Highlights: Sustainability in Academics and Research

Climate Change Certificate
SF State's Climate Change Certificate offers an interdisciplinary approach to addressing the climate crisis. Open to students of all majors!

Sustainability Research
Faculty and students are engaged in a wide range of sustainability-related research on campus.

Environmental Sustainability Graduation Requirement
SF State requires students to take a least one course in areas that the campus feels are important, including Environmental Sustainability.
Sustainability Majors
Want to have a sustainability-focused major? SF State offers several majors, minors, graduate programs, and certificates related to sustainability and environment. Check these out!
- Certificate in Geographic Information Systems (GIS)
-
BA in Environmental Studies (concentration in Natural Resource Management and Conservation)
Find more information about majors on the Acedemic Bulletin.
Sustainability Courses
Want to find a sustainability-focused course? SF State offers hundreds on classes on an array of subjects. Check out these categories!
- American Indian Studies (AIS)
- Biology (BIOL)
- Earth Sciences (ERTH)
- Environmental Studies (ENVS)
- Ethnic Studies (ETHS)
- Geography and Environment (GEOG)
- Global Peace Studies (GPS)
- Health and Social Sciences (HSS)
- Interdisciplinary Studies Education (ISED)
- Labor Studies (LABR)
- Marine Science (MSCI)
- Political Science (PLSI)
- Psychology (PSY)
- Public Health (PH)
- Race and Resistance Studies (RRS)
- Recreation, Parks, and Tourism (RPT)
- Science (SCI)
- Sexuality Studies (SXS)
- Sociology (SOC)
- Urban Studies and Planning (USP)
- Women and Gender Studies (WGS)
Find more information about courses on the Acedemic Bulletin.
Sustainability Scholarships
SFSU Climate Action Fellowship
Up to six awards of $10,000 each awarded to accepted undergraduate and graduate applicants for creative activities and research related to climate change and climate justice, projects focused on climate change mitigation and adaptation efforts, education and outreach related to climate change, and on-campus or off-campus projects (e.g., community-based groups or other non-profits).
Awarded to undergraduates or graduate students in the College of Science & Engineering. To support undergraduate and/or graduate students in the College of Science and Engineering (COSE) who show excellent promise in Marine or environmental science and demonstrate a need for financial assistance. One scholarship for $1,000.
Scholarship to support a graduate student in Earth & Climate Sciences specializing in atmospheric science, oceanography, or climate science, based on academic merit and financial need. Two awards of $10,000.
Estuary & Ocean Science Scholarship
The Estuary and Ocean Science Scholarship supports graduate student success in marine and coastal research and science engagement. Criteria: first, second or third year in the Interdisciplinary Marine & Estuarine Sciences MS degree program or other CoSE graduate degree program when the graduate advisor is based at the Estuary & Ocean Science Center. Awards are for up to $2000.
Estuary & Ocean Science Opportunity Scholarship
The Estuary and Ocean Science Opportunity Scholarship supports graduate student success in marine and coastal research and science engagement for students who have demonstrated financial need. Criteria: first, second or third year in the Interdisciplinary Marine & Estuarine Sciences MS degree program or other CoSE graduate degree program when the graduate advisor is based at the Estuary & Ocean Science Center. Awards are for up to $2000.
Scholarships & Fellowships in Earth & Climate Sciences
Various scholarships from the Department of Environment.
Library Resources
AASHE STARS Score
STARS recognizes institutions that have formal education programs and courses that address sustainability with the intent of preparing future leaders to address sustainability challenges. SF State was an early adopter of a sustainability graduation requirement and offers numerous sustainability-focused academic programs. We have room to improve in the way we track sustainability-focused courses and research. We encourage faculty members to notify us if their courses or research are not listed in the STARS report.
Credit | Status | Points |
---|---|---|
Academic Course (AC 1) | Complete | 11.52 / 14.00 |
Learning Outcomes (AC 2) | Complete | 7.12 / 8.00 |
Undergraduate Program (AC 3) | Complete | 3.00 / 3.00 |
Graduate Program (AC 4) | Complete | 3.00 / 3.00 |
Immersive Experience (AC 5) | Complete | 2.00 / 2.00 |
Sustainability Literacy Assessment (AC 6) | Complete | 2.00 / 4.00 |
Incentives for Developing Courses (AC 7) | Complete | 2.00 / 2.00 |
Campus as a Living Laboratory (AC 8) | Complete | 4.00 / 4.00 |
Credit | Status | Points |
---|---|---|
Research and Scholarship (AC 9) | Complete | 8.19 / 12.00 |
Support for Research (AC 10) | Complete | 2.00 / 4.00 |
Open Access to Research (AC 11) | Complete | 1.33 / 2.00 |