4.8
stars
2,441 ratings

Dr. Jonathan Tomkin

136,973 already enrolled

Offered By

Introduction to Sustainability

University of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign

About this Course

118,535 recent views

This course introduces the academic approach of Sustainability and explores how today’s human societies can endure in the face of global change, ecosystem degradation and resource limitations. The course focuses on key knowledge areas of sustainability theory and practice, including population, ecosystems, global change, energy, agriculture, water, environmental economics and policy, ethics, and cultural history.
This subject is of vital importance, seeking as it does to uncover the principles of the long-term welfare of all the peoples of the planet. As sustainability is a cross-disciplinary field of study, this foundation requires intellectual breadth: as I describe it in the class text, understanding our motivations requires the humanities, measuring the challenges of sustainability requires knowledge of the sciences (both natural and social), and building solutions requires technical insight into systems (such as provided by engineering, planning, and management).

Flexible deadlines

Reset deadlines in accordance to your schedule.

Shareable Certificate

Earn a Certificate upon completion

100% online

Start instantly and learn at your own schedule.

Approx. 25 hours to complete

English

Could your company benefit from training employees on in-demand skills?

Try Coursera for Business

Flexible deadlines

Reset deadlines in accordance to your schedule.

Shareable Certificate

Earn a Certificate upon completion

100% online

Start instantly and learn at your own schedule.

Approx. 25 hours to complete

English

Could your company benefit from training employees on in-demand skills?

Try Coursera for Business

Instructor

Instructor rating

4.83/5 (611 Ratings)

Dr. Jonathan Tomkin

Associate Director

School of Earth, Society and Environment

136,973 Learners

1 Course

Offered by

University of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign

See how employees at top companies are mastering in-demand skills

Learn more about Coursera for Business

Syllabus - What you will learn from this course

Content Rating96%(18,512 ratings)

Week1

Week 1

3 hours to complete

Orientation and Introduction

3 hours to complete

5 videos (Total 37 min), 5 readings, 3 quizzes

Week2

Week 2

3 hours to complete

Population

3 hours to complete

5 videos (Total 49 min), 1 reading, 4 quizzes

Week3

Week 3

4 hours to complete

Ecosystems and Climate Change

4 hours to complete

8 videos (Total 78 min), 1 reading, 5 quizzes

8 videos

Ecosystems and Climate Change Introduction55sTragedy of the Commons10mTragedy of the Commons: Solutions14mEcosystems and Extinctions6mWeather vs. Climate3mClimate Changes in the Past10mModern Climate Change14m[OPTIONAL] Climate Processes16m

1 reading

Module 3 Overview and Readings10m

4 practice exercises

Ecosystems, Extinction, and Tragedy of the Commons Practice Quiz30mClimate Change Practice Quiz30mClimate Change Interactive Homework10mModule 3 Quiz30m

Week4

Week 4

3 hours to complete

Energy

3 hours to complete

8 videos (Total 58 min), 1 reading, 4 quizzes

Week5

Week 5

3 hours to complete

Water and Agriculture

3 hours to complete

6 videos (Total 68 min), 1 reading, 3 quizzes

Week6

Week 6

4 hours to complete

Environmental Policy

4 hours to complete

9 videos (Total 94 min), 1 reading, 4 quizzes

9 videos

Environmental Economics and Policy Introduction1mNegative Externalities14mEnvironmental Policy11mEnvironmental Policy Assessment14m[OPTIONAL] Environmental Economics17m[OPTIONAL] Application of Environmental Economics and Policy, Part 111m[OPTIONAL] Application of Environmental Economics and Policy, Part 213m[OPTIONAL] Application of Environmental Economics and Policy, Part 38mEnvironmental Policy Examples: "Biofuels"3m

1 reading

Module 6 Overview and Readings10m

3 practice exercises

Environmental Policy Practice Quiz30mEnvironmental Policy Examples Homework30mModule 6 Quiz30m

Week7

Week 7

4 hours to complete

Measuring Sustainability

4 hours to complete

7 videos (Total 68 min), 1 reading, 4 quizzes

7 videos

Measuring Sustainability Introduction1mBiodiversity and Ecosystems10mSustainability Metrics, Part 112mSustainability Metrics, Part 28mFood Miles9mMeasuring Sustainability: The Future, Part 112mMeasuring Sustainability: The Future, Part 212m

1 reading

Module 7 Overview and Readings10m

3 practice exercises

Measuring Sustainability Practice Quiz30mSustainable Future Practice Quiz30mModule 7 Quiz30m

Week8

Week 8

1 hour to complete

Conclusion

1 hour to complete

1 reading

Reviews

4.8

770 reviews

5 stars
80.68%
4 stars
16.32%
3 stars
1.63%
2 stars
0.40%
1 star
0.94%

TOP REVIEWS FROM INTRODUCTION TO SUSTAINABILITY

by LCNov 12, 2020

Brilliant! Really brought alot of issues to hand I had no idea about, the lectures are easy to understand and clear! I've kept alot of the info to look back on I can't recommend enough!

by ESAug 26, 2020

I learned a lot of great information but the lectures and videos are kind of outdated. It would be great to have some more information on sustainability from the most recent decade.

by SISep 12, 2016

I honestly took this course by mistake while searching for Business Sustainability. But it got me so engaged and interested that I finished it in 4 days.

A Great thank you, Mr. Jonathan Tomkin

by BAMay 29, 2020

The course is very enlightening on the thoughts living on this planet in a sustainable way. While some facts are outdated (and need receive) they are nonetheless relevant for training

View all reviews

Frequently Asked Questions

When will I have access to the lectures and assignments?
Access to lectures and assignments depends on your type of enrollment. If you take a course in audit mode, you will be able to see most course materials for free. To access graded assignments and to earn a Certificate, you will need to purchase the Certificate experience, during or after your audit. If you don't see the audit option:
The course may not offer an audit option. You can try a Free Trial instead, or apply for Financial Aid.
The course may offer 'Full Course, No Certificate' instead. This option lets you see all course materials, submit required assessments, and get a final grade. This also means that you will not be able to purchase a Certificate experience.
What will I get if I purchase the Certificate?
When you purchase a Certificate you get access to all course materials, including graded assignments. Upon completing the course, your electronic Certificate will be added to your Accomplishments page - from there, you can print your Certificate or add it to your LinkedIn profile. If you only want to read and view the course content, you can audit the course for free.
Is financial aid available?
Yes. In select learning programs, you can apply for financial aid or a scholarship if you can’t afford the enrollment fee. If fin aid or scholarship is available for your learning program selection, you’ll find a link to apply on the description page.

More questions? Visit the Learner Help Center.

Build employee skills, drive business results

Discover Coursera for Business

Introduction to Sustainability

Introduction to Sustainability

About this Course