Degree
Minor in Climate Change StudiesContact
Bethany Woodworth, Ph.D.
Program Director, School of Marine and Environmental Programs
bwoodworth@une.edu
Mission
Climate change promises to be one of the defining environmental and social problems of our lifetime, and the topic of climate change will grow ever more relevant as we move into the future. The interdisciplinary minor in Climate Change Studies is committed to educating tomorrow’s leaders in the science, impacts, and solutions to climate change. This interdisciplinary program of study seeks to engage students with an understanding of climate change from diverse perspectives — scientific, political, psychological, economic, and ethical dimensions of the problem and its solutions — and prepare them for a myriad of professions that directly or indirectly relate to understanding, combating, and adapting to climate change.
Minor Description
The interdisciplinary minor in Climate Change Studies engages students in understanding climate change from diverse perspectives, helping them examine scientific, political, psychological, economic, and ethical dimensions of the problem and its solutions. It prepares them for a myriad of professions that directly or indirectly relate to understanding, combating, and adapting to climate change.
Curricular Requirements
A student may minor in Climate Change Studies with the approval of the academic directory. To complete this minor, students are expected to successfully complete the following course of study:
| Program Required Courses | Credits |
|---|---|
| ENV 208 – Climate Change: Causes, Consequences, and Solutions | 3 |
| PHY 218 – Energy and Climate Change or MAR 460 – Physical Basis of Climate Change | 3–4 |
| SOC 227 – Climate Change and Society | 3 |
| Total Credits | 9–10 |
| Select One (1) Policy Elective** | Credits |
|---|---|
| ENV 250 – Environmental Policy in Comparative Perspective | 3 |
| ENV 362 – Climate Change Adaptation: Planning and Policy | 3 |
| MAF 300 – Climate Change, Oceans, and Law | 3 |
| MAR 316 – Science and Society | 3 |
| PSC 201 – Introduction to International Relations | 3 |
| PSC 205 – Introduction to Politics and Environment | 3 |
| PSC 306 – Environmental Politics | 3 |
| Total Credits | 3 |
| Select One (1) Natural Sciences Elective** | Credits |
|---|---|
| BIO 235/235L – Winter Natural History w/Lab | 4 |
| BIO 413 – Global Change Ecology | 3 |
| BIO 422/422L – Coral Reefs w/Lab | 4 |
| ENV 318/318L – Advanced Field Methods in Avian Ecology and Conservation w/Lab | 4 |
| ENV 328 – Environmental Pollution: Ecosystems, Wildlife, and Human Health | 3 |
| MAF 200 – Introduction to Marine Pollution | 3 |
| MAR 270/270L – Oceanography w/Lab | 4 |
| MAR 368 – Advanced Oceanography II: Physical and Chemical Oceanography | 3 |
| MAR 436/436L – Natural History of Iceland w/Lab | 4 |
| MAR 460 – The Scientific Basis for Global Climate Change | 3 |
| MAR 464 – Polar Biology | 3 |
| Total Credits | 3–4 |
| Select One (1) Social Sciences and Humanities Elective** | Credits |
|---|---|
| BUEC 390 – Environmental Economics | 3 |
| BUEC 395 – Ecological Economics | 3 |
| ENV 321 – Environmental Communication: Expert Practices for Environmental Management | 3 |
| ENV 328 – Environmental Pollution: Ecosystems, Wildlife, and Human Health | 3 |
| ENV 340 – Environmental Movements and Social Change | 3 |
| ENV 344 – Environmental Ethics | 3 |
| PHI 202 – Ethics of Science and Technology | 3 |
| PHI 330 – Environmental Philosophy | 3 |
| SOC 210 – Displaced Cultures and Society | 3 |
| SOC 226 – Environmental Sociology | 3 |
| SOC 265 – Social Issues/Problems Global World | 3 |
| SOC 320 – Community Organization | 3 |
| SOC 377 – International Development | 3 |
| Total Credits | 3 |
| Minimum Total Required Credits | 18 |
|---|
*Course Designators vary by major and include but are not limited to ENV 295/495, PSY 300/400, PSC 411, SOC 300/400, SPT 395.
**Internship Opportunities (Optional): Internships may substitute for one (1) of the above elective courses, subject to advisor and internship coordinator approval. The internship must deal explicitly with some aspect of climate change science, mitigation, or adaptation.
Learning Outcomes
- Evaluate the issues and conflicts surrounding climate change from multiple perspectives, including scientific, geographic, political, economic, sociological, psychological, ethical, and cultural perspectives
- Explain and quantify the impacts of climate change on human well-being and the natural world
- Think critically about the uneven distribution of climate change responsibility, impacts, vulnerability, adaptive capacity, and political power across individuals, societies, generations, and species
- Identify options for preventing further climate change (mitigation) and reducing impacts of change on human and natural systems (adaptation)
- Analyze and critique policy issues related to global warming
- Apply a practical understanding of climate change impacts, mitigation, and adaptation to their professional work
Transfer Credit
Courses completed at another accredited college can be transferred to this degree program. Transferred courses must be reasonably close in scope and content to the required courses offered at SWAGÊÓƵ in order to count as exact equivalents. Otherwise, they may transfer as general electives.
All courses completed must be no older than five (5) years.
Other restrictions apply.
See Undergraduate Admissions for more information.
Admissions
The minor in Climate Change Studies is open to all undergraduate students at the SWAGÊÓƵ. Permission from the student’s advisor and the Climate Change Studies coordinator is required to enroll.
Financial Information
Tuition and fees
Tuition and fees for subsequent years may vary. Other expenses include books and housing. For more information regarding tuition and fees, please consult the Financial Information section of this catalog.
Notice and Responsibilities Regarding this Catalog
This catalog outlines the academic programs, degree criteria, policies, and events of the SWAGÊÓƵ for the 2024–2025 academic year and serves as the official guide for academic and program requirements for students enrolling at the University during the Summer of 2024, Fall 2024, and Spring 2025 semesters.
The information provided is accurate as of its publication date on April 26, 2024.
The SWAGÊÓƵ reserves the right to modify its programs, calendar, or academic schedule as deemed necessary or beneficial. This includes alterations to course content, class rescheduling, cancellations, or any other academic adjustments. Changes will be communicated as promptly as possible.
While students may receive guidance from academic advisors or program directors, they remain responsible for fulfilling the requirements outlined in the catalog relevant to their enrollment year and for staying informed about any updates to policies, provisions, or requirements.