Preparing students to lead in a data-driven green economy
The sustainable systems science major will equip students with data-driven, systems-focused skills to solve complex environmental and societal challenges.
Virginia Tech will launch a new undergraduate major designed to meet growing industry demand for sustainability professionals who can analyze data, understand complex systems, and translate environmental goals into measurable outcomes.
The sustainable systems science major resides underneath the Bachelor of Science in sustainable biomaterials degree program from the Department of Sustainable Biomaterials in the College of Natural Resources and Environment. Students who pursue this major learn to integrate sustainability principles with engineering and business to create data-driven solutions for companies, governments, and communities.
The new major will combine advanced sustainability science, innovation, and technologies from the field of industrial ecology with critical perspectives and skills from engineering and business to equip students with an understanding of how diverse organizations engage, manage, and respond strategically to changing environmental and social contexts.
The sustainable systems science major will be available this fall. The major is designed to help students tackle real-world sustainability problems with a systems approach, providing valuable, marketable skills and supporting the development of strong, competitive resumes.
Guided by faculty members with experience working across an array of partnerships, the major will prepare students to address today’s sustainability challenges as well as lead through the rapidly evolving demands of the future. Students will build a foundation in today’s most pressing sustainability challenges – from climate challenges and resource scarcity to community well‑being and economic resilience. They will also gain insight into the cutting‑edge practices, emerging opportunities, and innovative solutions already being implemented across industry and government.
Students will build skills in analyzing diverse forms of sustainability-related impact and performance data, using established methods and tools, including life cycle assessment, material flow analysis, carbon and energy footprints and handprints. They also will learn how these quantitative and technical tools are used to support organization improvements, strategy, and policy development as part of the evolution toward more sustainable economies and communities.
The idea for the new major grew out of a department-led effort to rethink how sustainability is taught at Virginia Tech, said Ching-Hsun Huang, professor of sustainable biomaterials.
Many students may care about sustainability but may not know the extent of technology, engineering, science, policy, and other innovations already being put into practice. They may also not know how to translate their interest in sustainability-relevant areas into a fulfilling, impactful career. The sustainable systems science major will address these challenges by expounding on the core concepts of the circular economy and bioeconomy.
Beginning in 2020, faculty in the Department of Sustainable Biomaterials undertook a multiyear project to study the curriculum, aimed at preparing students for this fast-changing sustainability workforce, Huang said.
“Through that process, we recognized a need for a major that connects scientific understanding, quantitative tools and technology, data analysis, business insight, and policy frameworks within a unified systems-thinking approach,” she said.
She emphasized the program’s distinct design and scope.
Associate Professor Jennifer Russell said employer demand and student interest are converging.
According to data from the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, companies are adding sustainability roles in response to the integration of sustainability into corporate strategy. Increasing public pressure for organizations to reduce their environmental impacts, coupled with increasing opportunities and requirements to report on sustainability performance, are also supporting this occupational trend.
“Students wanted to know more than just what the problems and challenges are,” Russell said. “They wanted to know what they could do about it as part of their own career path.”
Collegiate Assistant Professor Kiara Winans said the new major will blend newly developed and established coursework and emphasizes learning by doing.
“Sustainability professionals today need to move between data, strategy, and implementation,” Winans said. “We’re preparing students to operate in that space.”
