IESD seeks to integrate the multidisciplinary methodologies of natural and social sciences, viewing the environment, economy and society in a holistic fashion. IESD actively participates in UNEP organized regional and global environmental projects; focuses on the generation of new knowledge, development of leading-edge approaches, promotion of creative innovations, and novel applications of knowledge; and provides a well-rounded education to produce graduates with the knowledge and skills to understand the issues involved in environment and sustainable development, and to offer innovative and practical solutions. IESD’s aim is to become an important base of research, education, and information exchange for sustainable development.

Background 

The program provides students with the opportunity to broaden their academic and research experience. IESD offers courses on fundamentals of environmental science and technology, and courses on planning, management and development as well. The academic program is flexible to a large extent, tailored to the educational goals of the individual student and emphasizes problem-oriented learning, field-based learning, and systems approach to sustainability and interdisciplinary study. A research investigation producing a scholarly contribution to the particular area of study is necessary.

Curriculum 

1.All the students must have “Public Compulsory Courses”

Course	Chinese students	International students	Hours per week	Credits
Language[1]	English	Chinese	3	3
Culture	Political Economics	China Outlook[2]	3	3

Illustration:

[1]  The language courses and China Outlook last one semester. There're three levels to choose in Chinese language courses.

[2] “China Outlook” is for all foreign students. There will be 8 courses offered in English to international students by the University as follows:

                      1. China’s Socio-Economic Development

                      2. The Shape and Growth of the Town & Village in China

                      3. Chinese History and Culture

                      4. Intercultural Communication

                      5. Sustainable Development in China

                      6. China’s Foreign Affairs and International Relation

                      7. Chinese Intellectual Property Protection

                      8. Cultural Heritage Conservation in China

2.Professional Courses

The following list of elective courses is not exhaustive. There are elective courses that may become available for students for students to take, and they will be announced accordingly.

Code	Attribute	Course Name	Credit	Semester	Teachers
2050141	core	Environmental Ethic	2	Autumn	GUO Ru LU Yongsen
2050142	core	Environmental Sociology	2	Autumn	Stefano Piastra QIU Huafei
2050143	core	Environmental Science	2	Autumn	JIANG Dahe NIU Dongjie WANG Hongtao
2050144	core	Environmental Economy and Circular Economy	2	Autumn	WANG Leina
2050145	core	Social Practice (for Chinese students only)	2	Autumn	NIU Dongjie WANG Hongtao
2050146	core	Framework and Tools for Sustainable Development	2	Autumn	Lex Brown
2050147	core	Environmental Management and Policy	2	Autumn	QIU Yanling XIA Kunbao
2050160	core	Environmental Ecology	2	Autumn	FANG Ping
2050196	core	Environmental System Analysis	2	Autumn	LIAO Zhenliang Eheart
2050090	core	Global Environmental Changes	2	Spring	ZHANG Haiping
2050148	core	Environmental Project Management	2	Spring	Mario XU Wenying
2050149	core	Atmospheric Science and Climate Change	2	Spring	JIANG Dahe
2050169	core	Professional Foreign Language	2	Spring	WU Bing
2900002	c	Thesis Proposal	1
2900004	c	Seminar	1