Environmental Sustainability

Environmental concerns are more pressing than ever before.  We find ourselves challenged to find ways to sustainably engage the natural resources of our planet in ways previously unheard of.  This minor offers students the opportunity to engage issues of sustainability between multiple disciplines in order to reach a breadth of understanding of the complexities of these issues.  Paired with any number of our undergraduate majors, the interdisciplinary minor in environmental sustainability prepares students to critically think and evaluate complex issues facing our society.

Our Minor in Environmental Sustainability engages multiple definitions of sustainability pertaining to the tensions between profit, planet, and people.  Students will seek to engage ideas that critically apply principles of sustainability to professional and disciplinary, as well as daily-life.  We expect that students will express ideas or proposals related to sustainability for different audiences and be able to students demonstrate proficiency in sustainability-related research and writing. 

This minor is available to students in any major, however, to receive this minor, students must complete 3 courses for the minor that do not count towards their major(s) or any other minors.

Minors are an important part of the undergraduate curriculum.  If students declare a minor by sophomore year, they can usually complete it in a timely manner.  Students should work with their advisor to determine if it is possible that the minor can be completed by graduation.  

To receive a minor, a student must complete at least 9 credit hours of coursework distinct from their major(s) and from other minors, and students must complete more than 50% of the coursework required for the minor at Canisius. Please note that “ancillary/supporting” courses required for a major may still count as distinct courses as long as the remaining coursework still meets the 30 credit-hours required for a major. For more information about minor policies, please see the Declaring Majors and Minors page in the catalog.

Curriculum

Sustainability Electives

Students must take two of the following courses