Climate and environmental change

Bachelor's Degree Program

Earn your degree in climate and environmental change in Alaska’s 360-million-acre classroom. This bachelor’s degree program explores topics such as ecological and physical processes, environmental earth science and sustainability.

Conduct research at Alaska’s premier research university and participate in UAF’s innovative Climate Scholars Program. When you earn your bachelor’s degree, you’ll be prepared for a broad range of careers and for graduate study in environmental and climate change areas.

What is the climate and environmental change degree at UAF?

The B.S. in climate and environmental change is an interdisciplinary program of study that combines coursework in natural science, environmental management, society and culture. Many courses in the program focus on the unique challenges of the circumpolar North, where climate is changing most rapidly.

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Quick facts

Degree type:

  • Bachelor of Science (B.S.)

Availability:

  • UAF's Troth Yeddha' campus in Fairbanks, Alaska

 

Why study climate and environmental change at UAF?

Climate change is having multifaceted effects on our world, with impacts on weather, ecosystems, food production, land management, social systems and more. Effective responses to these challenges will require college graduates with broad scientific knowledge who can communicate effectively to a diverse audience.

Alaska is on the front lines of climate change. Alaska and the Arctic are warming at twice the rate of the global average. The state’s tundra and boreal forest ecosystems are undergoing rapid change, with a potential for significant feedback to climate as sea ice melts and permafrost thaws. These rapid changes are impacting Alaska’s abundant natural resources and the people who rely upon them, creating significant economic, social and cultural challenges that are being felt here first.

Engage in undergraduate research

  • As one of a handful of universities to hold a triple designation as a Land, Sea and Space Grant institution, UAF offers you boundless research opportunities and experiences, as well as the eyes, ears and attention of the global scientific community.

Get hands-on training for careers in climate and environmental change

  • Learn additional skills such as computer programming, remote sensing and using geographic information systems.

  • Graduate with an digital portfolio that serves as the capstone project and will inform potential employers and postgraduate mentors about your capabilities and potential.

Climate Scholars Program

  • The Climate Scholars Program is for undergraduates of any major who are passionate about rapid environmental change and climate resiliency. We send you to every corner of Alaska, both to witness environmental change and to make a positive impact.

Low student-to-faculty ratio

  • UAF’s small class sizes offer great opportunities to interact directly with professors and peers.

Affordable education

 

What can you do with a climate and environmental change degree?

Our graduates will be prepared for a wide range of jobs in climate change and environmental areas, working for federal and state agencies, nonprofit organizations and private enterprise. They may also pursue graduate studies.

 

Climate change and environmental degree requirements

Students choose among four concentrations that emphasize different aspects of climate change: environmental earth science, physical processes, ecological processes and sustainability. The concentrations prepare students for different types of environmentally related work in agencies and industry, such as environmental scientist, technician, consultant or policy analyst, and for graduate study in a variety of disciplines, including earth system science, resource management and ecology.

Bachelor’s degree programs related to climate and environmental change

 

Get started on your bachelor’s degree in climate and environmental change

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