Climate Studies Minor

Students examine landforms and sediments on glacial geomorphology field trip.
Students examine landforms and sediments on glacial geomorphology field trip.

Climate Science is becoming Climate Studies starting in August 2027!

The updated Climate Studies Minor is designed to complement a wide range of majors and interests. Students build a foundation in climate science while exploring connections to fields such as geography, environmental science, biology, sociology, political science, physics, math, and business. Flexible electives allow students to focus on topics including climate-related hazards, renewable energy, resilient cities, ecosystems, environmental justice, policy, data analysis, and sustainability. By merging perspectives from across disciplines, the minor gives students a versatile set of sills and knowledge they can apply to their studies, careers and communities.

Please see Dr. Grothe in Jepson 360 for more information. Consult the 2027 Academic Catalog for full details. 

Going forward, the minor requires eighteen (18) credits. Three courses are required:

  • GEOG 110 – Introduction to Weather and Climate with lab (4 credits)
  • EESC 375 / GEOG 325 – Dynamic Climatology (3 credits)
  • EESC 355 / GEOG 327 – Earth’s Climate: Past, Present, and Future (3 credits)

Take a minimum of two electives, to total at least 8 credits, from the following list:

  • BIOL 210 – Introduction to Ecology and Evolution (3 credits)
  • EESC 121 – Oceanography (3 credits)
  • EESC 230 – Global Environmental Problems (3 credits)
  • EESC 326 – Pollution Prevention Planning (3 credits)
  • EESC 340 – Energy Resources and Technology (3 credits)
  • EESC 360D: UMW in Bonaire: Coral, Climate and Conservation (4 credits)
  • GEOG 240: Hazards and Resilience (3 credits)
  • GEOG 245 – Environment and Society (3 credits)
  • GEOG 327 – Nature of Cities (3 credits)
  • MATH 115A – Introduction to Math Modeling (3 credits)
  • MKTG 427 – Alleviating Food Waste (3 credits)
  • PHYS 220 – Materials, Fluids & Thermodynamics (3 credits)
  • PSCI 475 – Politics and the Environment (3 credits)
  • SOCG 354 – Environmental Sociology (3 credits)

With approval of the program director, applicable special topics courses and up to three credits of individual study, internship or study aboard may be counted as an elective.