The concentration in Sustainability expands the students’ perspective to include an understanding of the environmental and social aspects of business. Students gain the multi-disciplinary knowledge and critical skills needed to effectively manage these factors and to grow the organization in a manner that is socially responsible.
Program Structure
In addition to the 24 credit-hour MBA core curriculum, a concentration in Sustainability requires completion of the course work below.
A concentration shall include at least nine (9) credit hours.
| Course Code | Course Title | Description | Credits |
|---|---|---|---|
| ECON 8326 |
Natural Resource Economics (Required) |
Energy, minerals, fisheries, water, land, pollution and congestion are among the topics. The course covers the basic theoretical framework for understanding the optimal rate of use, and considers and evaluates various public policy prescriptions. Prereq: ECON 2200, ECON 2220 |
3 |
| Select two (2) from below: | |||
| BIOL 8826 | Intro to Environ Law & Regulations |
Seminar on environmental law and regulation. The course will address federal regulations, implementing instructions, legal principles and requirements. The major federal environmental laws, air and water quality, solid and hazardous waste, and pollution prevention and remediation will be discussed. Prereq: Graduate and permission of instructor. Not open to nondegree students. |
3 |
| ECON 8020 | Environmental Economics & Management |
This course covers topics related to environmental economics and policy, with an emphasis on comparative policy analysis and business strategies toward the environment. Prereq: Intermediate Microeconomics (ECON 3200) or Managerial Economics (ECON 8210, BSAD 8100), or permission of the instructor. |
3 |
| ECON 8666 | International Economic Development |
This course deals with the economics of developing countries. It introduces theories of development and endogenous growth. It analyzes domestic products such as income distribution, population growth, unemployment, urbanization and education. It also analyzes international economic issues such as trade, foreign investment and debt. It discusses government development policies. Prereq: ECON 2200, ECON 2220 |
3 |
| ENV 840 | Climate Change, Sustainability & Public Health (UNMC) |
A survey of the dynamic public health features of global environmental and climate change expected during the 21st century. This interdisciplinary course covers key public health impacts related to health sciences, policy, economics, and energy production, environmental footprint, climate dynamics, and global regional health effects, migration, agriculture, built environment, etc. Strategies will be considered and evaluated for sustaining a high level of public health in the long term. |
3 |
| ENV 892 |
Public Health, Environment & Society (UNMC) |
This course is designed to prepare the graduate student, professional student, or fellow to develop leadership and systems thinking skills relevant to solving environmental and occupational health problems. The purpose of this course is to introduce students to environmental and occupational issues relevant to public health. Topics covered will include biological, physical, chemical, and societal factors that affect human health, communities, and the environment. The impact of human activities on the natural environment will also be discussed. Major topics to be covered include environmental health, occupational health, risk assessment, risk communication, and toxicology. The course is intended for students who will work in public health, environmental health, occupational health and safety and research settings. Prereq: Graduate standing |
3 |
| ENVN 8316 |
Our Energy Future: Society, the Environment & Sustainability |
This course emphasizes a critical analysis of our energy options and their environmental, economic, and ethical connections. The course includes the underlying chemistry necessary to accurately assess energy positions described in the mainstream media and ultimately to make informed, creative energy choices. Prereq: Graduate standing |
3 |
| GEOG 8166 |
Urban Sustainability |
Using sustainability as a conceptual framework, students in this course will investigate a variety of social, economic, and environmental challenges facing cities of the 21st century. Topics and issues explored include urban growth and expansion, livability, equity & gentrification, energy use & production, urban farming, poverty, automobility & transportation, water security, urban pollution, and the role of cities in climate change. Prereq: Graduate standing |
3 |
| PSCI 8276 |
Global Environmental Politics |
This course introduces students to issues of global environmental politics and policy, including the science behind issues such as climate change, how environmental policy is made at the national and international levels, and what role politics plays in determining environmental resource use. Prereq: PSCI 2210 or equivalent is recommended |
3 |
| PSCI 8296 |
International Development and Sustainability |
This course introduces students to different concepts of international development through the lens of sustainability. The course explores a broad range of activities related to international development, including international aid, trade, philanthropy, interventions in conflict, peacebuilding, public health, human rights, social justice, and the environment. Prereq: PSCI 2210 or equivalent is recommended. |
3 |