Department of Sustainability & Renewable Resources

Professor: Brant
Associate Professor: Boyle
Assistant Professor: Blackwell

The Department of Sustainability and Renewable Resources offers a major and minor for students whose career interests are focused on the applications of environmental, social, and political science for solving current issues in environmental science and sustainability. Students that have an interest in science but are not interested in the career offerings of traditional science degrees may find this program suits their needs. The applied problem-solving approach will serve students that seek careers in consulting, policy and regulation, and urban and community planning. The department also offers courses that contribute to the general education program for McMurry students.

Degrees Offered

Bachelor of Science in Sustainability and Renewable Resources - This degree program combines aspects of traditional sciences, environmental science, social science, economics, and cultural components to provide a truly interdisciplinary experience for students. This degree will expose students to processes lead to environmental degradation and strategies that can lead to a more sustainable future. This degree requires a minor or 32 hours of approved university electives. The department also offers a minor for non-majors.

Department Mission and Goals

The goal of the Department of Sustainability and Renewable Resources is to train students that will:

Be able to be able to identify and discuss the major environmental issues confronting our society and the natural, social, and cultural components of these issues
Be able to evaluate research and policy questions using the scientific method or a comparable framework
Apply concepts of systems science to explore solutions to current issues in sustainability
Develop skills necessary for successful careers in sustainability, including geospatial analysis, data analysis, and writing skills

Special Programs and Opportunities

Undergraduate Research Opportunities exist within the department for students to gain hands-on research experience in a range of sustainability topics.

Research Teams Research teams allow students to work intensively on a research project for multiple semesters as part of a team of students. Participation can provide course credit (SUST 3100) and the research experience may contribute to students’ capstone projects (SUST 43XX).

Departmental Honors Please see the description of the McMurry University Honors Program under the Special Program section in the catalog.

Departmental Internships Internships are available (through SUST 4X88 ) that give students practical experience in the field of sustainability.

Special Programs and Opportunities

Departmental Awards Each year, the outstanding students in elementary and intermediate language courses are recognized in the all-university awards ceremony. At the same ceremony, the Gertrude Looney scholarship is awarded to the outstanding junior language student, and the Elizabeth Myatt award is presented to the outstanding senior language student.

Sigma Delta Pi is a national Spanish Honor Society, with a chapter at McMurry, that distinguishes students who have completed 18 hours in Spanish (or have the equivalent proficiency), have a 3.00 average in Spanish, a 2.75 average overall, and who have completed at least one advanced course in Spanish literature or civilization.

Departmental Honors for Spanish. Please see the description of the McMurry University Honors Program under the Special Program section in the catalog.

Programs

Bachelor of Science

Sustainability and Renewable Resources, BS

Minor

Sustainability Minor

Courses

Sustainability