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The Bachelor of Science in Sustainable Manufacturing

The sustainable manufacturing faculty are committed to preparing graduates for a variety of manufacturing careers, ranging from research and development to mass production. The faculty provide students with a broad undergraduate experience in math, science, business, and the humanities, as well as laboratory courses with a practical, applications orientation. The knowledge and skills gained will enable students to become Certified Manufacturing Technologists (CMfgT), after passing a comprehensive examination administered by the Society of Manufacturing Engineers (SME).

Sustainable Manufacturing Program Objectives

The program's objectives are best defined in terms of the following attributes of its graduates.

1. First and foremost, CSU, Chico sustainable manufacturing graduates understand how products are designed, produced, and tested, while meeting the business, environmental, and social responsibilities associated with the production and development of goods.

2. They have experience with and understand contemporary manufacturing processes, particularly for parts consisting of metals and polymers, based on applied math, science, and technology.

3. They have an appreciation for the individual, society, and human heritage, from both regional and global perspectives and they are aware of the relationship of their products to the three pillars of sustainability: economic, environmental, and societal.

4. They understand the fundamental behavior of materials and the testing techniques used to determine material properties.

5. They integrate project management, quality assurance methods, supply chain management, and the economic, technical, and societal issues involved in manufacturing.

6. They are familiar with contemporary computer applications and process automation, including the use of sensors, actuators, and controllers to automate machines and processes.

7. They are effective at communicating their ideas in oral, written, and graphical form.

8. They function effectively as team members.

Total Course Requirements for the Bachelor's Degree: 120 units

See Bachelor's Degree Requirements in the University Catalog for complete details on general degree requirements. A minimum of 40 units, including those required for the major, must be upper division.

A suggested Major Academic Plan (MAP) has been prepared to help students meet all graduation requirements within four years. You can view MAPs on the Degree MAPs page in the University Catalog or you can request a plan from your major advisor.

General Education Pathway Requirements: 48 units

See General Education in the University Catalog and the Class Schedule for the most current information on General Education Pathway Requirements and course offerings.

This major has approved GE modifications. See below for information on how to apply these modifications.

  • MATH 119 is an approved advanced course substitution for Quantitative Reasoning (A4)
  • CHEM 107 & PHYS 202A are approved advanced course substitutions for Physical Sciences (B1)
  • Take one course in either Arts (C1) or Humanities (C2).
  • Take only two upper-division Pathway courses; one in Arts/Humanities and one in Social Sciences.

Diversity Course Requirements: 6 units

See Diversity Requirements in the University Catalog. Most courses taken to satisfy these requirements may also apply to General Education .

Both courses must also satisfy one of the General Education requirements in order for 120 units to fulfill all requirements for the Sustainable Manufacturing degree. It is suggested that the USD and GC courses be completed with the Area C selection and diversity requirement. See MAP.

Literacy Requirement:

See Mathematics and Writing Requirements in the University Catalog. Writing proficiency in the major is a graduation requirement and may be demonstrated through satisfactory completion of a course in your major which has been designated as the Writing Proficiency (WP) course for the semester in which you take the course. Students who earn below a C- are required to repeat the course and earn a C- or higher to receive WP credit. See the Class Schedule for the designated WP courses for each semester. You must pass ENGL 130I or JOUR 130I (or equivalent) with a C- or higher before you may register for a WP course.

Course Requirements for the Major: 93 units

Completion of the following courses, or their approved transfer equivalents, is required of all candidates for this degree.

Lower-Division Requirements: 49 units

17 courses required:

SUBJ NUM Title Sustainable Units Semester Offered Course Flags
A study of financial reports, their construction and use. Procedures are introduced to the extent necessary to illustrate basic concepts. Designed to meet the needs of prospective accounting majors, students of business administration, and students seeking a general education. 3 hours discussion. (000077)
Prerequisites: Intermediate Algebra.
A survey of the principles of chemistry, primarily for students in agriculture, industry and technology, and pre-nursing. 3 hours lecture, 3 hours laboratory. (001826)
An introductory survey of macroeconomic analysis. Use of fundamental economic concepts to analyze the over-all economy. Determination of gross national product, rates of unemployment, problems of inflation, recession, and the use of governmental policies. Discussion of current problems. 3 hours lecture. This is an approved General Education course. (002636)
An introductory survey of microeconomic analysis. Analysis of individual economic units: household, firms, and markets. Analysis of individual decision making. Supply and demand analysis. Type of market organization: competition, oligopoly, and monopoly. Discussion of current problems. 3 hours lecture. This is an approved General Education course. (002638)
Prerequisites: Completion of ELM requirement.
Summary of numerical data, elementary probability, distributions, and introduction to statistical inference. A grade of C- or higher is required for GE credit. 1.5 hours lecture, 1.5 hours discussion. This is an approved General Education course. (005501)
Prerequisites: Completion of ELM requirement, and either 1/2 year of high school trigonometry or MATH 118.
Functions and graphs, including polynomial, rational, exponential, logarithmic, and trigonometric functions. Systems of equations and inequalities, polar and parametric equations, complex numbers, and analytic trigonometry. A grade of C- or higher is required for GE credit. 4 hours discussion. (005504)
Corequisites: MECH 100L.
Introduction to engineering graphics. Orthographic projection, auxiliary views, isometric views, dimensioning, tolerancing, drawing standards, working drawings, free-hand sketching, solid modeling. 1 hour discussion. (015811)
Corequisites: MECH 100.
Introduction to solid modeling using a parametric, feature-based application software, SolidWorks. Solid modeling of parts and assemblies, detail and assembly drawings. 3 hours laboratory. (020257)
Prerequisites: MECH 100 and MECH 100L.
Drawing standards, geometric dimensioning and tolerancing, working drawings, product data management, intermediate solid modeling, introduction to Rapid Prototyping and specialized graphic applications. 1 hour lecture, 3 hours laboratory. (015854)
This course is designed to familiarize the student with the basic concepts of manufacturing processes with an emphasis on using sustainable practices. Students gain an understanding of the principle manufacturing materials and processes, learn how to solve manufacturing problems, and understand how Life Cycle Analysis and Reduce, Reuse, Recycle principles can be integrated into manufacturing processes. 2 hours discussion, 3 hours laboratory. (005149)
Prerequisites: MATH 105, MECH 200.
Advanced solid modeling techniques, quality assurance (inspection, metrology, coordinate measuring machines, statistical process control, six sigma), and design considerations (design for manufacturing, rapid prototyping). 1 hour lecture, 3 hours laboratory. (015853)
Prerequisites: CHEM 107, PHYS 202A. Recommended: MATH 105.
Study of the manufacturing, processing, applications, and testing of common industrial materials, including metals, polymers, ceramics, and composites. Discussions include industrial emissions, pollution, environmental concerns, and carbon footprint. 2 hours lecture, 3 hours laboratory. (005164)
Prerequisites: CHEM 107.
Survey of polymer chemistry, mechanical properties, and industrial processing of thermoplastics with emphasis on waste reduction and recycling. 2 hours lecture, 3 hours laboratory. (005146)
Prerequisites: SMFG 216.
Study of engineering thermoplastic materials, thermoplastic blends, elastomers, and thermoset composites. Investigation of sustainable plastics manufacturing with study of recycling, waste diversion and management along with life cycle and carbon footprint analysis. 2 hours lecture, 3 hours laboratory. (005200)
Prerequisites: SMFG 160 with a grade of C- or higher. Recommended: PHYS 202A.
A study of the industrial applications of material-removal technology. Emphasis will be placed on the management of the application of the technology, including the application of sustainable materials, consumables and power management. Units involving the physics of metal-cutting, cutting-tool materials and geometry, conventional and semi-automatic machine tools, and cost-estimating are included. 2 hours lecture, 3 hours laboratory. (005212)
Prerequisites: High school physics or faculty permission. High school trigonometry and second-year high school algebra or equivalent (MATH 051 and MATH 118 at CSU, Chico).
Mechanics, properties of matter, wave motion, sound, heat. Science majors are encouraged to take PHYS 204A instead of this course. 3 hours discussion, 3 hours laboratory. (007394)
Prerequisites: PHYS 202A with a grade of C- or higher.
Light, electricity, magnetism, selected topics in modern physics. Science majors are encouraged to take PHYS 204B instead of this course. Algebra and trigonometry are used. 3 hours discussion, 3 hours laboratory. (007395)

Upper-Division Requirements: 38 units

12 courses required:

SUBJ NUM Title Sustainable Units Semester Offered Course Flags
Prerequisites: At least junior standing.
An in-depth study of federal and California employment laws as they affect the management of human resources, with appropriate consideration of ethical and global dimensions. Emphasis is on the legal rights and responsibilities of employers and employees in the employment relationship, primarily in a private-sector, non-union environment. 3 hours discussion. (001352)
Geographic analysis of humanity's interaction with the environment. Examines natural and human systems, resources, population, energy, and pollution. Develops an appreciation of the beauty, balance, and complexity of natural systems and human success in attaining harmony with them. Enhances awareness and perception of each individual's role in and with the environment. 3 hours lecture. This is an approved General Education course. (003873)
Prerequisites: MGMT 303.
This course examines the ways in which organizations can be managed to meet the triple bottom line: profit, ethical treatment of workers, and environmental sustainability. Students learn to analyze organizational impacts and develop practices that foster a balanced ecosystem as well as organizational effectiveness. 3 hours lecture. (020231)
Prerequisites: Business Administration or Business Information Systems status required for business majors. Completion of GE Pathway Foundation Quantitative Reasoning required for all majors.
An overview of the operations function in organizations; topics include operations strategy, manufacturing philosophies, process selection, supply chain management, inventory management, forecasting, production planning and control, capacity planning, material requirements planning, quality management and project management. 3 hours lecture. (005774)
Prerequisites: Junior standing.
Current supervisory and managerial procedures used in industry by supervisors, managers, field and sales representatives, and inspectors. Societal aspects of manufacturing along with industrial waste stream management are discussed. 3 hours discussion. (005255)
Prerequisites: ENGL 130 or JOUR 130 (or equivalent) with a grade of C- or higher, junior standing.
A study of effective industrial safety management practice and the philosophy and principles of industrial accident prevention. Coverage includes examination of current industrial safety practices and how sustainability naturally augments and fortifies industrial safety. Federal and state programs designed to improve safety in an industrial environment. Instruction in effective technical safety documentation -- gathering, organizing, and reporting industrial safety data. 4 hours discussion. This is an approved Graduation Writing Assessment Requirement course; a grade of C- or higher certifies writing proficiency for majors. (005670)
Prerequisites: SMFG 201, SMFG 260.
A study of the concepts involved in programming computer numerically controlled (CNC) machine tools, with emphasis placed on power management to optimize tool path, material removal rate, chip load, and horse power. This course includes integration of computer-aided manufacturing (CAD/CAM). 3 hours lecture, 3 hours laboratory. (005278)
Prerequisites: PHYS 202B, SMFG 360.
A study of the programming and function of industrial robots and other automation systems used in modem manufacturing environments. Concepts include end effector design, material movement, storage and retrieval systems, programmable logic controllers, and vision systems. Sustainable manufacturing practices, including "lights out" and lean manufacturing are covered. Lecture, demonstrations, and laboratory exercises designed to promote understanding of manufacturing automation. 3 hours lecture, 3 hours laboratory. (005190)
Prerequisites: SCMS 306 or faculty permission.
This course is also offered as SCMS 451.
The study and application of the quality management process in both the manufacturing and service sectors of the economy. Topics include process analysis and improvement, statistical process control, cost of quality, quality measurement, and quality in the global marketplace. 3 hours lecture. (005784)
Prerequisites: Senior standing.
This course familiarizes students with techniques for managing technical projects while they design, plan, and implement a manufacturing project through the mock-up stage. Students work in groups on projects of mutual interest to gain experience in planning and updating schedules. Students learn to define requirements, estimate and manage resources, and structure decisions and trade-offs. Discussion includes global project management and supply chain responsibility. Emphasis is placed on group dynamics in communication and problem solving. 2 hours lecture, 2 hours activity. (005291)
Prerequisites: SMFG 218, SMFG 360; SMFG 458 or MGMT 444.
Students design, fabricate, test, and evaluate production tooling used in the manufacture or assembly of metal or plastic parts in their capstone projects. 3 hours lecture, 3 hours laboratory. (005213)
Prerequisites: Graduation in SMFG expected within 12 months.
Review of manufacturing technology fundamentals and foundation for professional practice. Current topics in manufacturing. Preparation and encouragement for the Fundamentals of Manufacturing Examination. 2 hours activity. Credit/no credit grading. (005673)

Managing for Sustainability Minor Requirements: 6 units

1 course selected from:

SUBJ NUM Title Sustainable Units Semester Offered Course Flags
An examination of a variety of approaches to the development of an environmental ethic, including "shallow" and "deep" environmentalism, the balance of nature argument, and the Gaia hypothesis. 3 hours discussion. This is an approved General Education course. (021190)
An introduction to ways that religious and secular world views and ethics influence attitudes, behaviors, and policies toward the environment, society, and economy. The course considers alternative views of self and society, the relationship between human beings and the natural world, and issues of lifestyle, justice, and sustainability. 3 hours lecture. This is an approved General Education course. (021200)

1 course selected from:

SUBJ NUM Title Sustainable Units Semester Offered Course Flags
Prerequisites: Completion of lower-division core or faculty permission.
An interdisciplinary treatment of physical and biological environments used for agriculture. Historical and ecological nature of agriculture its impact on the landscape and society. Comparison of sustainable and non-sustainable agricultural practices. 2 hours lecture, 3 hours laboratory. (000206)
An analysis of the costs and benefits of environmental preservation. Systems for creating economic incentives for pollution abatement. Criteria for establishing optimum pollution abatement, including efficiency, safety, and sustainability standards. Impacts of population growth on global environmental problems. Alternative energy use patterns and their impact on energy markets and global environmental health. 3 hours lecture. This is an approved General Education course. (002671)
This course provides a broad global overview of disasters resulting from natural or technological hazards. Disasters contrive to maim and kill, and property losses due to disaster have continued to increase. This course emphasizes the spatial and temporal distribution of hazards, the human impact of disaster, roles played by technology and society in creating or worsening risky situations, and policy options for disaster preparation and loss reduction. 3 hours lecture. (003875)
An introduction to human impact upon planet Earth. Scientific principles applied to air pollution, water pollution, and solid and radioactive waste problems. Population dynamics, world hunger, and environmental issue analysis are also covered. 2 hours lecture, 2 hours activity. This is an approved General Education course. (004131)
An overview of the relationship of people and nature; the impact of environmental conditions, such as water and air pollution, solid wastes, food contamination, vectors, radiation, noise, light, which cause deleterious effects on people's physical, mental, and social well-being. Individual and collective consumer intervention in environmental health problems. 3 hours discussion. (001606)
Investigation and analysis of the political nature of the environmental crisis in the United States and the development of legal and administrative mechanisms for handling environmental problems. 3 hours lecture. (007596)
Prerequisites: Junior standing.
The role of citizens in influencing natural resources policy. Integrative study of factors influencing wildlife, timber, range, water, air, mineral, and recreation resources, including resource scarcity, societal structure, economic influences, and institutional policies. Focus on public involvement in natural resources planning and decision-making. Survey of basic principles of multiple-use natural resource management. 3 hours lecture. This is an approved General Education course. (021245)

Grading Requirement:

All courses taken to fulfill major course requirements must be taken for a letter grade except those courses specified by the department as Credit/No Credit grading only.

Advising Requirement:

Advising is mandatory for all majors in this degree program. Consult your undergraduate advisor for specific information.

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