Undergraduate Requirements for a Special Concentration
in Sustainable Development
Program of study: The special concentration in sustainable development is not a stand-alone
concentration: it is intended to serve as a complement to the disciplinary specialization and
methodological training inherent in a concentration or major.
Students wishing to complete a special concentration in sustainable development will work
with a program advisor to decide upon course selection and sequencing.
Courses: A total of 9 courses plus 1 practicum are required (Highlighted courses were
recently added to this list):

5 Courses Focusing on Systems (each course for 3-4.5 points)
 Science of Sustainable Development, EESC W2330 (NEW)
 1 Course in Science Systems
A Better Planet by Design, EAEE E1100y
Biodiversity, EEEB W1001x
Environmental Biology II, EEEB W2002y
Environment Risks and Disasters, EESC V1201y
Earth’s Environment Systems: Climate, EESC V2100x,y
Summer Ecosystem Experiences for Undergraduates (SEE-U)
 1 Course in Economic Systems
Principles of Economics, ECON W1105x,y
(Intermediate Microeconomics, ECON W3211y)
 Challenges of Sustainable Development SDEV W3300x
 1 Systems Elective (choose either a 2nd science systems course or one of the
following):
Introduction to Environmental Anthropology, ANTH V3004
20th Century Urbanization, HIST BC3525
Climate and Society: Case Studies – (formerly Science & Society),
EESC V1003
Politics of the American Environment HIST 3424
The Politics of the American Environment 1865-Present HIST 3424
Environmental Sociology, SOCN W3290
Approved systems courses in other departments, for example
Psychology

2 Courses Focusing on Stresses and Solutions (each course for 3 points)
Environment and Cultural Behavior, ANTH V3971
Environment and Development, ANTH V3973
Anthropology of Consumption, ANTH V3950
Alternative Energy Resources, EAEE E2002y/INAF U4729y
Applied Industrial Ecology, EAEE E4001
Engineering for Developing Communities, CIEE/EAEE 3260y
Industrial Ecology-Earth Resources, EAEE E4001
Management & Development of Water Systems EAEE W4100
Conservation Biology, EEEB W3087y
Ethnobotany: The Study of People and Plants, EEEB W4086y
Tropical Agriculture and Sustainable Development EEEB G4136
Updated 10/26/07
Hydrology (alternate years), EESC BC3025y
Agriculture and Urban Land Use (alternate years), EESC BC3032y
Economics of the Environment, ECON U4737x
Inequality and Poverty, ECON BC 3011
Making of the Modern American Landscape, HIST W3441y
America and the Natural World-1800-Pres, HIST W4400x
International Relations of the Environment, INAF U6243y*
Environment Health Sciences, PH P6300
Introduction to Environmental Planning, PLAN A4319x
Foundations of Urban Economic Analysis, PLA4151
History and Theory of Planning, PLA4008
Quantitative Techniques, PLA4208
Planning in Developing Countries, PLA4609
Introduction to Housing, PLA4304
Environmental Planning, PLA4579
New Patterns of Metropolitan Development, PLA4518
Public Financing of Urban Development, PLA4620
Design and Public Health, PLA4540
Politics of Planning, PLA4392
Urban Planning in Developing Countries, URBS 3565
International Energy Systems and Business Structures U6060 **
Urban Energy Systems and Policy U8778 **
Energy Policy U6242 **
Globalization and International Politics POLS V3615
Colloquium on Women, Gender, and the Third World POLS BC3414y
Development Economics ECON BC3029x
Economic Development ECON 4321
Political Economy and Sociology of Global Capitalism POLS G4415
Introduction to Human Rights HRTS W3001y
Environmental Law EESC BC 3040
Approved upper level courses focusing on issues such as Poverty,
Health, Population, Transportation, Resources

1 Skills Course (3 point course)
GIS-Res, Env.Infrastructure Management, EAEE E4099x
Environmental Data Analysis, EESC BC3017x
GIS Methods and Case Studies, URBS V3200x
Environmental Data Analysis & Modeling, EAEE E4257
Summer Ecosystem Experiences for Undergraduates (SEE-U)

Practicum (1 required, 1 point course), or Practice (requires approval)
SIPA-EI Practicum in Env. Science and Policy, INAF U4734x
Millennium Villages Practicum, EEEB W3997 sec 001
Oil, Rights and Development, INAF U4420y
Practicum in International Energy Management and Policy U4728**
Summer Ecosystem Experiences for Undergraduates (if applicable)

1 Required Synthesis Course: Sustainable Development Workshop (NEW 4
points; this course should be taken in the 3rd or 4th year of study)
Updated 10/26/07
NOTE: Approved science classes taken for the special concentration may be used to fulfill
General Studies and Columbia College requirements. Up to three additional courses counted
toward the special concentration may also be counted toward the student’s major or another
concentration. Students may petition to count as related courses those not listed.
*Seniors only
** Students must petition for entry to course
Updated 10/26/07