Climate Studies Minor

Climate change is the environmental challenge of our era, presenting risks to economic, cultural, and social structures at local, national and international scales. This interdisciplinary minor takes advantage of the University of Oregon’s strengths in the science of weather and climate, climate and environmental change, and the social context for these changes. The minor integrates studies and classes that draw on the strength of climate studies in geography—with supporting classes in environmental studies, earth sciences, and political science—to help students understand and respond to this crisis.

The minor provides an understanding the scientific principles that drive climate change, natural and human causes of climate change, and possibilities for climate action. In addition to the principles of climate science, elective courses engage students with the multiple dimensions of human-driven climate change, including climate modelling, climate impacts, mitigation, and adaptation. Students will investigate the societal drivers and ramifications of modern climate change through elective courses on environment and development, climate policy, and environmental justice.

Climate Studies Minor Requirements

Courses used to fulfill the minor requirements must be taken for a letter grade and passed with a grade of C- or better.

All lower-division courses may count for both the minor and other degrees.  No more than three upper-division courses may count for both the minor and the Geography major.

¹

GEOG 321 and 361 can be taken in any order but must follow 141.

²

Experimental Course: [Topic] (GEOG 410), Temporary Multilisted Course (ENVS 400M),Experimental Course: [Topic] (EDST 410) and Experimental Course: [Topic] (SOC 410) courses approved individually. 

³

One required if using two social-science electives. Experimental Course: [Topic] (GEOG 410) and Temporary Multilisted Course (ENVS 400M) courses approved individually.