Sustainable Systems

SEAS applications are submitted through Rackham Graduate School, U-M's central graduate admissions office.

Students from Sustainable Energy Systems (EAS 574/PubPol 519) touring the University of Michigan Power Plant

Systems thinking, ecological principles, and technological capabilities can drive a sustainable future.

Depletion of fossil fuels. Global warming. Water scarcity. Loss of biodiversity. Modern environmental challenges like these impact both developed and developing nations, and they are compounded by increasing consumption pressures and a growing global population. The world needs innovative environmental management leaders who can help solve these complex problems and address basic human needs such as mobility, shelter, water, food, and communication, in a more sustainable manner.

Sustainable Systems graduates of the University of Michigan School for Environment and Sustainability (SEAS) are equipped to become these leaders through an interdisciplinary curriculum that focuses on systems thinking, as well as a sound understanding of ecological principles, the capabilities of technology, and the mechanisms that reshape economic and social progress. The curriculum of this environmental master's program draws on courses from SEAS and across U-M, many of which are cross-listed with the Stephen M. Ross School of Business and the College of Engineering for a truly collaborative educational experience. The Sustainable Systems program is led by a diverse team of faculty with expertise ranging from urban infrastructure ecology and sustainable systems engineering to renewable electricity and corporate environmental strategy. Much of our research is done in tandem with the Center for Sustainable Systems and the Erb Institute for Global Sustainable Enterprise.

Many Sustainable Systems students enroll in dual-degree programs with units across campus including the Ross School of Business, the College of Engineering (Engineering Sustainable Systems), Urban Planning, the Ford School of Public Policy, and the Law School. Sustainable Systems students participate in diverse activities outside the classroom ranging from the Ross Energy Club and Auto Club to Sustainability Without Borders. Each year new Sustainable Systems students develop and update the Sustainability Factsheet collection, which includes over 1,600 facts on a wide range of topics from wind turbines and autonomous vehicles to the U.S. food system, water treatment, and residential buildings. Check them out!

Why Sustainable Systems?

Gain expertise in systems-analysis techniques with a wide range of applications, including renewable energy, water infrastructure, green construction, sustainable mobility, and food systems.
Develop the critical skills of systems thinking and systems-dynamics modeling and apply them to the challenges of global environmental and social change.
Deepen your understanding of institutions that govern energy use and explore ways in which government and industry policy have succeeded — or failed — in order to transform energy systems and influence consumer choices, and ultimately to reduce carbon emissions.

CURRICULUM

You will gain expertise in systems-analysis techniques with a wide range of applications, including renewable energy, water infrastructure, green construction, sustainable mobility, and food systems. In your coursework, you will examine sustainability by studying global and regional environmental impacts, materials and energy flows, social values and equity issues, consumption patterns, and key policy mechanisms.

You also will develop the critical skills of systems thinking and systems-dynamics modeling and apply them to the challenges of global environmental and social change. Lifecycle assessment, risk analysis, multi-objective analysis and optimization, environmental economics, energy analysis, design for environment, carbon-emissions modeling, and spatial analysis are among the analytical tools and skills taught.

Training in environmental management strategy, decision analysis, organizational change and conflict resolution, ethics, stakeholder engagement, and scenario analysis round out your skill set. For example, you will deepen your understanding of institutions that govern energy use and explore ways in which government and industry policy have succeeded - or failed - in order to transform energy systems and influence consumer choices, and ultimately to reduce carbon emissions.

The curriculum is organized into three areas: systems analysis, sustainable design and technology, and sustainable decision-making and enterprise. These core areas provide the knowledge and tools for evaluating and transforming systems to enhance sustainability. The overall goal is to train future leaders in sustainability careers with the expertise to create and implement sustainable solutions across the key systems for meeting societal needs: built environment, energy, food, mobility, and water.

Systems analysis
These courses cover analytical tools and methods for assessing and improving the sustainability of systems for meeting societal needs. Topics include the circular economy, life cycle assessment, environmental systems analysis, environmental economics, GIS, system thinking and multi-objective analysis.

Sustainable design and technology
These courses focus on technology assessment, design analysis and planning of systems (e.g., built environment, energy systems, mobility) for enhancing their sustainability performance. Topics include green development, energy systems analysis, renewable energy modeling, GHG emissions and carbon footprint analysis, market-based sustainable product design, and urban sustainability.

Sustainable decision-making and enterprise
These courses focus on leadership skills and transformation processes used by private and public sector organizations to create and implement sustainable systems. Topics include decision analysis, the triple bottom line, sustainability strategies, organizational change and conflict resolution, market and policy analysis, financing, entrepreneurship, stakeholder engagement, and ethics.

Requirements & Courses

Examples of student projects

CAREERS AND SELECT EMPLOYERS

Sustainability Systems graduates pursue careers in the government, private, and nonprofit sectors, often obtaining leadership roles in engineering and product development, management consulting, and strategic and sustainability planning. They work toward systems improvements including transportation efficiency, green buildings, supply chain management, public utility analysis and regulation, and renewable energy.

For more information on Sustainable Systems, contact [email protected].

READY TO TAKE THE NEXT STEP?

LEARN HOW TO APPLY

To be good at sustainability, you need to be interdisciplinary. SEAS offers that.

Maryam Arbabzadeh ’17

Postdoctoral Associate, MIT Energy Initiative

Featured Course

Sustainable Energy Systems

This course examines the production and consumption of energy from a systems perspective. Sustainability is examined by studying global and regional environmental impacts, economics, energy efficiency, consumption patterns and energy policy. First, the physics of energy and energy accounting methods are introduced.

Other Popular Courses

Environmental Systems Analysis

Sustainable Operations and Supply Chains

Urban Sustainability

Action-based learning + impact

The health impacts of climate change have been an understated part of the climate change discussion."

—Jiayi (Angela) Wan

(MS/MHSA '16) RN, Senior Project Manager, City of Hope

I see southeast Michigan becoming the epicenter of this next revolution of mobility.”

—Jim Gawron

(MSE '11, MS/MBA '19) Mobility Finance Manager, Ford Motor Company

Sample Employers + Professional Skills

As the sustainability coordinator for a small liberal arts college in Pennsylvania, I can say that my time at SEAS perfectly prepared me for this role

Derek Martin ’17

Sustainability Coordinator, Susquehanna University

Internships

Career Coaching

Sustainable Systems Careers

SEAS Career Services offers career advising, internship opportunities, and professional services for students. We help students make professional connections with alumni and develop career paths that are both fulfilling and impactful.

Please visit our Careers page for additional career resources

Faculty

Michael Craig

Associate Professor

Brandon Marc Finn

Assistant Research Scientist; Lecturer

Benjamin Goldstein

Assistant Professor

Drew Gronewold

Professor

Andy Hoffman

Holcim (US) Professor of Sustainable Enterprise

Greg Keoleian

Peter M. Wege Endowed Professor of Sustainable Systems; Co-Director, Center for Sustainable Systems; Co-Director, MI Hydrogen

Yekang Ko

Associate Professor; SEAS Faculty Director for Asian Engagement

Geoffrey M. Lewis

Research Area Specialist Lead and Adjunct Lecturer

Thomas Lyon

Dow Professor of Sustainable Science, Technology, and Commerce, Faculty Director of the Erb Institute 2020-2023

Shelie Miller

Professor; Jonathan W. Bulkley Collegiate Professor of Sustainable Systems; Co-Director, Center for Sustainable Systems

Joshua Newell

Professor of Environment and Sustainability

Margaret Shackell

Intermittent Lecturer; Visiting Scholar

Sara Soderstrom

Professor of Organizational Studies and Program in the Environment; Director of Program in the Environment; Arthur F. Thurnau Professor

Parth Vaishnav

Assistant Professor

Tiantian Yang

Associate Professor

Charlene Zietsma

Max McGraw Professor of Sustainable Enterprise; Erb Institute Director

DUAL DEGREE PROGRAM

The hallmark of the SEAS master’s program is its interdisciplinary focus. This focus can be extended even further through the pursuit of a dual degree. Because the school is part of one of the greatest research universities in the world, there are many options. Each natural resources and environment field of study provides an excellent foundation for earning a dual degree.

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Dual Degree Programs

Sustainability Themes

Sustainability Themes cut across all specializations—and give students, faculty, and partners a chance to dig deeper into a particular area of impact and interest. Themes are also used as rallying points for cross-campus research, teaching and civic engagement collaborations.

Learn More