Introductory sustainability courses

Want to get started in sustainability? Here are some of our introductory courses available this academic year.

EPS 137: The Sixth Extinction (and the Other Five)

Autumn 2024

Are we living through Earth’s sixth major mass extinction event? Learn about the causes and consequences of mass extinction in the fossil record, the current biodiversity crisis, and approaches to mitigating and, ultimately, recovering from this sixth extinction.

Meets UG Reqs: WAYS-SMA

Learn more about EPS 137

OCEANS 71: Planet Ocean

Winter 2025

This course integrates the oceanography and marine biology of diverse ocean habitats, which are fundamental to climate, food, and commerce. Learn about technologies for exploration and how oceans are linked with the global environment and human sustainability.

Meets UG Reqs: WAYS-SMA

Learn more about OCEANS 71

CEE 63: Weather and Storms

Winter 2025

Delve into weather and global climate. Learn about the structure and composition of the atmosphere, fog and cloud formation, rainfall, global circulation, jet streams, severe weather, pollutant transport, climate, and more.

Meets UG Reqs: WAYS-SMA

Learn more about CEE 63

SUSTAIN 101C: Climate 101

Spring 2025

How has climate changed in the past? How is it changing now? How could it change in the future? Explore techniques for detecting long-term climate change, calculating Earth’s energy balance, quantifying greenhouse gases, the history and future of extreme weather, and more.

Meets UG Reqs: WAYS-AQR

Learn more about SUSTAIN 101C

For more courses offered in the Stanford Doerr School of Sustainability, visit ExploreCourses or join the course announcements slack channel.

Courses are listed under CEE, EARTHSYS, EBS, ENERGY, ENVRES, EPS, ESS, GEOPHYS, GEP, OCEANS, SUST, and SUSTAIN.