Sciences GE requirement) | 3 |
| GEOG:2110/GHS:2110 | Eight Billion and Counting: Introduction to Population Dynamics | 3 |
| GEOG:2910 | The Global Economy | 3 |
| JMC:1100 | Introduction to Media Effects | 3 |
| LING:1010 | Language and Society | 3 |
| LING:1060 | Languages of the World | 3 |
| MUSM:3001/ANTH:3001/EDTL:3001/SIED:3001 | Introduction to Museum Studies | 3 |
| POLI:1100 | Introduction to American Politics | 3 |
| POLI:1200 | Introduction to Political Behavior | 3 |
| POLI:1300 | Introduction to Political Thought and Action | 3 |
| POLI:1400 | Introduction to Comparative Politics | 3 |
| POLI:1401 | Introduction to Russian Politics | 3 |
| POLI:1445 | Introduction to Asian Politics: China | 3 |
| POLI:1449 | Introduction to European Politics | 3 |
| POLI:1500 | Introduction to International Relations | 3 |
| POLI:1501 | Introduction to American Foreign Policy | 3 |
| POLI:1600 | Introduction to Political Communication | 3 |
| POLI:2415/LAS:2415 | Latin American Politics | 3 |
| PSQF:2115 | Introduction to Counseling Psychology | 3 |
| PSY:1001 | Elementary Psychology | 3 |
| PSY:2301 | Introduction to Clinical Psychology | 3 |
| PSY:2401 | Introduction to Developmental Science | 3 |
| PSY:2601 | Introduction to Cognitive Psychology | 3 |
| SOC:1010 | Introduction to Sociology | 3-4 |
| SOC:1040 | Energy, Sustainability, and Society | 3 |
| SOC:1220 | Principles of Social Psychology | 3-4 |
| TR:1070 | Perspectives on Leisure and Play | 3 |
| URP:2020/PBAF:2020 | Environment and Society: Sustainability, Policy, and Politics | 3 |
Culture, Society, and the Arts
Historical Perspectives
Courses in the Historical Perspectives area help students comprehend the historical processes of change and continuity; develop the ability to generalize, explain, and interpret historical change; and understand the past in its own terms.
All students must complete at least 3 s.h. of coursework in the Historical Perspectives area. The following courses are approved for the area.
| Course # | Title | Hours |
|---|---|---|
| ANTH:1201 | World Archaeology | 3 |
| ARTH:1010 | Art and Visual Culture | 3 |
| ARTH:1050 | From Cave Paintings to Cathedrals: Survey of Western Art I | 3 |
| ARTH:1060 | From Mona Lisa to Modernism: Survey of Western Art II | 3 |
| ARTH:1070 | Asian Art and Culture | 3 |
| ARTH:1090 | Earthly Paradises: A Global History of Gardens | 3 |
| ARTH:2320/CLSA:2226 | Ancient Art from the Great Pyramids of Egypt to the Colosseum in Rome | 3 |
| ARTH:2920 | Introduction to American Art | 3 |
| CLSA:1181/GHS:1181 | Ancient Medicine | 3 |
| CLSA:1830 | Greek Civilization | 3 |
| CLSA:1840 | Roman Civilization | 3 |
| EES:1115/ENVS:1115/GEOG:1115/HIST:1115 | The History of Oil | 3 |
| FREN:3120 | French Civilization | 3 |
| HIST:1010 | History Matters | 3 |
| HIST:1016 | The History That Made Our World | 3 |
| HIST:1101 | The Modern World | 3 |
| HIST:1261 | American History to 1877 | 3 |
| HIST:1262 | American History 1877-Present | 3 |
| HIST:1401 | The West and the World: Ancient | 3 |
| HIST:1402 | The West and the World: Medieval | 3 |
| HIST:1403 | The West and the World: Modern | 3 |
| HIST:1601/ASIA:1601 | Civilizations of Asia: China from Origins to the 17th Century | 3 |
| HIST:1602/ASIA:1602 | Civilizations of Asia: China from the 17th Century to the Present | 3 |
| HIST:1604/ASIA:1604 | Civilizations of Asia: Japan | 3-4 |
| HIST:1606/ASIA:1606/RELS:1606 | Civilizations of Asia: South Asia | 3-4 |
| HIST:1607/ASIA:1607 | Civilizations of Asia: Korea | 3-4 |
| HIST:2461/CLSA:2461/RELS:2361 | Middle East and Mediterranean: Alexander to Suleiman | 3 |
| HONR:1610 | Honors Seminar in Historical Perspectives | 3 |
| ITAL:2550 | Images of Modern Italy | 3-4 |
| JMC:1200 | Introduction to Media and Culture | 3 |
| JPNS:2127/ASIA:2127/CLSA:2127 | Global Manuscript Cultures | 3 |
| MUS:1303 | Roots, Rock, and Rap: A History of Popular Music | 3 |
| MUS:2301 | History of Western Music I | 3 |
| MUS:2302 | History of Western Music II | 3 |
| PHIL:1033 | The Meaning of Life | 3 |
| PHIL:1034 | Liberty and the Pursuit of Happiness | 3 |
| RELS:1001 | Judaism, Christianity, and Islam | 3 |
| RELS:1225/HIST:1025 | Medieval Religion and Culture | 3 |
| RELS:1250/HIST:1050 | Modern Religion and Culture | 3 |
| RELS:2930/COMM:2079 | Digital Media and Religion | 3 |
| RUSS:1531 | Slavic Folklore | 3 |
| RUSS:1532 | Traces of Ancient Russian Culture (IX-XVII Centuries): Vikings, Mongols, and Tsars | 3 |
| THTR:1400 | Theatre and Society: Ancients and Moderns | 3 |
| THTR:1401 | Theatre and Society: Romantics and Rebels | 3 |
| THTR:2410 | History of Theatre and Drama I | 3 |
| THTR:2411 | History of Theatre and Drama II | 3 |
| UICB:2190/ENGL:2901/HIST:2190 | The Book in Global History | 3 |
International and Global Issues
Courses in the International and Global Issues area focus predominantly on countries or issues outside the United States, encouraging students to understand contemporary issues from an international perspective. Students develop knowledge of one or more contemporary global or international issues, gain a greater awareness of varied international perspectives, and improve their skills of analysis and critical inquiry.
All students must complete at least 3 s.h. of coursework in the International and Global Issues area. The following courses are approved for the area.
| Course # | Title | Hours |
|---|---|---|
| ANTH:1046/GEOG:1046/GWSS:1046/SJUS:1046 | Environmental Politics in India | 3 |
| ANTH:2100 | Anthropology and Contemporary World Problems | 3 |
| ANTH:2136 | Race, Place, and Power: Urban Anthropology | 3 |
| ARTH:1040 | Arts of Africa | 3 |
| FREN:1006 | Global Sports and National Cultures | 3 |
| FREN:1510 | Cultural Misunderstandings: France and U.S.A. | 3 |
| GEOG:1060 | Geography of Asia: From Japan to Pakistan | 3 |
| GEOG:1070 | Contemporary Environmental Issues | 3 |
| GEOG:1090 | Globalization and Geographic Diversity | 3 |
| GEOG:2910 | The Global Economy | 3 |
| GHS:2000/ANTH:2103 | Introduction to Global Health Studies | 3 |
| GRMN:2720/HIST:2420 | Germany in the World | 3-4 |
| HIST:1016 | The History That Made Our World | 3 |
| HIST:1403 | The West and the World: Modern | 3 |
| HIST:1601/ASIA:1601 | Civilizations of Asia: China from Origins to the 17th Century | 3 |
| HIST:1602/ASIA:1602 | Civilizations of Asia: China from the 17th Century to the Present | 3 |
| HIST:1604/ASIA:1604 | Civilizations of Asia: Japan | 3-4 |
| HIST:1606/ASIA:1606/RELS:1606 | Civilizations of Asia: South Asia | 3-4 |
| HIST:1607/ASIA:1607 | Civilizations of Asia: Korea | 3-4 |
| IS:2000 | Introduction to International Studies | 3 |
| IS:2560 | Global Food Migrations | 3 |
| ITAL:2770 | The Mafia and the Movies | 3 |
| LING:1040/ANTH:1040 | Language Rights | 3 |
| POLI:1400 | Introduction to Comparative Politics | 3 |
| POLI:1401 | Introduction to Russian Politics | 3 |
| POLI:1445 | Introduction to Asian Politics: China | 3 |
| POLI:1449 | Introduction to European Politics | 3 |
| POLI:1500 | Introduction to International Relations | 3 |
| POLI:1501 | Introduction to American Foreign Policy | 3 |
| POLI:1510 | International Politics of Environmental Issues | 3 |
| POLI:2415/LAS:2415 | Latin American Politics | 3 |
| RELS:1130/HIST:1030 | Introduction to Islamic Civilization | 3 |
| RELS:2852/GWSS:2052 | Women in Islam and the Middle East | 3 |
| RUSS:1132 | Russia Today | 3 |
| RELS:2955/IS:2955 | Human Rights and Islam | 3 |
| RUSS:2050/WLLC:2050 | Women from an Unknown Land: The Fight for Independence | 3 |
| SPST:2170 | Sport and Globalization | 3 |
Literary, Visual, and Performing Arts
Courses in the Literary, Visual, and Performing Arts area provide students with opportunities to appreciate the arts and to analyze them within their historical and theoretical contexts. They also help students develop the analytic, expressive, and imaginative abilities necessary for understanding, appreciating, and creating art.
All students must complete at least 3 s.h. of coursework in the Literary, Visual, and Performing Arts area. The following courses are approved for the area.
| Course # | Title | Hours |
|---|---|---|
| AFAM:1240/MUS:1740 | The Art of Listening to Jazz | 3 |
| AMST:1800 | American Gothic: Film, Literature, and Popular Culture | 3 |
| ARTH:1010 | Art and Visual Culture | 3 |
| ARTH:1020 | Masterpieces: Art in Historical and Cultural Perspectives | 3 |
| ARTH:1030 | Themes in Global Art | 3 |
| ARTH:1040 | Arts of Africa | 3 |
| ARTH:1050 | From Cave Paintings to Cathedrals: Survey of Western Art I | 3 |
| ARTH:1060 | From Mona Lisa to Modernism: Survey of Western Art II | 3 |
| ARTH:1070 | Asian Art and Culture | 3 |
| ARTH:1095/NAIS:1095 | Native American Art | 3 |
| ARTH:2920 | Introduction to American Art | 3 |
| ARTS:1010 | Elements of Art | 3 |
| ARTS:1030 | Elements of Jewelry and Metal Arts | 3 |
| ARTS:1050 | Elements of Printmaking | 3 |
| ARTS:1080 | Elements of Sculpture | 3 |
| CERM:2010 | Ceramics I: Handbuilding | 3 |
| CHIN:1702 | Chinese Popular Culture | 3 |
| CINE:1100 | The Art of Smartphone Filmmaking | 3 |
| CINE:1602 | Introduction to Film Studies | 3 |
| CINE:1610 | Contemporary Cinema | 3 |
| CLSA:1010 | Hero, God, Mortal: Literature of Greece | 3 |
| CLSA:1020 | Love and Glory: The Literature of Rome | 3 |
| CLSA:1740/WRIT:1740 | Writing Strategies: Word Origins and Word Choice | 3 |
| CLSA:1809 | Ancient World on the Modern Screen | 3 |
| CLSA:2016 | Classical Mythology | 3 |
| CNW:1620 | Introduction to Creative Nonfiction | 3 |
| CW:1800 | Creative Writing Studio Workshop | 3 |
| DANC:1010 | Beginning Tap | 3 |
| DANC:1020 | Beginning Jazz | 3 |
| DANC:1025 | Beginning Hip Hop Dance | 3 |
| DANC:1030 | Beginning Ballet | 3 |
| DANC:1040 | Beginning Modern Dance | 3 |
| DANC:1110 | Continuing Tap | 3 |
| DANC:1120 | Continuing Jazz | 3 |
| DANC:1125 | Continuing Hip Hop Dance | 3 |
| DANC:1130 | Continuing Ballet | 3 |
| DANC:1140 | Continuing Modern Dance | 3 |
| DANC:2020 | Intermediate Jazz | 3 |
| DANC:2025 | Intermediate Hip Hop Dance | 3 |
| DANC:2029 | Intermediate Ballet for Nonmajors | 2 |
| DANC:2060 | Dance and Society in Global Contexts | 3 |
| EDTL:2122 | Creativity, Imagination, Play, and Human Development through the Arts | 3 |
| ENGL:1100 | City of Literature | 3 |
| FREN:4100 | French Cinema | 3-4 |
| GRMN:2275 | Scandinavian Crime Fiction | 3 |
| GRMN:2630 | German Cinema: Greatest Hits | 3-4 |
| GRMN:2666/WLLC:2666 | Pact with the Devil | 3 |
| GRMN:2785 | Cyborgs, Monsters, and the Uncanny | 3 |
| HONR:2992 | Classic Cult Cinema | 3 |
| ITAL:2440 | Italian Arts for International Success | 3 |
| MUS:1001 | Group Piano I: Non-Music Majors | 1 |
| MUS:1009 | Jazz Cultures in America and Abroad | 3 |
| MUS:1012 | Creativity in Music | 3 |
| MUS:1020 | Performance Instruction for Nonmajors | 1 |
| MUS:1066 | Introduction to Film Music | 3 |
| MUS:1301 | Concepts and Contexts of Western Music | 3 |
| MUS:1302 | Great Musicians | 3 |
| MUS:1310 | World Music | 3 |
| MUS:1720 | History of Jazz | 3 |
| MUS:1800 | World of the Beatles | 3 |
| MUS:2005 | Issues in Popular Music: Women Who Rock | 3 |
| MUS:2301 | History of Western Music I | 3 |
| MUS:2302 | History of Western Music II | 3 |
| MUS:2311/LAS:2311 | Music of Latin America and the Caribbean | 3 |
| PORT:2850/LAS:2850/SPAN:2850 | Brazilian Narrative in Translation | 3 |
| SCLP:2810 | Undergraduate Sculpture I | 3 |
| SPAN:1700/LATS:1700 | Latina/o/x Literature in the United States | 3 |
| SPAN:1800 | Writing and Writers from Latin America | 3 |
| TDSN:2210 | Introduction to 3D Design | 3 |
| THTR:1140 | Basic Acting | 3 |
| THTR:1400 | Theatre and Society: Ancients and Moderns | 3 |
| THTR:1401 | Theatre and Society: Romantics and Rebels | 3 |
| THTR:1412/DANC:1412 | The Arts in Performance | 3 |
| THTR:2301 | Playwriting I | 3 |
| THTR:2410 | History of Theatre and Drama I | 3 |
| THTR:2411 | History of Theatre and Drama II | 3 |
| TRNS:1240/CLSA:1040 | World Literature in Translation I | 3 |
| TRNS:1241 | World Literature: 1700 to Present | 3 |
Values and Culture
Courses in the Values and Culture area focus on how culture shapes the human experience and the role of values in society, with students asking fundamental questions regarding the human experience while exploring their own values and beliefs.
All students must complete at least 3 s.h. of coursework in the Values and Culture area. The following courses are approved for the area.
| Course # | Title | Hours |
|---|---|---|
| AMST:1010 | Understanding American Cultures | 3 |
| AMST:1154 | Food in America | 3 |
| AMST:2000 | Introduction to American Studies | 3 |
| ANTH:1101/IS:1101 | Cultural Anthropology | 3 |
| ARTH:1030 | Themes in Global Art | 3 |
| ARTH:1045 | Race and Art in America | 3 |
| ARTH:1095/NAIS:1095 | Native American Art | 3 |
| ARTS:2000/ASP:2000/EDTL:2000/RHET:2000 | Big Ideas: Creativity for a Lifetime | 3 |
| ASIA:2450 | India Beat: The Aesthetics and Politics of India Today | 3 |
| CHIN:1504 | Asian Humanities: China | 3 |
| CHIN:1800 | Chinese Calligraphy and Culture | 3 |
| CLSA:1340 | Magic in the Ancient World | 3 |
| CLSA:1875 | Ancient Sports and Leisure | 3 |
| CLSA:2016 | Classical Mythology | 3 |
| CLSA:2482/RELS:2182 | Ancient Mediterranean Religions | 3 |
| CLSA:2651/GWSS:2651 | Gender and Sexuality in the Ancient World | 3 |
| COMM:1174 | Media and Society | 3 |
| DANC:1150/LAS:1150 | Brazilian Culture and Carnival | 3 |
| EPLS:4180 | Human Relations for the Classroom Teacher | 3 |
| GRMN:2550/WLLC:2550 | Mardi Gras and More: Cultures of Carnival | 3-4 |
| GRMN:2618/WLLC:2618 | Film and Literature of the Holocaust | 3 |
| GWSS:1060/AMST:1060/ENGL:1410 | Sex and Popular Culture in America | 3 |
| HHP:2200 | Physical Activity and Health | 3 |
| HIST:1609/ASIA:1609 | India Now! Surveying the World's Largest Democracy | 3-4 |
| HIST:1708 | Civilizations of Africa | 3 |
| HONR:1670 | Values and Culture | 3 |
| ITAL:2550 | Images of Modern Italy | 3 |
| ITAL:2880 | Italian Food Culture | 3 |
| JMC:1500 | Introduction to Social Media | 3 |
| JPNS:1506 | Ghostly Japan | 3 |
| LATS:1700/SPAN:1700 | Latina/o/x Literature in the United States | 3 |
| LING:2900 | Language, Gender, and Sexuality | 3 |
| MUS:1009 | Jazz Cultures in America and Abroad | 3 |
| MUS:1720 | History of Jazz | 3 |
| MUS:2311/LAS:2311 | Music of Latin America and the Caribbean | 3 |
| NAIS:1049/AMST:1049/HIST:1049 | Introduction to Native American and Indigenous Studies | 3 |
| PHIL:1401 | Matters of Life and Death | 3 |
| PHIL:1861 | Introduction to Philosophy | 3 |
| PHIL:2402 | Introduction to Ethics | 3 |
| POLI:1300 | Introduction to Political Thought and Action | 3 |
| RELS:1070 | Introduction to the Hebrew Bible/Old Testament | 3 |
| RELS:1080 | Introduction to the New Testament | 3 |
| RELS:1130/HIST:1030 | Introduction to Islamic Civilization | 3 |
| RELS:1350/AFAM:1250 | Introduction to African American Religions | 3 |
| RELS:1404/ASIA:1040/HIST:1610 | Introduction to Asian Religions | 3 |
| RELS:1506/ASIA:1060/HIST:1612 | Introduction to Buddhism | 3 |
| RELS:1702 | Religion in America Today | 3 |
| RELS:1810 | Happiness in a Difficult World | 3 |
| RELS:1903 | Quest for Human Destiny | 3 |
| RELS:2852/GWSS:2052 | Women in Islam and the Middle East | 3 |
| RELS:2986 | Religion and Women | 3 |
| RHET:2070 | Persuasive Stories | 3 |
| RUSS:1082 | Youth Subcultures After Socialism | 3 |
| RUSS:1131/WLLC:1131 | Introduction to Russian Culture | 3 |
| RUSS:1132 | Russia Today | 3 |
| RUSS:1531 | Slavic Folklore | 3 |
| RUSS:1532 | Traces of Ancient Russian Culture (IX-XVII Centuries): Vikings, Mongols, and Tsars | 3 |
| RUSS:2100 | Russian Mindset: Sex, Business, and Politics | 3 |
| SOAS:1502/ASIA:1502/RELS:1502 | Asian Humanities: India | 3 |
| SOC:1310/GWSS:1310 | Gender and Society | 3 |
| SOC:2710 | The American Family | 3 |
| SOC:2810 | Social Inequality | 3 |
| SPAN:2901 | Diversity and Cultures in Spain | 3 |
| SRM:1070 | Recreation and Parks in the United States: Foundations and Impact | 3 |
| SRM:1072 | Leisure and the Liberal Arts | 3 |
| SSW:1022/SOC:1022 | Social Justice and Social Welfare in the United States | 3 |
| THTR:1411 | Comedy and Society | 3 |
| THTR:1412/DANC:1412 | The Arts in Performance | 3 |
In Iowa, challenges associated with water quality, habitat diversity, air quality, a changing climate, and struggling rural communities have been recognized for many years. At the same time, there are significant opportunities to have a positive impact on social, economic, and environmental goals through renewable energy, reconnection of the farm with the community, and the development of more sustainable urban infrastructure, among other ways. A knowledgeable workforce is needed to address such challenges as well as to capitalize on these related opportunities.
Sustainability science provides a solid foundation for careers in fields related to sustainability while giving students the needed preparation to continue their studies in professional or graduate programs. According to the Bureau of Labor Statistics, employment opportunities for individuals with training in the environmental area are projected to grow by 11% between the years 2014 and 2024, faster than the national average. Sustainability science provides entry into these and related careers, such as planning and public affairs (projected growth of 6%, as fast as average); conservation (projected growth of 7%, as fast as average); and geospatial technologies (projected growth of 29%, much faster than the national average).
Four-Year Graduation Plan
The following checkpoints list the minimum requirements students must complete by certain semesters in order to stay on the university's Four-Year Graduation Plan. Courses in the major are those required to complete the major; they may be offered by departments other than the major department.
Before the third semester begins: two core courses in the major.
Before the fifth semester begins: six courses in the major.
Before the seventh semester begins: 12 courses in the major and at least 90 s.h. earned toward the degree.
Before the eighth semester begins: 15 courses in the major.
During the eighth semester: enrollment in all remaining coursework in the major, all remaining GE CLAS Core courses, and a sufficient number of semester hours to graduate.
Sample Plan of Study
Sample plans represent one way to complete a program of study. Actual course selection and sequence will vary and should be discussed with an academic advisor. For additional sample plans, see MyUI.
Sustainability Science, BS
| Academic Career | ||
|---|---|---|
| Any Semester | Hours | |
| GE CLAS Core: Sustainability a | ||
| Hours | 0 | |
| First Year | ||
| Fall | ||
| CHEM:1110 or CHEM:1070 |
Principles of Chemistry I b, c or General Chemistry I |
3 - 4 |
| GEOG:2013 | Introduction to Sustainability | 3 |
| ENGL:1200 or RHET:1030 |
The Interpretation of Literature or Rhetoric |
3 - 4 |
| GE CLAS Core: Historical Perspectives d | 3 | |
| CSI:1600 | Success at Iowa | 2 |
| Hours | 14-16 | |
| Spring | ||
| GEOG:2050 | Foundations of GIS | 4 |
| GEOG:2110 | Eight Billion and Counting: Introduction to Population Dynamics b | 3 |
| ENGL:1200 or RHET:1030 |
The Interpretation of Literature or Rhetoric |
3 - 4 |
| GE CLAS Core: Values and Culture d | 3 | |
| Elective course e | 2 | |
| Hours | 15-16 | |
| Second Year | ||
| Fall | ||
| GEOG:1020 or EES:1085 |
The Global Environment b or Fundamentals of Environmental Science |
3 - 4 |
| STAT:2010 | Statistical Methods and Computing b | 3 |
| GE CLAS Core: Diversity and Inclusion d | 3 | |
| GE CLAS Core: World Languages First Level Proficiency or elective course f | 4 - 5 | |
| Elective course e | 2 | |
| Hours | 15-17 | |
| Spring | ||
| STAT:3200 | Applied Linear Regression | 3 |
| Major: communication course g | 2 - 3 | |
| Major: sustainability major elective h | 3 | |
| GE CLAS Core: International and Global Issues d | 3 | |
| GE CLAS Core: World Languages Second Level Proficiency or elective course f | 4 - 5 | |
| Hours | 15-17 | |
| Third Year | ||
| Fall | ||
| GEOG:3340 | Ecosystem Services | 3 |
| Major: equity/ethics/equality course i | 3 | |
| Major: additional computer science or calculus course j, k | 4 | |
| GE CLAS Core: Literary, Visual, and Performing Arts d | 3 | |
| GE CLAS Core: World Languages Third Level Proficiency or elective course f | 4 - 5 | |
| Hours | 17-18 | |
| Spring | ||
| GEOG:4200 or CBE:4410 |
Sustainability as a System Science or Sustainable Systems |
3 |
| GEOG:3800 | Environmental Economics and Policy | 3 |
| Major: sustainability major elective h | 3 | |
| Major: sustainability science seminar | 1 | |
| GE CLAS Core: World Languages Fourth Level Proficiency or elective course f | 4 - 5 | |
| Hours | 14-15 | |
| Fourth Year | ||
| Fall | ||
| POLI:2417 or GEOG:4770 |
Comparative Environmental Policy or Environmental Justice |
3 |
| Major: sustainability major elective h | 3 | |
| Major: sustainability major elective numbered above 3000 h | 3 | |
| Elective course e | 3 | |
| Elective course e | 3 | |
| Arrange research or internship placement | ||
| Hours | 15 | |
| Spring | ||
| BIOL:2673 or GEOG:4470 |
Ecology or Ecological Climatology |
3 |
| Major: sustainability major elective numbered above 3000 h | 3 | |
| Major: sustainability major elective numbered above 3000 h | 3 | |
| Major: Research or internship | 3 | |
| Elective course e | 3 | |
| Degree Application: apply on MyUI before deadline (typically in February for spring, September for fall) l | ||
| Hours | 15 | |
| Total Hours | 120-129 | |
- a
- Sustainability must be completed by choosing a course that has been approved for Sustainability AND for one of these General Education areas: Natural Sciences; Quantitative and Formal Reasoning; Social Sciences; Historical Perspectives; International and Global Issues; Literary, Visual, and Performing Arts; or Values and Culture.
- b
- Fulfills a major requirement and may fulfill a GE requirement.
- c
- Enrollment in chemistry courses requires completion of a placement exam.
- d
- GE CLAS Core courses may be completed in any order unless used as a prerequisite for another course. Students should consult with an advisor about the best sequencing of courses.
- e
- Students may use elective courses to earn credit towards the total s.h. required for graduation or to complete a double major, minors, or certificates.
- f
- Students who have completed four years of a single language in high school have satisfied the GE CLAS Core World Languages requirement. Enrollment in world languages courses requires a placement exam, unless enrolling in a first-semester-level course.
- g
- Choose from: CNW:2730, CNW:2740, CNW:3664, JMC:1800, JMC:3185, POLI:3107.
- h
- Elective coursework provides the flexibility so that students can gain depth in an area of interest or continue to build a broad platform on which to build subsequent academic or professional careers. Students cannot use an elective course to satisfy more than one requirement. Students must select a minimum of 18 s.h. from the list found in the catalog, with at least 9 s.h. numbered above 3000. Students who seek to develop depth in an area may take up to 12 s.h. in a single focal area.
- i
- Choose from: GEOG:4770, PHIL:2402, SOC:1022.
- j
- Choose from: CS:1210, CS:2110, MATH:1380, MATH:1460
- k
- Enrollment in math courses requires completion of a placement exam.
- l
- Please see Academic Calendar, Office of the Registrar website for current degree application deadlines. Students should apply for a degree for the session in which all requirements will be met. For any questions on appropriate timing, contact your academic advisor or Graduation Services.