Sustainability in Academics and Research

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 Climate Change

• Certificate in Geographic Information Systems (GIS) 

• Certificate in Ethnic Studies Empowerment

• Graduate Certificate in Sustainable Business 

• Minor in Biology  

• Minor in Earth Sciences 

• Minor in Geography 

• Minor in Queer and Trans Ethnic Studies

• Minor in Race & Resistance Studies

• Minor in Recreation, Parks, and Tourism 

• Minor in Urban Studies and Planning  

• Minor in Women & Gender Studies 

• Minor in Women’s Health Issues 

• BA in Biology 

• BA in Environmental Studies  

• BA in Environmental Studies (concentration in Natural Resource Management and Conservation) 

• BA in Earth Sciences 

• BA in Geography 

• BA in Race & Resistance Studies

• BA in Race, Ethnicity, and Health

• BA in Urban Studies & Planning 

• BA in Women and Gender Studies 

• BS in Environmental Science   

• BS in Biology (concentration in Ecology) 

• BS in Biology (concentration in Marine Science) 

• BS in Earth Sciences  

• BS in in Recreation, Parks, and Tourism Administration 

• MA in Geography   

• MA in in Women and Gender Studies 

• MS in Biology (concentration in Integrative Biology) 

• MS in Geographic Information Science

• MS in Geosciences

• MS in Interdisciplinary Marine and Estuarine Sciences

Find more information about majors on the Acedemic Bulletin.

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.

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).

James C. Kelley Scholarship 

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.

The Monteverdi Fellowship

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. 

SFSU Student Financial Aid

Geography & Environment Research Databases

SAGE Journals

Research Advice from SFSU Librarian Shawn Heiser

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.