Golisano Institute for Sustainability
Course Descriptions
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5001-802 Fundamentals of Sustainability Science
This course prepares students to conduct original research related to sustainable production and consumption systems. Fundamental concepts of industrial ecology, ecological economics, ecosystem health, and social ecology essential to the understanding the interaction of industrial and ecological systems are introduced Students will learn multiple perspectives of sustainability such as strong and weak formulations, the importance of sustainability as an ethical concept, and a life-cycle approach to organizing research related to sustainability. (A minimum of four credits of calculus (or higher); 1016-319 Data Analysis I (or equivalent); 1016-320 Data Analysis II (or equivalent); economics; any one of the following: physics, chemistry or biology; exceptions are by permission of Instructor.) Class 4, Credit 4 (M W)
5001-803 Economics of Sustainability
The economics of sustainability regards conceptualizing appropriate dynamic consumption and production paths and strategies for attaining such paths. This course begins by exploring how problems of sustainability can be analyzed using the neoclassical economics paradigm. We then consider how sustainability concerns arise within consumer theory and within the theory of the firm (e.g., issues of green design). Standard modeling tools used in economics are introduced. Environmental and resource economic policy instruments—such as taxes, tradable pollution permits, liability and regulation—are critically evaluated for use in various contexts in which sustainability is of concern. Consideration is given to how the economic theory of sustainability complements perspectives from other disciplines. The course concludes with a discussion of current issues in sustainability such as climate change. (0511-711 or equivalent or permission of instructor) Class 4, Credit 4 (W)
5001-804 Industrial Ecology
Industrial ecology is the study of the interaction between industrial and ecological systems. Students in this course learn to assess the impact and dependency of production systems on the natural environment by mastering life-cycle assessment tools, concepts in biomimicry and principles of sustainability. (A minimum of four credits in calculus (or higher); 1016-319 Data Analysis I (or equivalent); 1016-320 Data Analysis II (or equivalent); economics; any one of the following: physics, chemistry or biology; research experience and graduate standing recommended; exceptions are by permission of Instructor.) Class 4, Credit 4 (W)
5001-805 Technology, Policy, and Sustainability
Public policy is a multidisciplinary field aimed at understanding how policy and regulation can be used to achieve certain social goals. These goals may include the notion of sustainability, whereby society’s present needs are met without compromising the ability to meet society’s future needs. This course introduces students to public policy and its role in building a sustainable society. The course places particular emphasis on the policy process; the relationship among technology, policy, and the environment; and policy mechanisms for addressing market and government failures that threaten sustainability. (4 credits; enrollment restricted to students in the PhD in Sustainability or permission by instructor)
5001-806 Understanding Risk from a Sustainability Standpoint
This course examines the three pillars of sustainability (economy, environment, society) from a risk analytic perspective and presents an introduction to financial, toxicological and socio-political risk assessment, management and communication. Topics include utility theory, net present value analysis, benefit-cost analysis, ecotoxicology, environmental impact statements, environmental justice, risk management and risk communication. Illustrative examples from contract management, financial markets, environmental history and supply chain management are discussed. This course prepares students for further study in sustainable design, decision-making and policy. (A minimum of four credits in calculus (or higher); 1016-319 Data Analysis I (or equivalent); 1016-320 Data Analysis II (or equivalent); economics; any one of the following: physics, chemistry or biology; research experience and graduate standing recommended; exceptions are by permission of Instructor) Class 4, Credit 4 (F)
5001-808 Multicriteria Sustainable Systems Analysis
This course introduces and applies methods in systems analysis, tradeoffs, and decision making in the context of multicriteria issues in sustainable production systems by building on basic decision analysis concepts introduced in 5001-806 Understanding Risk from a Sustainability Perspective. Students requiring additional depth or breadth in this topic area to support their research will likely take additional coursework as electives. (A minimum of four credits in calculus (or higher); 1016-319 Data Analysis I (or equivalent); 1016-320 Data Analysis II (or equivalent); economics; any one of the following: physics, chemistry or biology; exceptions are by permission of Instructor.) Class 4, Credit 4 (S)
5001-812 Sustainable Product Realization Strategies
This course draws on concepts and methods pertaining to risk, life-cycle assessment, innovation, and policy introduced in various core courses to make strategic product-system decisions during the earliest stages of product development. (permission of instructor) Class 4, Credit 4 (offered occasionally)
5001-814 Systems Health Management
Systems Health Management will provide systems engineering approach and tools and technologies for maintaining operational, economic and environmental performance of products throughout the life cycle. The course will focus on failure diagnosis (understanding existing failures), and failure prognosis (providing advance notice of potential failures). (permission of instructor) Class 4, Credit 4. (offered occasionally)
5001-816 Remanufacturing Processes
Remanufacturing is a process of bringing used products to a “like-new” functional state. It recovers a substantial proportion of the resources incorporated in a used product during its first manufacture, at low additional cost. Valuable material resources are also retained. Students in this course will learn how material aging, product design, economic, and environmental factors impact remanufacturing. (0304-344 Materials Science or equivalent; permission of instructor) Class 4, Credit 4 (offered occasionally)
5001-818 Sustainable Energy Systems
This course investigates the systemic relationships involved with energy production, distribution, and consumption. The longstanding dependence on fossil fuels and nuclear energy to supply global energy demands will be used as a basis to evaluate the potential implementation of alternative, sustainable energy sources. These technologies include solar, wind, biomass, oceanic, geothermal, hydropower, and fuel cell (hydrogen). An analysis of each energy technology will be used to discuss the intended impact on political, social, economic, and environmental goals. These considerations are evaluated towards developing an understanding of sustainable energy supply and consumption patterns, both domestically and internationally. (Permission of Instructor) Class 4, Credit 4 (F)