Yes, the university does have dedicated courses (full degrees, or electives) that address sustainability and the SDGs.

Courses, degrees, electives, and classes can be easily identified by visiting Penn State’s Sustainability Education Gateway.

Academic and degree programs are sorted by themes related to sustainability’s challenges as well as by undergraduate and graduate programs. They are sorted based on the themes identified by the Penn State Climate Consortium (a collective of engaged partners committed to identifying, creating, and implementing research-based solutions to climate change):

• Built Environment, Materials & Transportation
• Energy Transition
• Finance & Business Innovation
• Health & Well-Being
• Indigenous & Local Knowledge Systems
• Justice & Ethics
• Nature-Based Strategies
• Policy & Governance
• Public Engagement, Communication & Behavioral Change
• Art & Design
• Fundamental Science

These themes represent pathways to creating tangible solutions to improve the lives of individuals, communities, and our planet.

On the Gateway site is a link to download the Gateway Courses Master list, which was drawn from courses reported on the SDG Progress pages for each of the Sustainable Development Goals.

In addition to courses, the Gateway connects learners to Engaged and Experiential Learning for Sustainability. Penn State provides powerful experiences in sustainability outside of the walls of a classroom. Programs and projects connect students with our campuses and communities where they confront real-world challenges in climate planning, green labs (improving research labs operations to be more sustainable), watershed assessment, and even human resources.

Penn State has a number of dedicated courses, degree programs, and certificates that address sustainability and the SDGs. A search through the class bulletin provides information about degree and certificate programs that include:

• sustainability leadership,
• earth and sustainability,
• biorenewable systems,
• environmental resource management,
• environmental studies,
• food systems,
• development and sustainability in Africa,
• environment and society,
• agricultural stewardship and conservation, and
• renewable energy and sustainability systems degree programs.

 

Learn more about Penn State’s progress on the UN’s Sustainable Development Goals HERE and on progress towards SGD 17 HERE.