Advancing society's goals of sustainability in our global economy and the environment
Sustainable Systems Management (SSM) develops innovative leaders to help solve complex environmental, social, and economic problems such as mobility, shelter, water, food, and communication, in more sustainable ways. Undergraduates apply core competencies in systems thinking, life cycle assessment, industrial symbiosis, and circularity to one of four specializations within the SSM major.
Tracks
Building Science and Technology specialization
Advance sustainable and systemic solutions to enhance the energy, material efficiency, and health performance of houses and building systems.
Corporate Sustainability Systems specialization
Build and implement new and evolving organizational strategies and operations that create long-term stakeholder value through the improvement of environmental protection, social justice and equity, and economic development.
Energy Systems specialization
Accelerate the sustainable energy transition to smart, renewable electricity and fuel systems.
Sustainable Products Business Management specialization
Develop, and bring to market products that are renewable, circular, regenerative, and safe over their whole life cycle, from cradle to grave.
Major Highlights:
- Over 94% job placement rates
- $46,500 estimated starting salary of our graduates
Download the sustainable systems management major overview PDF brochure !
I realized SSM would give me more practical knowledge about sustainable practices in industrial, business, and developmental settings than other majors. I also believe that SSM would be a stepping stone for me to enact meaningful environmental changes through incorporating more sustainability to our current systems.
- Julie V., Sustainable Systems Management Major
I chose SSM because it offers me the best opportunity to learn about how sustainability is incorporated into the world around us. I also think SSM offers the best preparation for a career in the growing field of sustainability and prepares its students with technical skills.
- Patrick O., Sustainable Systems Management Major
I choose this major because it combines my passion for sustainability with my interests in construction. I can remember back to my junior year of high school searching for sustainability majors that "fit me". There were plenty of schools that offered some form of environmental studies but it just seemed to be missing something. Then I stumbled upon the building science track in SSM. Once I read the description I knew that was what I wanted to study.
- Faith R., Sustainable Systems Management Major
Why study sustainable systems management?
Decisions in the private and public sectors are being made with greater consideration of their full range of economic, environmental, and social impacts. Greater global demand for energy, land, water, and other raw materials are forcing us to rethink how we use our resources for the greater good.
There are tremendous opportunities to address these needs by:
- Closing material loops
- Recovering resources
- Increasing energy efficiency
- Minimizing and mitigating environmental pollution
- Ensuring best management practices over entire supply chains
- Embracing renewable resources and renewable energy, sustainable technologies, materials, and products
Degree requirements and admission
Sustainable systems management is a bachelor of science program offered by the University of Minnesota College of Food, Agricultural and Natural Resource Science (CFANS).
Contact us
Prospective students are welcome to visit CFANS on campus. Schedule a visit
If you have questions, would like to meet faculty, or tour our labs, please e-mail [email protected] or contact our SSM major coordinators:
Major Coordinator(s)
Omar Espinoza
[email protected]
+1 612 624 0770
Tim Smith
[email protected]
+1 612 624 6755