Bachelor's Degree Program Structure

Make a difference in a changing world.

Students in the Climate and Environmental Change B.S. program take a wide variety of courses in natural science, social science, and culture. All students in the major take courses in introductory chemistry, physics, geology, and biology, as well as several courses on climate change. All students take advanced writing, environmental policy, and learn to use Geographical Information Systems (GIS). Student hone their degree to meet their interests and goals within a concentration.

There are four areas of concentration: Ecological Processes, Environmental Earth Science, Physical Processes, or Sustainability. The concentration defines an additional 10 - 11 courses tailored to the subject area of the student’s choice. Students are expected to choose a concentration at the time they adopt the major.

Degree Concentrations

Ecological Processes

The Ecological Processes Concentration focuses on interactions between living things and the physical environment, including how climate affects organisms and ecosystems, and how ecosystem-level changes can, in turn, affect climate.

Environmental Earth Science

The concentration in Environmental Earth Science focuses on physical and geological processes. Students also learn about soil and watershed management and techniques for remote sensing.

Physical Processes

The Physical Processes concentration focuses on atmospheric science, geological processes, and the role of ice and snow. This major requires more mathematics and higher level physics than the other concentrations.

Sustainability

The Sustainability concentration focuses on the responsible management of natural resources in the context of climate change. Coursework emphasizes human and ecological impacts of environmental change in the far North.

Climate Scholars program

Students enrolled in the Climate and Environmental Change BS program are encouraged to participate in the Climate Scholars Program.

The Climate Scholars Program at UAF’s Honors College offers the first opportunity of its kind in the nation for undergraduates to get involved and make a meaningful impact.

Climate Scholars have the opportunity to study on the front lines of climate change, make a local and global impact, and prepare for climate change related jobs, all while working closely with leading researchers in climate science.

Learn more about the Climate Scholars Program

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