Our sustainability curriculum offers several levels of education that provide students with the skills necessary to capitalize on emerging green sector jobs. For students wishing to pursue sustainability as an academic focus, our Environmental Science and Studies (ESS) program offers interdisciplinary curricula at both the undergraduate and graduate levels. Individuals looking to enhance their sustainable business knowledge can use our online certification programs to learn about a variety of topical areas related to sustainability, including green purchasing and alternative energy operations. Finally, our internal e-learning center offers several courses in green business strategy to familiarize TU faculty and staff with valuable information on sustainability planning and implementation.
Towson University's annual Environmental Conference provides a forum for students, faculty, staff and community members to share concerns, ideas and solutions related to sustainability. Each year, sessions are based on a specific environmental theme, and the campus and external community is invited to submit proposals for conference workshops. Past speakers and workshop presenters have included Dr. Don Boesch, USM Vice Chancellor for Environmental Sustainability; Spike Gjerde, head chef of Woodberry Kitchen; Sarah Rider, Owner of Flying Plow Farm; and undergraduate and graduate students majoring in environmental studies, economics, anthropology and art history.
Senior Seminar Projects
Students in the Environmental Science and Studies Program take a senior seminar to complete their major where they work on a project exploring campus or local community sustainability. Recent projects have included a presentation on how to green Baltimore County Public Schools, a study on reducing the food footprint at Towson University, replenishing Baltimore’s urban forest, greening the Towson fleet, home energy audits, and more. These projects allow students to apply classroom skills and knowledge to a "real" situation. Sustainability projects are not limited to Environmental Science and Studies Senior Seminars. Faculty or students who would like to conduct a campus sustainability project should contact the TU Sustainability Manager (cfang@towson.edu) for suggestions.
The Urban Environmental Biogeochemistry Laboratory (UEBL) is a collaborative effort between the departments of Biological Sciences, Chemistry, and Physics, Astronomy, and Geosciences, that supports student and faculty research in these departments as well as the Environmental Science Program. Faculty in the UEBL are currently engaged in several research projects with applications toward urban sustainability.
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