Sustainability in Food & Environmental Systems
Students pursuing a degree in the Sustainability in Food and Environmental Systems (SFES) program will analyze, investigate, and propose solutions for issues of sustainability, security, and justice within food and environmental systems. Using an interdisciplinary approach, students will examine the science and practice of food production systems, evaluate policies and laws associated with food security across urban, environmental, economic, social, and health contexts, and analyze the ways resources and influence impact food production and environmental sustainability.
Students in this program can customize their experience by delving deeper into a specialization area of interest, including (but not limited to): policy and law, climate change and society, food production systems, or resources and influence. Within each of these specialization areas, students will examine behaviors and decision-making practices of people, communities, and the economy. Graduates of this program will be prepared for jobs that require skills in critical thinking, problem-solving, scientific literacy, communication, and leadership.
- NRES 100: Fundamentals of Environmental Science
- ACES 102: Intro Sustainable Food Systems
- HORT 100: Introduction to Horticulture
- CPSC 112: Introduction to Crop Sciences
Students should consult with an academic advisor regarding course selection prior to the advanced registration period.
Students majoring in Sustainability in Food and Environmental Systems typically find career opportunities in various sectors focused on environmental stewardship, sustainable agriculture, and food systems management. After graduation, they may work in:
- Corporate Sustainability Departments
- Sustainable Agriculture
- Environmental Education and Outreach
- Food Policy and Advocacy Groups
- Environmental Consulting Firms
- Government Agencies
- Nonprofit Organizations and NGOs
- Food Systems Management
- Sustainability Reporting and Analysis
- Environmental Impact Assessment
- Resource Management
- Data Collection and Analysis
- Collaboration and Teamwork
- Community Engagement and Education
- Project Management
- Sustainability Coordinator
- Environmental Consultant
- Sustainable Agriculture Specialist
- Resource Manager
- Environmental Educator
- Environmental Project Manager
- Food Policy Advocate
- Environmental Compliance Specialist
- Participating in undergraduate research & internships
- Horticulture Club (https://one.illinois.edu/HorticultureClub/)
- Grow2Give (https://one.illinois.edu/Grow2Give/)
- Illinois Alt. Protein Project (https://one.illinois.edu/TheIllinoisAltProteinProject/)
- Project4Less (https://one.illinois.edu/Project4Less/)
- Students for Environmental Concerns (https://one.illinois.edu/StudentsforEnvironmentalConcerns/)
- Red Bison Ecological Restoration (https://redbisonwiki.wordpress.com/about/)
There are several professional organizations dedicated to sustainability in food and environmental systems, such as the below organizations: