Climate Science
Minor
Enhance your career with a scientific understanding of a global issue.
The Earth’s climate may seem like just the backdrop to our lives, but its far-reaching impacts range from the food we eat to the global economy. And with news and opinions readily accessible, it can be hard to separate fact from fiction.
The Climate Science minor aims to give you a firm scientific foundation to enhance your career. An understanding of climate can be essential when communicating with decision-makers in the public and private sectors as well as in research and academic fields.
- Earn a climate science minor with just 22 credit hours (which can include GEP and major courses).
- Demonstrate your understanding of one of the most important challenges of your generation – mitigating and adapting to climate change.
Climate Science Program Highlights
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Take part in hands-on data collection and analysis.
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Design a research project allowing you to use key concepts you’ve learned throughout the course.
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Develop the skills that are essential to inform decisions related to climate change in the public and private sectors.
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Learn to communicate climate information to decision-makers and to your community.
What can I do with an climate science degree?
Median pay for environmental scientist (BLS 2021)
Related Occupations
Atmospheric Scientist
Environmental Scientist
Meteorologist
Natural Science Manager
Soil and Plant Scientist
Climate science is a growing field that crosses many different occupations including, but not limited to policy making, management, science, engineering and government. The most recent Intergovernmental Panel on Climate Change (IPCC) report presented evidence of current climate change and predictions for the future. As a result, there is an increasing demand for employees with a high-level understanding of climate change, proficiencies in climate science techniques and geospatial data, the ability to analyze and interpret weather and climate data, and the skill to communicate the results of independent research.
The field is new enough that the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics does not post statistics about anticipated job growth. However, it is important enough and growing at such a rapid pace that the bureau devoted an entire section of its website to green careers, income potential and survey data. You can see more on the Bureau of Labor Statistics’ webpage on the diverse possibilities of a career in sustainability (U.S. Government Occupational Outlook Handbook)
What You'll Learn
- Study with faculty members who are published scientific authors and active researchers in the field of climate science.
- Work closely with experienced professors in both classroom and field settings.
- Evaluate the natural and anthropogenic factors that cause a change in global and regional climates. Modern climate change, future climate scenarios, policy, and mitigation strategies are also explored.
- Gain an overview of the physical processes that define Earth’s global climate.
- Develop the analytical tools required to understand and assess current environmental policy with the application of these tools to current environmental issues at the regional, national and international level.
I really enjoyed the program! I learned about exciting weather processes such as the formation of thunderstorms, the foundations of forecasting, and how to build a climate model.
Kashaud Bowman '17, Minor in Climate Science
A Frostburg State education: more valuable than ever.
With nationally recognized academic programs, real-world learning experiences, a top-notch support system, and a thriving student life, Frostburg State is a place where you can discover yourself, define your goals, and prepare for your future.