Classes, Majors, and Minors
Academics and Research
The Sustainability Office collaborates with a large number of students from a wide range of majors and minors. More important than your field of study is your interest, passion, and dedication to sustainability for you to get involved with our projects! You can find courses available across a number of academic departments and programs.
If you are interested in sustainability as a career path, the major most closely aligned with environmental sustainability topics in the Environmental Science major. Most Sustainability Office interns are from the Geography, Geology, and Environmental Science Department and many graduate and work in careers related to sustainability.
Sustainability Course and Research Inventory
There are a number of courses at UW-Whitewater that incorporate sustainability. In some courses, sustainability is a primary focus of the class or used as a lens to understand a particular subject area. In other courses, sustainability is not the primary focus but the class includes one or more sustainability activities or integrates sustainability issues throughout the class. Sustainability content is either identified through the course catalog or self-reported by faculty.
If you want to explore research with faculty that specialize in sustainability-related topics, you can explore the research tabs of our inventory as well.
For access to the inventory of sustainability-focused courses at UW-Whitewater, please view our sustainability course and research inventory.
Environmental Science Major
UW-Whitewater's Environmental Science major prepares you to face the challenges of a changing world. Your courses will give you a strong and diverse foundation for a rewarding "green career" in the future. The checksheet for this major is available for students to review the classes available for each track to compare the differences. Focus on your area of interest by choosing one of three track emphases and review the Major Planning Guides for each to identify which program fits your interest the best.
- Environmental Resource Management - Courses in environmental ethics, sustainable development and policy issues
- Geosciences - Coursework in geography, geology and geographic information systems (GIS)
- Natural Sciences - An emphasis in biology and chemistry courses
Major Planning Guides and track checksheets are available to help you review and compare each emphasis area to find the best fit for your interests. At UW-Whitewater, you’ll find an ideal learning environment to launch a successful and impactful environmental science career.
Environmental Studies Minor
Housed within the Geography, Geology, and Environmental Science Department, the Environmental Studies minor provides students with a strong foundation in understanding the natural environment and the ways humans interact with it. Students can tailor their experience by choosing courses that focus on either the physical environment or human-environment interactions. The minor is further strengthened with coursework in techniques for examining, analyzing, and measuring environmental systems, preparing students with practical skills for a variety of careers and fields of study.
Integrated Science and Business
The Integrated Science and Business major is designed to equip students to compete and prosper in the new technology-intensive, global marketplace. The focus of this interdisciplinary program is to develop integrated thinking from the initial stages of education and produce skilled graduates who are highly effective in entry-level positions requiring skills in both science and business. Many graduates pursue positions in technology-oriented industries that require the integration and understanding of relevant scientific principles with basic management skills.
Sustainability professionals in particular benefit from a business background or education and can utilize those skills to manage projects related to environmental science. The Sustainability Office has collaborated with numerous students completing their ISB capstone projects through a campus sustainability implementation.