Curricular

Sustainability Courses

The most direct way to achieve the vision for sustainability education at Clemson is through the classes students take.

The following courses are currently offered to undergraduates:  

• Agricultural Biotechnology SSCS 335

  3(2,2) Strategies for the best use of biotechnology and genetic resources to alleviate constraints in global hunger, environmental sustainability, and health. Includes genetic enhancement and chromosome engineering of plant, animal, and microbial systems; issues related to commercial implementation; the impact on developing countries, environmental impact, and governmental policies. Preq: GEN 301 or consent of instructor.

• Beneficial Soil Organisms in Plant Growth CSENV 490, 690

  3(2,2) 3(3,0) Aspects of biological nitrogen fixation, mycorrhizal fungi, microbial-pesticide interactions, bioremediation, nutrient cycles, and biological pest control related to plant growth, soil/environmental quality; and sustainable agriculture are covered. Students who desire laboratory experience in these topics may register for CSEN V 406 after consultation with instructor. Preq: CSENV 202, MICRO 305, PL PA 310, or consent of instructor.

• Ecological Engineering B E 424

  3(3,0) Focuses on engineering solutions to environmental and socioeconomic problems using ecological design principles. Explores ecosystem processes as they pertain to sustainable development, natural resource protection, food and energy production, waste management, and environmental restoration. Engineering fundamentals and ecological modeling are integral components of this course. Preq: Senior standing in Engineering.

• Experiences in Sustainable Development: Water GEOL 270

  3(3,0) Integrates cross-disciplinary perspectives on sustainability through active student participation in real-world development projects. Focuses on identifying and overcoming environmental, technical, social/organizational, and economic barriers to the sustainability of water resources. Emphasizes small-scale international water resources development.

• Design Implementation I & II LARCH 262, 362

  LARCH 262: 3(1,3) Basics of landscape architecture construction methods and construction documents, including site information gathering and analysis, basic site grading and drainage, cut and fill, principles of stormwater management, and sustainable land management related to implementation. Includes explorations in hand and computer graphic techniques used in construction drawings. Preq: Consent of instructor.
  LARCH 362: 3(1,2) Advanced landscape architecture construction methods and construction documents, including site information gathering, analysis, site grading and drainage, cut and fill, principles of stormwater management, sustainable land management related to implementation, materials research and use, sustainable planting strategies, site demolition and construction management. Includes explorations in appropriate graphic communication techniques. Preq: Consent of instructor.

• Macromarketing MKT 445

  3(3,0) Examines the relationship between marketing and society, focusing on the social impact of marketing practices. Topics include technology, ethics, materialism, globalization, environmental sustainability, and the political and economic philosophy underlying marketing. Course is multidisciplinary and uses a variety of readings to cover each topic area. Preq: MKT 301 and junior standing, or consent of instructor.

• Natural Resource Use, Technology, and Policy AP EC 457, 657

  3(3,0) Focuses on economic analyses of actual, efficient, and sustainable uses of natural resources, impacts of technologies that affect these uses, and policies that affect development and use of such technologies. Resource-technology-policy combinations may vary, but an example is crude oil, hybrid automotive engines, and fuel economy standards. Preq: MTHSC 102; and C R D (AP EC) 357 or ECON 314.

• Organic Vegetable ProductionHORT 456

  3(3,0) The objectives of the course are to introduce students to the concepts of sustainable agriculture and certified organic vegetable production through an experiential learning environment at the Clemson Student Organic Farm. The course will cover a wide range of topics related to organic vegetable production including fundamentals of sustainable and organic agriculture, site selection, preparation of the vegetable growing area, variety selection and planting, cultural practices to manage insects and diseases, and harvesting. You can find their website highlighting their efforts here.

• Packaging Design Theory PKGSC 320

  3(2,3) Study of human factors psychology as it relates to product and package development. Lecture topics center on advanced color theory, space, shape, texture, pattern, typography, branding, marketing, consumer studies, ergonomics, sustainability and applied packaging. Laboratory focuses on developing retail packaging through applying course theory, group development and peer critique. Preq: PKGSC 220 or consent of instructor (non-packaging majors only).

• Pollution Prevention and Industrial Ecology EE&S 486, 686

  3(3,0) Topics include pollution prevention technology, the role of pollution prevention within a corporation, source reduction and recycling assessments, treatment to reduce disposal, life-cycle assessment, design for environment, and industrial ecology. Emphasizes case studies. Preq: Junior standing in College of Engineering and Science or consent of instructor. EE&S 490, H490, 690 Special

• Sustainable Construction C E 436, 636

  3(3,0) Presents the “why,” “what” and “how” for sustainable construction projects. Students gain a working understanding of how to minimize the negative impacts of buildings and other large construction projects. Preq: C E 331 or consent of instructor.

• Sustainable Landscape Garden Design, & Laboratory HORT 308, 309

  HORT 308: 3(3,0) Landscape planning of gardens using environmentally sensitive design, construction, and maintenance practices. Survey skills to obtain user perception and preference and environmental measurement skills are introduced. Offered fall semester only. Preq: HORT 101, 303, or consent of instructor.
  HORT 309: 1(0,3) Landscape garden design using sustainable environmentally sensitive concepts and practices. Techniques of sustainable landscape garden design including hand drawing, site assessment, client interview, user perception survey, plant selection, and professional presentation. Plant selection encourages establishing healthy ecosystems. Emphasis on interactions between design, installation, and maintenance phases. Preq or Coreq: HORT 308.

• Sustainability LeadershipEE&S Section 11

  Participants, representing Clemson's diverse student body, will learn how principles of economic, social, and environmental sustainability apply in contexts ranging from personal lifestyle choices, to the structure of the built environment, to the operation of public and private institutions. Participants will also develop and practice skills to act as agents of change in the University and the broader community. We will use our local, regional, national and global communities as laboratories for studying sustainability, leadership and social advocacy. For more info contact: Leidy Klotz

• Urban Design Studio LARCH 352

  6(1,10) Landscape architectural design in the urban context. Students study urban issues and offer design and sustainable management solutions for urban areas. Includes readings and theory component as well as an opportunity to collaborate with architecture students. Preq: LARCH 351 or consent of instructor.

• Technology, Environment, and Sustainability PHIL 340

  3(3,0) Philosophical examination of how technology contributes to significant environmental change. Considers role of science in justifying claims about (for example) global climate change, role of technology in responding to these changes, how technology affects relations between humans and the extra-human world, and ethical implications of various kinds of technology.

The following courses are currently offered to graduate students:

• Architecture & Health Studio: Selected Projects ARCH 895

  3-6(0,6-12) Studio for students in Architecture + Health Concentration offering selected projects engaging a variety of health-related topics from health community design, sustainable/green architecture, long-term care and community health-care projects associated with health and wellbeing. Projects executed are similar to professional practice, combining teamwork with individual design alternatives. May be repeated for a maximum of 12 credits. Preq: Consent of instructor.

• Architectural History and Theory IV ARCH 864

  3(3,0) Investigation of emerging architectural trends and urban phenomena prepares students for advanced history/theory electives, independent research and architectural practice in the decades ahead through the study of such topics as globalization and non-western architecture, mega-cities, sprawl and urbanization, energy and infrastructure, landscape and urban design, science and sustainability. Preq: ARCH 862.

• Beneficial Soil Organisms in Plant Growth CSENV 690

  3(3,0) Aspects of biological nitrogen fixation, mycorrhizal fungi, microbial-pesticide interactions, bioremediation, nutrient cycles, and biological pest control related to plant growth, soil/environmental quality; and sustainable agriculture are covered. Students who desire laboratory experience in these topics may register for CSEN V 406 after consultation with instructor.

• Building Design and Construction Principles ARCH 820

  3(3,0) Essential principles for quality design and construction. Emphasis is on design, programming and sustainability issues for different project types. Nature and characteristics of construction materials, equipment and systems used in modern buildings are presented as well as how they affect function and feasibility. Preq: Consent of instructor.

• Building Processes: Technical Resolution ARCH 874

  3(1,3) Develops the designer’s ability to assess, select and conceptually integrate structural systems, building envelope systems, environmental systems, life-safety systems and building service systems in a sustainable building design.

• Environmental Sedimentology GEOL 814

  3(3,0) Environmental-based applications of sedimentology to developing an understanding of heterogeneity and scale, fluid flow and saturation, sediment-fluid interactions, and modeling approaches; field and laboratory methods; case studies; implications to environmental sustainability. Preq: Consent of instructor.

• Environmental Systems Analysis EE&S 820

  3(3,0) Analysis of a systems view of environmental problems, with particular emphasis on conflicting objectives such as economic and environmental concerns. Example problems span traditional environmental engineering processes, natural resources, proactive environmental management and sustainability. Preq: consent of instructor.

• Natural Resource Use, Technology,and Policy AP EC 657

  3(3,0) Focuses on economic analyses of actual, efficient, and sustainable uses of natural resources, impacts of technologies that affect theseuses, and policies that affect development and use of such technologies. Resource-technology-policy combinations may vary, but an example is crude oil, hybrid automotive engines, and fuel economy standards.

• Pollution Prevention and Industrial Ecology EE&S 686

  3(3,0) Topics include pollution prevention technology, the role of pollution prevention within a corporation, source reduction and recycling assessments, treatment to reduce disposal, life-cycle assessment, design for environment, and industrial ecology. Emphasizes case studies. Preq: Graduate College of Engineering and Science or consent of instructor.

• Rural Sustainable Development: Evolution of Public Policy POST 851

  3(3,0) Formulation of current national and local public policies that impact rural community development; the constraints and opportunities they provide; interaction among government institutions, decision makers and interest groups; associated influence on rural sustainability. Preq: Admission to certificate or PhD program in Policy Studies or consent of instructor.

• Seminar in Sustainable Development POST (C RP) 870

  3(3,0) Concept of sustainable development traced from its historical roots through the popularization of the term in the international development literature; scientific base and the application of sustainability through economic sectors and building practice. Students conduct individual/group research projects.

• Site Planning and Infrastructure C RP 802

  3(3,0) Covers the principles and practice of site planning, including site analysis, site design, infrastructure planning; exploration of site planning options for residential, commercial, office, industrial and mixed-use projects; street network, civic space, and open space planning; emphasis on walkable, mixed-use, transit-oriented, sustainable development. Preq: Consent of instructor.

• Sustainable Business Practices M B A 876

  3(3,0) Examination of emerging field of sustainable business practices and its role in strategy development and implementation. Specific emphasis is on history, science and politics of sustainability, including its effects on production, consumption and environmental impact. Preq: Consent of instructor.

• Sustainable Construction C E 636

  3(3,0) Presents the “why,” “what” and “how” for sustainable construction projects. Students gain a working understanding of how to minimize the negative impacts of buildings and other large construction projects. Preq: C E 331 or consent of instructor.

• Sustainable Event Management PRTM 849

  Examines the impacts events have on the environment. Practices related to reduction of social and environmental impacts events have are discussed. Topics include green positioning, carbon reduc¬tions, water use and conservation, ethics, and waste management.

• Sustainable Infrastructure Systems C E 839

  3(3,0) Covers sustainable infrastructure systems with em¬phasis on science-based tools to design and analyze these systems. Examines theoretical background and specific cases for topics including life-cycle assessment, systems analysis and economic valu¬ation for sustainability. Preq: C E 436 or consent of instructor.

• Sustainable Tourism: Myth or Reality? PRTM 850

  3(3,0) Provides students with exposure to issues related to developing sustainable tourism, both in developing and developed countries. Emphasis is on understanding global and local politics, policies, environments and social and cultural impacts stem¬ming from developing sustainable tourism.

As the course list continues to grow future initiatives play a huge role in spreading sustainability to have direct application to all majors. 

Ongoing efforts have positioned Clemson to pursue these goals; however, realizing them will require both sustained individual effort and selfless collaboration. Clemson students, faculty and staff must be committed and involved.