Ecological Design
Integrating creativity and science to develop sustainable human systems
The Ecological Design curriculum integrates knowledge and skills from a wide variety of natural and social sciences and the humanities. Students learn to visualize, develop, and share their ideas through coursework in visual arts and aesthetics, communication, and design. More focused topics in energy, alternative building materials, and sustainable practices provide students with the opportunity to gain a depth of knowledge and experience. Students are encouraged to integrate hands-on experiences with coursework throughout the program.
Students progressing through this program are prepared for the practical application of their skills during their junior or senior year at the ECOSA Institute, a local, semester-long sustainable design program where students use their knowledge and skills in working with real clients, challenges, and time constraints. Senior follow this practicum with their Senior Project, which is the capstone demonstration of their competence in Ecological Design.
Graduates in the field of Ecological Design may enter a graduate program in architecture, open their own design business, or work as a consultant or specialist with any business, organization, or government entity that wants to adopt sustainable practices. Ecological designers work in the fields of industrial ecology, architectural design, and city planning, to name a few fields.
Highlights
-
Colin Khoury
After finishing his B.A. at Prescott College, Colin worked as a Crop Curator at Native Seeds/SEARCH in Tucson, and Patagonia, Arizona, and as ... Learn more >
-
Jessica Williams
Jessica Williams ’08 of Tucson was awarded a Campus Ecology Fellowship by the National Wildlife Federation to support work on college ... Learn more >
-
Nickie Check
Alumna Nickie Check grows grapes for Caduceus Cellars, Merkin Vineyards in the Verde Valley, Arizona and teaches viticulture courses for ... Learn more >
-
Melanie Hardy
Alumna Melanie Hardy is now the lead farmer at the community farm, Land's Sake in Weston, MA. The farm donates $25,000 worth of vegetables to ... Learn more >
-
Gretchen Hoffman
Alumna Gretchen Hoffman works in Washington, D.C. for American Farmland Trust and coordinated the first-ever America's Favorite Farmers ... Learn more >
