Sustainability courses at the University of Washington explore environmental, economic, and/or social aspects of sustainability, addressing the ability for society to innovatively utilize, develop, and protect natural resources and ecosystems in a way that meets the current and future generations' needs. Sustainability focused courses examine one or more topics with regards to all three dimensions (environmental, economic, and social) of sustainability in depth, or analyze a broad range of topics using a sustainability lens. Whereas, sustainability inclusive courses examine one or more topics with regards to at least one dimension of sustainability, or sustainability or the environment is a discrete element of the course description, but not necessarily the main focus.

The following highlighted sustainability courses offered at UW Seattle provide an introduction to courses that are focused on and related to the environment or sustainability.

To find more classes, see our full list of sustainability courses at UW.

students on the UW quad

Attaining a Sustainable Society

Building a sustainable future depends on restructuring the global economy, major shifts in human
 reproductive behavior, and dramatic changes in values and lifestyles.

Course number: ENVIR 439
Credits: 3
ATM S 211: Climate and Climate Change

Climate and Climate Change

An introductory course for nonscience majors on climate and climate change. The class will be divided in three parts:

Course number: ATM S 211
Credits: 5
workers in a field

Climate, Justice, and Energy Solutions (ATM S 100)

Presents visions of the future when the climate crisis is solved and describes paths towards reaching these goals.

Course number: ATM S 100
Credits: 5

EarthGames Studio

Students work in teams to create their own video games or interactive digital experience relating to climate change or other pressing environmental issues.

Course number: ATM S 495
Credits: 2-6

Energy and Environment

Discusses diverse environmental issues around energy sources and uses and the importance of evaluating environmental challenges.

Course number: ENVIR 341
Jointly offered: CHEM E 341 & M E 341
Credits: 3

Environmental Innovation Practicum

Students develop innovative solutions to real-world environmental problems.

Course number: ENTRE 443
Jointly offered: ENVIR 495, ENTRE 543, ENGR 498
Credits: 2

Environmental Norms in International Politics

Explores development of international environmental consciousness from 1960s to present.

Course number: SCAND 350
Jointly offered: ENVIR 360 & JSIS B 350.
Credits: 5

Introduction to Environmental Economics

Introduces environmental and natural resource economics.

Course number: ECON 235
Jointly offered: ESRM 235 and ENVIR 235
Credits: 5

Introduction to Environmental Health

Introduction to environmental health concepts.

Course number: ENV H 111
Credits: 3

Law, Justice, and the Environment

Examines the role law plays in shaping environmental policy.

Course number: GEOG 467
Jointly offered: LSJ 467
Credits: 5

Literature and Discourse on the Environment

Pays attention to verbal expression; forms and genres; and historical, cultural, and conceptual contexts of the natural environment.

Course number: ENGL 365
Credits: 5

Principles of Sustainability

Overview of principles of sustainability, including discussion of current literature and presentations by practitioners, and methods for balancing social, economic, and ecological consequences of policies and actions.

Course number: ESRM 300
Credits: 2

Risk and Reward in Sustainable Development

Focuses on the intersecton of green, high preforming buildings and the law.

Course number: LAW E 534
Jointly offered: R E 559
Credits: 3

Society and Sustainable Environments

Introduces the application of social concepts and theories to understanding and managing urban, urbanizing, and wildland landscapes in a sustainable manner.

Course number: ESRM 200
Credits: 5

Sustainability Studio

Exploration of definitions and critical concepts of sustainability and analysis of sustainability practices on the UW campus.

Course number: ENVIR 480
Credits: 5

Sustainability, Resilience, and Society

Introduction to concepts of sustainability and resilience and their relevance to environment and society in the current Anthropocene era

Course number: ANTH 378
Credits: 5

Sustainability: Personal Choices, Broad Impacts

An introduction to the frameworks and approaches to sustainability through exploration of the three pillars of sustainability.

Course number: ENVIR 239
Credits: 3/5