Degrees / Courses

Degree Granted: Bachelor of Science in Sustainable Business (B.S.S.B.) Sustainable Business Major

Sustainable Business is interdisciplinary in nature, integrating science, business, and environmental studies. Sustainable business practices improve long-term profitability, the health of natural systems, and the social infrastructure of our world community. A student completing the B.S. in Sustainable Business will be prepared for a career in private industry, nonprofit organizations, government, or for graduate-level studies in sustainable business or a related discipline. Students must obtain a grade of C or higher in each required course to count toward a major or minor concentration in Sustainable Business. Students must complete 65 semester hours of major courses as follows:

Major Requirements

Number	Title	Semester Offered	Hours
AG 210	Principles of Accounting - Financial	Fall, Spring	4
AG 211	Principles of Accounting - Managerial	Fall, Spring	4
BS 201	Principles of Management	Fall, Spring, Summer	3
BS 202	Principles of Marketing	Fall, Spring, Summer	3
BS 305	Financial Management	Fall, Spring, Summer	3
BS 325	Ethics and the Ecology of Commerce	Spring	3
BY 123	Environmental Biology	Fall, Spring	3
CN 101	Introduction to Communication	Fall, Spring	3
CY 101	Environmental Chemistry	Fall	3
EL 100	Intro to Environmental Studies	Fall, Spring, Summer	3
EL 301	Advanced Environmental Studies	Spring	3
ES 214	Microeconomics	Fall, Spring, Summer	3
PC 291	Physical Science	Fall, Spring	3
Required Sustainable Business Courses:
SB 100	Industrial Ecology	Fall	3
SB 201	Sustainable Business Management	Spring	3
SB 315	Building Social Capital	Spring	3
SB 320	Sustainable Business Innovations Lab	Spring	3
SB 395	Cases in Sustainable Business	Spring	3
SB 397	Internship	Fall, Spring, Summer	3
Must select two of the next four elective courses:
SB 200	Sustainable Energy Systems	Fall	3
SB 202	Environmental Regulatory Compliance	Spring	3
SB 300	Environmental Economics and Policy	Fall	3
SB 330	International Perspectives in Sustainable Business	Spring	3
Total Hours: 65

Sustainable Business Minor Requirements

The following 28 semester hours of courses:
EL 301	CY 101	SB 100
SB 201	SB Elective (SB 200, 202, 300, 310, 320 or 395)	BS 201
BS 202	AG 211	SB 315

Certificate Information

The following 18 hours of courses:*
EL 100	EL 301	SB 100
SB 201	SB 315	BS 201

Course Descriptions

AG 210	Principles of Accounting - Financial (4)
	Introduction to financial accounting and its application to the reporting needs of organizations. Topics include basic accounting processes and procedures, the accounting cycle, internal control, and the valuation and measurement of accounts receivable, inventory, operating and intangible assets, liabilities and capital stock transactions.
AG 211	Principles of Accounting - Managerial (4)
	A continuation of AG 210 dealing with financial reporting requirements and use of accounting information for planning, control and decision making. Topics include statement of cash flows, cost behavior analysis, product costing and budgets. Prerequisite: AG 210.
BS 200	Fundamentals of the Organization for the Non-Major (3)
	An overview course which introduces the student to the functions of management, marketing, accounting, finance, and economics. Business principles, concepts, theories, and terms, together with ethics and values, are examined both academically and experientially.
BS 201	Principles of Management (3)
	The focus is on the origin and development of management theory, processes of management, decision making, leadership, communication, social responsibility, and international management. Emphasis on application of management principles to managing organizations.
BS 202	Principles of Marketing (3)
	An introduction to basic marketing concepts, including marketing strategy, pricing, promotional activities, product development, and physical distribution.
BS 305	Financial Management (3)
	Covers the concepts and techniques underlying effective decision making related to investment and financial decisions. Some of the topics include planning profitability, analysis of risk, valuation of financial assets, time value of money, cost of capital, capital budgeting, planning capital structure and dividend decisions. Prerequisite: AG 210 or 213, ES 214, MS 151, CS 152
BS 325	Ethics and the Ecology of Commerce (3)
	This course reviews classical positions in ethics as well as current Catholic social teaching in the areas of morality and the role of business. This course explores the relationships between the business institutions and the natural ecology. Environmental impacts are explored in terms of raw material extraction, pollution, and methods of costing and the long term sustainability of economic growth. Mechanisms for full costing are explored, as are market growth opportunities, which may be found in the impetus for pollution control and environmental clean up. Regional, national, and international aspects are considered with particular emphasis on the development of international agreements.
BY 123	Environmental Biology (3)
	Introduction to aquatic and terrestrial ecosystems, with emphasis on human influences. Field experience based labs.
CN 101	Introduction to Communication (3)
	Theory and methods of intra personal, interpersonal, small group, organizational, public, intercultural, and mass communication.
CY 101	Environmental Chemistry (3)
	Application of chemical concepts to ecosystems; implications of chemical technology to the social and physical environment. Prerequisites: High school chemistry recommended
EL 100	Intro to Environmental Studies (3)
	An introduction to natural processes and the human impacts upon the natural environment. Specific components include human population trends, soil and water issues, energy strategies, atmospheric issues, and pollution.
EL 301	Advanced Environmental Studies (3)
	In depth examination of human population growth, energy shortages, soil degradation, pollution, and environmental economics. Prerequisites: EL 100 or BY 123
ES 214	Microeconomics (3)
	Introduction to the economic problem and the study of economics, to basics of supply and demand, to concepts and models used to understand the economic behavior of households and firms, to economic outcomes under various market structures, and to market failures and international trade.
PC 291	Physical Science (3)
	An introduction to physics and astronomy for non-science majors. Lab and lecture experiences are integrated within regular class meetings. Recommended for elementary education majors and those students who wish to acquire a broad perspective on these two areas of physical science.
SB 100	Industrial Ecology (3)
	This course examines the advantages of nature-based industrial systems for humankind and the natural community. Intelligent approaches to sustainable energy and material systems are outlined and discussed. A wide variety of organizations that have begun a serious transition toward sustainable business practices are examined. Prerequisites: EL301 and BS201.
SB 200	Sustainable Energy Systems (3)
	This course utilizes a systems perspective to examine the possibilities for sustainable energy production and consumption throughout the 21st Century and beyond. First, we will explore the foundations of energy - its physics, how we account for energy, and concepts of energy efficiency and effectiveness. Next, an overview of our current energy production and consumption will be presented, along with some of the environmental, economic and social impacts and challenges encountered at regional, national and global levels, such as climate change, carbon sequestration, mobility, energy conservation and national security. We will also examine energy scenarios for the future and how existing and theoretical energy technologies such as biomass, hydrogen, wind, solar (including photovoltaics), geothermal, hydropower, ocean and tidal power and others are reshaping energy utilization and management for businesses and the communities in which they operate.
SB 201	Sustainable Business Design and Management (3)
	We will examine intelligent approaches for provisioning goods and services that result in long-term business profitability, restored natural world integrity, and the emergence of vibrant and stable communities. We will discuss the variety of components and strategies necessary for meaningful sustainable business and effective real-world transitions inside the movement. Prerequisites: SB100 and BS201.
SB 202	Environmental Regulatory Compliance (3)
	Regulatory compliance strategies for business on local, state, and federal levels are outlined. Strategies for bringing small, medium, and large businesses in compliance with air, water, and solid-waste pollution regulations are discussed. Prerequisites: EL 100 or BY 123.
SB 300	Environmental Economics and Policy (3)
	This course examines micro economic theory and models of environmental economics such as common property resources, externalities, environmental accounting, contingent valuation, and maximum sustainable yield along with the complex economic and social impacts of environmental policy. Prerequisites: SB100 and ES214.
SB 310	Special Topics in Sustainable Business (3)
	Variable topics in Sustainable Business offered on an occasional basis.
SB 315	Building Social Capital (3)
	This course explores key elements and various forms of social capital, how to measure it, and how to leverage it for change in commerce and communities. Social capital's role in sustaining and enhancing human relationships within ecological systems is also examined in order to understand how social structures, networks and norms contribute to business success and community vitality. Concepts such as collective action, corporate social responsibility, social innovation, stakeholder engagement, and "base of the pyramid" strategies are among those concepts embedded within the overarching concept of social capital. Prerequisite: SB100 or permission of instructor.
SB 320	Sustainable Business Innovations Lab (3)
	We will investigate and deploy triple top-line entrepreneurial innovation, effective organizational design, workplace innovation application skills, and research/analysis methods through in-class discussions as well as practice based projects. Prerequisites: SB100, 201, and 315
SB 330	International Perspectives in Sustainable Business (3)
	This course examines the deployment of sustainable business practices around the world. Class discussions, lectures, and assignments will explore the variety of sustainable business models and practices which may be found in differently developing countries and regions, as well as introduce the complexities of a practicing sustainable business in a globalizing world. Students will be challenged to analyze the significance of cultural, political, and socioeconomic contexts in designing products, processes, and business strategies and models which will further sustainable business criteria. Each semester, a particular region/country receives more intense examination, culminating with a ten-twelve day field visit to that region/country immediately following the end of the semester. A required field component for the course takes place in various locations throughout the region/country. To participate in the required field component, students must complete the required forms and submit payments according to the dates outlined in the "Study Abroad for International Perspectives on Sustainable Business" contract and other materials posted for this field component on Course Connect. Prerequisites: SB100, SB201and SB315 or permission of instructor.
SB 395	Case Studies in Sustainable Business (3)
	This case-oriented course focuses on a variety of proactive sustainable business policy strategies that build economic value for business, improve the health of natural systems, and increase social capital within the community. Prerequisites: BS 201, BS 202, BS305, BS 325, SB 100, and SB 201
SB 397	Internship (3)
	Under the direction of faculty, this capstone course engages the student to work with a business chosen by the student and the development of a plan to significantly improve its sustainable business practices. Prerequisite: Senior standing and completion of all other major coursework.