Student Resources
The University of Minnesota offers world-class environmental programs across campuses and disciplines. Current or prospective students can use this section to find undergraduate and graduate opportunities, as well as individual courses, career tools and student-run organizations.
For information on the wide range of interdisciplinary activities at the University, visit: Interdisciplinary Research & Education
Fall 2008 Undergraduate Course Highlights
Issues in the Environment (ESPM 1011)
Description: This course features an introduction to environmental sciences and management of the environment. Topics include: Historical perspectives on current conditions; how values influence problem definition; the use of natural/social sciences in integrated problem solving; public/private factors; and ethical professionalism within integrated environmental teams.
Instructors: Kaycie Billmark and Charles Blinn
Renewable Energy and the Environment (BBE 2201)
Description: This course provides an overview of society’s diverse choice of renewable energy technologies. An interdisciplinary observation of their potential, challenges and opportunities will result. Understanding the environmental, technical and economic implications of each of the renewable energy opportunities will provide the student the ability to make informed personal, career and public decisions for today’s global world.
Instructors: Richard Huelskamp and Shri Ramaswamy
Sustainable People, Sustainable Planet (SUST 3003, GLOS 3304)
Description: Sustainability recognizes that economic prosperity, social equity and environmental integrity are all worthy goals, but that these goals compete so it is impossible to maximize all three concurrently. Therefore, some objectives of sustainability are realized at the cost of other equally valid objectives. This course provides an historical, ethical and technical overview of various models for understanding sustainability. It also demonstrates the conflicts and trade-offs that occur from trying to put sustainability into practice.
Instructor: Todd Arnold
Water and Society (GEO 3004)
Description: This course examines the processes that influence the formation, circulation and modification of water at or near Earth’s surface. The course begins with a detailed analysis of the physical aspects of the hydrologic cycle and the chemical and physical nature of water. Students will investigate the sensitivity and vulnerability of these systems to change, emphasizing the effects of agricultural, industrial, and other land-use practices on the compositions and use of water resources. The role of politics and ethics in developing environmental policy will also be considered.
Instructor: E. Calvin Alexander, Jr.
Fall 2008 Graduate Course Highlights
History of Ecology and Environmentalism (HSCI 5244; also an undergrad course)
Description: This course looks at the development of ecological thought from 18th century natural theology to contemporary ecology and conservation biology. The course also explores changing views of “balance” and the “economy” of nature; conceptual and methodological developments in ecosystems ecology; and the connections between ecology and conservation, population and environmental politics.
Instructor: Susan Jones
Economics of Natural Resource and Environmental Policy (APEC 5651)
Description: Applied welfare economics is used as an organizing principle focusing on concepts of efficiency and optimality. Growth theory allows us to give attention to the consequences of population change, resource substitutability, and technological progress over time. There is a strong focus throughout this course on global environmental policy issues.
Instructor: K. William Easter
