Master of the Environment (ENVM)

Courses

ENVM 5001 (3) Foundations of Environmental Leadership

Engages and exposes students to diverse leadership models and styles and emphasizes concepts and skills necessary for effective environmental leadership. Students will explore and critically analyze approaches and tools for effective collaboration, creative communication with diverse stakeholders, facilitation of events and processes, negotiation, fiscal management, strategic planning, practicing design thinking, developing organizational structures and leading social change.

Grading Basis: Letter Grade

ENVM 5002 (3) Analyzing Socio-Environmental Systems

Learn about systems thinking and practice to address complex environmental challenges. Students will develop the confidence to use systems tools and ideas to push beyond reacting to immediate problems to see underlying patterns, design strategic interventions, and learn and adapt as systems change.

Recommended: MENV graduate students only.
Grading Basis: Letter Grade

ENVM 5003 (3) Ethics and Values in Environmental Leadership

Prepares students to be effective leaders within their organizations by introducing them to a wide range of value systems and examining links between these and effective leadership. Students will learn tools and approaches for effective analysis and presentation of value-based appeals and will learn through practical scenarios to identify and assess value-based analyses used by others.

Grading Basis: Letter Grade

ENVM 5004 (3) Public Finance and the Environment

Explores the impact of a variety of factors that may result in market failures, including public goods, externalities, information asymmetries and uncertainty, with a special focus on the environment and natural resources. Government polices as a mitigating policy tool for market failures impacting the environment are assessed

Grading Basis: Letter Grade

ENVM 5005 (3) The Business of Renewable and Sustainable Energy

Addresses the business of renewable energy, including opportunities and challenges with renewable electricity, renewable transportation fuels and energy efficiency. Topics include energy markets, opportunity identification, life cycle analysis, economic analysis, policy impacts and project financing of sustainable renewable energy business models. Formerly ENST 5002.

Equivalent - Duplicate Degree Credit Not Granted: MBAX 6930
Requisites: Restricted to Graduate (GRAD) and Non-Degree Graduate (NDGR) students.
Grading Basis: Letter Grade

ENVM 5006 (3) Sustainable Energy Policy

The global energy system is at the early stages of a remarkable transformation: from one largely dependent on fossil fuels (coal, oil, and natural gas) to one based on renewable and sustainable energy sources. Energy policy - actions taken by public entities to influence energy - have and will play an essential role in this ongoing transformation. This course takes a critical and pragmatic look at energy policy: what policies are available, how do we evaluate them, who are the stakeholders in the energy policy process, and how do policies drive energy technology adoption.

Requisites: Restricted to Graduate (GRAD) and Non-Degree Graduate (NDGR) students.
Grading Basis: Letter Grade

ENVM 5007 (3) Energy Systems and Technologies

Examines the basics of energy technologies and energy delivery systems. Covers both conventional energy sources (oil and gas, coal, nuclear and hydroelectric) and renewable/sustainable energy technologies (wind, solar, biomass, geothermal and end-use efficiency). Investigates individual technologies as well as integration of multiple technologies on energy systems such as the electricity grid and liquid and gas fuels infrastructures. Formerly ENST 5000.

Requisites: Restricted to (GRAD) graduate students and (NDGR) non-degree graduate students
Grading Basis: Letter Grade

ENVM 5009 (3) Business Fundamentals for Environmental Professionals

Introduces MENV students to multiple facets of business including the entrepreneurial process/mindset and common business structures and processes, and sustainability. Consulting projects are used as proxies for working within a business involving key activities including project proposal, problem definition, solution development and presenting deliverables. Critical thinking is central to this process and teams will develop creative solutions to a business problem.

Requisites: Restricted to Master of the Environment (MENV) graduate students only.
Grading Basis: Letter Grade

ENVM 5011 (3) Collaborative Innovation and Social Change

Enhancing practical abilities to work for social change. We (1) learn about innovators who effectively leverage change, (2) engage in hands-on, highly interactive approaches to empathize, problem-solve and co-create, and (3) turn our ideas into real-world, prototype designs. Class is varied and interactive, relying on a mixture of videos, case readings, interactive activities and discussion.

Requisites: Restricted to Master of the Environment (MENV) graduate students only.
Grading Basis: Letter Grade

ENVM 5012 (3) Water, Climate, and Sustainable Cities

Provides students with the knowledge to characterize, analyze, assess and plan, urban systems, primarily those of water and landscape. Students will understand the nature of built systems in the urban environment, with particular focus on the urban water cycle and green infrastructure.

Requisites: Restricted to graduate students only.
Grading Basis: Letter Grade

ENVM 5015 (3) Water Energy Nexus

Examines the physical, biological, social, behavioral, economic, and engineering basis of the water energy space that, in practice, includes domestic water use, reuse, recycling, water use in thermal generation, water use in oil and gas operations, water use in industry, water use for renewable energy, the transportation of water, water supplies, desalination, food, agriculture, geopolitics, and security. Recommended for Juniors, Seniors, and Graduate Students interested in energy or water related issues. Technical background is valuable but not required. Formerly offered as a special topics course.

Grading Basis: Letter Grade

ENVM 5017 (3) Collaborative Skills + Practices for Sustainable Solutions

Achieving sustainable and resilient solutions requires leaders to reach across political, ideological and organizational boundaries, develop common knowledge, and engage people who represent components of complex systems. Collaboration is a core competency in sustainability and resilience planning and plays an increasingly important role in environmental policy. This course develops the skills and practices for effective collaboration.

Requisites: Restricted to Master of the Environment (MENV) graduate students only.
Grading Basis: Letter Grade

ENVM 5018 (3) The Scientific Basis of Environmental Change

Provides an overview of the science that underlies some of the most complicated global environmental challenges we face today. These include topics such as climate change, air quality, land management, agriculture, biodiversity loss and conservation, as well as the underlying biogeochemical, hydrologic, and ecological processes that are critical for understanding the changing environment. Previously offered as a special topics course.

Requisites: Restricted to Master of the Environment (MENV) graduate students only.
Grading Basis: Letter Grade

ENVM 5021 (1) Writing Skills for Environmental Professionals

Writing for different audiences and purposes ¿ from emailing colleagues to writing grant applications, policy reports, internal memos, and more ¿ is a critical professional skill. Students will: (1) Develop skills in rhetorical analysis; (2) Practice information literacy; (3) Synthesize information; (4) Improve clarity, concision, and organization; and (5) Understand language conventions.

Requisites: Restricted to graduate students only.
Grading Basis: Letter Grade

ENVM 5026 (3) Sustainable Land Use and Development: Principles and Practices

Survey of fundamentals of land use planning, growth management and urban/ community development systems, covering a range of cultural, legal and ecological issues. By way of case studies and best practices, focus on new, ¿sustainable¿ approaches at the intersection of real estate development, land use and urban planning, economic/community development and environmental policy.

Grading Basis: Letter Grade

ENVM 5029 (3) Food & Agriculture Policy in the United States

Examines agricultural and food law and policy in the United States with a focus on enhancing sustainability and equity while ensuring a sufficient food supply. Surveys the history, overlapping mandates, authority, philosophies, and rules of the USDA, FDA, and EPA. Investigates policies pertaining to production, environmental impacts, food constituents, labeling, safety, manufacturing, marketing, retail, nutrition guidance and assistance programs. Previously offered as a special topics course.

Recommended: Prerequisites Introduction to Sustainable Food Systems: Nourishing Humanity within Planetary Boundaries.
Grading Basis: Letter Grade

ENVM 5031 (3) Contemporary Issues in U.S. Public Lands Policy and Management

Examines critical and emerging issues on public lands across the U.S. today. Following an overview of the structure of public lands management, including federal land management designations and agencies and major laws and policies relevant to public lands management, we will transition into issue-based discussions of challenges facing public lands management. Previously offered as a special topics course.

Recommended: Requisite ENVS 5701.
Grading Basis: Letter Grade

ENVM 5033 (3) Policy and Climate Change in the Mont Blanc Region

Introduces students to the Mont Blanc region. Course begins with an assessment of the region's history, culture, economy and politics. Environmental and land use issues, along with climate change, will then be studied. Students will then review techniques and methods to assess climate impacts on the landscape. Previously offered as a special topics course.

Recommended: Graduate students only.
Grading Basis: Letter Grade

ENVM 5034 (3) Leadership & Ethics for Environmental Professionals

Build essential skills to be a purpose-driven and ethical leader. Students will explore their values, deepen their self-awareness, and practice giving voice to their values in situations where their values clash with other expectations in the workplace. We approach leadership as a practice by exploring the interpersonal dynamics and psychology of high performing diverse teams as the foundation of work. Previously offered as a special topics course.

Grading Basis: Letter Grade

ENVM 5035 (1) Introduction to Environmental Thought & Influencers

Grounds students in the influential writers ¿ both known and less known ¿ that have shaped the environmental movement in the United States over the past century. From classics environmental works to contemporary contributions, this course will provide students an opportunity to read and discuss major themes in environmental thought and commentary, and ensure that they are well-versed with the authors that students of the environment may be expected to know in their professional careers.

Grading Basis: Letter Grade

ENVM 5038 (3) Nourishing Humanity within Planetary Boundaries - Intro to Food Systems

Take a holistic approach to exploring environmental, economic, social, and cultural dimensions of agri-food sustainability. Conceptualize food systems and their dynamics, recognize their achievements, come to terms with their role in environmental and social ills, and explore a range of promising alternative practices for rebalancing and building resilience in food systems. Previously offered as a special topics course.

Requisites: Restricted to graduate students only.
Recommended: Corequisite ENVS 6305.
Grading Basis: Letter Grade

ENVM 5039 (1) Front Range Food System Field Lab

Venture into the food system of the Front Range to consider a range of strategies and career paths for rebalancing and building resilience in food systems. This field lab complements the material studied in ENVM 5038 - Nourishing Humanity within Planetary Boundaries: Intro to Food Systems. Formerly offered as a special topics course.

Requisites: Requires corequisite course of ENVM 5038. Restricted to graduate students only.
Grading Basis: Letter Grade

ENVM 5040 (3) MENV Clinic

Seeks to bring the ideas and resources of supervised MENV students to bear on real-world, real-time resilience and sustainability challenges facing Colorado communities and organizations, with an emphasis on supporting under-served and at-risk populations and places. Through research, written reports, stakeholder interviews and other methods, MENV students gain critical skills and knowledge while providing valuable professional services.

Repeatable: Repeatable for up to 9.00 total credit hours.
Requisites: Restricted to Master of the Environment (MENV) graduate students only.
Grading Basis: Letter Grade

ENVM 5041 (3) Sustainability & Resilience in Practice

Explore sustainability strategies at the community scale and the drivers of decision making and investment in sustainability action. We will explore various approaches to sustainability with the goal of answering the question, ¿How do sustainability leaders engage with diverse stakeholders and decision makers to implement effective, equitable solutions to environmental problems?¿ We will select topics and case studies within Colorado that represent different kinds of challenges for sustainability planning and programs and evaluate solutions for each.

Requisites: Restricted to Master of the Environment (MENV) graduate students only.
Grading Basis: Letter Grade

ENVM 5042 (3) Renewable and Sustainable Energy in Practice

Renewable and Sustainable Energy in Practice will present students with a sampling of the day-to-day work of clean energy industry professionals. The course will focus on the business of decarbonizing the energy sector and deploying clean and efficient energy technologies from several distinct perspectives, including (1) renewable energy project development; (2) corporate renewable energy procurement; and (3) energy solutions for the built environment. Previously offered as a special topics course.

Requisites: Restricted to graduate students only.
Recommended: Prerequisite The course will assume that students have some understanding of the energy space, therefore a background in energy topics including graduate-level work in energy policy, finance, law, business, or engineering is recommended.
Grading Basis: Letter Grade

ENVM 5043 (1) Benefit Cost Analysis

Analyze the environmental, economic, and international dimensions of a range of food production systems. Focuses on the economic benefit-cost analyses (BCA) that inform decision-making in food systems. BCA is a widely used economic valuation tool that involves estimating all benefits and costs in monetary terms and then adding and comparing those values and can help communicate the economic benefit of a proposed intervention. Formerly offered as a special topics course.

Requisites: Restricted to graduate students only.
Recommended: Prerequisites ENVM 5038 and ENVM 5039.
Grading Basis: Letter Grade

ENVM 5044 (1) Life Cycle Assessment - Bringing Objectivity into Subjective Conversations

Use the food system landscape to provide an introduction to life cycle thinking, including a survey of industry standards, approaches and tools useful in better understanding and making decisions around sustainability. Formerly offered as a special topics course.

Requisites: Restricted to graduate students only.
Recommended: Prerequisites ENVM 5038 and ENVM 5039.
Grading Basis: Letter Grade

ENVM 5045 (1) Introduction to Monitoring & Evaluation

Gain an understanding of traditional and new approaches to monitoring and evaluation (M&E) in the context of food and water, sanitation and hygiene (WASH) systems in the developing world. Covers rigorous impact evaluation designs and when to use each.

Requisites: Restricted to graduate students only.
Recommended: Prerequisites Intro to Food Systems (ENVM 5038) & Front Range Food Systems Field Lab (ENVM 5039).
Grading Basis: Letter Grade

ENVM 5047 (3) Collaborative Skills for Sustainable Solutions

Collaborating is a core competency of sustainability. Meaningful collaboration is a combination of processes that provide a framework for decision-making and skills that are used within that framework. The course will approach collaborative skills from a practitioner¿s perspective and will draw from theory and practice as well as role play exercises related to the sustainable use of natural resources. Students will develop skills that make collaboration effective along with their application in the environmental, energy, and sustainability sectors.

Requisites: Restricted to Master of the Environment (MENV) graduate students only.
Grading Basis: Letter Grade

ENVM 5048 (3) Marketing Sustainability and CSR

This course is designed to help students understand the power of marketing and branding within a context of Sustainability and Social Justice.

Requisites: Restricted to graduate students only.
Recommended: Prerequisite some reading and critical reflection about business and the role of business in society.
Grading Basis: Letter Grade

ENVM 5049 (3) Foundations of Environmental and Natural Resource Economics

Introduces economic models, methods, and tools to analyze environmental and natural resource systems, their uses and issues, and policy solutions. Applies economic approaches to topics such as pollution, climate change, household waste and recycling, agriculture and food security, toxic substances and environmental justice, energy, forestry, fisheries, land, and water.

Requisites: Restricted to Graduate (GRAD) and Non-Degree Graduate (NDGR) students.
Grading Basis: Letter Grade

ENVM 5050 (3) Social Innovation and Sustainable Cities

Explore the emerging field of social innovation in the context of sustainable urban

Grading Basis: Letter Grade

ENVM 5052 (3) Transportation, Mobility & Sustainable Cities

The transportation sector is undergoing a revolution, with the sharing economy, new mobility options and technology advances changing not just how we travel but changing the makeup of cities themselves. This course will prepare students to be knowledgeable and effective practitioners in this revolution. Current transportation topics and policy debates will range from how we design our streets, to managing congestion, and how we price and pay for it all.

Grading Basis: Letter Grade

ENVM 5053 (3) Climate Change: What Communities and Businesses Need to Know

Course will cover fundamentals of climate change and review the scientific consensus on the causes of climate change and its associated impacts. Students will examine impacts of climate change on public and private sector, and potential responses, as well as an overview of federal and state policy responses. They will examine the challenges and opportunities that face public and private sector decision-makers every day as they work to reduce carbon pollution and prepare for future climate impacts. Previously offered as special topics course.

Recommended: MENV graduate students.
Grading Basis: Letter Grade

ENVM 5054 (3) Engagement for Resilience

The course will apply stakeholder engagement skills through a series of contemporaneous case studies and group projects. Students will engage with communities around the State of Colorado to determine how municipalities are planning for resiliency. Resiliency planning may include health (COVID-19), environmental (drought and climate change), and economic (economic development; cost-of-living; unemployment) considerations. Previously offered as special topics course.

Recommended: MENV graduate students or MBA students.
Grading Basis: Letter Grade

ENVM 5055 (3) Data Science and Visualization

Explores ways of searching for and collecting relevant data and presents ways of cleaning, understanding, analyzing, and presenting such data. This class will require a basic understanding of mathematical concepts, statistics, and computer programming with a focus on the ability to use the R statistical programming language.

Requisites: Restricted to graduate students only.
Grading Basis: Letter Grade

ENVM 5057 (3) Introduction to Resilience Management

In the era of COVID-19 and Climate Change, building resilience in our communities, economies and natural environments is a fundamental element of reframing and executing functional governance, green economies, policies and programs. The course is gaged to give students a firm understanding of resilience thinking and how to apply resilience tools across sectors of society.

Grading Basis: Letter Grade

ENVM 5059 (3) Global Consulting for Environmental Professionals

Experience the professional rigors of consulting while learning how to navigate the global economy, international business cultures, economic conditions, and differences in business between the US and other countries. You will be part of a team of 3-5 students that will deliver a strategic solution to a real-world company working to solve a global social, sustainability and/or environmental problem.

Requisites: Restricted to graduate students only.
Grading Basis: Letter Grade

ENVM 5060 (3) Governing for Sustainable Communities

To make a sustainable environment, we need to have legal and governmental structures and rules that foment -- and do not stymie -- sustainable practices. This course explores how we govern for sustainable outcomes at all levels of governance, with a focus on the local. We will also examine the role that courts play in determining the lawfulness of such governance. Students will have an opportunity to role-play as lawmakers.

Requisites: Restricted to graduate students only.
Grading Basis: Letter Grade

ENVM 5061 (3) B Impact Clinic

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. Weekly workshops 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.

Recommended: Prerequisite it is strongly recommended that students either have completed at least one graduate-level MENV or MBA course on business fundamentals, business operations, sustainable business, or equivalent; or have a minimum of 2 years full time professional experience in a for-profit business.
Grading Basis: Letter Grade

ENVM 5062 (3) Zero Carbon Buildings and Cities

Review of the current standards for Net Zero Energy and Carbon (NZE and NZC). Understanding building efficiency metrics and methods, onsite renewable energy considerations, building electrification, embodied carbon transportation impacts, and offsite renewable energy options. Integration of electric vehicle loads and conducting load shaping to minimize carbon impact on a time of use basis. City and utility policies and programs.

Requisites: Restricted to graduate students only.
Grading Basis: Letter Grade

ENVM 5063 (3) Agroecology

Integrating a scientific framework, and ecological concepts with a concern social justice and cultural regeneration, this class introduces students to Agro-ecology as a discipline and a set of practices highlighting the multi-functionality of agricultural systems. We will also explore Agro-ecology as a social movement that aims to leverage traditional ecological knowledge to decolonize the multiple ecologies from seed to gut.

Requisites: Restricted to graduate students only.
Recommended: Prerequisite ENVM 5308.
Grading Basis: Letter Grade

ENVM 5064 (3) Introduction to the Outdoor Recreation Economy

Providing an introduction to public lands and natural resources policy, challenges and opportunities for community economic development, and the outdoor recreation industry. Outdoor recreation economy definitions, theories and frameworks are discussed and critically examined. Key stakeholders are identified, along with current and future trends, opportunities, and challenges. The need for sustainable practices and cross-cultural understanding and communication within the outdoor recreation economy is also emphasized. Finally, we will explore the diverse career opportunities that exist within the outdoor recreation industry.

Requisites: Restricted to graduate students only.
Grading Basis: Letter Grade

ENVM 5065 (3) Community Economic Development and the ORE

Introduces community economic development theories, frameworks, and processes, as relevant to the ORE. Best practices for building the ORE within all types of communities are discussed, highlighting the importance of equitable, community-focused, integrated, and sustainable destination development practices. Tying this all together is the importance of community economic development in building community capacity for the future.

Requisites: Restricted to graduate students only.
Grading Basis: Letter Grade

ENVM 5066 (3) Environmental Stewardship: Practice and Law

Addresses the context in which environmental laws have been created, as well as the customs and laws related to resilience, sustainability, stewardship, and honorable practice. It will concentrate on law as a means of market regulation, cultural expression, health, equity, and justice. Water and land law, property rights, wildlife and public land management, and other topics of historical and ongoing relevance will be discussed.

Requisites: Restricted to graduate students only.
Grading Basis: Letter Grade

ENVM 5750 (3) Climate Politics and Science-Policy

Explores, understands and critically analyzes influences and trends in climate politics and science-policy. Course participants will gain an improved understanding of the myriad factors, pressures and processes that are involved in contemporary climate politics under-girding explicit policy proposals. Course participants will more capably identify consequential spaces of decision-making, recognize tractable places for change and fashion constructive strategies for their own research by way of best available evidence from work done in these areas. Overall, our attention to these course themes, concepts and case studies will help us to more capably understand, analyze and engage in the high-stakes 21st century arena of climate politics and science-policy. Previously offered as a special topics course.

Equivalent - Duplicate Degree Credit Not Granted: ENVS 5750, GEOG 5750 and SOCY 5750
Grading Basis: Letter Grade

ENVM 6001 (1) Capstone Innovation Lab 1

Providing hands-on, learning-by-doing experiences, while also providing client organizations with solutions to complex problems and useful products. Projects can take place in-residence with a client, when appropriate. Project ideas will be codeveloped by students and industry, government, or non-profit partners and will be guided and evaluated by a committee of ENVS faculty. Required for all MENV students.

Requisites: Restricted to Master of the Environment (MENV) graduate students only.
Grading Basis: Letter Grade

ENVM 6002 (2) Capstone Innovation Lab 2

Requisites: Requires a prerequisite course of ENVM 6001 (minimum grade C). Restricted to Master of the Environment (MENV) graduate students only.
Grading Basis: Letter Grade

ENVM 6003 (5-6) Capstone Project

Requisites: Requires a prerequisite course of ENVM 6002 (minimum grade C). Restricted to Master of the Environment (MENV) graduate students only.

ENVM 6004 (1) Capstone Leadership Lab

Requisites: Requires a prerequisite course of ENVM 6003 (minimum grade C). Restricted to Master of the Environment (MENV) graduate students only.
Grading Basis: Letter Grade

ENVM 6005 (3) Capstone Innovation Lab (CIL)

Develops professional practice via the process of selecting, scoping, and launching a MENV Capstone Project.

Requisites: Restricted to Master of the Environment (MENV) graduate students only.
Grading Basis: Letter Grade

ENVM 6100 (3) Special Topics for Master of the Environment Program

A variety of topics not currently offered in curriculum; offered depending on instructor availability and student demand.

Repeatable: Repeatable for up to 9.00 total credit hours. Allows multiple enrollment in term.
Grading Basis: Letter Grade

ENVM 6101 (1-3) Special Topics for Master of the Environment Program

A variety of topics not currently offered in curriculum; offered depending on instructor availability and student demand.

Repeatable: Repeatable for up to 12.00 total credit hours. Allows multiple enrollment in term.
Grading Basis: Letter Grade

ENVM 6302 (3) Sustainable Landscapes, Sustainable Livelihoods

Examines rural transformation and the adoption of recreation economies in communities across the U.S. West in response to burgeoning recreation industry and interest in public lands. Students will evaluate different approaches for developing and managing recreation economies in small towns that consider diverse social, cultural, economic, and environmental constraints as well as opportunities in a time of rapid change. Project-based course. Students learn techniques to gather and synthesize data that support solution development.

Equivalent - Duplicate Degree Credit Not Granted: ENVS 6302
Recommended: Prerequisite one year of MENV, ENVS, MBA or relevant graduate work.
Grading Basis: Letter Grade

ENVM 6840 (1-4) Masters of the Environment Independent Study

An independent study is a collaboration between a student and a faculty member on a special project that provides the student with a learning experience. An independent study may also fill an academic need of importance to the student that cannot be filled by regular course offerings. Independent studies are opportunities for students to earn credit for learning outside the normal lecture and seminar class structure. All independent study requests must be considered and approved by MENV program administration for approval.

Repeatable: Repeatable for up to 9.00 total credit hours.
Grading Basis: Letter Grade