Course Offerings

Courses at the Leeds School integrating sustainability into business planning, operations, and strategy are constantly expanding. Additionally, interdisciplinary offerings with fields such as engineering and environmental studies help broaden students' understanding of how to design sustainable business systems. Students must receive approval from the MBA office before registering for electives offered outside of the business school.

Students may also pursue a Graduate Energy Certificate. CU-Boulder's program provides a broad exposure to energy issues, with an emphasis on renewable and sustainable energy. Required coursework on energy science and technology, policy, and business; coupled with electives on energy economics, journalism, and other topics, give students the skills and knowledge to tackle society's pressing energy problems.

Also, students may be interested in pursuing a dual degree MBA/MS in Environmental Studies.

MBAC 6000 – Business and Society
•    Required core course; offered spring semesters
•    Includes significant sustainable business content

MBAX 6825 – Sustainable Business
•    Offered spring semesters
•    Sustainable Business explores business strategy in response to (and anticipation of) the threats and opportunities created by persistent problems of environmental degradation and related economic market failures.  We orient the class around a list of “top 50” concepts in sustainable business, with an explicit goal of addressing each topic, to varying degrees, over the course of the semester. To provide structure and further ensure comprehensiveness, nine core classes will approach the topic of sustainability from the unique perspectives of each of the nine core disciplines of business administration: ethics, strategy, organizational behavior, operations, quantitative analysis, accounting, marketing, economics, and finance.


MBAX 6815 – Introduction to Smart Growth and Sustainability
•    Offered spring semesters
•    Introduction to Smart Growth and Sustainability is designed to help equip next-generation real estate professionals with the foundational knowledge and tools they’ll need to make the most of this extraordinary opportunity disguised as a singular challenge. It will introduce them to the companion concepts of smart growth and sustainability, nested frameworks for physical and economic development born of a desire to redress the perceived past failures of markets and public policies while providing an affirmative alternative for the future. It explores the techniques, processes, tools and capabilities required to effectively and creatively manage growth and land use change in the light of the dramatic shifts beginning to transform the way we approach and even conceive land use and development.

MBAX 6130 – Sustainable Business Venturing
•    Offered fall semesters
•    Sustainable Business Venturing focuses on environmentally sustainable business ventures and businesses that solve natural environmental challenges while achieving profitability.  We will examine a number of industries and topics through a sustainability lens, perhaps including renewable energy, natural and organic products, green building, supply chains and distribution, and sustainable consulting, among others.  Sustainable venturing opportunities will be examined from both the perspective of both entrepreneurial startup firms and established entrepreneurial companies.  The course is intended to be highly interactive and will include guest speakers, cases, student presentations, and debates.

MBAX 6845 – Entrepreneurial Strategies for Emerging Markets
•    Offered fall semesters
•    The emerging economies of the world provide incredible opportunities for new avenues of profitable growth and innovation for firms and entrepreneurs of all types, whether multinationals or micro enterprises. A confluence of powerful forces is “flattening the world,” releasing trapped opportunities and creating global access to new consumers and markets. However, there are also significant challenges, among them the fostering of a climate of productive investment that creates economic opportunity, new jobs, and sustainable, positive social change. Many governments, working with agencies like the World Bank, NGO’s, multinationals, domestic corporations, and entrepreneurial organizations, have made impressive recent strides in creating economic growth, reducing poverty, and improving consumption capability and well-being for their citizens. However, progress is uneven and there is significant flux and uncertainty. Contemporary managers and entrepreneurs who wish to serve these markets must be aware of both the associated potential and pitfalls and evolve contextually tailored strategies. This course will increase awareness and understanding of these environments and help evolve the skills needed to participate as entrepreneurs in these emerging opportunities.

The Renewable and Sustainable Energy Initiative also provides a list of courses offered at CU-Boulder relating to renewable and/or sustainable energy.

Other Sustainability-Oriented Courses at CU Boulder

Home  |  Contact Us

Leeds School of Business, Bldg #4, UCB 419, Boulder, Colorado 80309-0419
© 2009 Regents of the University of Colorado.