| Overall Rating | Gold |
|---|---|
| Overall Score | 65.69 |
| Liaison | Alan Turnquist |
| Submission Date | July 24, 2023 |
Michigan Technological University
AC-3: Undergraduate Program
| Status | Score | Responsible Party |
|---|---|---|
|
3.00 / 3.00 |
Clare
Fidler Sustainability Coordinator Office of Sustainability and Resilience |
Does the institution offer at least one sustainability-focused major, degree, or certificate program for undergraduate students?:
Name of the sustainability-focused undergraduate degree program:
A brief description of the undergraduate degree program:
Students in the Sustainability Science and Society (SSS) major explore real world problems to understand the interaction of environmental, economic, and social systems.
Students will gain the tools needed to study the causes of environmental degradation and help solve pressing environmental problems. The Sustainability Science and Society major will help students understand and respond to complicated issues and lead creation of a sustainable future, while preparing them for new jobs in the emerging green economy.
Students in this major will develop the interdisciplinary social science knowledge and skills needed to address the world’s most significant environmental sustainability problems. Challenges in environmental sustainability involve significant social dimensions, so finding solutions and providing leadership on sustainability issues benefits from an interdisciplinary foundation in the social sciences. Students will learn that there’s no single technical solution to address sustainability. We need people from many disciplines, including social scientists, engineers, and natural and physical scientists to work toward a more sustainable future.
Website URL for the undergraduate degree program:
Name of the sustainability-focused, undergraduate degree program (2nd program):
A brief description of the undergraduate degree program (2nd program):
"Understand bio-based resources. Enable your ability to advance the role of renewable resources in a sustainable society. Wood and other lignocellulosic fibers offer a solution to ending our dependence on fossil fuels and other nonrenewable materials. Bioproducts and the Circular Bioeconomy are critical to resolving our current unsustainable lifestyle. This sector is optimistic for future growth nationally and globally in response to the public’s demand for green and sustainable building materials, packaging, and a host of other product areas."
"Learn how plant-based materials like wood, bamboo, hemp and flax are used and reused for construction and production of consumer goods. The sustainable bioproducts program at Michigan Tech gives you hands-on experience in applying renewable resource technology to create a thriving and global sustainability movement. You’ll study sustainability and put it to use where you are most passionate. This degree is a combination of science, business, and engineering. There are three concentrations available to guide you in the direction of your career."
Topics of interest: bioproducts business, sustainable structures, circular economy
Website URL for the undergraduate degree program (2nd program):
Name of the sustainability-focused, undergraduate degree program (3rd program):
A brief description of the undergraduate degree program (3rd program):
"A bachelor's degree in environmental science and sustainability from Michigan Technological University provides you with the tools to create a sustainable future for the environment. Integrate societal needs and perspectives with science-based environmental practices. Gain an understanding of the natural world in our own backyard that may be applied to global issues. Become what tomorrow needs."
"Students in this program gain a technical foundation in measuring and monitoring environmental factors and the environmental challenges faced by society. You will specialize in one of three tracks to gain an interdisciplinary perspective on Climate Science, Environmental Policy, or Geospatial Science. "
Website URL for the undergraduate degree program (3rd program):
The name and website URLs of all other sustainability-focused, undergraduate degree program(s):
Does the institution offer one or more sustainability-focused minors or concentrations for undergraduate students?:
Name of the sustainability-focused undergraduate minor or concentration:
A brief description of the undergraduate minor or concentration:
Green Campus Enterprise minor is a curricular-based program that engages students in analyzing and promoting sustainability improvements on campus. The program collaborates with the Office of Sustainability and Resilience and other university personnel, gaining professional experience and leadership skills.
Green Campus Enterprise was created in fall, 2008 as a result of the Carbon Neutral Academic Quality Improvement Program (AQIP) project. The Carbon Neutral AQIP project was initiated to improve the integration of sustainability into Michigan Tech's research and education. Under the AQIP project Green Campus is charged with estimating the University's carbon footprint and suggesting ways to reduce it. Green Campus works with the Executive Team and provides them with project progress reports at the end of each term. Determining the carbon footprint is instrumental in selecting energy reduction projects which will eventually reduce Michigan Tech's impact on the environment and save the University money.
We have several teams working on projects that target various aspects of energy usage on campus. These include computing practices, lighting and heating in buildings, composting, sustainable design and construction, and energy efficiency in the dorms and dining halls.
The Alternative Energy Enterprise minor is a multidisciplinary, project-based curriculum managed by the Chemical Engineering department at Michigan Tech. The goal is to analyze, create, or improve technologies to create a sustainable future where our energy needs are met via carbon-neutral sources, lowering our carbon footprint and allowing for energy independence in local communities.
Starting out focusing on biofuels (a team which AEE is still proud to have actively running tests,) we have branched out to include geothermal heat, solar power, and sustainability, not only to follow the interests of our students, but to meet the growing demand for engineers and scientists with a familiarity with alternative energy technology.
Website URL for the undergraduate minor or concentration:
Name of the sustainability-focused undergraduate minor or concentration (2nd program):
A brief description of the undergraduate minor or concentration (2nd program):
The Sustainable Biomaterials minor is for someone interested in working with plants as a source of renewable energy and building materials. The core courses will provide background on the biomaterials field and sustainability. Electives allow you to focus on biomaterials areas related to sustainable structures, biofuel, polymers, alternative forest products, and policy.
Website URL for the undergraduate minor, concentration or certificate (2nd program):
Name of the sustainability-focused undergraduate minor or concentration (3rd program):
A brief description of the undergraduate minor or concentration (3rd program):
The interdisciplinary minor in alternative energy prepares students for careers in energy and related fields. The search for alternative energy sources is an area that has received great attention on and off over the last few decades. A growing area of research and development is currently occurring in the area of hydrogen fuel cells, biofuels, and solar cells. Such technologies have been suggested for transportation (motor vehicles) and stationary (heating and electricity) applications. (Formerly Hydrogen Energy Technology)
Website URL for the undergraduate minor or concentration (3rd program):
The name and website URLs of all other sustainability-focused undergraduate minors and concentrations:
Additional documentation to support the submission:
Data source(s) and notes about the submission:
The information presented here is self-reported. While AASHE staff review portions of all STARS reports and institutions are welcome to seek additional forms of review, the data in STARS reports are not verified by AASHE. If you believe any of this information is erroneous or inconsistent with credit criteria, please review the process for inquiring about the information reported by an institution or simply email your inquiry to stars@aashe.org.