This course presents an overview of the interrelationships between humans and the environment. The first part of the course focuses on important ecological concepts. The remainder of the course deals with human influence on the environment—and which sustainable practices are best suited to help us avoid or ameliorate any negative impacts of the aforementioned influence. The ecological concepts are used throughout to identify and understand possible solutions to contemporary environmental problems, and to provide a basis for proposing those solutions. Overall, this course will provide you with a better understanding of how humans can more positively affect the environment in which they live.

SMGT 115 course syllabus

This course covers the process of using systems thinking to apply the concept of sustainability to various business, social, and scientific issues. Rather than looking at a problem by analyzing its component parts, you will learn to analyze whole systems. You will then model the relationships and behaviors to identify leverage points for change.

SMGT 220 course syllabus

An introduction to the discipline of financial and managerial accounting. You will gain a basic knowledge of the preparation of financial statements and their analytical use. Further, you will explore how this accounting information is applied by managers in the decision-making process to help organizations meet the triple bottom line (strong profits, healthy environment, and vital communities).

Prerequisites: College Math (for degree-seeking students only; there are no prerequisites for certificate students)

SMGT 230 course syllabus

This introductory course highlights economic, social, and environmental issues facing society. In addition to covering traditional issues such as markets and prices (microeconomics), government economic management (macroeconomics), and international trade, this course introduces economic content into the analysis of selected topics such as poverty and discrimination, the environment, and the provision of government services. Critiques of conventional economic thought, within the context of systems thinking and ecological economics, are integrated throughout the course.

Prerequisites: College Math (for degree-seeking students only; there are no prerequisites for certificate students)

SMGT 235 course syllabus

This course is an interdisciplinary professional and technical communication course that applies knowledge of sustainability principles and develops rhetorical skills for a variety of audiences in social, economic, and environmental contexts.

SMGT 240 course syllabus

This course offers an in-depth assessment of the economic, social, and environmental considerations of production agricultural systems that provide safe, reliable, and affordable food supplies for a growing human population. In addition to the maintenance of the economic viability of production agricultural systems, course topics will focus on: the maintenance of soil, water, and air resources; addressing issues of biodiversity loss; and, maintenance of rural community character and economies. Economic, regulatory, and public entity tools that promote sustainability in production agriculture will also be addressed.

Prerequisite: SMGT 115

SMGT 250 course syllabus

This course focuses on climate change science and greenhouse gases, natural and human impacts of climate change, and sustainable and efficient strategies to limit carbon emissions. The course is divided into three major areas: 1) climate science and measured impacts, 2) modeled predictions and mitigation/adaptation strategies, 3) sustainable and carbon neutral practices. This course will emphasize not only the economics of carbon budgeting and increasing efficiency but also the human role in creating and solving climate change and the discrepancies in who, where, and what will be impacted by both climate change and the necessary solutions.

Prerequisite: College Math (for degree-seeking students only; there are no prerequisites for certificate students)

SMGT 305 course syllabus

This course covers interrelationships of organisms with each other and their environments, as well as investigation into composition and dynamics of populations, communities, ecosystems, landscapes, and the biosphere, with emphasis on sustainability.

Prerequisites: Introductory Biology (for degree-seeking students only; there are no prerequisites for certificate students)

SMGT 310 course syllabus

Basic engineering principles and applications for existing and emerging energy technologies. You will learn about energy production, consumption, and environmental impact, and explore the ways in which these principles relate to sustainable management. Topics cover a wide range of energy systems, including nuclear, fossil fuels, wind, solar, biofuels, and biomass.

Prerequisites: College Math (for degree-seeking students only; there are no prerequisites for certificate students)

SMGT 320 course syllabus

This course examines the interdependence between natural resources associated with land, air, and water. You will explore significant environmental issues regarding the policies and problems in the use and management of natural resources related to soils, vegetation, and landscape within the context of social needs and sustainability.

SMGT 325 course syllabus

Analysis of an organization’s opportunities to develop sustainability practices as they relate to the development of product, pricing, supply and distribution channels (retail, wholesale), promotion (advertising, sales promotion, public relations), target markets, and reporting methodologies.

Prerequisites: SMGT 235

SMGT 330 course syllabus

An examination of the interaction between market activity and the environment. The course applies economic analysis to the efficient and sustainable management of environmental goods and resources, and examines how economic institutions and policies can be changed to bring the environmental impacts of economic decision making more into balance with human desires and the needs of the ecosystem.

Prerequisites: SMGT 235

SMGT 332 course syllabus

This course explores how technology can be applied to managing sustainable development in an organization. You will learn about the use of data-processing systems, information systems and decision-support tools, information-systems planning and development, overview of computer hardware and software, database management, networking and Web technologies, green data centers, energy-efficiency trends in information technology, and data and information use in green businesses.

Prerequisites: SMGT 230 (for degree-seeking students only; there are no prerequisites for certificate students)

SMGT 335 course syllabus

An investigation of management principles and theories underlying human behavior in organizations. This course examines how personality, motivation, communication, decision making, leadership, teamwork, ethics, power, diversity, and work stress can create both constraints and opportunities within an “eco-friendly” organization.

Prerequisites: Speech/Introduction to Communications (for degree-seeking students only; there are no prerequisites for certificate students)

SMGT 340 course syllabus

This course covers topics including the spectrum of historical, theoretical, and technical issues applicable to sustainable management of natural resources, environmental quality standards, and risk management. Administrative structures that form the basis for selecting appropriate responses to complex management problems faced by industry, government, and nongovernmental agencies are identified. The historical development and current framework of public policy are investigated, and specific foundational legislation is critiqued.

Prerequisites: SMGT 115

SMGT 360 course syllabus

An introduction to the concepts, functions, processes, and objectives of logistics and supply chain management activities. The course covers activities involved in physically moving raw materials, inventory, and finished goods from point of origin to point of use or consumption. It covers the planning, organizing, and controlling of such activities, and examines the role of supply chain processes in creating sustainable competitive advantage with respect to quality, flexibility, lead time, and cost. Topics include customer service, inventory management, transportation, warehousing, supply chain management, reverse logistics, green supply chains, and international logistics.

SMGT 370 course syllabus

This course will enable students to understand the rationale behind CSR and sustainability. This course takes students through an evaluation of risks and potential impacts in decision making, enabling them to recognize the links between the success of an organization and the well-being of a community/society. Methods and standards of integrating CSR throughout an organization, creating metrics and communicating CSR policies internally and externally will be discussed and analyzed. Students will develop an understanding of best practices of CSR in its entire breadth within an organization as well as delve into economic structures designed to foster more responsibility and accountability.

SMGT 410 course syllabus

This course addresses the impacts of the human-built environment on natural systems and opportunities available to mitigate them through thoughtful planning, design, and implementation techniques to provide desirable, affordable, and sustainable living and working spaces. Topics focus on providing critical infrastructure for economic development, housing, transportation, and utilities while protecting and enhancing environmental assets through effective site and building design, public input, and use of regulatory tools. Additional attention is given to the maintenance of community character and the economic and social interdependence of rural, exurban, suburban, and urban areas.

SMGT 420 course syllabus

This course considers the historical roots of the societal idea of development. We will investigate economic theories of growth and their implications for sustainability, along with interrelationships between population growth, food security, poverty, inequality, urbanization, technological change, international trade, and environmental change on local, regional, and global scales. Contemporary issues and alternatives are explored.

Prerequisites: SMGT 235

SMGT 435 course syllabus

An introduction to the fundamentals of human-environmental interaction. The course explores how these interactions create problems, and how the elements of social, technological, and personal choices combine to overcome them.

Prerequisites: SMGT 115

SMGT 460 course syllabus

The capstone course provides students with the opportunity to apply what they’ve learned and gain hands-on experience in the real world. Each student will help a real organization solve an existing sustainability problem by implementing practical knowledge to achieve a triple-bottom-line solution. Projects may focus on issues such as supply chain structures, energy efficiencies, or environmental and climate concerns. The instructor will serve as a guide throughout the experience.

Prerequisites: SMGT 494 Pre-capstone is a zero credit course that students are automatically enrolled in once they have completed 10 courses. Students must also pass SMGT 494 quiz with an 80% or higher grade (mandatory), have senior standing and/or success coach/academic director permission to enroll in the capstone course. 

SMGT 495 course syllabus

View examples of past capstone projects.