School of Economic, Political and Policy Sciences

Sustainability Planning and Policy (BS)

Sustainability Planning and Policy explores the intricate relationships between ecological, economic, social, and political systems, as well as the behaviors and policies that influence these interactions. At its core, sustainability studies seek to understand human impact on the natural and human environments and promote responsible stewardship of natural resources. This field of study also encompasses economic development, social equity, governance institutions, education, public opinion, civil society, and ethical considerations related to social responsibility. Given its interdisciplinary nature, sustainability is a fundamental theme across multiple programs within the School of Economic, Political, and Policy Sciences (EPPS).

Mission Statement

The mission of the BS in Sustainability Planning and Policy program is to equip students with the knowledge, skills, and tools to address the complex environmental, social, and economic challenges of sustainable development. The program will prepare graduates to develop and implement innovative plans, policies, and solutions that promote sustainability using both theoretical principles and cutting-edge technologies. It fosters a commitment to resilience, social responsibility, and environmental stewardship within communities and organizations.

Students within the program will:

• Gain a deep understanding of concepts, theories, and principles for sustainable development
• Analyze human-environment interactions and their impacts on global and local environments
• Apply advanced technologies, methods, techniques, and planning practices to address sustainable challenges
• Evaluate environmental policies and regulations influencing sustainable developments

Bachelor of Sustainability Planning and Policy

Degree Requirements (120 semester credit hours)

View an Example of Degree Requirements by Semester

Faculty

FACG> epps-geospatial-information-sciences-bs

Professors: Yongwan Chun @yxc070300, Daniel A. Griffith @dag054000, Dohyeong Kim @dxk132530, David J. Lary @djl101000, Fang Qiu @ffqiu, May Yuan @mxy141230

Associate Professor: Michael Tiefelsdorf @mrt052000

Assistant-Professor: Elías Cisneros @mxc230040

Professor Emeriti: Ronald Briggs @briggs

Associate-Professor-of-Instruction: Muhammad Rahman @mtr018000

Lecturer: Bryan Chastain @bjc062000

I. Core Curriculum Requirements: 42 semester credit hours

Curriculum Requirements can be fulfilled by other approved courses from institutions of higher education. The courses listed are recommended as the most efficient way to satisfy both Core Curriculum and Major Requirements at UT Dallas.

Communication: 6 semester credit hours

EPPS 2307 Digital Earth¹

or GISC 2307 Digital Earth¹

or GEOS 2307 Digital Earth¹

Or select any 6 semester credit hours from Communication Core courses (see advisor)

Mathematics: 3 semester credit hours

MATH 1325 Applied Calculus I^{1, 2}

or MATH 2413 Differential Calculus^{1, 2}

or MATH 2417 Calculus I^{1, 2}

Or select any 3 semester credit hours from Mathematics Core courses (see advisor)

Life and Physical Sciences: 6 semester credit hours

Select two courses from the following:

GEOS 1303 Physical Geology

GEOS 2310 Environmental Geology

GEOS 2304 The 21st Century Energy Transition

ENVR 2302 The Global Environment

or GEOG 2302 The Global Environment

or GEOS 2302 The Global Environment

Or select any 6 semester credit hours from Life and Physical Sciences Core courses (see advisor)

Language, Philosophy and Culture: 3 semester credit hours

Select any 3 semester credit hours from Language, Philosophy and Culture Core courses (see advisor)

Creative Arts: 3 semester credit hours

Select any 3 semester credit hours from Creative Arts Core courses (see advisor)

American History: 6 semester credit hours

Select any 6 semester credit hours from American History Core courses (see advisor).

Government/Political Science: 6 semester credit hours

Select any 6 semester credit hours from Government/Political Science Core courses (see advisor)

Social and Behavioral Sciences: 3 semester credit hours

ECON 2301 Principles of Macroeconomics¹

Or select any 3 semester credit hours from Social and Behavioral Sciences Core courses (see advisor)

Component Area Option: 6 semester credit hours

EPPS 2301 Research Design in the Social and Policy Sciences¹

EPPS 2302 Methods of Quantitative Analysis in the Social and Policy Sciences¹

Or select any 6 semester credit hours from Component Area Core courses (see advisor)

II. Major Requirements: 64 semester credit hours

Major Preparatory Courses: 16-17 semester credit hours (1 semester credit hours beyond Core Curriculum)

EPPS 1110 Critical Issues in the Social Sciences

EPPS 2307 Digital Earth¹

or GISC 2307 Digital Earth¹

or GEOS 2307 Digital Earth¹

MATH 1325 Applied Calculus I^{1, 2}

or MATH 2413 Differential Calculus^{1, 2}

or MATH 2417 Calculus I^{1, 2}

ECON 2301 Principles of Macroeconomics¹

EPPS 2301 Research Design in the Social and Policy Sciences¹

EPPS 2302 Methods of Quantitative Analysis in the Social and Policy Sciences¹

Major Core Courses: 42 semester credit hours

ECON 2302 Principles of Microeconomics

ECON 3310 Intermediate Microeconomic Theory

ECON 4324 Economics of Sustainability

or IPEC 4324 Economics of Sustainability

or PPOL 4324 Economics of Sustainability

or PSCI 4324 Economics of Sustainability

GEOG 3331 Smart and Sustainable Cities

or EPPS 3331 Smart and Sustainable Cities

or ENVR 3331 Smart and Sustainable Cities

GEOG 3372 Population and Development

GEOG 3377 Urban Planning and Policy

or PA 3377 Urban Planning and Policy

GISC 2309 Principles of Geospatial Information Sciences

GISC 3336 Fundamentals of Sustainability

or EPPS 3336 Fundamentals of Sustainability

or ENVR 3336 Fundamentals of Sustainability

GISC 4386 Climate Change and Sustainable Solutions

or EPPS 4386 Climate Change and Sustainable Solutions

or ENVR 4386 Climate Change and Sustainable Solutions

GISC 4325 Introduction to Remote Sensing

or GEOS 4325 Introduction to Remote Sensing

IPEC 3349 World Resources and Development

PA 3382 Sustainable Communities

or SOC 3382 Sustainable Communities

PPOL 4305 Policy Analysis, Theory, and Methods

PSCI 4304 Energy and Environmental Politics and Policy

Sustainability Policy Electives: 21 semester credit hours

Select seven courses (21 semester credit hours) from the following:

ECON 4333 Environmental Economics

ECON 4336 Environmental Economic Theory and Policy

EPPS 4300 EPPS Policy Lab

GEOG 3357 Spatial Dimensions of Health and Disease

GEOG 4338 Hazard and Disaster Management

or EPPS 4338 Hazard and Disaster Management

or ENVR 4338 Hazard and Disaster Management

GISC 4310 Environmental and Health Policy in East Asia

or IPEC 4310 Environmental and Health Policy in East Asia

GISC 4382 Applied Geographic Information Systems

GISC 4384 Health and Environmental GIS

IPEC 4396 Topics in International Political Economy (when the topic related to environmental policy)

PA 3333 Human Resources Management: Leading a Diverse Workforce

PA 4357 Measuring Social Impact

PPOL 4302 Data and Policy

or PSCI 4302 Data and Policy

PPOL 4311 Wicked Social Problems

PPOL 4398 Internship

PPOL 4V91 Undergraduate Research in Public Policy

PSCI 4396 Selected Topics in Government and Politics (when the topic related to environmental policy)

III. Elective Requirements: 14 semester credit hours

This requirement may be satisfied with lower- and upper-division courses from any field of study.

Incoming and transfer students may need to complete the necessary 1000-level mathematics course, i.e., MATH 1314, prior to taking MATH 1325 or MATH 2312 prior to taking MATH 2413.

The plan must include sufficient upper-division courses to total 45 upper-division semester credit hours.

1. A Major requirement that also fulfills a Core Curriculum requirement. Semester credit hours are counted in Core Curriculum.

2. Incoming and transfer students may need to complete the necessary 1000-level mathematics course, i.e., MATH 1314, prior to taking MATH 1325 or MATH 2312 prior to taking MATH 2413.