Sustainable Urban Environments, B.S.

Core (33 credits)

2 Credits Introduction to Civil Engineering CE-UY1002

This course introduces the student to the profession and practice of civil engineering. Course topics include: the principal subdisciplines of civil engineering and their relationship to urban and regional infrastructure; professional ethics and the responsibilities of engineers to their profession and to the general public; communication and technical skills required for success in the discipline; and principles of sustainable development. The course includes a laboratory on computer-aided design, geographic information systems, and surveying.
Prerequisite: Students from other than the Civil and Urban Engineering department or Sustainable Urban Environments program must obtain permission from the CUE program advisor.

4 Credits Global Perspectives On Urban Sustainability URB-UY2004

This course will give students a grounding in urban sustainability issues as they apply locally and globally, with an emphasis on case studies of problems and attempts at solutions in many different urban sites. The course materials address the broad range of social, cultural, technical, historical, political and technical issues that are part of urban sustainability.

4 Credits History of New York's Urban Infrastructure HI-UY3034W

This survey of New York City's infrastructure concentrates on water, sanitation and public health, electrical and communications systems, the development of housing and real estate, the security infrastructure and plans for the future. The course explores how the city's political economy has shaped its physical environment and how technological innovations have made the city modern
and postmodern.
Prerequisites: Completion of first year writing requirements. Co-requisites: None. Notes: Satisfies a HuSS elective.

4 Credits Design of Cities URB-UY2024W

This course helps students examine cities from different perspectives, and to understand the design principles that create effective city spaces and how the city is a dynamic force, always changing through the impact of individuals and organizations. The class focuses on the role of historical, physical and social context in making sense of cities and how city problems can be identified, presented to others and addressed in various ways (through psychological and sociological studies, literature, art, etc.). Students complete a team-based project that involves the study of an innovative development project within the city and how it relates to its physical and social context.
Prerequisites: Completion of first year writing requirements. Co-requisites: None. Notes: Satisfies a HuSS Elective.

4 Credits Methods for Studying Urban Environment URB-UY2044

This course provides students with a foundation for understanding and using social science research methods to study urban environments. In this course, students will gain an understanding of quantitative and qualitative approaches to social science research. They will be introduced to a range of data collection methods that are used to study urban environments and also t strategies for data analysis. The course will involve a group research project with a real world client, as well as lectures, discussions, a group presentation and paper, exams, readings and several assignments.
Prerequisites: Completion of first year writing requirements

4 Credits Introduction to Urban Policy URB-UY2054W

The purpose of this course is to introduce students to the process and some of the major substantive issues in urban policy and politics in the United States, with some transnational contrasts. These include some of the basic issues of any political system: how cities function as part of a global urban network; the structure of decision-making, the allocation of resources and delivery of services.
Prerequisite: Completion of first year writing requirements

4 Credits Internship URB-UY4034

Students may undertake an internship for academic credit with an appropriate private, public, or non-profit agency or firm. The internship is an opportunity to extend learning outside of the classroom into a real world setting, and to explore career options tied to the major. Students complete 140 hours at the internship site and attend occasional class meetings. The course involves completing a learning contract, regular reflections, assignments, and a final presentation.
Prerequisite: IDM/SUE/STS majors only. Permission of instructor required.

2 Credits Capstone Project I URB-UY4012

The capstone is a project course that presents SUE students with an opportunity to translate previous coursework into an applied research project. This is a real-world based course in which students identify, research, and propose solutions to a multidisciplinary urban issue. The field research will be supported by library and on-line research and will culminate in a written report and an oral presentation. Can not take if already taken URB-UY 4024.
Prerequisite: URB-UY 2044

2 Credits Capstone Project II URB-UY4022

The capstone is a project course that presents SUE students with an opportunity to translate previous coursework into an applied research project. This is a real-world based course in which students identify, research, and propose solutions to a multidisciplinary urban issue. The field research will be supported by library and on-line research and will culminate in a written report and an oral presentation. Can not take if already taken URB-UY 4024.
Prerequisite: URB-UY 2044 and URB-UY 4012

And one of the following Civil Engineering courses:

3 Credits Traffic Engineering CE-UY3303

This course covers the fundamentals of traffic engineering. The characteristics of traffic streams, and how they are quantitatively described are covered. Various types of traffic studies are covered including travel time, speed, delay, and safety studies. Determining the signal timing, capacity and level of service (LOS) of a signalized intersection is discussed and the Highway Capacity Software (HCS) is used to calculate intersection capacity and LOS.
Prerequisite: CE-UY 1002 or permission of the Civil Engineering Program Advisor.

3 Credits Introduction to Transportation Systems CE-UY3313

This course focuses on the fundamental conceptual elements of transportation systems and describes the approaches used to analyze and design transportation systems. The course covers the basic material about transportation systems, the context within which they operate and a characterization of their behavior.
Prerequisite: CE-UY 1002 and Junior status; or permission of the Civil Engineering Program Advisor.

3 Credits Introduction to Urban Infrastructure Systems Management CE-UY4033

This course provides students with an overview of key issues involved in the planning, management, operations and maintenance of urban infrastructure systems, including transportation, water supply, power, communications and information systems. It includes elements of engineering and technology, management, economics, finance, regulatory and public policy that have an impact on the sustainable development of the urban environment. The course features several distinguished guest lecturers from infrastructure industries and public agencies who share significant case studies with students. The course includes a component on GIS, with a focus on how to collect, integrate and share spatial data in urban infrastructure management. Group projects are required.
Prerequisite: CE-UY 1002 or permission of the Civil Engineering Program Advisor.

3 Credits Transportation Economics CE-UY3363

This course introduces the principles of engineering economic analysis and applies them to the analysis of transportation alternatives. Alternative analyses are done using present worth analysis, annual cost analysis, benefit/cost analysis and rate of return analysis. The course also reviews existing measures and legislation that provide funding for transportation projects, and discusses potential new approaches for the future.
Prerequisite: CE-UY 1002 and Sophomore standing; or permission of the Civil Engineering Program Advisor.

3 Credits Sustainable Cities CE-UY4043

Considering the city as a building block for a more sustainable future, this course discusses sustainability metrics used, as well as the methods and tools for quantifying and achieving them. Particular attention will be given to climate action goals as one of the earliest manifestations of the push for sustainability. Using globally established aspirational goals for sustainability, and those set by local agencies, students gain an understanding of needs assessment, planning and technical approaches for the acquisition and analysis of data relevant to the study of urban sustainability. Areas of study include energy and renewables, waste, land use, urban climate and ecology, patterns of activity, and community engagement. This course provides a perspective on the role of information for better understanding of the function and wellbeing of urban systems.
Prerequisite: (CS-UY 1113 and MA-UY 2224) or permission of the Civil Engineering Program Advisor.

Tracks/SUE Electives (16 credits)

Select at least 1 course from each group

History Group

3 Credits History of New York City Transit System CE-UY3353

This course traces the technological history of public transportation in New York City and investigates its role in the development of the city, its economy and its social fabric. From the early days of horse-drawn public carriages to the modern subway system, the role of the public transit in the historical development patterns of New York City is treated. The course covers trolley systems, the age of the elevated railways and the subway system. Political, social and economic issues involved in the development of these critical infrastructures are discussed. Students develop independent project reports on aspects of the NYC public transit system, or on public-transit systems in other major world cities.
Prerequisites: Junior Status or permission of instructor

4 Credits Introduction to New York City History HI-UY2514W

The history and development of the city of New York from the exploration by Verrazano to the present taught by writing intensive method. Major themes include the evolution of the city's political economy, political and economic influence on the use of land and space, and ethnic and class conflict in the urban environment.
Prerequisites: Completion of first year writing requirements

4 Credits Urban Environmental History HI-UY2724

This course will examine the development of cities, primarily in North America, the evolution of the technologies used for that development, and their effect on the natural environment of cities and their regions, and the effects of the modernization and electrification of rural America on cities. Students will use a broad toolkit of historical methods and modes, including environmental history, social history, world history, and history of technology.
Prerequisites: Completion of first year writing requirements.

4 Credits Seminar in Urban Infrastructure History HI-UY4334W

This seminar investigates the urban and environmental history of New York City's infrastructure, including water, sewage, transportation, housing and office construction. The course investigates these systems in the context of the environmental, political and economic concerns that shape the city?s
infrastructure. The course looks at the transnational circulation of ideas about designing and constructing urban systems. Questions include: How and why are infrastructure systems built? Why are they built the way they are? How do the technologies used affect the environment? Are the systems sustainable and interoperable? How do ideas about infrastructural needs, design and financing circulate transnationally?
Prerequisites: HI-UY 3034W

Social Science Group

4 Credits Human Factors in Engineering Design PS-UY2724

The purpose of this course is to familiarize students with basic concepts, research findings and theories related to the way in which human characteristics, capabilities and limitations, including physiology and psychology, affect system design and performance. Students will develop a basic understanding of methods for studying and assessing human behavior and for analyzing human performance. It will introduce aspects of system, interface, organizational design and physical setting as they influence operators and performance. Satisfies an HuSS Elective.
Prerequisites: Completion of first year writing requirements.

4 Credits Environmental Psychology PS-UY2324W

This course looks at how people interact with their environments: how settings affect behavior; how people change environments to fit their needs; and how people can become an active part of the environmental-design process. The course discusses how people use space and the way environmental design meets (or fails to meet) human needs. These concerns are valid for very-small-scale design problems (as in human-factors engineering); mid-size spaces (architecture and interior design); large-scale spaces (communities, urban areas).
Prerequisites: Completion of first year writing requirements
. Co-requisites: None. Notes: Satisfies a HuSS elective.

4 Credits Psychology of Sustainability PS-UY3724

This course addresses the psychological bases of environmental problems, investigates theories of behavior change as they relate to environmental issues and introduces practical strategies to foster behavior change. Topics include the ways in which the fit (or lack of it) of design to human behavior can affect environmentally relevant behaviors, such as energy use and recycling. Course issues include designing green buildings and creating sustainable communities.
Notes: Satisfies a HuSS elective.

4 Credits Psych of Living in Extreme Environments PS-UY3754

This course considers issues, research and theory in relation to creating human habitats in extreme space, undersea and polar regions. The course reviews firsthand experiences and formal studies of life in these settings, and extrapolates from work in other, less extreme human settings. Psychological issues include privacy, territoriality, isolation and crowding, light and views of nature, as well as personality and organizational issues. Students complete a research paper and engage in a team-design project.
Prerequisites: Completion of first year writing requirements. Co-requisites: None. Notes: Satisfies a HuSS elective.

4 Credits Geographic Information Systems URB-UY2114

Geographic Information Systems are computer systems for the storage, retrieval, analysis, and display of geographic data, that is data about features and phenomena on the surface of the earth. This course will introduce the students to GIS through hands-on computer exercises, as well as readings and lectures about cartography, tools, data, and the social impacts of GIS. GIS projects start with data and move through analysis to cartographic display. Pedagogically, we will be starting at the end moving backward to data and analysis.
Note: This course cannot be used to satisfy Humanities/Social Science requirements for majors outside of the TCS department.
Prerequisite: EXPOS-UA 1 or EXPOS-UA 4

4 Credits Humans in the Urban Environment URB-UY2034

In an increasingly urban dominated world, the environmental and ecological underpinnings of the human species help us understand why and how permanent settlements and cities evolve. The course covers basic environmental and ecological relationships, including geological, climatological, biomes, population growth models and carrying capacity. Receiving special emphasis are those ecosystems most important to humans throughout prehistory and history. The development of agriculture, increased human resource productivity and the resulting increase in population density is discussed as an underlying basis for developing and maintaining urban population areas. Also included is a discussion of changes in human social organization and psychology necessary for urban living.
Prerequisites: Completion of first year writing requirements. Co-requisites: None. Notes: Satisfies a HuSS Elective.

4 Credits Urban Impact Assessment URB-UY3354

Impact assessment is an international, interdisciplinary field of knowledge and practice for anticipating the conditions of change and managing their consequences in order to enhance everyone's quality of life. Two phrases can describe its essence: ?comprehensive and integrated? and ?proactive and creative.? Urban impact assessment applies that knowledge at the urban scale, ranging from local to global. Coupled with the recent innovation of ?sustainability assessment,? it aims to advance the proposition of urban sustainability. This course also explores the dimensions and proportions of that prospect by applying urban impact assessment methodology to a variety of cases at hand.
Prerequisites: EXPOS-UA 1 or EXPOS-UA 4. Notes: Satisfies a HuSS Elective.

Environmental Group

4 Credits Beyond Oil: Fueling Tomorrow’s Vehicles URB-UY2184W

This course explores the alternatives to oil that vehicle manufacturers are pursuing in their desire to wean away from oil and its mercurial price swings. Students will be required to choose two of these alternative approaches and prepare white papers on each, covering the technology, advantages, limitations or drawbacks, cost saving, environmental impact and likelihood of success in the market place. The focus will be on biofuels, hybrids, the fuel cell, natural gas, hydrogen, the electric car. Satisfies an HuSS Elective.
Prerequisites: Completion of first year writing requirements.

4 Credits Writing About the Nature and Environment URB-UY2194W

In this course, students explore today's major environmental and ecological issues and write a number of pieces that discuss causes and possible solutions. Each article is based on a literature search and on interviews with professionals. Class critiques of articles are an integral part of the learning process. Topics include global warming, renewable energy, health and the environment, environmental law and biodiversity. Authors of the best pieces are encouraged to submit them for publication.
Prerequisites: Completion of first year writing requirements. Corequisites: None. Notes: Satisfies a HuSS elective.

4 Credits Introduction of Urban Planning URB-UY2064

Introduction to Urban Planning explores planning precedents (the "big ideas") including the City Beautiful movement, Garden Cities, Modernism, and the New Urbanism; examines contemporary planning practices including zoning, transportation-oriented development, citizen participation, affordable housing, and land preservation; and explores "planning without planners" including suburban sprawl, self-built shanty towns/slums, and historic preservation. A case study approach will be used for all concepts (including field trips to iconic planned communities in New York City).
Prerequisite(s): Completion of first year writing requirements

4 Credits Natural Environment of New York City URB-UY2224

New York is one of the world's great cities and, like others, rests on a foundation of the natural environment. The geology and geographic history of the greater New York area is discussed?from plate tectonic origins through the recent (and ongoing) Ice Age, including the formation of river systems and the port. Also considered in detail is the evolution of ecological relationships, including human, throughout this time. Other topics include the changing climate through past epochs as well as today and their impact on the modern city. Also covered are current environmental challenges, such as water supply and quality, air quality, waste disposal and global effects, including atmospheric and ocean warming.
Prerequisites: Completion of first year writing requirements. Co-requisites: None. Notes: Satisfies a HuSS Elective.

4 Credits Natural Environmental Catastrophes & Cities URB-UY2234

Cities are extremely complex physical and human systems that can be severely disrupted by acute human-caused events such as war. However, the natural world can also have a severe impact on cities over brief intervals. This course concerns itself with four well-known phenomena that can and have influenced the evelopment, sustainability and even the survival of cities. Meteorological
catastrophes, such as hurricanes, cyclones and typhoons, are discussed in detail. Also covered are less violent but equally destructive flooding by river and ocean; earthquake damage and its relationship to population density and the permanence of towns and cities throughout history; and volcanic eruptions,
which, though rare, have disrupted cities and determined their initial locations.
Finally, biological catastrophes, both macro and micro, such as pestilence and infestations, are discussed.
Prerequisites: Completion of first year writing requirements. Co-requisites: None. Notes: Satisfies a HuSS Elective.

4 Credits Evidence-based Design URB-UY3034

Designers?at the product, building, neighborhood or urban level?necessarily base their work on the perceived needs and desires of users and clients. Historically, these understandings have come from past practice, close interactions with clients or designer intuition. In recent years, however, design researchers have accumulated enough information to provide an empirical base upon which to base many design decisions. This class reviews the evidence for design, particularly as it relates to well-studied settings, such as health care, corrections and neighborhood design.
Prerequisites: Completion of first year writing requirements. Co-requisites: None. Notes: Satisfies a HuSS Elective.

4 Credits Cities in Developing Countries URB-UY3214

This course will examine different facets of cities in developing countries. It will address common problems in developing urban regions, gaining an understanding of common settlement patterns and urban systems by region. It will also focus on specific issues in representative cities of the regions studied. Specific issues will include water and sanitation, health, transportation and infrastructure, historic preservation, disaster risk reduction and housing initiatives. Cases will include representative cities from Asia, Africa, the Middle East, Latin America and the Caribbean.
Prerequisite(s): Completion of first year writing requirements

4 Credits Planning for Healthy Cities URB-UY3234

This course is designed to introduce students to the role of the built environment in promoting community health, focusing on the neighborhood scale. Although urban planning and public health are closely related in their history and their goals, these fields are typically taught and practiced independently. The course will examine health issues that can be influence by urban planning, and will explore the role of transportation, land use planning, urban design, community development, and environmental policy, to promote public health.
Prerequisites: Completion of first year writing requirements

4 Credits Hist & Design of Urban Parks URB-UY3314

Today, urban parks have become an integral feature of most modern cities. This course describes the origins of urban parks?from private urban-palace gardens to the large, open ?natural? public parks so critical to urban life today. The design of these parks, from formal Italian and French gardens to British Landscape gardens, is discussed. The course also examines the changing view of nature in Europe and America, from the Renaissance to the present, and how park design was influenced by this evolving view. The design was strongly influenced by the changing view of nature's psychological, spiritual and even supposedly medical benefits, and by the need for ?parks for the people? as an expression of the new democratic spirit in a changing world. This course also includes two of New York City's most famous parks, Central Park in Manhattan and Prospect Park in Brooklyn.
Prerequisites: Completion of first year writing requirements

Other

4 Credits Special Topics in Sustainable Urban Environments URB-UY3834

Special topics in Sustainable Urban Environments at the 3000 level, to be decided by instructor.
Prerequisites: Completion of first year writing requirements. Notes: Satisfies a HuSS Elective.

SUE Global Experience URB-UY401X

In the course, students will learn about urban sustainability issues in China. They will also plan the research project to be conducted in Shanghai during J term. The class is zero credits and is open only to students who plan to also participate in the Shanghai research project. MUST pay activity fee deposit prior to start of semester.

Humanities and Social Sciences General Education Requirements (24 Credits)

4 Credits Writing the Essay: EXPOS-UA1

This foundational writing course is required for CAS, Nursing, Social Work,
Steinhardt and Tandon incoming undergraduates. "Writing the Essay''
provides instruction and practice in critical reading, creative and logical
thinking, and clear, persuasive writing. Students learn to analyze and
interpret written texts, to use texts as evidence, to develop ideas, and to
write exploratory and argumentative essays. Exploration, inquiry,
reflection, analysis, revision, and collaborative learning are emphasized.

4 Credits The Advanced College Essay EXPOS-UA2

The course follows Writing the Essay (EW 1013) and provides advanced instruction in analyzing and interpreting written texts from a variety of academic disciplines, using written texts as evidence, developing ideas, and writing argumentative essays. It stresses analysis, argument, reflection, revision, and collaborative learning.
Prerequisite(s): EW 1013

4 Humanities and Social Sciences courses, including at least one course of Level 3 and one Writing Intensive course

General Requirements (20 credits)

1 Credits Engineering and Technology Forum EG-UY1001

In this course the notion of invention, innovation and entrepreneurship (i2e) is introduced to the students? educational experience. Students will be exposed to elements of a research-intensive institution and diverse research performed by leading engineers, scientists, inventors and entrepreneurs.

EG-UY1003 Please refer to the bulletin for more information

  General Technical Elective                                                    4 Credits

Statistics- Choose one of the following:

4 Credits Basic Practice of Statistics for Social Science MA-UY2414

We are inundated by data, but data alone do not translate into useful information. Statistics provides the means for organizing, summarizing, and therefore better analyzing data so that we can understand what the data tell us about critical questions. If one collects data then understanding how to use statistical methods is critical, but it is also necessary to understand and interpret all the information we consume on a daily basis. This course provides these basic statistical approaches and techniques. This course may not be acceptable as a substitute for any other Probability and Statistics course. For Sustainable Urban Environments (SUE) students, please see your advisor. Note: This course is open to the following majors only: BIMS, IDM, STS, SUE. Not open to math majors or students who have taken or will take MA-UY 2054 or MA-UY 2224 or MA-UY 3014 or MA-UY 3514 or ECE-UY 2233 or equivalent.

OR

4 Credits Data Analysis MA-UY2224

An introductory course to probability and statistics. It affords the student some acquaintance with both probability and statistics in a single term. Topics in Probability include mathematical treatment of chance; combinatorics; binomial, Poisson, and Gaussian distributions; the Central Limit Theorem and the normal approximation. Topics in Statistics include sampling distributions of sample mean and sample variance; normal, t-, and Chi-square distributions; confidence intervals; testing of hypotheses; least squares regression model. Applications to scientific, industrial, and financial data are integrated into the course.NOTE: Not open to students who have taken MA-UY 2233 or MA-UY 3012 or MA-UY 3022.
Prerequisite: MA-UY 1124, MA-UY1424, or MA-UY 1132 or MATH-UH 1020 or MATH-UH 1021 or MATH-SHU 151

OR

ECON-UA 18 Statistics                                                            4 Credits

OR

CORE-UA 105 Quant Reasoning: Elementary Statistics        4 Credits

OR

PSYCH-UA 10 Statistics for the Behavioral Sciences            4 Credits

OR

SOC-UA 302 Statistics for Social Research                          4 Credits

8 credits of General Science Electives:

4 Credits Introduction of Environmental Sciences URB-UY2334

This course addresses the basic processes, as studied by the physical, biological sciences, and behavioral that determine the nature of the physical environment and how it affects life on earth. Topics include the physical environment (Lithosphere, Hydrosphere, Atmosphere, climate); the biological environment (biological systems, biodiversity, population dynamics, ecology) and modern environmental problems, including resource shortages (such as water and energy), diseases, soil, water and air pollution, climate change and their relationship to political and economic issues. Note: This course cannot be used to satisfy Humanities/Social Science requirements for majors outside of the TCS department.
Prerequisites: Completion of first year writing requirements.

General Science Elective                                                        4 Credits

Technical Electives (7 credits)

The technical electives requirement can be fulfilled by any course that advances the student’s knowledge of, or skills in applied science, engineering, or computer science. Students may choose 3 or 4 credit courses.

*Technical elective overload may be applied to free credits.

Free Electives (20 credits)

Choose 5 courses of free electives from any department.

This minor is open to all majors and is composed of 16 credits:

Two of the core courses in SUE:

4 Credits History of New York's Urban Infrastructure HI-UY3034W

This survey of New York City's infrastructure concentrates on water, sanitation and public health, electrical and communications systems, the development of housing and real estate, the security infrastructure and plans for the future. The course explores how the city's political economy has shaped its physical environment and how technological innovations have made the city modern
and postmodern.
Prerequisites: Completion of first year writing requirements. Co-requisites: None. Notes: Satisfies a HuSS elective.

4 Credits Design of Cities URB-UY2024W

This course helps students examine cities from different perspectives, and to understand the design principles that create effective city spaces and how the city is a dynamic force, always changing through the impact of individuals and organizations. The class focuses on the role of historical, physical and social context in making sense of cities and how city problems can be identified, presented to others and addressed in various ways (through psychological and sociological studies, literature, art, etc.). Students complete a team-based project that involves the study of an innovative development project within the city and how it relates to its physical and social context.
Prerequisites: Completion of first year writing requirements. Co-requisites: None. Notes: Satisfies a HuSS Elective.

4 Credits Methods for Studying Urban Environment URB-UY2044

This course provides students with a foundation for understanding and using social science research methods to study urban environments. In this course, students will gain an understanding of quantitative and qualitative approaches to social science research. They will be introduced to a range of data collection methods that are used to study urban environments and also t strategies for data analysis. The course will involve a group research project with a real world client, as well as lectures, discussions, a group presentation and paper, exams, readings and several assignments.
Prerequisites: Completion of first year writing requirements

4 Credits Introduction to Urban Policy URB-UY2054W

The purpose of this course is to introduce students to the process and some of the major substantive issues in urban policy and politics in the United States, with some transnational contrasts. These include some of the basic issues of any political system: how cities function as part of a global urban network; the structure of decision-making, the allocation of resources and delivery of services.
Prerequisite: Completion of first year writing requirements

4 Credits Global Perspectives On Urban Sustainability URB-UY2004

This course will give students a grounding in urban sustainability issues as they apply locally and globally, with an emphasis on case studies of problems and attempts at solutions in many different urban sites. The course materials address the broad range of social, cultural, technical, historical, political and technical issues that are part of urban sustainability.

8 credits satisfied by courses chosen from the SEG electives list

As a SUE student, you are required to complete an internship course that allows you to complete an internship for course credit. This is a great way to gain experience in fields of your interest, while earning credits toward graduation.

Students in our SUE program have interned at places like:  

• Center for Medicare Advocacy (Washington DC)
• New York City Department of City Planning, GIS Team
• Housing Network of Rhode Island
• Shanghai World Expo 2010
• Solar I
• New York City Department of Mental Health & Hygiene-Built Environment Division
• Maplewood, NJ-Engineering Department
• Greenwich Village Society for Historic Preservation
• Recycle-a-Bicycle
• New York City Department of City Planning
• Big Duck NYC
• New York City Metropolitan Transportation Authority

SUE students can arrange their schedules in accordance with their sustainability interests in consultation with the academic advisor. The sample schedule below is one way to fulfill the requirements, and it incorporates a study away in the junior year at one of New York University's global university campuses.

Fall Semester

1 Credits Engineering and Technology Forum EG-UY1001

In this course the notion of invention, innovation and entrepreneurship (i2e) is introduced to the students? educational experience. Students will be exposed to elements of a research-intensive institution and diverse research performed by leading engineers, scientists, inventors and entrepreneurs.

EG-UY1003 Please refer to the bulletin for more information

4 Credits Writing the Essay: EXPOS-UA1

This foundational writing course is required for CAS, Nursing, Social Work,
Steinhardt and Tandon incoming undergraduates. "Writing the Essay''
provides instruction and practice in critical reading, creative and logical
thinking, and clear, persuasive writing. Students learn to analyze and
interpret written texts, to use texts as evidence, to develop ideas, and to
write exploratory and argumentative essays. Exploration, inquiry,
reflection, analysis, revision, and collaborative learning are emphasized.

    SUE Track Course                                                                4 Credits

Spring Semester

2 Credits Introduction to Civil Engineering CE-UY1002

This course introduces the student to the profession and practice of civil engineering. Course topics include: the principal subdisciplines of civil engineering and their relationship to urban and regional infrastructure; professional ethics and the responsibilities of engineers to their profession and to the general public; communication and technical skills required for success in the discipline; and principles of sustainable development. The course includes a laboratory on computer-aided design, geographic information systems, and surveying.
Prerequisite: Students from other than the Civil and Urban Engineering department or Sustainable Urban Environments program must obtain permission from the CUE program advisor.

4 Credits The Advanced College Essay EXPOS-UA2

The course follows Writing the Essay (EW 1013) and provides advanced instruction in analyzing and interpreting written texts from a variety of academic disciplines, using written texts as evidence, developing ideas, and writing argumentative essays. It stresses analysis, argument, reflection, revision, and collaborative learning.
Prerequisite(s): EW 1013

4 Credits Global Perspectives On Urban Sustainability URB-UY2004

This course will give students a grounding in urban sustainability issues as they apply locally and globally, with an emphasis on case studies of problems and attempts at solutions in many different urban sites. The course materials address the broad range of social, cultural, technical, historical, political and technical issues that are part of urban sustainability.

    Humanities and Social Sciences Elective                           4 Credits

Fall Semester

4 Credits Design of Cities URB-UY2024W

This course helps students examine cities from different perspectives, and to understand the design principles that create effective city spaces and how the city is a dynamic force, always changing through the impact of individuals and organizations. The class focuses on the role of historical, physical and social context in making sense of cities and how city problems can be identified, presented to others and addressed in various ways (through psychological and sociological studies, literature, art, etc.). Students complete a team-based project that involves the study of an innovative development project within the city and how it relates to its physical and social context.
Prerequisites: Completion of first year writing requirements. Co-requisites: None. Notes: Satisfies a HuSS Elective.

4 Credits Introduction of Environmental Sciences URB-UY2334

This course addresses the basic processes, as studied by the physical, biological sciences, and behavioral that determine the nature of the physical environment and how it affects life on earth. Topics include the physical environment (Lithosphere, Hydrosphere, Atmosphere, climate); the biological environment (biological systems, biodiversity, population dynamics, ecology) and modern environmental problems, including resource shortages (such as water and energy), diseases, soil, water and air pollution, climate change and their relationship to political and economic issues. Note: This course cannot be used to satisfy Humanities/Social Science requirements for majors outside of the TCS department.
Prerequisites: Completion of first year writing requirements.

   SUE Track Course                                                                4 Credits

   Humanities and Social Sciences Elective                           4 Credits

Spring Semester

3 Credits Traffic Engineering CE-UY3303

This course covers the fundamentals of traffic engineering. The characteristics of traffic streams, and how they are quantitatively described are covered. Various types of traffic studies are covered including travel time, speed, delay, and safety studies. Determining the signal timing, capacity and level of service (LOS) of a signalized intersection is discussed and the Highway Capacity Software (HCS) is used to calculate intersection capacity and LOS.
Prerequisite: CE-UY 1002 or permission of the Civil Engineering Program Advisor.

OR

3 Credits Introduction to Transportation Systems CE-UY3313

This course focuses on the fundamental conceptual elements of transportation systems and describes the approaches used to analyze and design transportation systems. The course covers the basic material about transportation systems, the context within which they operate and a characterization of their behavior.
Prerequisite: CE-UY 1002 and Junior status; or permission of the Civil Engineering Program Advisor.

OR

3 Credits Introduction to Urban Infrastructure Systems Management CE-UY4033

This course provides students with an overview of key issues involved in the planning, management, operations and maintenance of urban infrastructure systems, including transportation, water supply, power, communications and information systems. It includes elements of engineering and technology, management, economics, finance, regulatory and public policy that have an impact on the sustainable development of the urban environment. The course features several distinguished guest lecturers from infrastructure industries and public agencies who share significant case studies with students. The course includes a component on GIS, with a focus on how to collect, integrate and share spatial data in urban infrastructure management. Group projects are required.
Prerequisite: CE-UY 1002 or permission of the Civil Engineering Program Advisor.

OR

3 Credits Transportation Economics CE-UY3363

This course introduces the principles of engineering economic analysis and applies them to the analysis of transportation alternatives. Alternative analyses are done using present worth analysis, annual cost analysis, benefit/cost analysis and rate of return analysis. The course also reviews existing measures and legislation that provide funding for transportation projects, and discusses potential new approaches for the future.
Prerequisite: CE-UY 1002 and Sophomore standing; or permission of the Civil Engineering Program Advisor.

4 Credits Methods for Studying Urban Environment URB-UY2044

This course provides students with a foundation for understanding and using social science research methods to study urban environments. In this course, students will gain an understanding of quantitative and qualitative approaches to social science research. They will be introduced to a range of data collection methods that are used to study urban environments and also t strategies for data analysis. The course will involve a group research project with a real world client, as well as lectures, discussions, a group presentation and paper, exams, readings and several assignments.
Prerequisites: Completion of first year writing requirements

   SUE Track Course                                                                 4 Credits

4 Credits Basic Practice of Statistics for Social Science MA-UY2414

We are inundated by data, but data alone do not translate into useful information. Statistics provides the means for organizing, summarizing, and therefore better analyzing data so that we can understand what the data tell us about critical questions. If one collects data then understanding how to use statistical methods is critical, but it is also necessary to understand and interpret all the information we consume on a daily basis. This course provides these basic statistical approaches and techniques. This course may not be acceptable as a substitute for any other Probability and Statistics course. For Sustainable Urban Environments (SUE) students, please see your advisor. Note: This course is open to the following majors only: BIMS, IDM, STS, SUE. Not open to math majors or students who have taken or will take MA-UY 2054 or MA-UY 2224 or MA-UY 3014 or MA-UY 3514 or ECE-UY 2233 or equivalent.

OR

4 Credits Data Analysis MA-UY2224

An introductory course to probability and statistics. It affords the student some acquaintance with both probability and statistics in a single term. Topics in Probability include mathematical treatment of chance; combinatorics; binomial, Poisson, and Gaussian distributions; the Central Limit Theorem and the normal approximation. Topics in Statistics include sampling distributions of sample mean and sample variance; normal, t-, and Chi-square distributions; confidence intervals; testing of hypotheses; least squares regression model. Applications to scientific, industrial, and financial data are integrated into the course.NOTE: Not open to students who have taken MA-UY 2233 or MA-UY 3012 or MA-UY 3022.
Prerequisite: MA-UY 1124, MA-UY1424, or MA-UY 1132 or MATH-UH 1020 or MATH-UH 1021 or MATH-SHU 151

OR

ECON-UA 18 Statistics                                                             4 Credits

OR

CORE-UA 105 Quant Reasoning: Elementary Statistics         4 Credits

OR

PSYCH-UA 10 Statistics for the Behavioral Sciences              4 Credits

OR

SOC-UA 302 Statistics for Social Research                             4 Credits

Fall Semester

4 Credits Internship URB-UY4034

Students may undertake an internship for academic credit with an appropriate private, public, or non-profit agency or firm. The internship is an opportunity to extend learning outside of the classroom into a real world setting, and to explore career options tied to the major. Students complete 140 hours at the internship site and attend occasional class meetings. The course involves completing a learning contract, regular reflections, assignments, and a final presentation.
Prerequisite: IDM/SUE/STS majors only. Permission of instructor required.

  Free Elective                                                                            4 Credits

  Free Elective                                                                           4 Credits

  SUE Track Course                                                                   4 Credits

Spring Semester

4 Credits Introduction to Urban Policy URB-UY2054W

The purpose of this course is to introduce students to the process and some of the major substantive issues in urban policy and politics in the United States, with some transnational contrasts. These include some of the basic issues of any political system: how cities function as part of a global urban network; the structure of decision-making, the allocation of resources and delivery of services.
Prerequisite: Completion of first year writing requirements

4 Credits History of New York's Urban Infrastructure HI-UY3034W

This survey of New York City's infrastructure concentrates on water, sanitation and public health, electrical and communications systems, the development of housing and real estate, the security infrastructure and plans for the future. The course explores how the city's political economy has shaped its physical environment and how technological innovations have made the city modern
and postmodern.
Prerequisites: Completion of first year writing requirements. Co-requisites: None. Notes: Satisfies a HuSS elective.

  Free Elective                                                                            4 Credits

  General Technical Elective                                                      4 Credits

Fall Semester

2 Credits Capstone Project I URB-UY4012

The capstone is a project course that presents SUE students with an opportunity to translate previous coursework into an applied research project. This is a real-world based course in which students identify, research, and propose solutions to a multidisciplinary urban issue. The field research will be supported by library and on-line research and will culminate in a written report and an oral presentation. Can not take if already taken URB-UY 4024.
Prerequisite: URB-UY 2044

  SUE Track Course                                                                   4 Credits

  General Technical Elective                                                     4 Credits

  Humanities and Social Sciences Electives                            4 Credits

  Humanities and Social Sciences Electives                            4 Credits

Spring Semester

2 Credits Capstone Project II URB-UY4022

The capstone is a project course that presents SUE students with an opportunity to translate previous coursework into an applied research project. This is a real-world based course in which students identify, research, and propose solutions to a multidisciplinary urban issue. The field research will be supported by library and on-line research and will culminate in a written report and an oral presentation. Can not take if already taken URB-UY 4024.
Prerequisite: URB-UY 2044 and URB-UY 4012

  Free Electives                                                                         4 Credits

  Free Electives                                                                         4 Credits

  General Technical Elective                                                     4 Credits