Humans express their thoughts, feelings, and dreams related to sustainability through music, theatre, stories, and design to cope and build common vision.

Gateway Academic Programs

Academic Programs

Penn State students can engage sustainability’s biggest challenges through their coursework, service, and applied experiences. In alignment with our Climate Consortium, the Sustainability Learning Gateway’s overarching themes provide pathways to learning about sustainability challenges, diving deep into the issues inside and outside of the classroom, and developing expertise that is personally, civically, and professionally meaningful. You can also search by your level, undergraduate or graduate. We have included these academic programs for one of three reasons. The program must:

  1. Require sustainability explicitly (Ex: Renewable Energy and Sustainability Systems, Energy and Sustainability Policy, or Sustainability Leadership);
  2. Provides a track or pathway for students to easily incorporate sustainability into the program (Architecture, Public Policy, or Ethics)
  3. Affords creativity or innovation to students to integrate sustainability into their program (Ex: Art, Integrative Sciences, or Music Composition).

There is a lot of information on these pages. Even still, we know special topics come up, individual faculty create sustainability-focused sections of courses, research experiences might be hidden somewhere, and new opportunities can emerge. To make the most of the Gateway and your sustainability journey, don’t hesitate to set up an appointment with an academic adviser or a trusted mentor for assistance. If you have questions or feedback about the Gateway, please email: sustainability@psu.edu.

Acting (B.F.A)
An intensive training program for those who wish to pursue a career in acting for stage and film.

Architecture (B.Arch.)
For those who seek careers as practicing architects and for those who wish to enter related design fields, become an expert in architecture.

Art (B.F.A)
Immerse yourself in art as both an individual and a social practice that makes an impact.

Integrative Arts (B.A.)
A hands-on, self-directed approach for those who wish to unite their creative and vocational interests in the arts and design with other areas such as science, technology, business, and more.

Landscape Architecture (B.L.A.)
The art of design, planning, or management of the land and of the natural and built elements upon it.

Music Composition (B.M.)
For those interested in careers in composition or performance, dive into the world of music.

Professional Photography (B.DES.)
An in-depth, formal photography track to prepare for careers in client-based professional photography or related fields.

Environmental Studies
An interdisciplinary introduction to the natural environment and human interactions with it.

Landscape Architecture
Learn the art of design, planning, or management of the land and of the natural and built elements upon it.

Photography
Gain access to skills and knowledge necessary to identify and create professional-quality photographic images.

Sustainability Leadership
Promote environmental, social, and economic sustainability in personal and professional lives through studying systems thinking, change agency, ethics, and more.

There are no certificates in this category.

Architecture
A research-focused degree program designed to offer research inquiry into architecture.

Landscape Architecture
Learn the art of design, planning, or management of the land and of the natural and built elements upon it.

AE464: Advanced Architectural Illumination Systems and Design
This course provides an in-depth exploration of advanced lighting design, covering photometry, lighting and daylighting system performance, control systems, and modeling tools, equipping students with the skills to analyze, design, and evaluate complex lighting and daylighting systems using engineering principles and software.

ANTH432: Environmental Archeology
 This course introduces students to environmental archaeology, focusing on methods and theories in archaeobotany, pedoarchaeology, and zooarchaeology to explore past human-environment interactions through interdisciplinary analysis of archaeological materials.

ARCH132: Basic Design Studio
This course builds on foundational design principles, challenging students to address more complex architectural problems with a strong emphasis on craftsmanship, materiality, and construction techniques, while fostering creativity, critical thinking, and diverse approaches to design.

ARCH170N: Introduction to Sustainable Architecture
This course explores the environmental impact of buildings and the principles of sustainable architecture, integrating scientific analysis of energy, materials, and ecosystems with aesthetic, cultural, and historical perspectives to promote designs that support both environmental stewardship and human well-being.

ARCH412: Integrative Energy and Environmental Design
This course covers concepts and strategies for the environmentally conscious design of the built environment.

ARCH441: Architectural Design Analysis
Studies in principles and elements of design, planning for human use, and the relationship of space to physical and social environment.

ARCH442: Architectural Design Analysis
Continuation of ARCH 441, with emphasis on the functional relationship of space, form, structure, and building groups with solutions responding to both formal ideas as well as human, environmental, and technical realities.

ARCH480: Technical Systems Integration
This course emphasizes the integrated analysis and design of buildings from multiple technical and architectural perspectives, teaching students to synthesize structural, mechanical, electrical, lighting, acoustic, and sustainability systems to enhance both performance and design intent in architectural practice.

CE410: Sustainable Residential Subdivision Design
 This course provides students with a working knowledge of the residential land development design process, including conservation and green design approaches, site assessment, grading and earthwork, utility design and layout, and stormwater management.

CE439W: Geotechnical and Materials Engineering Design Capstone
This course focuses on subsurface site evaluation; integrated design of retaining walls, foundations, pavements, and materials for airports, highways, dams, or other facilities.

EDSGN452: Projects in Community Service Engineering
This course engages multidisciplinary student teams in real-world, community-centered humanitarian engineering projects, integrating design, ethics, and contextual awareness to support community goals while critically examining the societal impacts of engineering practice with opportunities to practice sustainable design.

EDSGN453: Design for Developing Communities
This seminar series prepares students to design sustainable, user-centered humanitarian engineering and social entrepreneurship ventures by emphasizing systems thinking, context-driven design, and integrated strategies for resource-constrained developing communities.

EGEE437: Design of Solar Energy Conversion Systems
 This course reviews fundamental concepts of solar energy conversion, including photovoltaic and solar thermal systems, covering solar radiation, material properties, system design, and thermal power generation, with hands-on projects and presentations.

ENGL179: Exploring the Literature of Food: Current Trends in American Food Writing and Environmentalism
This course explores the historical and contemporary relationship between American food writing, environmentalism, and sustainable agriculture, tracing themes from early agricultural thought to modern critiques of industrial food production and envisioning the future of food through both literature and direct engagement with sustainable farming practices.

ENGL181A: Adventure Literature: Exploring the Chesapeake Bay
This course examines the interconnection of culture and nature in the Chesapeake Bay region through its literature, history, and ecology, highlighting how the area’s geography and economy have shaped regional identity over time and how contemporary environmental and social issues continue to impact this evolving relationship.

ENGL181B: Adventure Literature: Exploring Cape Cod
This course examines how Cape Cod’s natural environment and cultural history shape its distinctive regional identity through classic and contemporary literature, combining textual study with experiential learning to explore the ongoing relationship between place, nature, and writing.

ENGL181C: The Beach: Exploring the Literature of the Atlantic Shore
This course explores how literature transforms scientific and environmental understandings of the Atlantic shore into art, examines ethical human–wildlife relationships through regional and local coastal writings, and traces the cultural and literary identity of specific coastal areas from pre-European times to the present.

ENGL181D: Adventure Literature: Exploring the Literature of American Wilderness
This course covers the study of American wilderness literature, history, philosophy, and ethical outdoor practices to deepen understanding of the wilderness’s cultural significance and inspiration for deliberate engagement with nature.

ENGR490W: Senior Design I
This course provides an analysis of environmental impacts on a design, designing products for the global environment, and discussion on engineering ethics and professionalism.

FOR418: Agroforestry: Science, Design, and Practice
This course explores the science, design, and practice of agroforestry—integrating trees with crops and/or animals for ecological and economic benefits—through interdisciplinary study, critical discussion, and hands-on project design at both local and global scales.

GD304: Practical Communications
This course provides graphic design students with practical design experiences through assignments for various University and not-for-profit community clients, offering opportunities to support sustainable entities.

GEOG2N: Apocalyptic Geographies: How can we prevent the end of the world?
This course examines diverse apocalyptic visions from the humanities and popular culture to critically analyze and connect them with contemporary global social, ecological, and economic challenges, fostering interdisciplinary thinking to imagine alternative futures.

LARCH 145: Ecology and Plants I
This course introduces students to the ecological roles of plants and the foundational concepts of plant communities, ecosystems, and environmental design, emphasizing how landscape architects apply ecological principles across scales to create healthy, sustainable landscapes.

LARCH 245: Ecology and Plants II
This course emphasizes ecological planting design using native plant communities, teaching students to apply systems-based knowledge of plants, soil, and water to create sustainable, low-maintenance landscapes that support biodiversity, cultural heritage, and climate resilience.

LARCH 247N: Restoring the Earth – Designing Landscapes for Ecological Restoration
This course explores the ecological and aesthetic principles of landscape design for restoring degraded environments, with a focus on techniques to rehabilitate ecosystems, including prairies, wetlands, woodlands, and wildlife habitats.

LARCH 336: Design Implementation IV: Stormwater
This advanced landscape architecture studio course focuses on technical aspects such as landform design, site grading, hydrology, stormwater management, and site systems stewardship, integrating ecological principles with technical drawing and CAD production.

LARCH 405N: Bicycling Culture and Urban Design
This course covers bicycle culture, allows students to observe bicycle infrastructure and multi-modal transportation solutions, learn from programs and policies that support bicycling, and learn about the role of bicycling in sustainable, livable communities.

LARCH414: Design and Theory V: Advanced Landscape Architectural Design
This advanced studio course engages landscape architecture majors in in-depth, complex site planning and design projects focused on urban form, community identity, and environmental concerns, often involving real clients and emphasizing rigorous research, planning, and design execution.

LARCH424: Design Theory Seminar
This is an inquiry-based course that provides a structured exploration of contemporary theoretical, philosophical, and socio-political issues in landscape design and planning, encompassing topics such as historic preservation, urban ecology, the impact of technology, and public policy.

MATSE492: Materials Engineering Methodology and Design
 This course prepares students to solve real-world industrial materials challenges, accounting for economic, environmental, sustainability, manufacturability, ethical, health and safety, social, and political concerns through team-based design projects that integrate technical, economic, environmental, and social considerations.

MATSE493: Material Science and Engineering Multidisciplinary Capstone Design Project
This multidisciplinary capstone course engages students in industry-sponsored or community-based design projects, where they collaborate across engineering disciplines to develop practical solutions, including sustainable solutions, gaining experience in project management, prototyping, communication, and professional engineering practices.

ME441W: Thermal Systems Design Project
This course focuses on the design, simulation, and optimization of thermal systems, integrating energy efficiency and economic assessment, while guiding student teams through industry-sponsored projects from concept to final design and presentation.

PHOTO402/402H: Photographic Narratives
This course focuses on developing and presenting long-term photographic projects that tell compelling visual narratives, emphasizing both technical excellence and effective storytelling in print and digital formats, with opportunities to capture the environment.