Sustainability is often defined as “meeting the needs of today without compromising the ability of future generations to meet their own needs.” The minor in sustainability at Iowa State University is available to any ISU student who wants to further learn about sustainability issues affecting humans today and in the future.
The interdisciplinary minor in sustainability exposes students to ideas and issues related to a sustainable, balanced and ethical future for the planet and its inhabitants. The minor is at the interplay between environmental, social and economic factors in improving the quality of human life within the capacity of supporting ecosystems.
Minor Courses Online
Core Courses
SOC/ANTHR/ENV S/GLOBE/MAT E/M E 220 – Globalization and Sustainability
ANTHR 230 – Globalization and the Human Condition
Nine Credits of Electives from Approved List:
MTEOR/ENSCI/AGRON 404 – Global Change
JL MC 474 – Communication Technology and Social Change
M E 433 – Alternative Energy
ENV S/ENSCI/MTEOR/GEOL 324 – Energy and the Environment
RUS 375 – Russia Today
WLC/M E 484 – Technology, Globalization and Culture
GEOL/ENV S 101 – Environmental Geology: Earth in Crisis
*This list is limited to online courses offered by Liberal Arts and Science Online. Additional courses that apply to this minor may be offered online and/or on-campus by other colleges.

Sustainability Minor
Check out the complete details for the Sustainability Minor.
Talk to your Advisor for how a Sustainability Minor might be an option for you!