In a world filled with complex social and environmental challenges, the need for informed and technically prepared Christians able to speak into these issues is greater than ever. The goal of the Certificate in Environmental Sustainability is to equip students with the theoretical and technical skills needed to engage in the analysis of sustainability issues and develop practical, implementable solutions to the issues.
The certificate program is rooted in an eight week "Summer in Sustainability" at the Wheaton College Science Station (WCSS) in the Black Hills of South Dakota (offered odd numbered summers). In this intensive program, students master the fundamental theories and principles of environmental sustainability while acquiring the needed technical skills to implement sustainability solutions. Extensive field studies, field trips and "real-world" implementation of a sustainability system at the Science Station connect theory and practice in a manner that uniquely prepares students to engage sustainability issues in a practical manner rooted in a Christian worldview.
The sustainability summer is enhanced with a series of elective courses to build on students' particular interests.
Certificate Requirements are 24 credits total:
| Code | Title | Credits |
|---|---|---|
| Required Courses | ||
| ENVR 332 | Principles of Environmental Sustainability 1 | 4 |
| ENVR 333 | Environmental Sustainability Practicum 1 | 4 |
| Electives | 16 | |
| 16 credits selected from the following. At least 8 credits must be from the Social Sciences and 4 credits from the Natural Sciences: | ||
| Social Sciences (Select at least 8 credits): | ||
| Food, Farms, and Culture | ||
| Development Economics | ||
| Environmental Law, Justice, and Development | ||
| Poverty, Justice and Transformation | ||
| Environmental Politics | ||
| Environmental Ethics | ||
| Social Life of Cities | ||
| Natural Sciences (Select at least 4 credits): | ||
| Economic Botany | ||
| The Dynamic Earth and Environment | ||
| Quantitative Methods for Environmental Analysis and Problem Solving | ||
| Introduction to Geographic Information Systems | ||
| Environmental Pollution and Toxicology | ||
| Sustainable Agriculture | ||
| Introduction to Environmental Engineering | ||
| Water: the Essential Natural Resource | ||
| Energy & Climate Change | ||
| Experiential | ||
| Independent Studies in Environmental Science | ||
| Total Credits | 24 | |
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"Sustainability Summer" offered odd numbered summers during 8 weeks at WCSS. The courses are taught concurrently.