Accessible Navigation. Go to: Navigation Main Content Footer

CLIMATE CHANGE STUDIES

Steven Running, Director

Climate Change Studies is an inter-disciplinary program open to all majors.  The program educates students in three areas of the climate change issue: science, society, and solutions. Coursework in the minor provides a foundation that enables students to engage the scientific, societal, and political dimensions of global climate change. Further, the focus on solutions with its orientation toward applied learning will help students develop critical thinking and problem solving skills. Participating students will enhance their major field of study. They will be better prepared to enter a broad range of professions and graduate programs where they can meet the emerging challenges and opportunities arising from climate change. Climate Change Studies is a joint program between the College of Forestry and Conservation, College of Arts and Sciences, and College of Technology. 

Requirements for a Minor

To earn a minor in Climate Change Studies, students must successfully complete 21.0 credits: a 3.0 credit interdisciplinary introductory course (CCS 203) and 6.0 credits in each of the three areas listed below.

Course # and Description Credits
CCS 103X Climate Change: Science & Society 3
Six credits from the following: Climate Change Science Courses Credits
CCS/GEO 108N (GEOS 108N) Climate Change - Past and Future 3
CCS/ERTH 303N Weather and Climate 3
CCS/GEO 482 (GEOS 382) (UG) Global Change 3
CCS/NRSM 408 (FOR 408/BIOL 408/GEO 408) Global Cycles and the Climate Change 3
CCS/GEO 488 (GEOS 488) (UG) Snow, Ice and Climate 3
Six credits from the following: Climate Change Science and Society Courses Credits
CCS 324 Sustainable Climate Policies: China and the USA 3
CCS 379-COMX/NRSM 349 (COMM 379/EVST 379) Communication, Consumption and Climate 3
CCS/NRSM 449E (RSCN 449) Climate Change Ethics and Policy 3
CCS/ECNS 445 (ECON 445) International Environmental Economics and Climate Change 3
NRSM 426 Climate and Society 3

Six credits from the following climate change solutions courses, with at least one course taken in category A, which requires practical application

Credits

Climate Change Solutions Courses: Category A

CCS/NRG 298 Energy Internship 2
CCS 398 Climate Change Internship/Service Learning 2-4
CCS 391 Climate Change Practicum 2-4
CCS/ENST 485 (EVST 485) Environmental Citizenship 3
Category B
CCS/NRG 102 Intro to Energy Systems II 3
CCS/BGEN 160S (TASK 160S/BUS 160S) Issues in Sustainability 3
CCS/NRG 191 Energy Practicum 2
CCS/NRG 235 (CAR 235T) Building Energy Conservation 3
CCS/NRG 242 Solar & Wind Systems 3
CCS 352 Climate Change Field Studies 3

Faculty

 

Science Area

Dr. Rebecca Bendick, Assistant Professor, Department of Geosciences

Dr. Cory Cleveland, Assistant Professor of Soil Science

Dr. Michael De Grandpre, Professor, Department of Chemistry

Dr. Sarah Halvorson, Associate Professor and Departmental Chair of Geography

Dr. Joel Harper, Associate Professor, Department of Geosciences

Dr. Anna Klene, Associate Professor, Department of Geography

Dr. Scott Mills, Professor of Wildlife Population Ecology

Dr. Curtis Noonan, Associate Professor, Department of Biomedical and Pharmaceutical Sciences

Dr. Steve Running, Regent's Professor of Ecology, Director of Numerical Terradynamics Simulation Group

Society Area

Dr. Richard Barrett, Emeritus Professor, Department of Economics, State Legislator

Dr. Len Broberg, Professor, Department of Environmental Studies

Dr. James Burchfield, Interim Dean and Research Professor, College of Forestry and Conservation

Dr. Ulrich Kamp, Associate Professor, Department of Geography

Dr. Derek Kellenberg, Assistant Professor, Department of Economics

Dr. Peter Koehn, Professor, Department of Political Science

Dr. Anna Prentiss, Associate Professor, Department of Anthropology

Dr. Christopher Preston, Associate Professor, Department of Philosophy

Dr. Rebecca Richards, Professor, Department of Sociology

Dr. Steve Schwarze, Associate Professor, Department of Communication Studies

Dr. Dane Scott, Director, Center of Ethics, Associate Professor, Department of Society and Conservation

Dr. Terry Weidner, Director, Mansfield Center

Solutions Area

Dr. Georgia Cobbs, Associate Professor, Department of Curriculum and Instruction

Dr. Brian Kerns, Engineer, Alternative Energy Technology Program

Dr. Martin Horejsi, Assistant Professor, Department of Curriculum and Instruction

Nicky Phear, Instructor and Program Coordinator, Climate Change Studies

Dr. Bradley Layton, Program Director, Energy Technology Program

Dr. Robin Saha, Assistant Professor, Department of Environmental Studies

Lisa Swallow, Program Director, Department of Business Technology

Nadia White, Assistant Professor, School of Journalism

Dr. Laurie Yung, Director of Wilderness Institute; Research Assistant Professor 

Registrar's Office

Lommasson Center 201

Phone: (406) 243-2995

Fax: (406) 243-4807