The energy transition from fossil fuels to low-carbon and renewable energy sources, smart grids, and zero-carbon fuels are essential for developing our sustainable energy future.

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. To make the most of it, 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.

Aerospace Engineering (B.S.)
Study analysis, design, and operation of aircraft and spacecraft including both theory and practice.

Architectural Engineering (B.A.E.)
With an eye for design paired with strength in math and physics, implement sustainable design, material, and construction principles whille creating buildings and spaces for public and private use.

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.

Energy and Sustainability Policy (B.A.)
For those who desire an interdisciplinary background, this major explores energy and sustainability through the lenses of science, business, and public policy combined.

Energy and Sustainability Policy (B.S.)
For those who desire an interdisciplinary background, this major explores energy and sustainability through the lenses of science, business, and public policy combined.

Energy Business and Finance (B.S.)
For those interested in energy systems, learn about the integration of finance and business thorugh understanding markets, risk analyses, and more.

Energy Engineering (B.S.)
Whether you’re interested in renewable or traditional fossil fuel industries, explore the world of energy through the lens of chemistry, physics, material science, and engineering.

Environmental Systems Engineering (B.S.)
The program is unique as it is designed to address critical environmental, safety and health problems of the basic industries such as those involved in the extraction, conversion, and utilization of energy and mineral resources.

Integrative Science (B.S.)
For those who have education goals relating to scientific theory and practice across disciplinary areas, and who seek a high degree of flexibility, become knowledgeable across many disciplines.

Mechanical Engineering (B.S.).
Design and implement sustainable solutions in realms such as production systems, technology, power plants and more.

Arboriculture
The Arboriculture minor is designed to provide students with both an overview and in-depth understanding of the principles and practices of growing and maintaining trees, shrubs, and other perennial woody plants.

Architecture Studies
Combine the arts and humanities with engineering, science, and technology through examining global architecture.

Biological Engineering
Explore the world of biology through an engineering lens with a focus on production and processing systems, resource conservation methods, and even food engineering.

Earth and Sustainability
Explore global sustainability issues in the context of marine, land, and atmospheric systems.

Energy Engineering
Whether you’re interested in renewable or traditional fossil fuel industries, explore the world of energy through the lens of chemistry, physics, material science, and engineering.

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

Housing
Prepare for a career in housing by studying the technology of housing, the development process, and the design and the delivery processes.

Global Environmental Systems
Characterize and analyze Earth’s physical environment across time and space through the study of physical geography.

Geographic Information Systems
Prepare to design, manage, and use geographic information technologies in a wide range of professional fields.

Homeland Security, Geo-Spatial Intelligence Option
Become a leader for the field of homeland security in public health preparedness.

Psychology
Emphasis is placed on research, teaching, and professional career development with track options including social, developmental, and industrial/organizational.