AGENDA ITEM NO: 10.2
UNIVERSITY COUNCIL
ACADEMIC PROGRAMS COMMITTEE
REQUEST FOR DECISION
PRESENTED BY:
Roy Dobson, Chair, Academic Programs Committee of Council
DATE OF MEETING:
November 21, 2013
SUBJECT:
School of Environment and Sustainability - Certificate in
Sustainability
DECISION REQUESTED:
It is recommended:
That Council approve the Certificate in Sustainability as a certificate
of proficiency from the School of Environment and Sustainability.
PURPOSE:
The proposal is for a new academic program at the University of Saskatchewan. New programs
including Certificates of Proficiency require approval by University Council.
SUMMARY:
Sustainability combines the study of the environment, the economy and social systems to
understand their interdependence in developing human-environment systems. The Certificate in
Sustainability is intended to give students theoretical and substantive experience in
sustainability-related practice, using courses which can also credit toward another degree in
environmental studies or a wide range of other fields.
The program requires completion of 21 credit units including ENVS 201 (Foundations of
Sustainability), ENVS 401(Sustainability in Action) and NS 107 (Introduction to Native Studies)
as well as 12 credit units in restricted electives focused on natural resources and sustainability, or
community and sustainability.
The Certificate in Sustainability represents the first undergraduate-level program in this area
developed by the School of Environment and Sustainability.
New course:
ENVS 201.3 Foundations of Sustainability
REVIEW:
The Academic Programs Committee discussed this program with SENS Executive Director
Toddi Steelman and Soil Science professor Fran Walley at its meeting on November 6. The
Committee noted that SENS had undertaken extensive consultation to develop the program and
has achieved widespread support for it. The Committee agreed to recommend Council approve
this certificate.
ATTACHMENTS:
Proposal documents
Letters of support from colleges
Letter from the Provost regarding undergraduate programming in Schools
Proposal: Undergraduate Certificate of Proficiency in Sustainability SchoolofEnvironment
andSustainability
September2013
SchoolofEnvironmentandSustainability
Proposal:UndergraduateCertificateofProficiencyinSustainability
Contents
Committee...............................................................................................................................................................................................1
ProposalIdentification......................................................................................................................................................................1
TypeofChange......................................................................................................................................................................................2
Rationale..................................................................................................................................................................................................2
DescriptionofProgramCharacteristics.....................................................................................................................................4
Resources.................................................................................................................................................................................................6
RelationshipsandImpactofImplementation.........................................................................................................................6
Budget.......................................................................................................................................................................................................8
SchoolStatement..................................................................................................................................................................................8
[List.of.courses.and.letters.from.colleges.attached.
Remaining.material.is.available.from.the.Office.of.the.University.Secretary]
RelatedDocumentation.....................................................................................................................................................................9
Appendix1:Courses.....................................................................................................................................................................9
Appendix2:E‐mailsandLettersRegarding the Certificate......................................................................................13
Appendix3:DemandAnalysis .............................................................................................................................................. 47
ConsultationForms...........................................................................................................................................................................63
Appendix4:ConsultationwiththeRegistrarForm......................................................................................................63
Appendix5:ENVS201andENVS401CourseProposalForms..............................................................................69
SchoolofEnvironmentandSustainability
Proposal:UndergraduateCertificateofProficiencyinSustainability
COMMITTEE 






ToddiSteelman,ExecutiveDirector,SchoolofEnvironmentandSustainability
MaureenReed,AssistantDirector–Academic,SchoolofEnvironmentandSustainability
CharlesMaulé ,Professor,DepartmentofChemicalandBiologicalEngineeringandSchoolofEnvi‐
ronmentandSustainability
BramNoble,Professor,DepartmentofGeographyandPlanningandSchoolofEnvironmentand
Sustainability
FranWalley,Professor,DepartmentofSoilScienceandSchoolofEnvironmentandSustainability
ChristyMorrissey,AssistantProfessor,DepartmentofBiologyandSchoolofEnvironmentandSus‐
tainability
AlecAitken,Professor,DepartmentofGeographyandPlanning
PROPOSAL IDENTIFICATION TitleofProposal:UndergraduateCertificateofProficiencyinSustainability
Degree:n/a
Field(s)ofSpecialization:Sustainability
Level(s)ofConcentration:UndergraduateCertificateofProficiency
Option(s):NaturalResourcesandSustainabilityORCommunityandSustainability
DegreeCollege:SchoolofEnvironmentandSustainability
HomeCollege:SchoolofEnvironmentandSustainability
ContactPerson:
ToddiSteelman
ExecutiveDirector
SchoolofEnvironmentandSustainability
966‐1499(phone)
966‐2298(fax)
toddi.steelman@usask.ca
Date: October 11, 2013
Approvedbythedegreecollegeand/orhomecollege: October 4, 2013
Proposeddateofimplementation:September2014
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SchoolofEnvironmentandSustainability
Proposal:UndergraduateCertificateofProficiencyinSustainability
TYPE OF CHANGE RequiringapprovalbyCouncil:
 Anewdegree‐levelprogramortemplateforprogram
 Anewfieldofspecializationinthemajorofhonourslevelofconcentrationortemplateforamajor
orhonoursprogram
 Conversionofanexistingprogramfromregulartospecialtuitionprogram
 Achangeintherequirementsforadmissiontoaprogram
 Achangeinquotaforacollege
 Programrevisionsthatwillusenewresources
 Areplacementprogram,includingprogramdeletion
 Aprogramdeletion(consultProgramTerminationProcedures,approvedbyCouncilinMay2001)
RequiringapprovalbyAcademicProgramsCommittee:





Additionofahigherlevelofconcentrationtoanexistingfieldofspecialization
Additionofanewfieldofspecializationattheminorlevelofconcentration
Achangeinprogramoptions
Achangeinthenameofadegree‐levelprogramorfieldofspecialization
Achangeinthetotalnumberofcreditunitsrequiredforanapproveddegreeprogram
RATIONALE Thesustainabilityconceptaddressesthecomplexitiesofhuman‐environmentsystems,withagoalofre‐
ducingpovertyandmaintainingecosystemserviceswhilemeetingtheneedsofthepresentgeneration
withoutcompromisingfuturegenerations’abilitytomeettheirownneeds.1Understandingtheprinciples
ofsustainabilityandtheinterdependenciesoftheenvironment,theeconomy,andsocialsystemscanhelp
uslearntomakethechangesnecessarytobecomeeffectivelocalandglobalcitizens.Theknowledgeand
practiceofsustainabilityisanimportantcomponentofundergraduateeducationthatiscurrentlymissing
intheUniversityofSaskatchewancurriculum.TheproposedUndergraduateCertificateinSustainability
willprovidetheUofSwithadistinctivenicheintherealmofsustainabilityprogramming.
TheUniversityofSaskatchewanoffersfiveundergraduatedegreesspecializinginenvironment(Table1),as
wellasnumerousspecializationswithindegreeprograms(forexample,EnvironmentalBiology)andpro‐
gramswhichhaveconsiderableenvironmentalcontent(forexample,Toxicology).Theseprogramsoffer
studentstheopportunitytolearnaboutvariousaspectsoftheenvironmentandwaysinwhichhumans
interactwithit.However,integratedsustainabilityprogrammingattheundergraduatelevelisnotcurrent‐
lyavailableattheUniversityofSaskatchewan.AstheSchoolofEnvironmentandSustainability(SENS)has
madestridestowardsofferingsuchprogrammingatthegraduatelevel,theschoolnowwishestoproceed
withtheofferingofsustainabilityprogrammingforundergraduatestudents.Suchaninitiativefollows
fromadvicereceivedfromtheProvost’sCommitteeonIntegratedPlanning,recommendingthatSENSbe‐
comeengagedinundergraduateprogramming,anditalsodovetailswithproposedactionsinthedraft
1Kates,RobertW.2011.Whatkindofascienceissustainabilityscience?PNAS,Vol.108,49:19449‐19450.
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SchoolofEnvironmentandSustainability
Proposal:UndergraduateCertificateofProficiencyinSustainability
campussustainabilityplaninvolvingimplementationofsustainabilityprogrammingforundergraduate
students.
Table1:UniversityofSaskatchewanUndergraduateDegreeProgramsSpecializinginEnvironment
College
Degree
Major
CollegeofAgricultureand
Bioresources
BachelorofScienceinAgriculture(BSA)
EnvironmentalScience
CollegeofAgricultureand
Bioresources
BachelorofScienceinRenewableResourceMan‐
agement(BSc)
CollegeofArtsandScience
BachelorofArtsandScience(BASc)
EnvironmentandSociety
CollegeofArtsandScience
BachelorofScience(BSc)
EnvironmentalEarthSciences
CollegeofArtsandScience
BachelorofScience(BSc)
EnvironmentalBiology
CollegeofArtsandScience
BachelorofScience(BSc)
Toxicology
CollegeofEngineering
BachelorofScienceinEngineering(BE)
EnvironmentalEngineering
1)
2)
Science
PolicyandEconomics
ADistinctiveProgrammingNiche
Ourcertificatewillfocusonsustainability,fromlocaltoglobalcontexts.Wewillleveragetheimportanceof
sustainabilityintheSaskatchewancontextbyofferingtwofociareasthatareespeciallyrelevanttothe
province.TheseareSustainabilityandNaturalResourcesandSustainabilityandCommunity.Usingthe
provinceasamicrocosmforglobalchange,thesethemeswillbereinforcedintheintroductoryandcap‐
stonecoursessothatstudentsunderstandtheinterdependenciesbetweenthethemesandmakeconnec‐
tionstothebroaderworldinwhichtheywillbeengaged.
LearningObjectives/GraduateAttributes
TheCertificateinSustainabilityisintendedtogivestudentstheoretical,methodological,strategic,andsub‐
stantiveexposuretosustainability‐relatedconceptsandpractice.Learningobjectivesforthecertificate
include:
1.
2.
3.
4.
Gainingknowledgeaboutadiversespectrumofsustainability‐relatedconceptsandpracticesinclud‐
ingthosethatintegrateunderstandingacrossthedisciplinesfromthesocialandnaturalsciences,as
wellasengineeringandthehumanities.Thiswillincludetheabilitytoexplainthehistoryofthesus‐
tainabilityconcept,andkeydefinitionsassociatedwithit,aswellastheabilitytoexplainsustainabil‐
ityinlocalandglobalcontexts.
Identifyingkeytrendsrelatedtosustainabilitypatternsinlocalandglobalcontexts,especiallyasthey
relatetonaturalresourcesandcommunities.
Developinganunderstandingofthecomplexitiesassociatedwithinterdisciplinary,multidisciplinary,
andtransdisciplinaryeffortstointegrateenvironmental,economic,andsocialconcernsgiventhein‐
stitutionalconstraintsexistingwithingovernment,business,civilsociety,andcultureatlarge.This
includestheabilitytoworkconstructivelyinproblemfocusedand/orinterdisciplinaryteams.
Learninghowtocriticallyappraiseandevaluatesustainabilityefforts.
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SchoolofEnvironmentandSustainability
Proposal:UndergraduateCertificateofProficiencyinSustainability
5.
Demonstratingeffectivewrittenandoralcommunicationconcerningabroadrangeofapproaches,
frameworks,metrics,principlesandpracticesofsustainability.
DESCRIPTION OF PROGRAM CHARACTERISTICS DraftCalendarEntry
TheCertificateinSustainabilityisintendedtogivestudentstheoretical,methodological,strategic,andsub‐
stantiveexposuretosustainability‐relatedconceptsandpractice.Thecertificateisopentoallstudents
registeredinundergraduatedegreeprogramsandmayalsobecompletedasastand‐aloneprogram.Stu‐
dentsinthecertificatemustcompleteninecreditunitsofrequiredcourses(ENVS201.3:Foundationsof
Sustainability,ENVS401.3:SustainabilityinAction,andNS107.3:IntroductiontoCanadianNativeStud‐
ies).Studentschooseeitherthenaturalresourcesandsustainabilityfocusorthecommunityandsustaina‐
bilityfocusfortheremainingtwelvecreditunitsofcourses.Thecertificatewillallowstudentstoengagein
problem‐based,experientiallearningacrossabroadrangeofsustainabilitytopics.
ProgramStructure
Thecertificateprogramwouldbecomprisedof21creditunits(7courses)total.Thecourseswouldbe
structuredsuchthatallstudentswishingtopursuethecertificatewouldpassthroughthreecommon
courses,therebycreatingcoherenceamongthecohortswithinthecertificateprogram.Theintroductory
course,ENVS201:FoundationsofSustainability,andthecapstonecourse,ENVS401:SustainabilityinAc‐
tion,wouldbetakenbyallstudents,togroundtheminacommonexperienceatthebeginningandendof
theprogram.Additionally,allstudentswouldberequiredtotakethecourseinNS107:Introductionto
CanadianNativeStudies.Theremaining12creditunitswouldbecomprisedofself‐selectedfociareasand
leverageexistingcoursesalreadyheldoncampus(seeFigure1foraschematicofsequencing).
Theprogramwouldstartinthestudent’ssecondyearwithENVS201:FoundationsofSustainability.Stu‐
dentswouldfilloutthefociareasintheirsecondandthirdyears,culminatingwiththecapstonecourse
ENVS401:SustainabilityinActionintheirfourthyear.Academicadvisingforthecertificatewouldcome
throughtheSchoolofEnvironmentandSustainability,withcloseconsultationwiththestudents’homecol‐
legestoensurethatadvisingisdoneseamlessly.
CertificateRequirements:
1.
21creditunitsofwhich9creditunitswouldbecompletedthrough3commoncourses.TheCertificate
inSustainabilityisintendedtogivestudentstheoretical,methodological,strategic,andsubstantiveex‐
posuretosustainability‐relatedconceptsandpractice.Twenty‐onecreditunitsaresufficienttoprovide
broad‐basedexposureanddepthofunderstanding.Thisstructurealsoallowsundergraduatestudents
tobeginintheirsecondyear,providesasenseofcohortwithinthecertificatebybringingstudentsto‐
getheratkeypointsintheprogram,allowsstudentstogainsubstantiveknowledgeandskillswithout
requiringanincreaseinthetotalcoursecreditsforundergraduatedegreeprograms,andoffersoppor‐
tunitiesforcontributingunitstoincreaseenrollmentsintheirundergraduatecourses.
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SchoolofEnvironmentandSustainability
Proposal:UndergraduateCertificateofProficiencyinSustainability
2. Studentsmustmeetresidencyrequirementsasstipulatedbytheirdegree‐grantingcollege.Students
takingthecertificatemusttakeENVS201andENVS401.Transfercreditsfromotherinstitutionscannot
besubstitutedforthesecourses.Thepurposeofthisistocreatecoherenceamongcertificatecohorts.
3. Graduationstandard:Theminimumcumulativeweightedaverageforthecertificateis62.5%.All
coursesattempted,whichmaycredittowardthecertificate,willbeusedinthecalculationofthegradu‐
ationaverage.Insomecasesthismaymeanthatmorethantheminimumnumberofcreditunitswillbe
included.ThisalignswiththepracticeusedintheCollegeofArtsandScienceforcalculatingsubjectand
overallaverages,whichisfollowedtodisallowopportunitytochooseonlythehighestgrades,whichfa‐
voursstudentswhohavethemeanstotakeadditionalcourses.
4. Commonrequiredcoursesincludethreeundergraduatecourses:
ENVS201:FoundationsofSustainability;
NS107:IntroductiontoCanadianNativeStudies;and
ENVS401:SustainabilityinAction.ENVS201andpermissionofinstructorsisrequiredforenrollment
inthiscourse.Thiscourseisintendedforseniorundergraduatestudents.Itmayalsobetakenconcur‐
rentlywiththefinalcoursesforthecertificatecreditunitrequirements.
Theremaining12creditunitswouldbecomprisedofpre‐existingcoursesinotherunitsandlistedbythe
coordinatingcommitteeofthecertificatewithinoneoftwofocalareas.Studentswouldchoosefromalist
butneedtosatisfythefollowingrequirements:1)chooseonecoursefromthetoolsandtechniquesmenus;
2) chooseonecourseeachfromthe200,300and400levelssoasnottoconcentrateallcoursesatonelev‐
el;and3)chooseonecourseeachfromanenvironmental,economic,andsocialareafocusingonsustaina‐
bilitysothatallfacetsarerepresented.PleaseseeAppendix1withalistofproposedcoursesforinclusion
forconsiderationandFigure1foradepictionofthecoursesequencing.
Figure1:SchematicofUndergraduateCertificateinSustainabilitySequencing(total21cu)
ENVS201:
Foundationsof
Sustainability
3creditunits
Natural
Resources&
Sustainability
Focus
NS107:Introduction
toCanadianNative
Studies
OR
Community&
Sustainability
Focus
ENVS401:
Sustainabilityin
Action
3creditunits
NS107:Introduction
toCanadianNative
Studies
FOCIREQUIREMENTS(12creditunits)
1)Choose3cufromtoolsandtechniques
2)Choose3cueachfrom200,300,and400levels
3)Choose3cueachfromenvironmental,social
andeconomicareas
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SchoolofEnvironmentandSustainability
Proposal:UndergraduateCertificateofProficiencyinSustainability
RESOURCES SENShashiredanewfacultymember,Dr.PhilLoring,inSustainabilityScience.Thisindividualwillcoor‐
dinatetheCertificateinSustainability,andteachwithinthecurriculum.Additionally,anewhireinAgricul‐
tureandBioresources,Dr.ColinLaroque,willhavea30%appointmentinSENS.Hewillbeintegrallyin‐
volvedinteachingandadvisingstudentsinvolvedinthecertificate.OtherSENSfacultyhaveexpressedin‐
terestinteachingwithinthecurriculum.SENSwouldliketoalignTeachingAssistantshipsthroughthe
CGSRtoprovideteachingopportunitiesforourdoctoralstudentsintheENVS201and401courses.
RELATIONSHIPS AND IMPACT OF IMPLEMENTATION AsthiscertificatemarksthefirstundergraduateprogramofferingbySENS,itwillprovideadditionalop‐
portunitiesforthestudentsinSENS’graduateprograms.Todate,theSchoolhasnothadanyTeachingAs‐
sistantshipstooffertoitsPhDstudents–theENVS201and401classeswillaccommodatethis.Theun‐
dergraduatecertificatewillalsoengageundergraduatestudentsdirectlywiththeSENScommunityforthe
firsttime.
Giventhatthecertificateismeanttobea“value‐added”opportunityforstudentsenrolledindegreepro‐
gramsinothercolleges,andthatfifteenofthetwenty‐onecertificatecreditswillbecompletedinothercol‐
leges,extensiveconsultationwasundertaken.ToddiSteelmanheldthefollowingmeetingsregardingthe
certificate:








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LindaMcMullen,Vice‐Dean,SocialSciences,CollegeofArtsandScience–October29,2012
CathieFornssler,CommitteeCoordinator,UniversitySecretary’sOffice–November1,2012
ErnieBarber,ActingDean,CollegeofEngineering–December7,2012
PetaBonham‐Smith,Vice‐Dean,Science,CollegeofArtsandScience–December7,2012
DavidParkinson,Vice‐Dean,HumanitiesandFineArts,CollegeofArtsandScience–December7,
2012
AlexisDahl,Director,ProgramsOffice,CollegeofArtsandScience–December14,2012
MaryBuhr,Dean,CollegeofAgricultureandBioresources–January15,2013
PeterStoicheff,Dean;PetaBonham‐Smith,Vice‐Dean,Science;andLindaMcMullen,Vice‐Dean,So‐
cialScience,CollegeofArtsandScience–February5,2013
SinaAdl,Head,DepartmentofSoilScience–April9,2013
JasonDoell,SeanineWarrington,andEileenZagiel,OfficeoftheRegistrar,April18,2013
AlexisDahl,Director,ProgramsOffice,CollegeofArtsandScience–May28,2013
MarkWickstrom,AcademicAdvisor,UndergraduateProgram,ToxicologyCentre–June18,2013
JackGray,Head,andTracyMarchant,DepartmentofBiology–August8,2013
JasonDoell,SeanineWarrington,andEileenZagiel,OfficeoftheRegistrar,September26,2013
Considerableconsultationwasconductedviatelephoneande‐mail.Alldepartmentandacademicprogram
headsresponsibleforcoursesconsideredforinclusionascertificateelectiveswerecontactedviae‐mailto
requesttheirsupportforthecertificateandtoensurethathavingtheircourseslistedaselectivesmetwith
Page 6
SchoolofEnvironmentandSustainability
Proposal:UndergraduateCertificateofProficiencyinSustainability
theirapproval.Follow‐upe‐mailsweresenttoencourageresponses.Thefollowingdepartmentandaca‐
demicprogramheadswerecontactedthroughJuneandJuly2013:

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WinonaWheeler,DepartmentofNativeStudies,CollegeofArtsandScience
SinaAdl,DepartmentofSoilScience,CollegeofAgricultureandBioresources
AlecAitken,DepartmentofGeographyandPlanning,CollegeofArtsandScience
JackGray,DepartmentofBiology,CollegeofArtsandScience
DonGilchrist,DepartmentofEconomics,CollegeofArtsandScience
JimKells,DepartmentofCivilandEnvironmentalEngineering,CollegeofEngineering
EricDayton,DepartmentofPhilosophy,CollegeofArtsandScience
BruceCoulman,DepartmentofPlantSciences,CollegeofAgricultureandBioresources
BillBrown,DepartmentofBioresourcePolicy,Business,andEconomics,CollegeofAgricultureand
Bioresources
MarekMajewski,DepartmentofChemistry,CollegeofArtsandScience
MarkWickstrom,AcademicAdvisor,UndergraduateProgram,ToxicologyCentre
JoeGarcea,DepartmentofPoliticalStudies,CollegeofArtsandScience
PamelaDowne,DepartmentofArchaeologyandAnthropology,CollegeofArtsandScience
JimHandy,DepartmentofHistory,CollegeofArtsandScience
CaitlinWard,EngagedLearningCoordinator,St.ThomasMoreCollege
ChrisHrynkow,AssistantProfessor,St.ThomasMoreCollege
TerryWotherspoon,DepartmentofSociology,CollegeofArtsandScience
MarieLovrod,Women’sandGenderStudies
DianneMiller,BobRegnier,andLynnLemisko,CollegeofEducation
GregPoelzerandGaryWilson,NorthernStudiesProgram
NazeemMuhajarine,DepartmentofCommunityHealthandEpidemiology,CollegeofMedicine
DeansofEngineering,ArtsandScience,andAgricultureandBioresourceswerealsoapproachedregarding
theirsupportforthecertificate.LettersfromtheDeansande‐mailcorrespondencefromdepartmentand
academicprogramheadscanbefoundinAppendix2.
E‐mailsorlettersofsupportwerereceivedfromallunitscontacted,withtheexceptionoftheDepartment
ofChemistry,whichdidnotrespond,andtheDepartmentofBiology.Thus,theChemistrycourse,CHEM
375.3:PollutionWasteDisposalandEnvironment,whichSENShadflaggedtoincludeinthecertificate
electivesisnotincludedatthistime.However,theSchoolisopentorevisingthelistofelectivesinthefu‐
ture.WhiletheDepartmentofBiologywasnotopposedtoSENSincludingitscoursesinthecertificate,it
remainedneutralwithrespecttoendorsingtheproposal.
SENSconductedademandanalysissurveyofundergraduatestudentstodeterminetheirlevelofinterestin
thecertificate.ThesurveywasconductedonlineusingFluidSurveysbetweenMarch18andApril1,2013.
Thelinktothesurveywassentviae‐mailto4,408undergraduatestudentsregisteredintheCollegeofAg‐
ricultureandBioresources,theCollegeofArtsandScience,theCollegeofEducation,theCollegeofEngi‐
neering,andtheEdwardsSchoolofBusiness.ThesestudentswererandomlyselectedbythePlanning,
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SchoolofEnvironmentandSustainability
Proposal:UndergraduateCertificateofProficiencyinSustainability
ProgramDevelopment,andAssessmentoffice,StudentandEnrolmentServicesDivision.Threehundred
ninety‐eightresponseswerereceived,with351ofthembeingcompleteresponses.As13,066studentsare
registeredinthefivecollegessurveyed,398responsesgiveamarginoferrorof5%ataconfidencelevelof
95%.AsummaryofthedemandanalysisisfoundinAppendix3.
BUDGET Wehavededicatedournewfacultyhire,Dr.PhilLoring,asaninstructorandcoordinatorfortheUnder‐
graduateCertificate.Wealsohaveanew30%splitappointmentinSENS,Dr.ColinLaroque,whowillbe
dedicatedtothiseffort.StaffsupportwillcomefromexistinghireswithinSENS.
SCHOOL STATEMENT The certificate proposal was approved by the SENS Academic Programs Committee and then was presented
to the SENS Faculty Council on October 4, 2013, where it was unanimously recommended to the University
of Saskatchewan Academic Programs Committee. The Faculty Council discussed the structure of the
certificate, along with how the new ENVS undergraduate classes would be delivered. A clarification
regarding the prerequisites for ENVS 401 was sought and provided. Page 8
New course
ENVS 201.3Foundations of Sustainability
(3L)
Prerequisite: 30 cu at the U of S.
The intention of this course is to provide foundational knowledge about sustainability science
and concepts while also exposing students to the key foci areas they can pursue with the
certificate. A final class group project will emphasize collaborative interaction based on
sustainability themes.
Revised course
ENVS 401.3 Sustainability in Action
(1L, 2S)
Prerequisite: ENVS 201.3; 6 cu natural science; and 66 credit units of university level courses
(for a total of 75 credit units), and the permission of instructors. This course is intended for
senior undergraduate students. This course is required for students enrolled in the BASc in
Environment and Sustainability. Students enrolled in Renewable Resource Management or AgBio Environmental Science Major but not enrolled in the sustainability certificate are not
required to take ENVS 201.3.
This course combines seminars and project-based activities to examine local and global
sustainability issues, integrating perspectives and knowledge from both the social and natural
sciences. Students will work in interdisciplinary, collaborative groups to address sustainability
challenges.
SchoolofEnvironmentandSustainability
Proposal:UndergraduateCertificateofProficiencyinSustainability
RELATED DOCUMENTATION Appendix 1: Courses Studentswillbeadvisedappropriatelysothattheyselect3cuofelectivesfromeachoftheenvironmental,
social,andeconomicareas.
NaturalResourcesandSustainabilityFocus
RequiredCourses



ENVS201.3:FoundationsinSustainabilityScience
ENVS401.3:SustainabilityinAction
NS107.3:IntroductiontoCanadianNativeStudies
ElectiveCourses
TechniquesandToolsforSustainability–chooseoneof:









EVSC203.3:SamplingandLaboratoryAnalysis
GEOG290.3:FieldMethodsandLaboratoryAnalysis
GEOG385.3:AnalysisofEnvironmentalManagementandPolicyMaking
GEOG386.3:EnvironmentalImpactAssessment
NS210.3:IndigenousKnowledge
RRM321.3:ResourceDataandEnvironmentalModelling
SOC225.3:AnIntroductiontoSurveyResearchandDataAnalysisinSociology
SOC232.3:MethodsofSocialResearch
SOC333.3:IntroductiontoQualitativeResearch
Chooseoneof:











BIOL228.3:AnIntroductiontoEcologyandEcosystems
ECON275.3:EconomicsofNaturalResources
ECON277.3:EconomicsoftheEnvironment
EVSC210.3:EnvironmentalPhysics
EVSC220.3:EnvironmentalSoilScience
ENVE201.3:PrinciplesofEnvironmentalEngineering
GEOG280.3:EnvironmentalGeography
PHIL226.3:EnvironmentalPhilosophy
PHIL231.3:EthicalProblems
PHIL236.3:EthicsandTechnology
PLSC213.3:PrinciplesofPlantEcology
Andoneof:

BIOL373.3:CommunityEcology
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SchoolofEnvironmentandSustainability
Proposal:UndergraduateCertificateofProficiencyinSustainability

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

BPBE330.3:LandResourceEconomics
ECON376.3:EnergyEconomics
GEOG329.3:WatershedPlanningandManagement
GEOG351.3:NorthernEnvironments
RRM312.3:NaturalResourceManagementandIndigenousPeoples
TOX301.3:EnvironmentalToxicology
Andoneof:

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
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BIOL410.3:CurrentPerspectivesinEnvironmentalBiology
BIOL410.3:Limnology
BIOL470.3:ConservationBiology
BIOL475.3:EcologicalToxicology
BPBE430.3:NaturalResourceEconomics
EVSC421.3:ContaminatedSiteManagementandRemediation
EVSC430.3:AgroforestryforEnvironmentalManagement
PLSC422.3:RangelandEcologyandManagement
PLSC423.3:LandscapeEcologyandVegetationManagement
CommunityandSustainabilityFocus
RequiredCourses



ENVS201.3:FoundationsinSustainabilityScience
ENVS401.3:SustainabilityinAction
NS107.3:IntroductiontoCanadianNativeStudies
ElectiveCourses
TechniquesandToolsforSustainability–chooseoneof:









EVSC203.3:SamplingandLaboratoryAnalysis
GEOG290.3:FieldMethodsandLaboratoryAnalysis
GEOG385.3:AnalysisofEnvironmentalManagementandPolicyMaking
GEOG386.3:EnvironmentalImpactAssessment
NS210.3:IndigenousKnowledge
RRM321.3:ResourceDataandEnvironmentalModelling
SOC225.3:AnIntroductiontoSurveyResearchandDataAnalysisinSociology
SOC232.3:MethodsofSocialResearch
SOC333.3:IntroductiontoQualitativeResearch
Chooseoneof:


ANTH240.3:CulturalLandscapesandEnvironments
ANTH244.3:PoliticalEcology,Anthropology,andGlobalEnvironmentalIssues
Page 10
SchoolofEnvironmentandSustainability
Proposal:UndergraduateCertificateofProficiencyinSustainability
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ECON275.3:EconomicsofNaturalResources
ECON277.3:EconomicsoftheEnvironment
GEOG208.3:WorldRegionalDevelopment
GEOG240.3:SustainableCitiesandRegions
GEOG280.3:EnvironmentalGeography
HIST257.3:TheCanadianPrairieto1905
HIST258.3:TheCanadianPrairiesSince1905
HIST263.3:TheCanadianNorth
HIST290.3:TopicsinEnvironmentalHistory
INTS203.3:CultivatingHumanity
PHIL226.3:EnvironmentalPhilosophy
PHIL231.3:EthicalProblems
PHIL236.3:EthicsandTechnology
POLS226.3:CanadianPublicPolicy
SOC204.3:RuralSociology
SOC206.3:Community
SOC227.6:CriticalIssuesinCanadianSociety
WGST210.3:GenderedPerspectivesonCurrentEvents
Andoneof:
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ANTH329.3:EnvironmentalAnthropology
ARCH357.3:TheArchaeologyofPrairieSettlement
BIOL312.3:LifeintheNorth
BPBE330.3:LandResourceEconomics
GEOG340.3:EuropeanHeritageofOurBuiltEnvironment
GEOG342.3:CommunityPlanninginCanada
GEOG346.3:IntroductiontoUrbanDesign
GEOG364.3:GeographyofEnvironmentandHealth
GEOG381.3:GeographyofNorthernDevelopment
NRTH331.3:ContemporaryIssuesoftheCircumpolarWorldI
NRTH332.3:PeopleandCulturesoftheCircumpolarWorldII
POLS326.3:IntroductiontoComparativePublicPolicy
POLS328.3:PublicPolicyAnalysis
SOC344.3:SociologyofWomen,Gender,andDevelopment
Andoneof:
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BPBE430.3:NaturalResourceEconomics
CHEP402.3:GlobalHealthandLocalCommunities:IssuesandApproaches
GEOG445.3:PlanningwithIndigenousCommunities
GEOG446.3:AdvancedUrbanDesign
Page 11
SchoolofEnvironmentandSustainability
Proposal:UndergraduateCertificateofProficiencyinSustainability
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GEOG464.3:GeographyofHealth
HIST459.6:GreatPlainsHistory
INTS400.3:CriticalPerspectivesonSocialJusticeandtheCommonGood
POLS403.3:AdvancedTopicsinPublicLawandPublicPolicy
POLS422.3:AboriginalDevelopmentStrategies
SOC409.3:SociologyofDevelopment
WGST411.3:SituatedTransnationalFeminisms
Page 12
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Page 17
Page 18
Office of the Dean, College of Engineering
University of Saskatchewan
57 Campus Drive
Saskatoon, SK S7N 5A9 Canada
Phone: (306) 966-5273, Fax:(306) 966-5205
http://www.engr.usask.ca
June 25, 2013
Dr. Toddi Steelman
Executive Director
School of Environment and Sustainability
Dear Dr. Steelman:
The College of Engineering is pleased to offer its support for the School of Environment and
Sustainability undergraduate certificate in sustainability. This interdisciplinary certificate will fill a
programming niche at the University of Saskatchewan, offering students in a wide variety of
undergraduate programs the opportunity to learn how to address complex sustainability issues.
Today’s undergraduate students are keenly interested in this topic, and this certificate will give them a
viable skill set that will enhance their degree. Our college is pleased to have courses included in the
list that will be considered as part of the certificate.
Sincerely,
Ernie Barber
Dean, College of Engineering
Page 37
Memo
To:
Russ Isinger, Registrar
From:
Brett Fairbairn, Provost and Vice-President Academic
Date:
September 3, 2013
Subject:
Undergraduate Programming by Interdisciplinary Schools
As University Council established SENS, JSGS, and SPH as college-equivalent entities and placed no restrictions
on them also offering undergraduate courses, please ensure that university systems reflect this and facilitate
their offering undergraduate courses/programming in a manner analogous to the other colleges.
At the present time only SENS, of these schools, has any plans or interest in the development of undergraduate
courses. Therefore, changes to accommodate the other schools are considerably less important at this time.
Sincerely,
Brett Fairbairn
Provost and Vice-President Academic
c:
Beth Williamson, University Secretary
Roy Dobson, Chair, Academic Programs Committee of Council
David Hannah, Associate Vice-President, Student Affairs