Climate Change Solutions - Certificate of Proficiency

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S.J. and Jessie E. Quinney College of Natural Resources

Department of Environment and Society

Program Description

The Climate Change Solutions Certificate of Proficiency prepares undergraduate students from across the University to contribute to addressing climate change. The certificate curriculum focuses on developing knowledge and skills for climate change mitigation, adaptation and resilience. It is designed to be easily completed alongside a variety of majors. Students pursuing this certificate will learn about climate change impacts, climate and environmental justice, communicating about climate change, strategies for mitigating greenhouse gas emissions, and adaptation and resilience responses and planning. Students also will learn about climate policy and the role of governments, businesses, civil society, and individuals in addressing climate change at local to global scales.

The certificate uses the concept of solutions in line with usage by the Intergovernmental Panel on Climate Change. Climate change solutions refers to responses to climate change that emphasize effectiveness, feasibility, and just means to reduce climate risk and increase resilience (IPCC). This certificate is designed to prepare students to engage in a wide-range of response actions to help transition organizations and businesses, communities, and societies to reduce risk and enhance resilience. Certificate recipients are prepared to help lead climate change solutions from within a full range of other careers. They are prepared to work for the private for-profit sector, government agencies, NGOs, and international organizations.

Students can combine coursework with hands-on research and projects related to climate change mitigation and adaptation. This could involve fieldwork, data analysis, and modeling, as well as engagement with stakeholders and communities affected by climate change.

Admission Requirements

Students should make an appointment with an academic advisor in the S. J. and Jessie E. Quinney College of Natural Resources to add this certificate: https://qcnr.usu.edu/advising/.

Course Requirements

To receive the certificate, a student must complete the following set of requirements:

Register for and successfully complete at least 16 credits.
Grades below C- will not be accepted, and the grade point average for all courses taught by the Quinney College of Natural Resources must be 2.5 or higher.
Abide by the Code of Policies and Procedures for Students at Utah State University.

A. Knowledge Foundations (6 credits)

Take the following two courses for foundational knowledge for socio-environmental systems thinking.

ENVS 2340 - Environment, Natural Resources, and Society (BSS) 3 credit(s)
ENVS 4750 - Global Change Ecology 3 credit(s)

B. Climate Change Solutions Theory-Application (6 credits)

Select two courses from this list. Other courses may be accepted with program review and approval.

ENVS 4000 - Human Dimensions of Natural Resource Management (DSS) 3 credit(s)
ENVS 4030 - Building Community Environmental Resilience 3 credit(s)
ENVS 4200 - Sustainability Metrics 3 credit(s)
GEOG 4400 - Natural Hazards and Society 3 credit(s)
SOC 3300 - Sociology of Climate Change 3 credit(s)

C. Affiliated Knowledge and Communication (3 credits)

Select one course from this list. Other courses may be accepted with program review and approval.

CCA 3070 - Unveiling the Anthropocene (DSC/QI) 3 credit(s)
CMST 4260 - Environmental Communication 3 credit(s)
ENVS 3010 - Natural Resource and Environmental Policy 3 credit(s)
ENVS 4350 - Ecological Economics 3 credit(s)
ENVS 4700 - Communicating Sustainability (CI) 3 credit(s)
GEOG 3100 - Human-Environment Geography (CI) 3 credit(s)
PSC 2700 - Climate Change Impacts (BPS) 3 credit(s)
PSC 4810 - Climate and Climate Change (DSC/QI) 3 credit(s)
SOC 3310 - Environmental Justice 3 credit(s)

D. Analytical Skills (1-3 credits)

Select one course from this list or as approved. Other courses may be accepted with program review and approval.

ENVS 3320 - Archaeology of Climate Change (DSS) 3 credit(s)
ENVS 3500 - Environmental Data Science (QI) 3 credit(s)
ENVS 4100 - Introduction to Modeling Human-Environment Systems 3 credit(s)
GEO 3150 - Energy in the Twenty-first Century (DSC/QI) 3 credit(s)
GEO 3800 - Applied Geoscience Techniques 3 credit(s)
PSC 4123 - Climate Data Analysis 3 credit(s)
GEOG 2800 - Introduction to Geographic Information Sciences 4 credit(s) or
WATS 2800 - Introduction to Geographic Information Sciences 4 credit(s) or
WILD 2800 - Introduction to Geographic Information Sciences 4 credit(s)
ENVS 4250 - Advanced Internship/Co-op 1-9 credit(s) (with climate mitigation and/or adaptation focus)
GEOG 4920 - GIS Internship 1-6 credit(s) (with climate mitigation and/or adaptation focus)
WATS 4250 - Advanced Internship/Co-op 1-9 credit(s) (with climate mitigation and/or adaptation focus)
WILD 4250 - Advanced Internship/Co-op 1-9 credit(s) (with climate mitigation and/or adaptation focus)
ENVS 4970 - Undergraduate Research 1-3 credit(s) (with climate mitigation and/or adaptation focus)
WATS 4970 - Undergraduate Research 1-3 credit(s) (with climate mitigation and/or adaptation focus)
WILD 4970 - Undergraduate Research 1-3 credit(s) (with climate mitigation and/or adaptation focus)