Electives

The MENV program requires its students to take a series of elective courses. As of 2024, students will be required to take 18 credit-hours worth of electives in MENV and can use their remaining 6 credit-hours either within MENV or in other departments across campus. In consultation with MENV advisors, students will select those electives courses from a range of MENV offerings as well as university-wide offerings that are best suited for their respective career paths. Students also have the opportunity to take elective courses from other institutions, including University of Colorado Denver.

Each specialization is unique and requires a different set of specialization course requirements which, in turn, impacts the number of electives students will take. The following list of MENV electives is illustrative of the types of courses that may be available to MENV students. Please note that this is not an exhaustive list and that course availability is subject to change.

B Impact Clinic

(ENVM 5061: 3 credits)

Evaluate sustainability and social impact performance for client companies using B Lab’s B Impact Assessment (BIA). The BIA, a prerequisite for B Corp Certification, is used by over 100,000 businesses worldwide. Class sessions train students on the BIA, Certified B Corporations, and client engagement skills. Students offer consulting throughout the semester, culminating with the delivery of impact improvement recommendations. 

Building Community Capacity 

(ENVM 5067: 3 credits) 

Assist partner communities who are looking to build community capacity through outdoor recreation. Students learn and apply best practices related to building community capital and trust, assessing community strengths, providing strategic planning and guidance, engaging diverse community stakeholders, developing successful partnerships and identifying relevant programs, partners and funding sources to assist with community economic development.

Learn more about the course here. 

 

GHG Accounting & Carbon Management

(ENVM 6100: 3 credits) 

This course will introduce students to the fundamentals of greenhouse gas emissions accounting and management, including GHG inventory development, target-setting, reduction planning and reporting. It will cover GHG emissions scopes 1-3 and will review accounting standards such as the GHG Protocol, definitions of zero carbon and net zero, and discussion of globally recognized third party frameworks such as the Science-Based Targets Initiative. We will also discuss the carbon management hierarchy and issues of impact, transparency, and credibility, which will include the application of carbon offsets, RECs, and the role of carbon markets in mitigating climate change. A particular focus will be paid to practical knowledge, with students developing and analyzing a detailed, Excel-based inventory model, and data management framework. Students are strongly encouraged to have at least an intermediary working knowledge of Excel prior to beginning this course, including familiarity with formulas and functions such as Index Match, If Statements, Pivot Tables and charts.  

Corporate Sustainability Reporting and Strategy

(ENVM 6100: 3 credits)

Private and public entities around the world are increasingly taking on sustainability as core value. Many are driven by genuine desire for positive change. Others do so out of perceived need from customers, stakeholders, or investors. As a result, the need to be able to use frameworks to develop strategies and communicate progress and impact has been paramount. This class will explore the frameworks and standards used to measure sustainability across different industry sectors, differentiate between “CSR" and “ESG,” and provide an investors perspective regarding which companies merit financial investment based on their sustainability performance. It will include a review of reporting standards such as GRI, CDP, GRESB, SASB, the process of conducting Materiality Assessments, and showcase how companies across the sustainability spectrum are developing enterprise-wide strategy and communicating their efforts.

Climate and Energy Justice 

(ENVM 6100: 3 credits)

This course will explore the historical roots and current manifestations of environmental and climate injustice in Colorado and beyond. It will be grounded on practice: how to apply environmental and climate justice lenses and tools to address current urgent challenges & issues that cut across MENV’s five thematic tracks. Students will learn about the different roles and strategies that law, policy, equity and markets can play in addressing environmental and climate justice; and of the intersectionality of climate change mitigation and adaptation. Consistent application of analysis and strategies on real-world problems, and guest speakers from diverse backgrounds, fields and experiences will enrich and ground-truth this professional course.

All MENV courses, including courses from other specializations, can be taken by students in the program as electives. The MENV program also offers a wide variety of topics, methods, and skills courses from which students can choose.