Climate Change Studies Minor
Jennifer Brousseau, Ph.D.
Assistant Professor, School of Marine and Environmental Programs
jbrousseau@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 tomorrowβs 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 β scientific, political, psychological, economic, and ethical dimensions of the problem and its solutions β and prepare them for a myriad of professions that directly or indirectly relate to understanding, combating, and adapting to climate change.
Minor Description
The minor in Climate Change Studies provides students with an interdisciplinary understanding of climate change. Three (3) required courses provide a foundation in climate change causes, consequences, and solutions. Students then choose from a variety of courses in three (3) areas: Natural Science, Social Science/Humanities, and Policy. The variety of courses in multiple disciplinary fields allow students to craft a minor that is relevant to their professional and personal interests, including the opportunity for an internship if desired.
Curricular Requirements
A student may minor in Climate Change Studies with the approval of the minor program contact. To complete this minor, students are expected to successfully complete the following course of study:
| Program Required Courses | Credits |
|---|---|
| ENV 208 β Climate Change: Causes, Consequences, and Solutions | 3 |
| PHY 218 β Energy and Climate Change or MAR 460 β Physical Basis of Climate Change | 3β4 |
| SOC 227 β Climate Change and Society | 3 |
| Total Credits | 9β10 |
| Select One (1) Policy Elective* | Credits |
|---|---|
| ENV 250 β Environmental Policy in Comparative Perspective | 3 |
| ENV 365 β Climate Change Adaptation | 3 |
| MAF 200 β Introduction to Marine Pollution | 3 |
| MAF 300 β Climate Change, Oceans, and Law | 3 |
| MAR 316 β Science and Society | 3 |
| PSC 201 β Introduction to International Relations | 3 |
| PSC 205 β Introduction to Politics and Environment | 3 |
| PSC 306 β Environmental Politics | 3 |
| Total Credits | 3 |
| Select One (1) Natural Sciences Elective* | Credits |
|---|---|
| BIO 235/235L β Winter Natural History w/Lab | 4 |
| BIO 413 β Global Change Ecology | 3 |
| BIO 422/422L β Coral Reefs w/Lab | 4 |
| ENV 318/318L β Advanced Field Methods in Avian Ecology and Conservation w/Lab | 4 |
| ENV 328 β Environmental Pollution: Ecosystems, Wildlife, and Human Health | 3 |
| MAR 270/270L β Oceanography w/Lab | 4 |
| MAR 436/436L β Natural History of Iceland w/Lab | 4 |
| MAR 460 β The Scientific Basis for Global Climate Change | 3 |
| MAR 464 β Polar Biology | 3 |
| Total Credits | 3β4 |
| Select One (1) Social Sciences and Humanities Elective* | Credits |
|---|---|
| BUEC 390 β Environmental Economics | 3 |
| BUEC 395 β Ecological Economics | 3 |
| ENV 321 β Environmental Communication: Expert Practices for Environmental Management | 3 |
| ENV 328 β Environmental Pollution: Ecosystems, Wildlife, and Human Health | 3 |
| ENV 340 β Environmental Movements and Social Change | 3 |
| ENV 342 β Environmental Racism/Environmental Justice Movement | 3 |
| ENV 344 β Environmental Ethics | 3 |
| PHI 202 β Ethics of Science and Technology | 3 |
| PHI 330 β Environmental Philosophy | 3 |
| PSY 255 β Social Psychology | 3 |
| SOC 210 β Displaced Cultures and Society | 3 |
| SOC 226 β Environmental Sociology | 3 |
| SOC 265 β Social Issues/Problems Global World | 3 |
| SOC 320 β Community Organization | 3 |
| SOC 377 β International Development | 3 |
| Total Credits | 3 |
| Minimum Total Required Credits | 18 |
|---|
Please note: While some courses can fulfill both core and program requirements, the credits earned do not count twice towards the minimum total required credits for the degree.
*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 91Φ±²₯ΚΣΖ΅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 91Φ±²₯ΚΣΖ΅. Permission from the studentβs advisor and the Climate Change Studies minor program contact 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.