Climate impacts global environmental and ecological systems, human health, water availability, agricultural systems and food security, human migrations, and economic systems. Future climate change is projected to further worsen food insecurity, water scarcity, human migrations, and global conflict.
This major is designed to give the students a solid foundation on how the climate system works and competency in areas of data analysis, planning and mitigation, and science communication. Students will take core courses in climate science and complementary areas and select at least one focus area for additional specialization. Focus areas includes: advanced climate science; data visualization; design and planning for sustainability; food, agriculture and biodiversity; policy and human behavior; and science communication.
Student Learning Outcomes:
Graduates of the Climate Science degree will have the skills and knowledge to:
- Understand scientific principles and their application to scientific inquiry and to societal concerns relating to climate science.
- Demonstrate a broad understanding of the climate system, how it works on multiple timescales, and the utility of tools, such as models, and their strengths and limitations in the context of climate science.
- Demonstrate a broad understanding of climate issues and policies.
- Think critically about the range of climate information, data, and literature coming from a variety of sources and distill application-relevant knowledge.
- Demonstrate proficiency in data analysis and problem-solving of relevant climate systems, issues, and challenges.
- Understand societal concerns related to climate change to develop and/or promote practical and applied research within the climate change research community.
- Work with diverse teams whose members have a range of professional and disciplinary skills relevant to climate issues.
- Work to identify climate-related needs and develop strategies to address these needs.
- Use systems thinking approaches to better understand/solve climate change issues.
- Effectively communicate in oral, written, and visual formats.
Climate Science Core Curriculum
Required Supporting Courses
CHEM 1630
& 1630L | College Chemistry
and Laboratory in College Chemistry * | 5-6 |
or CHEM 1670
& 1670L | General Chemistry for Engineering Students
and Laboratory in General Chemistry for Engineering |
or CHEM 2010
& 2010L | Advanced General Chemistry
and Laboratory in Advanced General Chemistry |
| ECON 1010 | Principles of Microeconomics | 3 |
| MATH 1600 | Survey of Calculus (MATH 1650 required for Advanced Climate Science Pathway) | 4 |
| or MATH 1650 | Calculus I |
PHYS 1310
& 1310L | General Physics I
and General Physics I Laboratory | 5 |
or PHYS 2310
& 2310L | Introduction to Classical Physics I
and Introduction to Classical Physics I Laboratory |
| STAT 3050 | Engineering Statistics | 3 |
| or STAT 1010 | Principles of Statistics |
| or STAT 1040 | Introduction to Statistics |
| Total Credits | 20-21 |
Pathway Requirement
Students must complete one specialized pathway. All pathways require at least 15 credits; students choosing the Advanced Climate Science Pathway will complete 20 credits. All pathways require 9 credits at the 3000-level or higher. Students are encouraged to carefully review course prerequisites when planning course selections in their chosen pathways.
- Advanced Climate Science
- Data Visualization
- Design and Planning for Sustainability
- Food, Agriculture and Biodiversity
- Policy and Human Behavior
- Science Communication
Advanced Climate Science
Data Visualization
| |
| ARCH 4390 | Computational Design Theory | 3 |
| ARTIS 2120 | Studio Fundamentals: Digital Media | 3 |
| ARTIS 3080 | Computer Modeling, Rendering and Virtual Photography | 3 |
| ARTIS 4080 | Principles of 3D Animation | 3 |
| ARTIS 4700X | Data, Code, and Form | 3 |
| ARTIS 4730 | Video Art | 3 |
| ARTIS 4750 | Interactive Art | 3 |
| CRP 2510 | Fundamentals of Geographic Information Systems | 3 |
| CRP 3510 | Intermediate Geographic Information Systems | 3 |
| CRP 4490 | Geodesign: Planning for Sustainable Futures | 3 |
| CRP 4560 | GIS Programming and Automation | 3 |
| GEOL 4520 | Intro GIS for Geoscientists | 3 |
| GEOL 4880 | Raster GIS for Geoscientists | 3 |
| LA 2110 | Digital Design Methods for Landscape Architecture | 3 |
| LA 4540 | Fundamentals of Remote Sensing and Spatial Analysis | 3 |
| LA 4590 | Digital Design Methods for Landscape Architecture | 3 |
| STAT 3320 | Visual Communication of Quantitative Information | 3 |
Design and Planning for Sustainability
| |
| ARCH 4510 | Whole Building Energy Performance Modeling | 3 |
| ARCH 5580 | Sustainability and Green Architecture | 3 |
| CRP 2510 | Fundamentals of Geographic Information Systems | 3 |
| CRP 2910 | World Cities and Globalization | 3 |
| CRP 2930 | Environmental Planning | 3 |
| CRP 3010 | Urban Analytical Methods | 4 |
| CRP 3510 | Intermediate Geographic Information Systems | 3 |
| CRP 3830 | Theory of the Planning Process | 3 |
| CRP 4450 | Transportation Policy and Planning | 3 |
| CRP 4490 | Geodesign: Planning for Sustainable Futures | 3 |
| CRP 4490 | Geodesign: Planning for Sustainable Futures | 3 |
| CRP 4570 | Geogames for Civic Engagement | 3 |
| CRP 4600 | Social Justice and Planning | 3 |
| CRP 4840 | Sustainable Communities | 3 |
| CRP 4920 | Planning Law, Administration and Implementation | 3 |
| GEOL 4520 | Intro GIS for Geoscientists | 3 |
| GEOL 4880 | Raster GIS for Geoscientists | 3 |
| LA 2700 | Foundations in Natural Resource Policy and History | 3 |
Food, Agriculture and Biodiversity
Policy and Human Behavior
Science Communication
| |
| BPMI 3230 | Scientific Illustration Principles and Techniques | 3 |
| BPMI 3260 | Illustration and Illustration Software | 3 |
| BPMI 3270 | Illustration as Communication | 3 |
| COMST 3270 | Persuasion and Social Influence | 3 |
| ENGL 3320 | Visual Communication of Quantitative Information | 3 |
| ENGL 3550 | Literature and the Environment | 3 |
| ENGL 4770 | Seminar in Technical Communication | 3 |
| JLMC 2600 | Media Controversies in Science and Technology | 3 |
| JLMC 4010 | Mass Communication Theory | 3 |
| JLMC 4740 | Communication Technology and Social Change | 3 |
| JLMC 4760 | World Communication Systems | 3 |
| PHIL 2060 | Introduction to Logic and Scientific Reasoning | 3 |
| PR 2200 | Principles of Public Relations | 3 |
| PR 3050 | Publicity Methods | 3 |
| | 3 |
As majors in the College of Liberal Arts and Sciences, Climate Science students must meet College of Liberal Arts and Sciences and University-wide requirements for graduation in addition to those stated above for the major.
LAS majors require a minimum of 120 credits, including a minimum of 45 credits at the 3000/4000 level. You must also complete the LAS world language requirement.
Communication Proficiency requirement: According to the university-wide Communication Proficiency Grade Requirement, students must demonstrate their communication proficiency by earning a grade of C or better in ENGL 2500.
Students in all ISU majors must complete a three-credit course in U.S. cultures and communities and a three-credit course in international perspectives. Check (http://www.registrar.iastate.edu/courses/div-ip-guide.html) for a list of approved courses. Discuss with your advisor how the two courses that you select can be applied to your graduation plan.
Climate Science 4-Year Plan
This plan is an example only; students should discuss their graduation plan with their advisor.
