Nature-based strategies include restoring and protecting forests, wetlands, rivers, oceans, and other ecosystems, promoting sustainable agriculture and sylviculture, and using science to understand the interaction between humans and the natural world.
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:
- Require sustainability explicitly (Ex: Renewable Energy and Sustainability Systems, Energy and Sustainability Policy, or Sustainability Leadership);
- Provides a track or pathway for students to easily incorporate sustainability into the program (Architecture, Public Policy, or Ethics)
- 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.
Agricultural and Biorenewable Systems Management (B.S.)
Approaching agricultural and biorenewables with a system-wide approach, explore the circular bioeconomy through engineering, technology and business all in the pursuit of sustainable practices.
Earth Sciences (B.S.)
To better understand environmental science, this program examines the geobiological, chemical, and physical aspects of the natural world to better direct sustainable development.
Environmental Resource Management (B.S.)
Explore environmental resource issues of varying scales through the application of biological, physical and social sciences in solution-based coursework.
Environmental Science (B.S.)
Pursue sustainability in the natural and built environment through the lens of scientific dsciplines including atmospheric science, oceanography, geographic information systems, and more.
Environmental Studies (B.A.)
Pursue sustainability in the natural and built environments through an interdisciplinary program grounded in traditional science, geography, political science, social science, and economics.
Forest Ecosystem Management (B.S.)
This program educates students to be professional foresters that are equipped with the skills to manage conservation, restoration and sustainble forest ecosystem services.
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.
Landscape Architecture (B.L.A.)
The art of design, planning, or management of the land and of the natural and built elements upon it.
Plant Sciences (B.S.)
For those interest in a hands on biological career, plant sciences educates students on crop production systems, agroecology, plant physiology and research, and sustainable ecosystems.
Recreation, Park, and Tourism Management (B.S.)
Explore the theoretical, managerial, and technical facets of recreation, parks, and tourism to enhance sustainable engagement and management.
Agricultural Systems Management
An engineering focused program that covers the mechanical, natural resource, processing, and electronic technologies applied in agriculture systems.
Climatology
Draw from the fields of meteorology, geography, and geosciences to gain an overview of the physical processes that control present-day climate.
Earth and Sustainability
Explore global sustainability issues in the context of marine, land, and atmospheric systems.
Environmental and Renewable Resource Economics
An introduction to how fundamental economic principles can be used to explain and solve problems related to the degradation of the environment and unsustainable use of natural resources.
Environmental Resource Management
Explore environmental resource issues of varying scales through the application of biological, physical and social sciences in solution-based coursework.
Environmental Soil Science
For those interested in envrionmental careers, become an expert in soil as related to its restoration, food systems, and its relationship to ecosystems.
Environmental Studies
An interdisciplinary introduction to the natural environment and human interactions with it.
Forest Ecosystems
Introduction to the functions and values of forested ecosystems with options in climate change, invasive species, agroforestry, and conservation.
International Agriculture
An interdisciplinary analysis of the global network of food systems exploring environmental, social, economic, political, and technological challenges and opportunities.
Landscape Architecture
Learn the art of design, planning, or management of the land and of the natural and built elements upon it.
Natural Resources
Dive into natural resoures with options in environmental assessment, forest and wetland evaluation and management, and wildlife management and more.
Plant Pathology
For those interested in botony, become an expert on the causes and management of plant diseases including pathogen biology, environmental indicators, and integrated pest management.
Recreation, Park, and Tourism Management
Explore the theoretical, managerial, and technical facets of recreation, parks, and tourism to enhance sustainable engagement and management.
Sustainability Leadership
Promote environmental, social, and economic sustainability in personal and professional lives through studying systems thinking, change agency, ethics, and more.
Watersheds and Water Resources
Learn the fundamental processes governing the transport and chemical evolution of surface and subsurface waters through the application of chemistry, biology, geoscience, and landscape evolution.
Agricultural Stewardship and Conservation
Gather enhanced knowledge for planning, designing, and implementing best management practices on agricultural lands that contribute to soil health.
Earth Sustainability
Study geoscience and address key sustainability issues, such as the impact of climate change on Earth and its inhabitants, access to clean drinking water, and sustainable energy.
Landscape Ecology
Make inferences about ecological dynamics at landscape scales through training in spatial analysis, environmental modeling, and geographically relevant ecosystem processes.
Geospatial Big Data Analytics
Learn how to collect, process, analyze, and communicate a wide range of geospatial big data from sources including satellites, cameras, and smart phones.
Global Environmental Systems
Characterize and analyze Earth’s physical environment across time and space through the study of physical geography.
Agricultural and Biological Engineering
Gain expertise in several areas that relate to the world’s most important sociotechnological and sustainability challenges including energy, environment, crop/food production and health.
Ecology
Become an expert in properties of ecosystems by focusing on interactions of single organisms, populations, and communities with their environment.
Forest Resources
Understand the research, education, and scientific technology in the professions of forest products and forestry.
Homeland Security, Ag Biosecurity Option
Become a leader for the field of homeland security in agricultural biosecurity and food defense.
Landscape Architecture
Learn the art of design, planning, or management of the land and of the natural and built elements upon it.
Plant Pathology
For those interested in botony, become an expert on the causes and management of plant diseases including pathogen biology, environmental indicators, and integrated pest management.
Transdisciplinary Research in Ecology and Society
A dual-title program with tracks to focus in anthropology, energy and mineral engineering, education policy and leadership, and more.
Turfgrass Management
Utilize a systems approach to turfgrass management using both theory and practice.
Wildlife and Fisheries Science
Understand the biology and management of terrestrial or aquatic wildlife species and their environments, and undergo training in fish and wildlife ecology, nutrition, physiology, behavior, and pathology of wildlife species.
