Sustainability Studies B.A.

University Admissions - College of Arts and Sciences

Admission to the University is based on the University’s Undergraduate Admission Requirements that may be found by clicking on the following urls:

• Freshman: https://www.usf.edu/admissions/freshmen/admission-information/requirements-deadlines.aspx

• Transfer: https://www.usf.edu/admissions/transfer/admission-information/index.aspx

• International: https://www.usf.edu/admissions/international/admission-information/index.aspx

For Admission information specific to the College of Arts and Sciences, see the information at College of Arts and Sciences .

Graduation Requirements - College of Arts and Sciences

Satisfactory completion of the following requirements:

• Students must complete all State and University level graduation requirements.
• Maintain a minimum GPA of 2.0 in USF coursework. Note: Some Departments/program/major require a higher GPA. Students should refer to Department/program/major specific catalog requirements.
  • The College may approve an exception when a student has successfully earned the minimum grade required for all courses applied in the major but does not have a major GPA of 2.0.
• Physical Education coursework is limited to two (2) semester hours.
• ROTC courses that are primarily physical training and field experiences will not be applied to College of Arts and Sciences degree programs. All other military Science coursework will apply, in particular, coursework utilized toward completing an established ROTC minor will be applied to the total hours toward degree. 
• When earning a second degree, double major or concurrent degree, the Major Core and Major Elective/Concentration areas of the degree audit must not overlap for both degrees.  All other areas of the degree audit may have overlapping credit hours applied.
• Maximum of 20 hours of S/U option. S/U contracts must be negotiated in writing within the first three (3) weeks of the term. None of the 20 credits may be taken in the student’s major unless S/U is the only grading option. Coursework fulfilling the General Education Core Curriculum Requirements and the State Communication Requirement (formerly known as Gordon Rule Writing) and State Computation Requirement (formerly known as Gordon Rule Math) may not be taken S/U.
• The Audit option is available only during the first 5 days of classes.
• Complete all major course requirements.
• College of Arts and Sciences students are expected to complete a minimum of 50% of their major and/or minor coursework in residence at USF. Some College of Arts and Sciences Departments/programs/majors have established additional major course hours to be taken in residency at USF. See the major or program section of the catalog for these credit-hour requirements.

Required Courses: (43 credit hours)

State Mandated Common Course Prerequisites - Sustainability Studies B.A.

Following Florida BOG Regulation 8.010, state mandated common course prerequisites are lower-division courses that are required for progression into the upper division of a particular baccalaureate degree program. 

Transfer students should complete the State Mandated Common Course Prerequisites at the lower level prior to entering the university. If these courses are not taken at a Florida College System institution, they must be completed before the degree is granted. Successful completion of the common prerequisites alone does not guarantee a student admission into the degree program.

There are no specified common prerequisites for this major.

State Mathematics Pathway – Sustainability Studies B.A. (6 Credit Hours)

The Sustainability Studies B.A. uses the Statistical Reasoning Mathematics Pathway with the following requirements:

• STA 2023 - Introductory Statistics I Credit(s): 3
• MAC 1105 - College Algebra Credit(s): 3

Major Required Core Courses: 12 courses; 31 credit hours

The core courses are designed to provide students with a broad interdisciplinary knowledge base in business, social sciences and the natural sciences to prepare students for a wide variety of careers or graduate work in fields related to sustainability studies.

Major Elective Courses: 2 courses; 6 credit hours

Select two (2) courses for a total of six (6) credit hours from the list below:

• ANT 4403 - Environmental Anthropology Credit(s): 3
• ANT 4442 - Urban Life and Culture Credit(s): 3
• ANT 4467 - Food, Health, and Culture Credit(s): 3
• ANT 4495 - Methods in Cultural Research Credit(s): 3
• CPO 4034 - Politics of the Developing Areas Credit(s): 3
• ECP 3201 - Economics of Women and Work Credit(s): 3
• ECP 3302 - Environmental Economics Credit(s): 3
• ECS 3013 - Economic Development Credit(s): 3
• EVR 2861 - Introduction to Environmental Policy Credit(s): 3
• EVR 4027 - Wetland Environments Credit(s): 3
• EVR 4051 - Environmental Field Methods Credit(s): 3
• EVR 4114 - Climate Change Credit(s): 3
• GEO 3352 - The Human Footprint on the Landscape Credit(s): 3
• GEO 4340 - Natural Hazards Credit(s): 3
• GEO 4372 - Global Conservation Credit(s): 3
• GEO 4379 - Geographic Perspectives on Environment Credit(s): 3
• GIS 4302C - GIS for Sustainability Credit(s): 4
• GLY 4734 - Beaches and Coastal Environments Credit(s): 3
• PHI 3640 - Environmental Ethics Credit(s): 3
• PUP 4203 - Environmental Politics and Policy Credit(s): 3

Additional Information - Sustainability Studies B.A.

Research Opportunities - College of Arts and Sciences

Undergraduate students in any degree program are able to participate in undergraduate research. Several options exist to show mentored undergraduate research activity on a student’s official transcript. Those who wish to enroll in an undergraduate research course should consult with their academic advisor to understand how the credit will apply towards the degree requirements. If no credit is needed, students may be eligible to enroll in the 0-credit IDS 4914 - Advanced Undergraduate Research Experience  course. This course will not impact degree credits or GPA but will show on an official transcript and document the experience. The Office of High Impact Practices and Undergraduate Research is able to assist with further inquiries.

Advising Information - College of Arts and Sciences

Undergraduate Advising Information

The College of Arts & Sciences (CAS) Advising Team provides students with support to create timely graduation plans that will integrate both their academic and professional goals.  Each of our undergraduate programs has dedicated professional advisors with specialized knowledge and understanding of the major requirements, course offerings, undergraduate research, and career opportunities in their field.  Additionally, we have dedicated pre-health and prelaw advisors to help students prepare for admission to professional graduate programs.

CAS Academic Advisor Contact information can be found here: CAS Advisors

To schedule an advising appointment: Advising Appointments