Climate and Environmental Change B.S.

Catalog Department Overview ►

Minimum Requirements for Climate and Environmental Change B.S.: 120 credits

Concentrations: Ecological Processes, Environmental Earth Science, Physical Processes, Sustainability

Students must earn a C- grade or better in each course.

Credits
General University Requirements
Complete the general university requirements.
General Education Requirements
Complete the general education requirements.35-40
As part of the general education requirements, complete the following: 1,2
ECON F235X
Introduction to Natural Resource Economics
MATH F251X
Calculus I
or MATH F230X
 Essential Calculus with Applications in the Life Sciences
NRM F111X
Introduction to Sustainability Science
PS F101X
Introduction to American Government and Politics
B.S. Degree Requirements
Complete the B.S. degree requirements.15
As part of the B.S. requirements, complete the following: 3
NRM F303X
Environmental Ethics and Actions
STAT F200X
Elementary Statistics 4
or STAT F300
 Statistics
Climate and Environmental Change Program Requirements
Complete the following:
ATM/GEOS F480Climate Change Processes: Past, Present, Future4
BIOL F115XFundamentals of Biology I 44
or BIOL F103X Biology and Society
or BIOL F104X Natural History of Alaska
CHEM F105XGeneral Chemistry I4
CLIM F400Climate and Environmental Change Capstone ePortfolio 51
GEOS F101XThe Dynamic Earth4
GEOS F483Research Design, Writing and Presentation Methods3
or STO F401 Communicating Science
or ENGL F314 Technical Writing
or ENGL F414 Research Writing
NRM F125Our Changing Climate: Past, Present, Future3
NRM F338Introduction to Geographic Information Systems3
PHYS F123XCollege Physics I4
or PHYS F211X General Physics I
PS F447U.S. Environmental Politics3
Concentration
Complete one of the following:35-36
Ecological Processes
Environmental Earth Science
Physical Processes
Sustainability
Electives
General Electives0-2
Total Credits120-124
1

Students in the Environmental Earth Science and Physical Processes concentrations must take MATH F251X to meet this requirement.

2

WRTG F213X is recommended.

3

Quantitatively-inclined students are encouraged to take STAT F300.

4

Students in the Ecological Processes and Sustainability concentrations must take BIOL F115X to meet this requirement.

5

Fulfills the baccalaureate capstone requirement.

Concentrations

Ecological Processes

Credits
Ecological Processes Concentration Requirements
As part of the general education requirements, complete the following:
MATH F230X
Essential Calculus with Applications in the Life Sciences
or MATH F251X
 Calculus I
As part of the B.S. requirements, complete the following:
BIOL F115X
Fundamentals of Biology I
BIOL F116X
Fundamentals of Biology II
Complete the following:
BIOL F371Principles of Ecology4
BIOL F385Global Change Biology3
or OCN F481 The Ocean and Global Change
BIOL F476Ecosystem Ecology4
or BIOL F472 Community Ecology in a Changing World
CHEM F106XGeneral Chemistry II4
GEOS F112XThe History of Earth and Life4
STAT F401Regression and Analysis of Variance4
Complete two courses from the Policy, Society and Humanities course list 66
Complete one course from the Physical Processes Course List 63
Complete one course from the Biotic Processes or Technical & Data Skills lists 63
Total Credits35
6

When choosing electives, students should consider the requirement for 39 credits of upper division coursework prior to graduation.

Environmental Earth Science

Credits
Environmental Earth Science Concentration Requirements
As part of the general education requirements, complete the following:
MATH F251X
Calculus I
As part of the B.S. requirements, complete the following:
GEOS F112X
The History of Earth and Life
Complete the following:
ATM F456Climate and Climate Change3
or OCN F481 The Ocean and Global Change
GEOS F213Mineralogy4
GEOS F304Geomorphology3
GEOS F315Paleobiology and Paleontology4
or GEOS F322 Stratigraphy and Sedimentation
GEOS F422Geoscience Applications of Remote Sensing3
NRM F370Introduction to Watershed Management3
NRM F380Soils and the Environment3
Complete two courses from the Policy, Society and Humanities course list 66
Complete one additional course from the Physical Processes course list 63
Complete one additional course from the Biotic Processes or Technical & Data Skills course lists 63
Total Credits35
6

When choosing electives, students should consider the requirement for 39 credits of upper-division coursework prior to graduation.

Physical Processes

Credits
Physical Processes Concentration Requirements
As part of the general education requirements, complete the following:
MATH F251X
Calculus I
As part of the B.S. requirements, complete the following:
PHYS F211X
General Physics I
PHYS F212X
General Physics II
Complete the following:
ATM F401Introduction to Atmospheric Sciences3
ATM F456Climate and Climate Change3
or OCN F481 The Ocean and Global Change
GEOS F304Geomorphology3
GEOS F422Geoscience Applications of Remote Sensing3
or NRM F435 GIS Analysis
GEOS F477Ice in the Climate System3
or GEOS F481 Snow in the Environment
MATH F252XCalculus II4
MATH F253XCalculus III4
Complete two courses from the Policy, Society, and Humanities course list 66
Complete two additional courses from the Physical Processes or Technical & Data Skills course lists 66
Total Credits35
6

When choosing electives, students should consider the requirement for 39 credits of upper-division coursework prior to graduation.

Sustainability

Credits
Sustainability Concentration Requirements
As part of the general education requirements, complete the following:
MATH F230X
Essential Calculus with Applications in the Life Sciences
or MATH F251X
 Calculus I
As part of the B.S. requirements, complete the following:
BIOL F115X
Fundamentals of Biology I
BIOL F116X
Fundamentals of Biology II
Complete the following:
ANS F461Native Ways of Knowing 73
ATM F101XWeather and Climate of Alaska4
or BIOL F104X Natural History of Alaska
or ECON F111X The Economy of Rural Alaska
BIOL F371Principles of Ecology4
NRM F101Natural Resources Conservation and Policy3
or FISH F110 Fish and Fisheries in a Changing World
or WLF F101 Survey of Wildlife Science
NRM F210Principles of Sustainable Agriculture3
NRM F377Conservation Biology3
NRM F380Soils and the Environment3
or NRM F370 Introduction to Watershed Management
NRM F430Resource Management Planning3
or NRM F407 Environmental Law
STAT F401Regression and Analysis of Variance4
Complete one course from the Biotic or Physical Processes course list 63
Complete one course from the Technical & Data Skills course list 63
Total Credits36
6

When choosing electives, students should consider the requirement for 39 credits of upper-division coursework prior to graduation.

7

ANS F461 fulfills the Alaska Native-themed requirement.

Course Lists

Physical Processes

Credits
ATM F401Introduction to Atmospheric Sciences3
ATM F456Climate and Climate Change3
CHEM F321Organic Chemistry I4
CHEM F325Organic Chemistry II4
CHEM F331Physical Chemistry I4
CHEM F332Physical Chemistry II4
GEOS F304Geomorphology3
GEOS F380Geological Hazards3
GEOS F460The Dynamic Alaska Coastline3
GEOS F477Ice in the Climate System3
OCN F419Ocean Circulation3
OCN F481The Ocean and Global Change3
PHYS F413Atmospheric Radiation3
or ATM F413 Atmospheric Radiation

Biotic Processes

Credits
BIOL F371Principles of Ecology4
BIOL F418Biogeography3
BIOL F457Environmental Microbiology3
BIOL F472Community Ecology in a Changing World4
BIOL F476Ecosystem Ecology4
GEOS F315Paleobiology and Paleontology4
GEOS F453Palynology and Paleopalynology4
GEOS F485Mass Extinctions, Neocatastrophism and the History of Life3
MBI F450Marine Biology and Ecology Field Course2
NRM F370Introduction to Watershed Management3
NRM F380Soils and the Environment3
NRM F466Environmental Soil Chemistry3

Policy, Society and Culture

Credits
ACNS F449Northern and Environmental Literature3
ACNS F453Fire, Ice, and the Fate of Humanity: A History of Energy and Climate Change3
ANS F242XIndigenous Cultures of Alaska 83
ANS F350Cross-cultural Communication: Alaska Perspectives 83
ANS F365Alaska Native Art History 83
ANS F461Native Ways of Knowing 83
FISH F320Salmon, People and Place3
HIST F48320th-century Circumpolar History3
HSEM F461Human Security in Alaska 83
NRM F204Public Lands Law and Policy3
NRM F407Environmental Law3
NRM F430Resource Management Planning3
PS F403Public Policy3
8

Fulfills the Alaska Native-themed requirement.

Technical and Data Skills

Credits
ATM F473Micrometeorology with Focus on Subarctic and Arctic Ecosystems3
CS F201Computer Science I3
or CS F103 Introduction to Computer Programming
GEOS F422Geoscience Applications of Remote Sensing3
MATH F302Differential Equations3
MATH F314Linear Algebra3
NRM F240Natural Resources Measurement and Inventory3
NRM F435GIS Analysis4
STAT F401Regression and Analysis of Variance4
STAT F402Scientific Sampling3
STAT F461Applied Multivariate Statistics3

Catalog Department Overview ►

Roadmaps

Roadmaps provide suggested semester-by-semester study plans for programs and are based on full-time enrollment, unless otherwise specified.

  • This roadmap should be used in conjunction with regular academic advising sessions. All students are encouraged to meet with their advisor or mentor each semester.
  • Certain courses and milestones must be completed in the specified semester to ensure on-time graduation.
  • Transfer credits may affect the roadmap.
  • Requirements, course availability, and sequencing may change.
  • Courses marked with (*) are recommended.

Ecological Processes Concentration

First Year
FallCreditsSpringCredits
GEOS F101X7,204NRM F111X43
LS F101X151NRM F125203
MATH F230X or F251X63-4General Education Requirement - Arts3
PS F101X43Complete one of the following:13
WRTG F111X13
 
 
 Complete one of the following:204
 
 
 14-15 16
Second Year
FallCreditsSpringCredits
BIOL F115X17,204BIOL F116X174
CHEM F105X7,204CHEM F106X224
ECON F235X53GEOS F112X224
Complete one of the following:13Complete one of the following:163
 
 
 14 15
Third Year
FallCreditsSpringCredits
NRM F33820,253BIOL F385 or OCN F48122,253
STAT F40122,254NRM F303X11,253
General Education Requirement - Humanities3PS F44720,253
General Elective3Program Elective3
General Elective3Program Elective253
 16 15
Fourth Year
FallCreditsSpringCredits
ATM/GEOS F48020,254BIOL F472 or F47622,254
BIOL F37122,254CLIM F40020,21,251
ENGL F314, F414, GEOS F483, or STO F40120,252-3Degree Requirement - Alaska Native-themed3
General Elective3Program Elective253
General Elective2Program Elective253
 15-16 14
Total Credits 119-121

Environmental Earth Science Concentration

First Year
FallCreditsSpringCredits
GEOS F101X17,204CHEM F105X7,204
LS F101X151NRM F111X43
MATH F251X64NRM F125203
PS F101X43General Education Requirement - Arts3
WRTG F111X13Complete one of the following:13
 
 
 
 15 16
Second Year
FallCreditsSpringCredits
BIOL F103X, F104X, or F115X204CHEM F106X (*)234
ECON F235X53GEOS F112X174
Complete one of the following:7,204GEOS F30422,253
STAT F200X or F300163
General Education Requirement - Humanities3
Complete one of the following:13 
 
 
 
 
 14 17
Third Year
FallCreditsSpringCredits
GEOS F213224GEOS F42222,253
NRM F33820,253NRM F303X11,253
NRM F38022,253PS F44720,253
Complete one of the following:22,254Program Elective3
Program Elective3
 
 14 15
Fourth Year
FallCreditsSpringCredits
ATM/GEOS F48020,254CLIM F40020,21,251
ENGL F314, F414, GEOS F483, or STO F40120,252-3Degree Requirement - Alaska Native-themed3
NRM F37022,253Program Elective253
Complete one of the following:22,253Program Elective3
General Elective3
General Elective3
 12-13 16
Total Credits 119-120

Physical Processes Concentration

First Year
FallCreditsSpringCredits
GEOS F101X7,204CHEM F105X7,204
LS F101X151NRM F111X43
MATH F251X64NRM F125203
PS F101X43General Education Requirement - Arts3
WRTG F111X13Complete one of the following:13
 
 
 
 15 16
Second Year
FallCreditsSpringCredits
BIOL F103X, F104X, or F115X204ECON F235X53
MATH F252X224MATH F253X224
PHYS F211X17,204PHYS F212X174
Complete one of the following:13STAT F200X or F300163
General Education Requirement - Humanities3
 
 
 
 15 17
Third Year
FallCreditsSpringCredits
GEOS F315 or F32222,254GEOS F30422,253
MATH F302 (*)25,263GEOS F422 or NRM F43522,253-4
NRM F33820,253NRM F303X11,253
NRM F38022,253PS F44720,253
 Program Elective3
 13 15-16
Fourth Year
FallCreditsSpringCredits
ATM F40122,253CLIM F40020,21,251
ATM F456 or OCN F48122,253Degree Requirement - Alaska Native-themed3
ATM/GEOS F48020,254Program Elective3
ENGL F314, F414, GEOS F483, or STO F40120,252-3Program Elective3
GEOS F477 or F48122,253General Elective3
 15-16 13
Total Credits 119-121

 Sustainability Concentration

First Year
FallCreditsSpringCredits
GEOS F101X7,204NRM F111X43
LS F101X151NRM F125203
MATH F230X or F251X63-4General Education Requirement - Arts3
PS F101X43Complete one of the following:13
WRTG F111X13
 
 
 Complete one of the following:204
 
 
 14-15 16
Second Year
FallCreditsSpringCredits
BIOL F115X17,204ATM F101X, BIOL F104X, or ECON F111X223-4
CHEM F105X7,204BIOL F116X164
ECON F235X53CHEM F106X (*)234
Complete one of the following:13General Elective3
Complete one of the following:163
 
 14 17-18
Third Year
FallCreditsSpringCredits
NRM F33820,253NRM F303X11,253
NRM F370 or F38022,253NRM F377223
STAT F40122,254PS F44720,253
General Education Requirement - Humanities3Program Elective253
 General Elective3
 13 15
Fourth Year
FallCreditsSpringCredits
ATM/GEOS F48020,254ANS F4618,22,253
BIOL F37122,254CLIM F40020,21,251
FISH F110, NRM F101, or WLF F101222-3NRM F210223
ENGL F314, F414, GEOS F483, or STO F40120,252-3NRM F407 or F43022,253
General Elective3Program Elective253
 15-17 13
Total Credits 117-121

Catalog Department Overview ►

Learning Outcomes

Learning Outcomes are specific, measurable statements that define the knowledge and skills students will gain by the end of the program.

Graduates of this program will be able to:

  • Apply scientific knowledge and concepts gained in foundational courses to the practice of scientific inquiry, with appropriate communication of the outcome
  • Demonstrate mastery of advanced scientific knowledge in at least one specific discipline related to climate and environmental change
  • Demonstrate effective communication both in writing and orally in accordance with professional norms on issues relevant to environmental change
  • Apply technical or data skills to analyzing and solving problems related to environmental change
  • Demonstrate skills for civic engagement by bridging science and policy, integrating an awareness of social, cultural, and scientific issues relevant to human decision-making about the environment
  • Synthesize and reflect on knowledge and skills learned about climate and environmental change across courses