Sustainable Science Management

The Sustainable Science Management (SSM) program, leading to a baccalaureate degree, provides a variety of options to students seeking employment in the rapidly expanding field of sustainability. Coursework covers important contemporary topics including but not limited to energy, ecology, business and management, natural science, water and wastewater, agriculture, waste-management, economics, policy, the built environment, and social science; all in the context of case studies in the larger interdisciplinary field of sustainability. Students develop systems thinking and analytical skills, which will enable graduates to apply learned principles to the changing and complex issues of the future. The program is designed to equip students with the fundamental skills necessary to bridge disciplines and to facilitate sustainable solutions and operations for any organization or community.
Embedded in the SSM BAS degree requirements are a variety of courses in different fields which support and lend themselves to sustainability science application. There are also up to four (4) upper division electives which a student may direct in a manner of their choosing.

Contact the program coordinator, Tim Botkin, at 808-984-3322 or by email at botkin@hawaii.edu for more information.
 

Program Learning Outcomes

  1. Describe the functions, inter-relationships, and limitations of human-developed and naturally occurring systems.
  2. Utilize systems and sustainability science tools to solve complex problems and design durable responses.
  3. Understand contemporary legal, technological, economic, cultural, and ethical infrastructure as it impacts sustainability.
  4. Utilize conventional and emerging methods to measure sustainability aspects of behaviors.
  5. Integrate transdisciplinary knowledge; across cultural, social and educational realms; to identify and implement sustainable practices.

Degrees and Certificates

Classes

SSM 101 : Sustainability in a Changing World

Identifies sustainability concepts which have become evident from early human movement toward Industrialization in the 1500s to present. Examines diverse approaches in resource use including water, energy, waste, land use, economies, and oceans. Introduces fundamental systems approaches to recognize interconnections and ramifications of practices. Identifies global sustainability issues and uses Hawaiʻi and island case studies as a means of better understanding their applied relevance.

Credits

3

Prerequisites

ENG 19 with grade C or better or placement at least ENG 22, and at MATH 75X with grade C or better or placement at least MATH 82, or consent.

SSM 201 : Sustainable Building Design

Examines principles of green building, design and operations; including site planning and zoning, construction practices, energy efficiency, economics of green building, benefits and barriers, and the LEED rating system.

Credits

3

Prerequisites

SSM 101 with grade C or better, or consent.

SSM 202 : Sustainable Island Communities

Introduces concepts of sustainability on islands, specifically Hawai’i. Examines unique aspects of islands as related to sustainable management of limited resources, including land use planning, waste management, water, sustainable tourism, renewable energy resources, and natural resource management. Compares island communities to sustainable urban environments.

Credits

3

Prerequisites

SSM 101, HWST 107, HWST 207, or HIST 284, any with grade C or better, or consent.

SSM 275 : Basic Energy Production

Introduces basic energy concepts including gravitational and kinetic energy, heat, electromagnetism, chemical energy and the transducers used to convert from one form of energy to another. Transitions from the electric power grid to integrating renewable energy sources into contemporary grids and distributed systems.

Credits

3

Prerequisites

SSM 101 and ENG 100, both with grade C or better, and MATH 103 with grade C or better or placement at least MATH 135, or consent.

SSM 301 : Sustainable Assessments and Indicators

Examines methods of assessing sustainability and distinguishing marketing claims from actual progress. Studies triple bottom line, cradle to cradle/grave, carbon neutrality, and carbon footprint; as well as life cycle assessment, energy analysis, and sustainability indicators that customize data collection and analysis. Final project develops a business case, adding indicators to demonstrate its integrity.

Credits

3

Prerequisites

SSM 202, MATH 115, and MATH 135, all with grade C or better, or consent.

SSM 302 : Environmental Health

Evaluates the impact that chemical, physical, and biological agents have on environmental ecosystems. Examines how political, economic, and demographic diversity affects the natural environment with particular emphasis on island settings.

Credits

3

Prerequisites

SSM 202, BIOL 171/171L, CHEM 151 or 161/161L, and MATH 135, all with grade C or better, or consent.

SSM 375 : Renewable Energy Conversions and Processes

Analyzes and demonstrates technologies and processes for the conversion of energy sources to power. Examines conventional fossil fuels and turbines, solar photovoltaic cells, wind turbines, wave technology, tidal technology, small and large scale hydro power technology, bio-mass, bio-fuel, waste to energy, and fuel cell technology.

Credits

3

Prerequisites

SSM 201, SSM 275, and MATH 135, and either CHEM 151 or 161/161L, all with grade C or better, or consent.

SSM 384 : Sustaining the Globalized Ocean

Examines the oceans as a life support system and the factors that increase pressure on marine sustainability. Explores the interactions between the marine environment and the economic, social, cultural and political features inherent to that system. Analyzes the effectiveness of the regulations and policies in place to ensure sustainable development in ocean environments.

Credits

3

Prerequisites

SSM 202 and ZOOL 200, both with grade C or better, or consent.

SSM 392v : Sustainable Science Management Internship

Applies skills to workplace in an occupation within the student’s area of interest in sustainable science management. Provides practical experience to develop knowledge and skills in the application of theory to actual problems in a non-classroom setting. Develops employment skills in the sustainable science management areas of energy, renewable energy, energy management, waste management, water and wastewater, policy, and related fields. Prepares students for the senior capstone project. (May be repeated for a maximum of 6 credits.)

Credits

1 - 3

Prerequisites

SSM major and at least one SSM upper division course with grade C or better.

SSM 401 : Environmental Law, Policy, and Justice

Introduces legal and policy issues of environmental protection and decision-making. Explores the history, processes, and politics in the formulation and implementation of U.S. federal, state, and local environmental policies.

Credits

3

Prerequisites

SSM 301, COM 215/PSY 253, and ENG 209, all with grade C or better; or consent.

SSM 402 : Water Resources Management

Examines typical means of managing freshwater resources with emphasis on island water and wastewater management techniques. Introduces water quality techniques and parameters as well as advanced wastewater treatment processes. Discovers principles of sustainability from hydraulics, hydrology, and distribution systems. Discusses water reuse and recycling practices on Maui.

Credits

3

Prerequisites

SSM 202, BIOL 171/171L, CHEM 151 or 161/161L, and MATH 135, all with grade C or better, or consent.

SSM 403 : Renewable Energy Integration

Analyzes and describes issues for integrating renewable energy onto a grid structure, the fundamentals of a smart grid, and energy storage technologies. Instructs students how to use software tools applicable to smart grid operation and maintenance. Explores different electrical energy storage technologies and their feasibility for intended applications.

Credits

3

Prerequisites

SSM 301, SSM 375, MGT 310, and MATH 203 or MATH 241, all with grade C or better; or consent.

SSM 422 : Sustainable Systems Thinking

Explores the theory and application of established systems thinking practices, models and programs, as applied historically and in a sustainability context. Examines complex, multi-discipline problems and proposed solutions in real world scenarios. Develops skills using modeling software for tracking, illustrating, and verifying systems analysis.

Credits

3

Prerequisites

SSM 301, ENG 316, and MATH 135, all with grade C or better, or consent.

SSM 495 : SSM Capstone I

Provides an opportunity to demonstrate the techniques and understanding developed throughout the BAS Sustainable Science Management program in a final project. Includes energy auditing, computational analysis, sustainable strategic planning and financial assessment, water and resource conservation, impacts to human and ecosystem health, land use and transportation, policy and regulatory analysis, and social equity and ethical considerations.

Credits

3

Prerequisites

SSM 301, 302, 375, 401, 402, MGT 322, and ENG 316, all with grade C or better, or consent.

SSM 496 : SSM Capstone II

Provides an opportunity to demonstrate the techniques and understanding developed throughout the BAS Sustainable Science Management program in a final project. Includes energy auditing, computational analysis, sustainable strategic planning and financial assessment, water and resource conservation, impacts to human and ecosystem health, land use and transportation, policy and regulatory analysis, and social equity and ethical consideration.

Credits

3

Prerequisites

SSM 495 with grade C or better, or consent.