The sustainability challenges facing communities locally and globally today underscore the need for interdisciplinary sustainability education that enables students to become informed citizens, engaged professionals and effective problem solvers. Sustainability education is an integral pillar of 21 st - century public, land grant, research and community-engaged institutions. Ohio State recognizes the importance of sustainability, including sustainability education, in its university-wide strategic sustainability goals.
CURRICULUM
Ohio State’s commitment to cultivating future sustainability leaders begins in the classroom, where we offer 74 undergraduate majors and minors and a variety of master’s and doctoral programs that identify one or more sustainability-related learning outcomes as well as over 1,245 courses that feature sustainability topics. The university delivers a curriculum that provides Ohio State students with opportunities to understand sustainability holistically, framed by the environment, science, technology, society, the economy, history, culture and politics.
Check out some recently developed sustainability courses at Ohio State.
AN INTERDISCIPLINARY APPROACH
The Sustainability Education and Learning Committee (SELC), facilitated by the Sustainability Institute, provides a platform for faculty and academic units to develop a comprehensive and coordinated approach to interdisciplinary sustainability education programs for undergraduate and graduate students. SELC's May 2019 report on undergraduate sustainability education establishes a framework for sustainability education at Ohio State, strengthening existing academic programs and identifying opportunities for new ones. The group is currently providing guidance on the sustainability theme that is part of the university’s revised General Education requirements and developing tools to support new or expanded academic program opportunities for students. For more information, contact Gina Jaquet, director of sustainability education and learning.
STUDENT RESEARCH AWARDS
Ohio State rewards sustainability scholarship by providing incentives for students to make discoveries and stimulate creative efforts that promote and achieve sustainability. Each year, Ohio State undergraduate students gain research experience by participating in the Richard J. and Martha D. Denman Undergraduate Research Forum. The forum celebrates students’ research discoveries, innovation and passions. The Sustainability Institute provides awards to excellent undergraduate research in the area of sustainability as it encompasses many diverse disciplines and student interests. Sustainability Institute faculty and staff consider how the students’ projects connect to sustainability, the interdisciplinary connections in their research, and how well they can translate their research and findings to varied audiences when selecting awardees. Read about the 2019 Denman Forum sustainability awardees.

Elena Irwin honored as Food Systems Leadership Institute Fellow
Learn more about Elena Irwin honored as Food Systems Leadership Institute Fellow
New Book Highlights Energy Research
Learn more about New Book Highlights Energy Research
Energy Transition & Decarbonization Symposium, Feb. 10-11
Learn more about Energy Transition & Decarbonization Symposium, Feb. 10-11
Energized: Student Entrepreneurs Share Portable Battery Invention
Learn more about Energized: Student Entrepreneurs Share Portable Battery Invention
Sustainability Institute Student Funding Available
Learn more about Sustainability Institute Student Funding Available
Developing the Next Generation of Sustainable Energy Leaders
Learn more about Developing the Next Generation of Sustainable Energy Leaders
Survey Shows Students’ Sustainability Knowledge, Attitudes and Actions
Learn more about Survey Shows Students’ Sustainability Knowledge, Attitudes and Actions
Despite Challenges Ohio State EcoCAR Successfully Completes Year 2
Learn more about Despite Challenges Ohio State EcoCAR Successfully Completes Year 2
New fertilizer guide for field crops
Learn more about New fertilizer guide for field crops
Ohio State to Sign Sports for Climate Action Framework
Learn more about Ohio State to Sign Sports for Climate Action Framework
Solar-Powered Bus Stop at Ohio Union
Learn more about Solar-Powered Bus Stop at Ohio Union
New Program to Engage Student Athletes as Leaders in Sustainability
Learn more about New Program to Engage Student Athletes as Leaders in Sustainability
How the arts and humanities are confronting climate change
Learn more about How the arts and humanities are confronting climate change
Students Engineer Sustainable Water Solutions for Communities Across the Globe
Learn more about Students Engineer Sustainable Water Solutions for Communities Across the Globe
Sustainability Education Grant Program Supports University Curriculum
Learn more about Sustainability Education Grant Program Supports University Curriculum
Exploring new uses for plastic waste
Learn more about Exploring new uses for plastic waste
New Center of Microbiome Science is in the works at Ohio State
Learn more about New Center of Microbiome Science is in the works at Ohio State
Summer Course Features Risk and Decision Analysis
Learn more about Summer Course Features Risk and Decision Analysis
Dean Williams honored for contributions to microscopy, materials science
Learn more about Dean Williams honored for contributions to microscopy, materials science
Ohio State Newark Faculty Member Pursuing the Puzzles of Climate Change
Learn more about Ohio State Newark Faculty Member Pursuing the Puzzles of Climate Change