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Environmental Studies: Sustainability and Your World
Learn on your own time and earn a Certificate of Completion.
Program Overview
The interdisciplinary nature of this course shines a light on the different study paths and career options for students who are passionate about the environment.
In this course, you’ll examine case studies on harnessing new sources of renewable energy, advancements in aquaculture and other examples of innovations currently shaping the field of conservation.
By gaining a deeper understanding of the science of climate change, this course will inspire you to apply your interests and passions for the environment to have a positive impact on our world.
Key Information
Featured Topics
- Population and community ecology
- Conservation and biodiversity
- Food and the future
- Natural resources and renewable energy
- Coastal pollution
Learning Outcomes
- Understand how individual organisms interact to form bigger ecosystems
- Learn how conservation biology addresses declining biodiversity and threats to endangered organisms and habitat loss
- Explore population growth and the human footprint on ecosystems
- Identify threats to natural resources and the future of renewable energy sources
- Discover the significance of coastal pollution and human impact on water systems
Format and Course Length
- This course consists of recorded lectures, examinations of scientific research and case studies, industry connections and activities. Each topic focuses on fundamental issues impacting the Earth’s biodiversity and how scientists today are addressing these challenges. Students will analyze current trends in sustainability through related activities.
- Combined coursework of recorded lectures, readings and assignments is approximately 20–25 hours, to be completed at the student’s own pace.
- Students are expected to complete the course in four weeks but have 90 days of access if more time is needed.
Featured Faculty
In this course, you’ll learn from David Ginsburg, a professor of environmental studies at USC Dornsife College of Letters, Arts and Sciences.
In addition to teaching at USC, David is a research associate in invertebrate zoology (echinoderms) at the Natural History Museum of Los Angeles County. He oversees undergraduate research training activities across a range of university- and externally-funded initiatives. David holds a PhD in marine environmental biology from USC and an M.S. in chemical ecology from the University of Guam. He has experience working in a variety of marine environments, ranging from tropical coral reefs and temperate kelp forests to polar benthic habitats. Prior to joining the faculty at USC, David was a postdoctoral researcher in UCLA’s Department of Civil and Environmental Engineering and a Sea Grant Knauss Fellow with the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration. David’s teaching is focused on environmental science, including hands-on learning and research experiences in the classroom and field. His awards include the USC Provost’s Prize for Teaching with Technology and the Steven B. Sample Mentoring and Teaching Award.
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Admission decisions are made on a rolling basis. Applicants who submit a completed application can expect an admission decision within three to five business days.
- Include basic contact information from you and your parent(s) or guardian.
- Tell us why you want to take the course and a little about yourself through a short-answer essay.
- Share a piece of writing, video or social media content that reveals something about yourself (optional).
- Submit the $35 application fee.
- Students must be at least 14 years old or older and enrolled in a high school or secondary program.
Recent high school graduates, students taking a gap year or time off from college, and students who are older than 18 can request an exemption to apply by emailing precollegeonline@usc.edu. Please include a short paragraph (no more than 200 words) stating your interest and how this program will add value to your academic or career plans.
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In addition to the requirements listed above, international applicants are expected to be proficient in English. International students who successfully complete an online course will receive a digital Certificate of Completion and, by request, a USC Pre-College Programs transcript at no additional cost.
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Program Start Date Application and Tuition Deadline Monday, November 10, 2025 Wednesday, November 5, 2025 Monday, November 24, 2025 Wednesday, November 19, 2025 Monday, December 8, 2025 Wednesday, December 3, 2025 Monday, December 22, 2025 Wednesday, December 17, 2025 Monday, January 5, 2026 Wednesday, December 31, 2025 Monday, January 19, 2026 Wednesday, January 14, 2026 Monday, February 2, 2026 Wednesday, January 28, 2026 Monday, February 16, 2026 Wednesday, February 11, 2026 Monday, March 2, 2026 Wednesday, February 25, 2026 Monday, March 16, 2026 Wednesday, March 11, 2026 Monday, March 30, 2026 Wednesday, March 25, 2026 Monday, April 13, 2026 Wednesday, April 8, 2026 Monday, April 27, 2026 Wednesday, April 22, 2026 Monday, May 11, 2026 Wednesday, May 6, 2026 Monday, May 25, 2026 Wednesday, May 20, 2026 Monday, June 8, 2026 Wednesday, June 3, 2026 Monday, June 22, 2026 Wednesday, June 17, 2026 Monday, July 6, 2026 Wednesday, July 1, 2026 Monday, July 20, 2026 Wednesday, July 15, 2026 -
Application fee: $35
Tuition: $1,990
Tuition and fees cover access to the chosen online course and materials for up to three months after your chosen start date.
Please note that application fees are nonrefundable. All course cancellations requests must be made in writing to precollegeonline@usc.edu. Any tuition paid to the university will be refunded, not including fees, if requested no more than three days past the course start date. Requests to drop the course more than three days after the start date will not be eligible for a refund.
The university will not refund tuition for USC Pre-College online exploration courses for students who are removed from the program due to a violation of our Letter of Understanding for Online Participation and our Student Code of Conduct.
