Environmental Economics & Sustainability: Management/Environmental Science and Sustainability (BA/MS)
The BA Environmental Economics & Sustainability - Management and the MS Environmental Science & Sustainability (MSESS) allows undergraduate students the opportunity to continue their graduate education while remaining within SES and Loyola.
Related Programs
Curriculum
Code | Title | Hours |
---|---|---|
BA Requirements | ||
Environmental Economics & Sustainability: Management Core | ||
ECON 201 | Principles of Microeconomics | 3 |
ECON 202 | Principles of Macroeconomics | 3 |
ECON 303 | Intermediate Microeconomics | 3 |
ENVS 137 | Foundations of Environmental Science I | 3 |
ENVS 200 | Environmental Careers and Professional Skills | 1 |
ENVS 237 | Foundations of Environmental Chemistry | 3 |
ENVS 238 | Foundations of Environmental Science Lab | 1 |
ENVS 280 | Principles of Ecology | 3 |
ENVS 283 | Environmental Sustainability | 3 |
ENVS 284 | Environmental Justice | 3 |
or PHIL 287 | Environmental Ethics | |
or THEO 204 | Religious Ethics and the Ecological Crisis | |
ENVS 286 | Principles of Ecology Lab | 1 |
ENVS 335 | Ecological Economics | 3 |
MATH 130 | Business Calculus | 3-4 |
or MATH 131 | Applied Calculus I | |
or MATH 161 | Calculus I | |
PLSC 392 | Environmental Politics | 3 |
STAT 103 | Fundamentals of Statistics | 3 |
or ISSCM 241 | Business Statistics | |
or ENVS 203 | Environmental Statistics | |
Management Concentration Required Courses | ||
ENVS 363 | Sustainable Business Management | 3 |
MGMT 201 | Managing People and Organizations | 3 |
Capstone Choice | ||
ENVS 390 | Integrative Seminar | 3 |
or ENVS 391C | Independent Environmental Research (Capstone) | |
or ENVS 395C | Environmental Internship (Capstone) | |
Management Concentration Electives | 12 | |
See designated elective caterogies below | ||
MS Requirements | ||
Required Courses | ||
ENVS 401 | Sustainable Systems - Natural Science Perspectives | 3 |
ENVS 402 | Sustainable Systems - Social Science Perspectives | 3 |
Track Specific Curricula | 24 | |
Research Track Curriculum | ||
Electives | ||
Students choose 12 credit hours of electives from either of the following in conjunction with their advisor: | ||
Thesis Research | ||
Students take 12 credit hours of research to design and conduct research thesis work under the guidance of a thesis advisor and thesis committee. Research track students are required to complete and defend their thesis to graduate. | ||
Research | ||
Thesis Supervision | ||
Professional Track Curriculum | ||
Electives | ||
Students choose electives from either of the following lists in conjunction with their advisors to complete requirements: | ||
Total Hours | 78-79 |
Up to 12 credit hours taken at the 400 level may be shared between the undergraduate and graduate program. See the Suggested Sequence information below.
BA Electives
Code | Title | Hours |
---|---|---|
List A | ||
Select two of the following: | 6 | |
Environmental Economics | ||
Econometrics | ||
Labor Economics | ||
Marketing for Environmental Sustainability | ||
Sustainable Supply Chain | ||
List B | ||
Select two of the following: | 6 | |
Introduction to the Circular Economy | ||
Design for Circular & Sustainable Business | ||
Conservation Economics | ||
Total Hours | 12 |
MS Professional Track Curriculum Concentrations
Environmental Law and Policy
This Concentration provides essential knowledge in relevant areas of environmental law and policy for professionals who want to better understand the role of government, industry, non-profit, and other institutions involved in environmental advocacy, consulting, and compliance.
Code | Title | Hours |
---|---|---|
ENVS 410 | Introduction to Environmental Law & Policy | 3 |
ENVS 411 | Natural Resources and Land Use Law & Policy | 3 |
ENVS 412 | Water Law & Policy | 3 |
ENVS 413 | Energy Law & Policy | 3 |
Natural Science and Quantitative Electives | 6 | |
Environmental Electives | 6 | |
Total Hours | 24 |
Geographic Information Systems (GIS)
This Concentration provides essential knowledge on Geographic Information Systems (GIS) - a compilation of sophisticated, multidimensional software and tools used to capture, store, analyze, manage and present geospatial data. This curriculum provides essential training in the fundamental principles and concepts behind contemporary geographic mapping technology needed to solve complex geospatial problems commonly encountered in environmental sciences, urban planning, social sciences, public health, as well as business, engineering, and many more fields.
Code | Title | Hours |
---|---|---|
ENVS 480 | Introduction to Geographic Information Systems | 3 |
ENVS 481 | Advanced GIS Applications | 3 |
ENVS 482 | Remote Sensing | 3 |
Environmental Electives | 15 | |
Total Hours | 24 |
Sustainable Assessment & Planning
This Concentration delivers valuable skills for professionals who want to better understand how organizations can - and do – measure, regulate and report their own natural resource use. Students will develop essential skills used by sustainability professionals in government, industry, non-profit, and other institutions striving to improve and document their sustainability impact.
Code | Title | Hours |
---|---|---|
ENVS 451 | Introduction to Sustainability Concepts & Impacts | 3 |
ENVS 452 | Sustainability Assessment & Reporting I | 3 |
ENVS 453 | Sustainability Assessment & Reporting II | 3 |
ENVS 454 | Sustainability Plan Development & Reporting | 3 |
Environmental Electives | 12 | |
Total Hours | 24 |
Sustainable Business
Code | Title | Hours |
---|---|---|
ENVS 433 | Introduction to the Circular Economy | 3 |
ENVS 435 | Ecological Economics | 3 |
ENVS 436 | Design for Circular & Sustainable Business | 3 |
ENVS 463 | Sustainable Business Management | 3 |
Natural Science and Quantitative Elective | 3 | |
Environmental Electives | 9 | |
Total Hours | 24 |
MS Natural Science and Quantitative Courses
Work with your advisor to choose from our many courses to best advance your individual interests.
Code | Title | Hours |
---|---|---|
BIOL 416 | Limnology Lec/Lab | 4 |
BIOL 418 | Aquatic Insects Lecture & Laboratory | 4 |
BIOL 470 | Biostats & Exp Design Lec/Lab | 4 |
BIOL 495 | Special Topics | 1-4 |
ENVS 420 | Conservation Biology | 3 |
ENVS 422 | Invasive Species | 3 |
ENVS 423 | Environmental Microbiology | 3 |
ENVS 425 | Sustainable Agriculture | 3 |
ENVS 426 | Agroecosystems | 3 |
ENVS 427 | Food Systems Analysis | 3 |
ENVS 430 | Restoration Ecology | 3 |
ENVS 435 | Ecological Economics | 3 |
ENVS 438 | Climate Change and Human Health | 3 |
ENVS 451 | Introduction to Sustainability Concepts & Impacts | 3 |
ENVS 452 | Sustainability Assessment & Reporting I | 3 |
ENVS 453 | Sustainability Assessment & Reporting II | 3 |
ENVS 454 | Sustainability Plan Development & Reporting | 3 |
ENVS 480 | Introduction to Geographic Information Systems | 3 |
ENVS 481 | Advanced GIS Applications | 3 |
ENVS 482 | Remote Sensing | 3 |
ENVS 484 | Conservation Economics | 3 |
ENVS 487 | Principles of Ecotoxicology | 3 |
ENVS 489 | Ecological Risk Assessment | 3 |
ENVS 491 | Independent Environmental Research (upon approval) | 1-4 |
ENVS 495 | Environmental Internship | 3 |
ENVS 498 | Special Topics (upon approval) | 1-12 |
ENVS 498L | Special Topics with Lab (upon approval) | 1-4 |
ENVS 499 | Directed Readings (upon approval) | 1-3 |
MPBH 400 | Determinants of Population Health | 3 |
MPBH 401 | Environmental Health | 3 |
MPBH 403 | Introduction to Epidemiology | 3 |
MPBH 404 | Biostatistics for Health and Biological Science | 3 |
MPBH 407 | Public Health Policy: Concepts and Practice | 3 |
MPBH 409 | Biostatistics I | 3 |
MPBH 412 | Intro to Statistical Computing for Public Health | 1-3 |
MPBH 414 | Introduction to Global Health | 3 |
MPBH 421 | Biostatistics II | 3 |
MPBH 423 | Intermediate Epidemiology | 3 |
MPP 401 | Analytical Tools in Public Policy | 3 |
MPP 402 | Cost Benefit Analysis | 3 |
MPP 403 | Public Budget and Finance | 3 |
MPP 405 | Statistical Methods & Analysis for Public Policy I | 3 |
MPP 406 | Statistical Methods & Analysis Public Policy II | 3 |
MPP 408 | Political Feasibility Analysis | 3 |
SOCL 414 | Statistical Methods Analysis I | 3 |
SOCL 415 | Statistical Methods of Analysis II | 3 |
STAT 403 | SAS Program & Applied Statistics | 3 |
STAT 407 | Statistical Design | 3 |
STAT 436 | Topics in Biostatistics | 3 |
MS Sustainable Society and Business Electives
Work with your advisor to choose from our many courses to best advance your individual interests.
Code | Title | Hours |
---|---|---|
ENVS 410 | Introduction to Environmental Law & Policy | 3 |
ENVS 411 | Natural Resources and Land Use Law & Policy | 3 |
ENVS 412 | Water Law & Policy | 3 |
ENVS 413 | Energy Law & Policy | 3 |
ENVS 433 | Introduction to the Circular Economy | 3 |
ENVS 436 | Design for Circular & Sustainable Business | 3 |
ENVS 454 | Sustainability Plan Development & Reporting | 3 |
ENVS 463 | Sustainable Business Management | 3 |
ENVS 483 | Human Dimensions of Conservation | 3 |
ENVS 491 | Independent Environmental Research (upon approval) | 1-4 |
ENVS 495 | Environmental Internship | 3 |
ENVS 498 | Special Topics (upon approval) | 1-12 |
ENVS 499 | Directed Readings (upon approval) | 1-3 |
MPBH 407 | Public Health Policy: Concepts and Practice | 3 |
MPP 400 | Policy Design and Analysis | 3 |
MPP 404 | Public Policy Process | 3 |
PSYC 460 | Social Psychological Theory | 3 |
PSYC 461 | Attitude and Attitude Change | 3 |
PSYC 486 | Methods of Program Evaluation | 3 |
SOCL 412 | Qualitative Methods in Social Research | 3 |
SOCL 446 | Knowledge, Power & Expertise | 3 |
SOCL 463 | Sociology & Natural Environment | 3 |
Suggested Sequence of Courses
Freshman | ||
---|---|---|
Fall | Hours | |
ENVS 137 | Foundations of Environmental Science I | 3 |
Hours | 3 | |
Spring | ||
ENVS 237 | Foundations of Environmental Chemistry | 3 |
ENVS 238 | Foundations of Environmental Science Lab | 1 |
ENVS 203 | Environmental Statistics | 3 |
Justice and Ethics Choice | 3 | |
Hours | 10 | |
Sophomore | ||
Fall | ||
ECON 201 | Principles of Microeconomics | 3 |
ENVS 200 | Environmental Careers and Professional Skills | 1 |
ENVS 280 | Principles of Ecology | 3 |
ENVS 286 | Principles of Ecology Lab | 1 |
Hours | 8 | |
Spring | ||
ECON 202 | Principles of Macroeconomics | 3 |
Hours | 3 | |
Junior | ||
Fall | ||
MGMT 201 | Managing People and Organizations | 3 |
MATH 130 |
Business Calculus or Applied Calculus I or Calculus I |
3-4 |
Hours | 6-7 | |
Spring | ||
ECON 303 | Intermediate Microeconomics | 3 |
PLSC 392 | Environmental Politics | 3 |
Hours | 6 | |
Senior | ||
Fall | ||
ENVS 283 | Environmental Sustainability | 3 |
ENVS 435 | Ecological Economics | 3 |
List A Elective | 3 | |
List B Elective (400-Level version) | 3 | |
Hours | 12 | |
Spring | ||
Capstone Choice | 3 | |
ENVS 463 | Sustainable Business Management | 3 |
List A Elective | 3 | |
List B Elective (400-Level course) | 3 | |
Hours | 12 | |
Master's | ||
Fall | ||
ENVS 402 | Sustainable Systems - Social Science Perspectives | 3 |
ENVS 400-Level Concentration Course | 3 | |
ENVS 400-Level Concentration Course | 3 | |
Hours | 9 | |
Spring | ||
ENVS 401 | Sustainable Systems - Natural Science Perspectives | 3 |
ENVS 400-Level Concentration Course | 3 | |
ENVS 400-Level Concentration Course | 3 | |
Hours | 9 | |
Total Hours | 78-79 |
Guidelines for Accelerated Bachelor’s/Master’s Programs
Terms
- Accelerated Bachelor’s/Master’s programs: In this type of program, students share limited credits between their undergraduate and graduate degrees to facilitate completion of both degrees.
- Shared credits: Graduate level credit hours taken during the undergraduate program and then applied towards graduate program requirements will be referred to as shared credits.
Admission Requirements
Accelerated Bachelor’s/Master’s programs are designed to enhance opportunities for advanced training for Loyola’s undergraduates. Admission to these programs must be competitive and will depend upon a positive review of credentials by the program’s admissions committee. Accordingly, the admission requirements for these programs may be higher than those required if the master’s degree were pursued entirely after the receipt of a bachelor’s degree. That is, programs may choose to have more stringent admissions requirements in addition to those minimal requirements below.
Requirements:
- Declared appropriate undergraduate major,
- By the time students begin taking graduate courses as an undergraduate, the student has completed approximately 90 credit hours, or the credit hours required in a program that is accredited by a specialty organization,1
- A minimum cumulative GPA for coursework at Loyola that is at or above the program-specific requirements, a minimum major GPA that is at or above the program-specific requirements, and/or appropriate designated coursework for evaluation of student readiness in their discipline.2
Students not eligible for the Accelerated Bachelor’s/Master’s program (e.g., students who have not declared the appropriate undergraduate major) may apply to the master’s program through the regular admissions process. Students enrolled in an Accelerated Bachelor’s/Master’s program who choose not to continue to the master’s degree program upon completion of the bachelor’s degree will face no consequences.3
Ideally, a student will apply for admission (or confirm interest in proceeding towards the graduate degree in opt-out programs) as they approach 90 credit hours. Programs are encouraged to begin advising students early in their major so that they are aware of the program and, if interested, can complete their bachelor’s degree requirements in a way that facilitates completion of the program. Once admitted as an undergraduate, Program Directors should ensure that students are enrolled using the plan code associated with the Accelerated Bachelor’s/Master’s program. Using the plan code associated with the Accelerated Bachelor’s/Master’s program will ensure that students may be easily identified as they move through the program. Students will not officially matriculate into the master’s degree program and be labeled as a graduate student by the university, with accompanying changes to tuition and Financial Aid (see below), until the undergraduate degree has been awarded. Once admitted to the graduate program, students must meet the academic standing requirements of their graduate program as they complete the program curriculum.
- 1
Programs that have specialized accreditation will adhere to the admissions criteria provided by, or approved by, their specialized accreditors.
- 2
The program will identify appropriate indicators of student readiness for graduate coursework (e.g., high-level performance in 300 level courses). Recognizing differences between how majors are designed, we do not specify a blanket requirement.
- 3
If students choose not to enroll in the Accelerated Bachelor’s/Master’s program, they still must complete all of the standard requirements associated with the undergraduate degree (e.g., a capstone).
For more information on Admissions requirements, visit here.
Curriculum
Level and progression of courses. The Accelerated Bachelor’s/Master’s programs are designed to be competitive and attractive to our most capable students. Students admitted to Accelerated Bachelor’s/Master’s programs should be capable of meeting graduate level learning outcomes. Following guidance from the Higher Learning Commission, only courses taken at the 400 level or higher (including 300/400 level courses taken at the 400 level) will count toward the graduate program.1,2 Up to 50% of the total graduate level credit hours, required in the graduate program, may come from 300/400 level courses where the student is enrolled in the 400 level of the course. Further, at least 50% of the credit hours for the graduate program must come from courses that are designed for and restricted to graduate students who have been admitted to a graduate program at Loyola (e.g., enrolled in plan code that indicates the Accelerated Bachelor’s/Master’s program, typically ending with the letter “D”).3
In general, graduate level coursework should not be taken prior to admission into the Accelerated Bachelor’s/Master’s program. Exceptions may be granted for professional programs where curriculum for the Accelerated Bachelor’s/Master’s program is designed to begin earlier. On the recommendation of the program’s Graduate Director, students may take one of their graduate level courses before they are admitted to the Accelerated Bachelors/Master’s program if they have advanced abilities in their discipline and course offerings warrant such an exception.4 Undergraduate degree requirements outside of the major are in no way impacted by admission to an Accelerated Bachelor’s/Master’s program.5
Shared credits. Undergraduate courses (i.e., courses offered at the 300 level or below) cannot be counted as shared credits nor count towards the master’s degree. Up to 50% of the total graduate level credit hours, required in the graduate program, may be counted in meeting both the undergraduate and graduate degree requirements. Of those shared credits, students in an Accelerated Bachelor’s/Master’s program should begin their graduate program with the standard introductory course(s) for the program whenever possible. So that students may progress through the Accelerated Bachelor’s/Master’s program in a timely manner, undergraduate programs are encouraged to design their curriculum such that a student can complete some required graduate credit hours while completing the undergraduate degree. For instance, some of the graduate curriculum should also satisfy electives for the undergraduate major.
The program’s Graduate Director will designate credit hours to be shared through the advising form and master’s degree conferral review process. Shared credit hours will not be marked on the undergraduate record as having a special status in the undergraduate program. They will be included in the student’s undergraduate earned hours and GPA. Graduate credit hours taken during the undergraduate program will not be included in the graduate GPA calculation.
- 1
If students wish to transfer credits from another university to Loyola University Chicago, the program’s Graduate director will review the relevant syllabus(es) to determine whether it meets the criteria for a 400 level course or higher.
- 2
Programs with specialized accreditation requirements that allow programs to offer graduate curriculum to undergraduate students will conform to those specialized accreditation requirements.
- 3
In rare cases, the Graduate Director may authorize enrollment in a 400-level course for a highly qualified and highly motivated undergraduate, ensuring that the undergraduate's exceptional participation in the graduate class will not diminish in any way the experience of the graduate students regularly enrolled.
- 4
For example, if a particular course is only offered once every 2-3 years, and a student has demonstrated the necessary ability to be successful, the Graduate Director may allow a student to take a graduate level course to be shared prior to the student being formally admitted to the graduate program. See, also, footnote 3.
- 5
Students should not, for example, attempt to negotiate themselves out of a writing intensive requirement on the basis of admission to a graduate program.
Graduation
Degrees are awarded sequentially. All details of undergraduate commencement are handled in the ordinary way as for all students in the School/College/Institute. Once in the graduate program, students abide by the graduation deadlines set forth by the graduate program. Students in these programs must be continuously enrolled from undergraduate to graduate degree program unless given explicit permission by their program for a gap year or approved leave of absence. In offering the option of an Accelerated Bachelor’s/Master’s program, the university is making possible the acceleration of a student’s graduate degree completion. It should be understood that students may not request deferral of their matriculation into the Master’s degree program. If students would like to delay their graduate studies after earning the undergraduate degree, they may apply for admission to the traditional master’s degree program. Any application of graduate credit earned while in the undergraduate program is subject to the policies of the graduate degree granting school.
Learning Outcomes
- Explain the interconnection between human development, the economy, and the environment [BA]
- Understand how economic theory and analysis can be used to evaluate social and economic outcomes [BA]
- Analyze how businesses can integrate environmental and social considerations into decision-making that aligns financial with environmental sustainability [BA]
- Describe the impacts of business and industry on social outcomes, the economy, and environmental sustainability [BA]
- Deepen your understanding of complex socio-ecological systems and their connection with sustainable development goals [MA]
- Increase your ability to make accurate and ethical evidence-based decisions from scientific literature [MA]
- Expand your capacity to communicate environmental science and sustainability issues to the scientific community, professional colleagues, policy makers, and the general public [MA]
- Demonstrate competence of in-depth knowledge and skills through completion of an original research project and thesis [MA]