Explore UAB

Colleges & Schools

Sustainability Facilities Division

Academics

  • Sustainability Courses at UAB

    UAB Sustainability understands that our future belongs to the present. We focus on sustainability and the triple bottom line theory to empower our leaders to make data-driven decisions. We partner across our institution to ensure the decisions we make now will have a positive impact on the quality of life of the UAB community for generations to come.

    UAB has a special responsibility to act as a driver of sustainable solutions in our region and beyond. Our urban campus is a living laboratory, because of its:

    • more than 200 classroom, office, research, and hospital buildings,
    • space occupying more than 100 city blocks,
    • role as one of the top employers in the region,
    • role as the largest electricity user in the state, and
    • responsibility as the single-biggest contributor to Birmingham’s economy

    Sustainability Course List

    UAB’s expanding undergraduate sustainability curriculum engages academic disciplines and multidisciplinary programs to prepare our students to become environmentally and socially responsible global citizens. Each term UAB offers courses with content related to sustainability. Click any course to see its description:

    Anthropology
    ANTH 104  Introduction to Peace Studies (3 s.h.)
    ANTH 351  Anthropology of Human Rights (3 s.h.)
    ANTH 483  Intern in Peace, Justice and Environmental Study (1-3 s.h.)
    ANTH 504  Human Rights, Peace, and Justice (3 s.h.)
    ANTH 652  Sustainable Peace Seminar (3 s.h.)

    Astronomy
    AST 121 Starry Skies in Birmingham; a service-learning course completely devoted to helping the Birmingham & Alabama community understand the properties and importance of sustainable lighting design.
    AST 101 Astronomy of the Universe; two units, ground based light pollution and satellite light pollution
    AST 102 Stars and Galaxies; one week on light pollution
    AST 103 Astronomy of the Solar System; three weeks of study focused on the study of anthropogenic and non-anthropogenic sources of climate change.


    Biology
    BY 108  Human Population and the Earth's Environment (3 s.h.)
    BY 109  Laboratory in Environmental Science (1 s.h.)
    BY 124  Introductory Biology II (4 s.h.)
    BY 255  Invertebrate Zoology (4 s.h.)

    History
    HY 439  American Environmental History (3 s.h.)

    Political Science & Public Administration
    PSC 103  American Environmental History (3 s.h.)
    PSC 361  North/South International Relations (3 s.h.)

    Civil Engineering
    CESC 602  Introduction to Sustainable Smart Cities (3 s.h.)
    CESC 608  Green Infrastructure and Transportation (3 s.h.)
    CESC 610  Health and Liveability (3 s.h.)
    CESC 616  Big Data and Smart Cities (3 s.h.)

    Science & Technology Honors
    STH 199  Introduction to the Scientific Process (3 s.h.)

    Public Health
    ENH 615  Environmental Justice and Ethics (3 s.h.)
    ENH 660  Fundamentals of Air and Water Pollution (3 s.h.)

  • Sustainability Undergraduate Degrees at UAB

    While UAB does not have a sustainability undergraduate degree, the undergraduate programs below do focus on sustainability-related ideas and concepts.



    Undergraduate Majors


    Undergraduate Minors

  • Sustainability Graduate Degrees at UAB

    While UAB does not have a sustainability undergraduate degree, the graduate programs below focus on sustainability-related ideas and concepts.



    Undergraduate Majors


  • Sustainability Certificate Programs at UAB

    If you are looking for a certificate program in sustainability, the following are good options at UAB:

  • UAB’s Red Mountain Project

    Applications are now open for UAB Sustainability’s Red Mountain Project - May 5th and 6th, 2022

    UAB’s Red Mountain Project brings together faculty from across the university to support new courses or course modules that strengthen curricular engagement with issues of sustainability, environmental awareness, and urgent societal challenges. Sustainability issues explore social, economic, and environmental dimensions and include climate change, food systems, economic development, ecological systems, environmental justice, public health and wellness, land use and sustainable design, energy, water, and human rights. UAB Sustainability, in cooperation with the Blazer Core Curriculum Committee, is requesting applications from faculty in all disciplines to participate in this program designed to enhance your teaching and engagement with sustainability-related environmental, social, and economic issues.

    Red Mountain Project participants agree to:

    1) Read materials prior to the workshop
    2) Participate in the full 2-day workshop, May 5th and 6th, 2022
    3) Prepare a syllabus during the summer for the course and submit it by August 19th, 2022

    Participants will receive a stipend of $1,500 upon completion and presentation of a new or adapted course syllabus. One stipend per faculty member is available.

    Sustainability is broadly defined as “meeting the needs of the present without compromising the ability of future generations to meet their own needs.” Applicants are encouraged from all areas of study. Examples include a module on pharmaceuticals in the waterway in a pharmacology course, outdoor writing in an upper-level literature course, producing a recycling brochure in Spanish for a Spanish language course, etc. Other examples can be found on this Emory University Page.

    Interested in applying? Email Bambi Ingram (Blingram@uab.edu) with the following information:

    Name:
    Department Affiliation and Title:
    Email and telephone:
    Project: a one-paragraph description of how you plan to alter an existing course or develop a new course to include elements that encompass sustainability issues as mentioned above. Be creative in your thinking and look to subjects that you specialize in to make connections.

    Application deadline is April 22, 2022.

  • Learn the Basics of Green Building with Education @USGBC

    UAB Sustainability is committed to increasing knowledge and providing professional development opportunities for UAB’s campus community. In support of that goal, we have provided all UAB students, faculty, and staff with access to the U.S. Green Building Council’s unlimited education platform.

    We provide FREE subscription access to Education @USGBC, which features more than 600 hours of green building and sustainability education. This library highlights best-in-class courses and resources to establish a foundational knowledge of green building and sustainability concepts, as well as a variety of resources to support those looking to attain and maintain LEED (Leadership in Energy and Environmental Design) professional credentials.