Focus of Study
Our students generally share a passion for environmental stewardship, the conservation of biodiversity, and the sustainable and equitable use of the planet’s natural resources. Through coursework, lab work and field study, students will gain an understanding of the earth and climate on time scales ranging from days to billions of years.
Which degree program students pursue commonly reflects their relative interests: on the one hand, for environmental activism, policy, economics, conservation and environmental health; and on the other hand, their interest in understanding how our planet’s chemical, physical, and biogeological systems function and interact over geological time and to the present.
Students in this major will learn a breadth and depth of knowledge in either earth and climate science concepts and practices, and will gain the skills of observation, data collection, analysis, and interpretation that are critical for the study of earth and climate sciences. Students can choose to pursue independent research projects potentially leading to Graduation with Distinction.
B.S. in Earth & Climate Sciences
The B.S. in Earth and Climate Sciences is designed for students interested in pursuing further studies or professional work in earth and climate sciences and related fields, or for students who intend to apply their scientific and analytic training to other professional careers, such as business, law or medicine. A minimum of sixteen courses is required for this major.
Gateway Courses – 2 Courses
All of the following courses are required. There is not a required sequence for these courses.
ECS 101 Dynamic Earth - 1.0 credit, (STS), (NS)
Introduction to the dynamic processes that shape the Earth and the environment and their impact upon society. Volcanoes, earthquakes, seafloor spreading, floods, landslides, groundwater, seashores and geohazards. Emphasis on examining the lines of inductive and deductive reasoning, quantitative methods, modes of inquiry, and technological developments that lead to understanding the Earth's dynamic systems.
ECS 103 Climate Change for Future Leaders - 1.0 credit, (STS), (NS)
The science of climate change, including the factors that control the Earth's climate system, the methods used to study climate variations, the nature of climate models and prediction scenarios, the changes of the Earth's climate through time, and the evidence that modern-day climate change is human-induced. Related topics include examination of the impacts of climate change on past and present societies, biodiversity, and human health, as well as potential alternative energy and engineering solutions, and the social, political, religious and economic challenges associated with responding and adapting to climate change.
Co-Requisites – 5 Courses
All three of the following are required:
- Math 111L
- Chem 101
- Physics 141 or 121L
Choose two from the following:
- Math 112L
- Chem 201 or 210
- Physics 142 or 122
- Biology 201 or Biology 202 or Biology 207
- Statistics 101 or 199
- CompSci 101 or EGR 103
Experiential Course – 1 Course
In these courses, students will have one-on-one interactions with our faculty, learn through hands-on exercises, and engage in field-, laboratory- and/or computer-based explorations of earth and climate sciences.
Choose one of the following:
- ECS 210S Exploring Earth Sciences: Field and Laboratory Experiences
- ECS 212S Exploring Climate Sciences: Data-Driven Investigations
Electives – 7 Courses
Choose seven courses to meet the following criteria:
- One course must be selected from each subject area (Earth Science Area; Climate Science Area)
- One course may be selected from the Field Course List (in addition to the one-course Field Course requirement)
- Up to two courses may be substituted from related areas of science, mathematics or engineering, with DUS approval
Earth Sciences Area
- ECS 201 The Solid Earth
- ECS 203 The Surface of the Earth
- ECS 204 Evolving Earth and Life
- ECS 210S Exploring Earth Sciences: Field and Laboratory Experiences
- ECS 220 Water Sciences
- ECS 315 Waves, Beaches, and Coastlines
- ECS 323 Landscape Hydrology
- ECS 507S The Amazon
Climate Science Area
- ECS 202 Ocean and Atmospheric Dynamics
- ECS 212S Exploring Climate Sciences: Data-driven investigations
- ECS 231 Energy and the Environment
- ECS 239 Atmospheric Chemistry
- ECS 364S Changing Oceans
- ECS 365 Weather and Climate
- ECS 509S Paleoclimate
-
ECS 511 The Climate System
-
ECS 550 Climate and Society
Field Course – 1 Course
Choose one of the following:
- ECS 226S Field Methods in Earth and Environmental Sciences
- ECS 278A Biodiversity of Alaska
- ECS 288A Biogeography in an Australian Context
- ECS 401 Field Exploration of the Geology of North Carolina
- ECS 402S Volcanology – Geology of Hawaii
- ECS 403 Geology and Natural History of the Yellowstone Region
- ECS 410 Senior Capstone Experience
A.B. in Earth & Climate Sciences
The A.B. in Earth and Climate Sciences is best suited for students who wish to understand local and global earth and climate sciences in support of careers in government, environmental sciences, policy or economics, environmental law, and environmental health. A minimum of fourteen courses is required for this major.
Gateway Course – 1 Course
Choose one from the following:
ECS 101 Dynamic Earth - 1.0 credit, (STS), (NS)
Introduction to the dynamic processes that shape the Earth and the environment and their impact upon society. Volcanoes, earthquakes, seafloor spreading, floods, landslides, groundwater, seashores and geohazards. Emphasis on examining the lines of inductive and deductive reasoning, quantitative methods, modes of inquiry, and technological developments that lead to understanding the Earth's dynamic systems.
ECS 103 Climate Change for Future Leaders - 1.0 credit, (STS), (NS)
The science of climate change, including the factors that control the Earth's climate system, the methods used to study climate variations, the nature of climate models and prediction scenarios, the changes of the Earth's climate through time, and the evidence that modern-day climate change is human-induced. Related topics include examination of the impacts of climate change on past and present societies, biodiversity, and human health, as well as potential alternative energy and engineering solutions, and the social, political, religious and economic challenges associated with responding and adapting to climate change.
Co-Requisites – 2 Courses
Choose two from the following:
- Math 111L or Math 112L
- Chem 101 or Chem 201 or Chem 210
- Physics 141 (121) or Physics 142 (122)
- Biology 201 or Biology 202 or Biology 207
- Statistics 101 or 199
- CompSci 101 or EGR 103
Experiential Course – 1 Course
In these courses, students will have one-on-one interactions with our faculty, learn through hands-on exercises, and engage in field-, laboratory- and/or computer-based explorations of earth and climate sciences.
Choose one of the following:
- ECS 210S Exploring Earth Sciences: Field and Laboratory Experiences
- ECS 212S Exploring Climate Sciences: Data-Driven Investigations
Electives – 7 Courses
Choose any seven ECS courses from the lists below. Up to three courses may be substituted from related areas, with DUS approval.
Earth Sciences Area
- ECS 201 The Solid Earth
- ECS 203 The Surface of the Earth
- ECS 204 Evolving Earth and Life
- ECS 210S Exploring Earth Sciences: Field and Laboratory Experiences
- ECS 220 Water Sciences
- ECS 315 Waves, Beaches, and Coastlines
- ECS 323 Landscape Hydrology
- ECS 507S The Amazon
Climate Science Area
- ECS 202 Ocean and Atmospheric Dynamics
- ECS 212S Exploring Climate Sciences: Data-driven investigations
- ECS 231 Energy and the Environment
- ECS 239 Atmospheric Chemistry
- ECS 364S Changing Oceans
- ECS 365 Weather and Climate
- ECS 509S Paleoclimate
-
ECS 511 The Climate System
-
ECS 550 Climate and Society
Field Courses
- ECS 226S Field Methods in Earth and Environmental Sciences
- ECS 278A Biodiversity of Alaska
- ECS 288A Biogeography in an Australian Context
- ECS 401 Field Exploration of the Geology of North Carolina
- ECS 402S Volcanology – Geology of Hawaii
- ECS 403 Geology and Natural History of the Yellowstone Region
- ECS 410 Senior Capstone Experience
Science and Society Elective – 1 Course
Choose one course from the following:
- BIOETHIC 282 Science, Ethics, & Democracy
- BIOETHIC 502S Communicating Science & Bioethics
- BIOETHIC 510S Science and the Media: Narrative Writing about Science, Health and Policy
- CULANTH 419S Global Environmentalism and the Politics of Nature
- ENVIRON 155 Principles of Economics and the Environment
- ENVIRON 201 Integrating Environmental Science and Policy
- ENVIRON 212 United States Environmental Policy
- ENVIRON 214S Ethical Challenges in Environmental Conservation
- ENVIRON 216S Environment and Conflict
- GENOME 238S Influential Scientists and Policy Leaders in Science Policy
- HISTORY 203 History of Global Health
- HISTORY 260D Magic, Religion, and Science since 1400
- HISTORY 345 North American Environmental History
- ISS 112 The Googlization of Knowledge: Information, Ethics, and Technology
- MARSCI 201 Humans and Changing Oceans
- PHIL 215 Applied and Environmental Ethics
- PHIL 242 Problems in Philosophy of Science
- PHIL 282 Science, Ethics, & Democracy
- SCISOC 201 Science, Media, & Perception: How Media Affects Our View of Science
- SCISOC 205 Science, Technology, Ethics, and Masculinity in American Culture
- Or approved substitutions, with DUS approval
Minor
The minor in Earth and Climate Sciences is a great science complement to a primary major in the arts and humanities or another science. Our minors are often biology, public policy, environmental science, cultural anthropology, or evolutionary anthropology majors. The minor requires five courses.
Gateway Course – 1 Course
Choose one from the following:
ECS 101 Dynamic Earth - 1.0 credit, (STS), (NS)
Introduction to the dynamic processes that shape the Earth and the environment and their impact upon society. Volcanoes, earthquakes, seafloor spreading, floods, landslides, groundwater, seashores and geohazards. Emphasis on examining the lines of inductive and deductive reasoning, quantitative methods, modes of inquiry, and technological developments that lead to understanding the Earth's dynamic systems.
ECS 103 Climate Change for Future Leaders - 1.0 credit, (STS), (NS)
The science of climate change, including the factors that control the Earth's climate system, the methods used to study climate variations, the nature of climate models and prediction scenarios, the changes of the Earth's climate through time, and the evidence that modern-day climate change is human-induced. Related topics include examination of the impacts of climate change on past and present societies, biodiversity, and human health, as well as potential alternative energy and engineering solutions, and the social, political, religious and economic challenges associated with responding and adapting to climate change.
Electives – 4 Courses
Choose four ECS courses from the following:
Experiential Courses
In these courses, students will have one-on-one interactions with our faculty, learn through hands-on exercises, and engage in field-, laboratory- and/or computer-based explorations of earth and climate sciences.
- ECS 210S Exploring Earth Sciences: Field and Laboratory Experiences
- ECS 212S Exploring Climate Sciences: Data-Driven Investigations
Earth Sciences Area
- ECS 201 The Solid Earth
- ECS 203 The Surface of the Earth
- ECS 204 Evolving Earth and Life
- ECS 220 Water Sciences
- ECS 315 Waves, Beaches, and Coastlines
- ECS 323 Landscape Hydrology
- ECS 507S The Amazon
Climate Science Area
- ECS 202 Ocean and Atmospheric Dynamics
- ECS 231 Energy and the Environment
- ECS 239 Atmospheric Chemistry
- ECS 364S Changing Oceans
- ECS 365 Weather and Climate
- ECS 509S Paleoclimate
-
ECS 511 The Climate System
-
ECS 550 Climate and Society
Field Courses
- ECS 226S Field Methods in Earth and Environmental Sciences
- ECS 278A Biodiversity of Alaska
- ECS 288A Biogeography in an Australian Context
- ECS 401 Field Exploration of the Geology of North Carolina
- ECS 402S Volcanology – Geology of Hawaii
- ECS 403 Geology and Natural History of the Yellowstone Region
- ECS 410 Senior Capstone Experience
ECS 103: Climate Change for Future Leaders
"You really can't have people these days going into economics, in business, without having a solid understanding of the science of climate change. It affects everything that we do across the planet.”
–Alex Glass, senior lecturer in Earth and Climate Sciences
Program Hallmarks
- Class experiences that go beyond the large lecture format, and provide opportunities for active learning to capture the excitement, sense of discovery, and intellectual engagement in the given discipline.
- Emphasis on early experiential learning in the form of field, laboratory, and other immersive experiences, even in larger introductory gateway classes.
- The gateway and experiential courses are followed by a flexible and balanced curriculum in which students have the choice to pursue an integrative education across earth and climate subject matters, or focus more deeply on one of the two areas.
Your Future
Earth and Climate Sciences prepares students for careers as climatologists, data analysts, environmental consultants, geologists, hydrologists, nature resource managers, environmental lawyers, marine biologists, oceanographers, professors and teachers, and many other fields.
You’ll find our alums at the U.S. Department of Energy, the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency and NOAA; at law firms, nonprofit organizations, investment firms, hospitals and global heath institutions; and in the energy sector, higher education, the mineral exploitation industry, K-12 education, and ecotourism, as well as in many other industries or sectors.
01 / 03
Q+A with Emily Nagamoto
Emily Nagamoto, an Earth & Climate Sciences major, recently shared insights into why she chose to major in ECS, what she's learned, her favorite experience and advice for students considering the major or ECS coursework.
02 / 03
Why Study Earth & Climate Sciences?
Brian G. McAdoo, Director of Undergraduate Studies for the Earth & Climate Sciences program, answered some questions about the skills students earn from ECS courses as well as the advantages of the major.
03 / 03
Q+A with Anya Gupta
Anya Gupta, an Earth and Climate Sciences and Environmental Sciences double major, shares insights into why she chose to major in ECS and ENV, what she has learned, her favorite experience and advice for students considering the major or ECS/ENV coursework.
51 Marine Lab: Open to All Majors
Students from all disciplines—not just marine science—can study at the 51 Marine Lab (DUML) for a summer or a semester. The Marine Lab experience emphasizes small classes, intensive research experiences, immersion in field work and the opportunity to sample other maritime environments through travel courses.
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