College of Science and Mathematics > School of Earth, Environment and Sustainability > B.S. in Sustainability Science

B.S. in Sustainability Science

Format: In person on the Statesboro Campus or the Armstrong Campus in Savannah
Credit Hours: 124

Georgia’s ONLY undergraduate sustainability degree!

Environmental challenges threaten our quality of life more than ever before. That’s why sustainability has never been more critical than it is now.

Sustainability scientists are finding solutions to our most pressing environmental issues. They’re looking at issues of biodiversity, new and sustainable ways to produce biofuel, innovations in green chemistry, wildlife management and conservation — and so much more.

Do you want to join them?

Courses and Curriculum

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Why Major in Sustainability Science at Georgia Southern?

Small class sizes
Our small class sizes are perfect for our blend of classroom teaching and hands-on field experiences. In addition, you’ll have your choice of several elective options, with courses in the humanities, public health, engineering, and so much more. Our curriculum will prepare you for rewarding career fields in government, nonprofit, industry and education.
Personalized mentoring
You’ll get in-demand technical and soft skills through personalized mentoring with our world-class faculty. In addition, you’ll study in natural labs that include beaches, marshes, rivers and more along southeast Georgia’s coastal plain.
Opportunities for undergraduate research; Such as
- Biofuels and alternative energy
- Microbiology
- Wildlife management
- And more.
Interdisciplinary research fields
Our interdisciplinary approach means that you’ll learn from a diverse group of faculty focused on a wide variety of sustainability issues, ranging from science and the environment to economics and society.
Electives span the humanities, social sciences, and engineering
Courses available on both Statesboro and Armstrong campuses

The best part? You’ll be prepared to find innovative solutions to today’s most pressing environmental issues. With a degree in sustainability, you can pursue an exciting career and help improve the quality of life for generations to come.

What Can You Do with a Sustainability Degree?

The U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics projects sustainability science-related fields to fill more than 9,400 jobs each year until 2029. In 2020, the average median salary for environmental scientists and specialists was $73,230 per year.

Careers in Sustainability

Agricultural scientist
Air pollution analyst
Conservation scientist or forester
Ecologist
Environmental chemist
Environmental consultant
Environmental engineer
Environmental health and safety officer
Environmental lawyer
Environmental manager
Environmental scientist
Environmental specialist
Environmental technician
Geographer
Geologist
Geoscientist
Marine biologist
Meteorologist
Microbiologist
Nature conservation officer
Teacher or Professor
Water quality scientist
Wildlife biologist
Zoologist

Get Environmental Research Experience

At Georgia Southern, our mission is to make sure you’re career-ready. Ready to dig in from day one in your career field. As part of the sustainability bachelor’s degree program, you’ll get valuable research experience in areas such as:

Green chemistry
Conservation biology
Stream ecology
Barrier island ecohydrology
Biofuels and alternative energy
Marine/coastal ecology
Environmental microbiology
Environmental remediation
Environmental chemistry
Plant ecology
Wildlife management
Population geography
Sea turtle natural history
Geographic information systems (GIS) and remote sensing

Course Highlights in the Sustainability Degree

In our interdisciplinary sustainability degree program, you’ll get a wide variety of courses that touch chemistry, biology, engineering and more. Your sustainability course curriculum includes:

Chemistry of Biofuels
- Introduces the principles of fuels and biofuels and applies the latest in biochemistry and biotechnology to research in biofuels.

Toxicology
- Introduces the principles of toxicology with a focus on aquatic organisms. Topics include risk assessment, regulatory toxicology, mutagenesis, and toxicology of the nervous and reproductive systems.

Fisheries biology
- Examines fish conservation and fisheries management with emphasis on freshwater North American species and environments.

Marine Pollution
- Covers current federal and Georgia environmental laws and regulations, coastal ecological concepts, and techniques used for remediation of environmental degradation.

Wildlife Management
- Explores factors that influence wildlife populations and how these factors can be managed to sustain game and nongame species.

Nature and Society
- Examines the controls on humans’ perspectives on resources and analyzes the availability, scarcity, and valuing of natural resources, in addition to conflicts over their use.

Sustainability research methods
- Outlines the skills needed to successfully conduct sustainability research, including reading scientific literature effectively, scientific writing, presentation skills, data analysis, and scientific ethics.

Environmental Science and Sustainability Opportunities on Campus

Georgia Southern is committed to sustainability on all three campuses. Sustain Southern offers students across the university ways to get involved in sustainable practices and further their knowledge of environmental issues.