Case Western Reserve University
AC-2: Learning Outcomes

The CWRU adopts Strategic Plan (found at https://case.edu/thinkbig/ ) with the theme of "Think Big" which focuses on "aspiring to be a community where humanity, science and technology meet to create a just and thriving world."
The plan has four pathways - Ignite Interdisciplinarity, Integrate Humanity and Technology, Achieve Social Impact, and Shape the Agora. Specifically in the third pathway, CWRU fosters social good through robust engagement of undergraduate and graduate students, faculty, staff and alumni with the local and global community.
Special attention is given to improving the mental, physical, legal, environmental, and financial health. A list of outcomes are highlighted, such as reducing rates of infant mortality, opioid abuse, hypertension and other negative health indicators, decreasing poverty, inequality, environmental threats and structural racism, connecting surrounding communities to CWRU educational programs and research innovations, etc. (found at https://case.edu/thinkbig/social-impact ) CWRU is committed to all facets of sustainability.

This strategic plan also impacts each division, course and school on an institution level.
CWRU has 8 schools/colleges, namely Case School of Engineering, College of Arts and Sciences, Frances Payne Bolton School of Nursing, Jack, Joseph and Morton Mandel School of Applied Social Science, School of Dental Medicine, School of Law, School of Medicine, and Weatherhead School of Management. Each school/college has their own sustainability-focused learning outcomes, academic programs, and admit their own students. Therefore, we list the institution level sustainability learning outcomes by each of the schools and by the university.
Case School of Engineering (https://engineering.case.edu/about) supports 2,853 students within the school to conduct collaborative research and experimental learning to solve urgent problems with a total revenue of $107 M (FY2022).
- The research-intensive culture encourages students to make our world more sustainable in smart and secure ways while conducting research on the leading edge.
- Energy and Sustainability is one of the eight research strength of Case School of Engineering. The Great Lakes Energy Institute (GLEI) aims to catalyze breakthroughs in energy sustainability that address the most pressing problems facing our world. GLEI empowers our faculty, students and partners to expand knowledge, deepen understanding, and create innovative and sustainable energy solutions. The institute drives breakthroughs in 1) iron-based flow battery, 2) self-powered building sensor, 3) rare-earth substitute for magnets, 4) plasma-injector for turbines, 5) solar performance insight, 6) energy dashboard for grid, 7) lightweight, reliable capacitor, etc. Learn more on https://engineering.case.edu/research/institutes/great-lakes-energy/about-great-lakes-energy.
- At CWRU, energy and sustainability transcends Science and Engineering. Linkages stretch into the Weatherhead School of Management, as well as the Schools of Law and Medicine. Built on historical strengths in fundamentals – from materials and electrochemistry to controls and finance – Case Western Reserve’s energy research unites disciplines. In terms of scope, the University’s energy research stretches from generation through transmission, distribution, control, sale, and use. Recognizing the importance of this interplay, CWRU's energy research groups into five themes: Future Power, Energy Storage, Solar and Energy Data Science, Wind, Oil & Gas. Learn more on https://engineering.case.edu/research/institutes/great-lakes-energy/research-great-lakes-energy.
- Outcomes: Students play a fundamental role in CWRU’s energy and sustainebility research. While on campus, they engage in world-class research at every possibility. Upon graduation, they take with them intensive and hands-on experiences with new energy technology. Throughout, they often bring the business and entrepreneurial passion to take innovations to market.

College of Arts and Sciences (https://artsci.case.edu/) educates across the humanities, natural sciences, mathematics, performing arts, and social and behavioral sciences. The college develops skilled scholars and researchers in the field of environment and sustainability through undergraduate and graduate education; and serve the communities.
- The undergraduate and graduate programs in the Department of Earth, Environmental and Planetary Sciences encompasses a wide range of teaching and learning opportunities into the physical, chemical, and biological processes that shape the earth and the planets. With earth science as a focus, students can explore the history of the earth’s climate, the ecology of living and ancient organisms, and the comparative geology of other planets. Students can focus their studies and research in any number of areas. Faculty and students apply their geologic knowledge to resource conservation, land use planning, environmental geochemistry, hydrology, engineering construction works, and other environmental concerns. Learn more on https://eeps.case.edu/.
- Interdisciplinary program focusing on environment and sustainability: 1) Environmental Studies is a multidisciplinary program that introduces students to the societal determinants and implications of environmental problems. The program emphasizes the moral, cultural, and political dimensions of environmental problems and solutions as well as scientific understanding of the environment, bringing to bear the issues and methods of the humanities and social sciences as well as those of the sciences and the professions. The program is designed to serve the needs of students seeking a liberal education or a broad intellectual base for more technical training in environmental sciences. Students can pursue a major or a minor in environmental studies. (https://bulletin.case.edu/arts-sciences/programs/environmental-studies-ba/#text) 2) The Environmental Nutrition, Food Systems Sustainability, and Health Minor allows students to develop, examine, and apply knowledge in the related areas of food quality, feasible long-term global food systems, food science and chemistry, human nutrient requirements, and ethnic/cultural aspects of food production, selection, and preparation. A key concept will involve how environmental and sustainability issues directly affect the nutritive qualities of foods, thereby directly effecting human nutrition, health, and well-being. (https://bulletin.case.edu/medicine/nutrition/environmental-nutrition-food-systems-sustainability-health-minor/#text)
- Students are encourages to take environmental classes with the assistance of an advisor in environmental studies. Meanwhile, CWRU students actively participate energy saving competition, sustainability-related student groups and organizations, carry out student research to reduce waste, consumption, electricity usage and conserve water. There are numerous chances for CWRU students to participate in the transition to a more sustainable future. Learn more on https://case.edu/sustainability/what-you-can-do/students.

School of Medicine:
The Mary Ann Swetland Center for Environmental Health works to integrate environmental health initiatives into the lives of the Cleveland public and beyond through medical education, clinical care, and research. The center inspires faculty to teach beyond the book, and encourages students to consider the physical environment in the prevention of illness and care of individuals. Learn more on https://case.edu/swetland/.
Prevention Research Center for Healthy Neighborhoods (PRCHN): The PRCHN works to prevent and reduce chronic diseases resulting from environmental and lifestyle issues that often burden populations within urban neighborhoods. The center does this by leveraging collaborations between residents, community leaders and partner organizations to develop, test and implement strategies that increase access to healthy, local food, combat obesity and tobacco use, among other support structures. Learn more on http://prchn.org/.

School of Law:
In the Burke Center for Environmental Law, students are supported to pursue semester-long, full-time externships at environmental non-profits or governmental agencies. Options range from local governments and local environmental advocacy organizations including Fair Shake Environmental Legal Services, to national advocacy organizations and federal agencies, such as the Federal Energy Regulatory Commission or the U.S. Department of Justice’s Environment and Natural Resources Division in Washington, D.C. Scholarships are available for students wishing to pursue their experiential capstone outside of northeast Ohio. Learn more on https://case.edu/law/centers-institutes/burke-environmental-law-center.

The Weatherhead School of Management:
The Fowler Center is a hub for sustainability focused business innovation, with the goal of creating value for society, for the environment, and for businesses. Learn more on https://case.edu/weatherhead/fowler/.

University Farm: There are 40 faculty members and students that are actively doing research at the farm in the areas of ecology, environmental studies, local food production, nutrition, engineering, conservation, and carbon sequestration. Projects included undergraduate research, senior projects, capstone and graduate research. Learn more on https://case.edu/farm/.

Based on the degree awarded from 2020-2023, the number of graduates from the academic programs which has a sustainability learning outcome requirement were counted as shown in the uploaded document.

The following programs all have at least one or more sustainability-focused courses as a required part of their curricula.

Anthropology
Biology
Chemical Biology
Evolutionary Biology
Chemistry
Environmental Geology
Geological Sciences
Environmental Studies
Evolutionary Biology
Sociology
Systems Biology
Women's and Gender Studies
Chemical Engineering
Civil & Environmental Engineering
Systems and Control Engineering
Business Management
Biochemistry
Cell Biology
Molecular Biology and Microbiology
Nutrition
Nutritional Biochem/Metabolism
Engineering and Management
Healthcare Management
Master of Laws
Nonprofit Organizations
Public Health
Positive Organizational Development
Environmental Health Science
Public Health Nutrition