Minor in Climate Change Studies

Be Part of the Solution

Do you want to be part of the solution to one of the defining environmental and social problems of our lifetime? UNE’s Climate Change Studies minor is an interdisciplinary course of study, drawing on expert knowledge of faculty throughout the College of Arts and Sciences to explore climate change from a diversity of perspectives impossible to find within most single programs. By examining the scientific, social, political, psychological, and ethical dimensions of the issue, you will acquire a marketable understanding of how climate change relates to business models, public policy, economies, livelihoods, conservation, and human health and happiness that will serve you well in a vast number of careers.

Meet Kiara, Marine Affairs ’22

A Marine Affairs major currently interning in the Maine Governor's Office of Policy Innovation and the Future, Kiara analyzes climate change data, helping her colleagues meet the state’s most urgent challenges.

Why UNE for you Minor in Climate Change Studies

One of only two formal climate change minors in the Northeast, this minor is truly unique, serving as the perfect complement to virtually any major and enhancing career prospects in a wide variety of fields.

Interdisciplinary, drawing from eight different areas of study
Flexible, with only three foundational courses
Focused on hands-on learning, including opportunities to participate in political action, educational efforts, etc.
Composed of a cohesive community of students and faculty bound by a shared interest
Provides eligibility to apply for the Kinsman Trust Scholarship for Climate Change Studies (1-3 UNE Climate Change Studies minors receive $1,000 to $5,000 annually)

UNE’s climate change minor has helped me understand what needs to be done on local and international levels to mitigate the effects of our climate crisis. Experience from my climate classes has helped me gain an internship working under Governor Janet Mills as her climate and energy intern.”

— Kiara Frischkorn ’22, Marine Affairs major/Climate Change Studies minor

What Will You Study? Climate Change Studies Minor Curriculum Overview

Experiential Learning

Solving an issue like climate change requires real-life, hands-on work, and we strive to prepare you for that — from classroom activities and research projects to internships and special out-of-class activities.

Classroom Activities

Developing a vulnerability analysis for the UNE campus
Designing an all-electric fleet of UNE vehicles
Field trips

Research

Invasive species in a warming ocean
Implications of sea level rise for New England salt marshes
Climate-induced changes in grassland bird migration

Internships

Maine Governor’s Office of Policy Innovation and the Future
City of Biddeford Climate Task Force
Maine Conservation Voters
Washington Internship Institute (D.C)

Co-curricular Activities

Participation in conferences
Creation of University-wide climate-themed events
Participation in climate demonstrations
Meetings with governor’s staff for budget advocacy

Examples of Available Courses

In addition to three foundational courses, you will select three elective courses. Below are just some of the classes from which you may choose:

Climate Change, Oceans, and Law
Climate Change Adaptation: Planning and Policy
Environmental Economics
Gulf of Maine Field Studies
Climate Change and Conservation
Global Change Biology

Curriculum

A student may minor in Climate Change Studies with the approval of the academic directory. To complete this minor, students are expected to successfully complete the following course of study:

Program Required Courses	ENV 208 – Climate Change: Causes, Consequences, and Solutions
Credits	3

Program Required Courses	PHY 218 – Energy and Climate Change or MAR 460 – Physical Basis of Climate Change
Credits	3–4

Program Required Courses	SOC 227 – Climate Change and Society
Credits	3

Program Required Courses	Total Credits
Credits	9–10

Program Required Courses	Credits
ENV 208 – Climate Change: Causes, Consequences, and Solutions	3
PHY 218 – Energy and Climate Change or MAR 460 – Physical Basis of Climate Change	3–4
SOC 227 – Climate Change and Society	3
Total Credits	9–10

Select One (1) Policy Elective**	ENV 250 – Environmental Policy in Comparative Perspective
Credits	3

Select One (1) Policy Elective**	ENV 362 – Climate Change Adaptation: Planning and Policy
Credits	3

Select One (1) Policy Elective**	MAF 300 – Climate Change, Oceans, and Law
Credits	3

Select One (1) Policy Elective**	MAR 316 – Science and Society
Credits	3

Select One (1) Policy Elective**	PSC 201 – Introduction to International Relations
Credits	3

Select One (1) Policy Elective**	PSC 205 – Introduction to Politics and Environment
Credits	3

Select One (1) Policy Elective**	PSC 306 – Environmental Politics
Credits	3

Select One (1) Policy Elective**	Total Credits
Credits	3

Select One (1) Policy Elective**	Credits
ENV 250 – Environmental Policy in Comparative Perspective	3
ENV 362 – Climate Change Adaptation: Planning and Policy	3
MAF 300 – Climate Change, Oceans, and Law	3
MAR 316 – Science and Society	3
PSC 201 – Introduction to International Relations	3
PSC 205 – Introduction to Politics and Environment	3
PSC 306 – Environmental Politics	3
Total Credits	3

Select One (1) Natural Sciences Elective**	BIO 235/235L – Winter Natural History w/Lab
Credits	4

Select One (1) Natural Sciences Elective**	BIO 413 – Global Change Ecology
Credits	3

Select One (1) Natural Sciences Elective**	BIO 422/422L – Coral Reefs w/Lab
Credits	4

Select One (1) Natural Sciences Elective**	ENV 318/318L – Advanced Field Methods in Avian Ecology and Conservation w/Lab
Credits	4

Select One (1) Natural Sciences Elective**	ENV 328 – Environmental Pollution: Ecosystems, Wildlife, and Human Health
Credits	3

Select One (1) Natural Sciences Elective**	MAF 200 – Introduction to Marine Pollution
Credits	3

Select One (1) Natural Sciences Elective**	MAR 270/270L – Oceanography w/Lab
Credits	4

Select One (1) Natural Sciences Elective**	MAR 368 – Advanced Oceanography II: Physical and Chemical Oceanography
Credits	3

Select One (1) Natural Sciences Elective**	MAR 436/436L – Natural History of Iceland w/Lab
Credits	4

Select One (1) Natural Sciences Elective**	MAR 460 – The Scientific Basis for Global Climate Change
Credits	3

Select One (1) Natural Sciences Elective**	MAR 464 – Polar Biology
Credits	3

Select One (1) Natural Sciences Elective**	Total Credits
Credits	3–4

Select One (1) Natural Sciences Elective**	Credits
BIO 235/235L – Winter Natural History w/Lab	4
BIO 413 – Global Change Ecology	3
BIO 422/422L – Coral Reefs w/Lab	4
ENV 318/318L – Advanced Field Methods in Avian Ecology and Conservation w/Lab	4
ENV 328 – Environmental Pollution: Ecosystems, Wildlife, and Human Health	3
MAF 200 – Introduction to Marine Pollution	3
MAR 270/270L – Oceanography w/Lab	4
MAR 368 – Advanced Oceanography II: Physical and Chemical Oceanography	3
MAR 436/436L – Natural History of Iceland w/Lab	4
MAR 460 – The Scientific Basis for Global Climate Change	3
MAR 464 – Polar Biology	3
Total Credits	3–4

Select One (1) Social Sciences and Humanities Elective**	BUEC 390 – Environmental Economics
Credits	3

Select One (1) Social Sciences and Humanities Elective**	BUEC 395 – Ecological Economics
Credits	3

Select One (1) Social Sciences and Humanities Elective**	ENV 321 – Environmental Communication: Expert Practices for Environmental Management
Credits	3

Select One (1) Social Sciences and Humanities Elective**	ENV 328 – Environmental Pollution: Ecosystems, Wildlife, and Human Health
Credits	3

Select One (1) Social Sciences and Humanities Elective**	ENV 340 – Environmental Movements and Social Change
Credits	3

Select One (1) Social Sciences and Humanities Elective**	ENV 344 – Environmental Ethics
Credits	3

Select One (1) Social Sciences and Humanities Elective**	PHI 202 – Ethics of Science and Technology
Credits	3

Select One (1) Social Sciences and Humanities Elective**	PHI 330 – Environmental Philosophy
Credits	3

Select One (1) Social Sciences and Humanities Elective**	SOC 210 – Displaced Cultures and Society
Credits	3

Select One (1) Social Sciences and Humanities Elective**	SOC 226 – Environmental Sociology
Credits	3

Select One (1) Social Sciences and Humanities Elective**	SOC 265 – Social Issues/Problems Global World
Credits	3

Select One (1) Social Sciences and Humanities Elective**	SOC 320 – Community Organization
Credits	3

Select One (1) Social Sciences and Humanities Elective**	SOC 377 – International Development
Credits	3

Select One (1) Social Sciences and Humanities Elective**	Total Credits
Credits	3

Select One (1) Social Sciences and Humanities Elective**	Credits
BUEC 390 – Environmental Economics	3
BUEC 395 – Ecological Economics	3
ENV 321 – Environmental Communication: Expert Practices for Environmental Management	3
ENV 328 – Environmental Pollution: Ecosystems, Wildlife, and Human Health	3
ENV 340 – Environmental Movements and Social Change	3
ENV 344 – Environmental Ethics	3
PHI 202 – Ethics of Science and Technology	3
PHI 330 – Environmental Philosophy	3
SOC 210 – Displaced Cultures and Society	3
SOC 226 – Environmental Sociology	3
SOC 265 – Social Issues/Problems Global World	3
SOC 320 – Community Organization	3
SOC 377 – International Development	3
Total Credits	3

Minimum Total Required Credits	18

*Course Designators vary by major and include but are not limited to ENV 295/495, PSY 300/400, PSC 411, SOC 300/400, SPT 395.

**Internship Opportunities (Optional): Internships may substitute for one (1) of the above elective courses, subject to advisor and internship coordinator approval. The internship must deal explicitly with some aspect of climate change science, mitigation, or adaptation.

To learn more see the Academic Catalog.

UNE Online also offers a Master of Science in Climate Change Leadership.

A student in a field for hands-on Bobolink bird research

Career Paths for your Minor in Climate Change Studies

Employers are increasingly interested in hiring those with an understanding of climate change for positions within fields ranging from business, economics, and health professions to marine science, environmental consulting, and political ecology. A Climate Change Studies minor complements many different majors at UNE and prepares you for a wider breadth of career possibilities than your major alone.

Having a background in climate change studies will benefit a multitude of careers, including:

Policy Analyst
Public Health Researcher
Director of Sustainability (government, business)
Renewable Energy Technician
Wildlife Biologist
Environmental Lawyer
Public Health Administrator

Urban or City Planner
Landscape Architect
Agricultural Extension Agent
Secondary School Teacher
Land Manager
Financial Planner
Business/Insurance Professional

Pair a Climate Change Minor With a UNE Major in	Marine Sciences Aquaculture, Aquarium Science, and Aquaponics
For a Career in the Field of	Marine Biology Oceanography Aquaculture

Pair a Climate Change Minor With a UNE Major in	Applied Mathematics Data Science
For a Career in the Field of	Risk Analysis

Pair a Climate Change Minor With a UNE Major in	Business Administration Sustainability and Business Marine Entrepreneurship
For a Career in the Field of	Entrepreneurship The Green Economy Sustainability

Pair a Climate Change Minor With a UNE Major in	Economics Marine Affairs
For a Career in the Field of	Carbon Markets Emissions Trading Public Policy

Pair a Climate Change Minor With a UNE Major in	Political Science Marine Affairs
For a Career in the Field of	Public Policy Climate Mitigation/Resiliency Public Sector (legislature)

Pair a Climate Change Minor With a UNE Major in	Social Work
For a Career in the Field of	Public Policy Climate Justice

Pair a Climate Change Minor With a UNE Major in	Public Health
For a Career in the Field of	Public Health Research Public Health Administration

Pair a Climate Change Minor With a UNE Major in	Art and Design Media Communications
For a Career in the Field of	Climate Change Communications Community-Based Social Marketing

Pair a Climate Change Minor With a UNE Major in	Environmental Science Environmental Studies
For a Career in the Field of	Wildlife Biology Land Management Education

Pair a Climate Change Minor With a UNE Major in	For a Career in the Field of
Marine Sciences Aquaculture, Aquarium Science, and Aquaponics	Marine Biology Oceanography Aquaculture
Applied Mathematics Data Science	Risk Analysis
Business Administration Sustainability and Business Marine Entrepreneurship	Entrepreneurship The Green Economy Sustainability
Economics Marine Affairs	Carbon Markets Emissions Trading Public Policy
Political Science Marine Affairs	Public Policy Climate Mitigation/Resiliency Public Sector (legislature)
Social Work	Public Policy Climate Justice
Public Health	Public Health Research Public Health Administration
Art and Design Media Communications	Climate Change Communications Community-Based Social Marketing
Environmental Science Environmental Studies	Wildlife Biology Land Management Education

Climate Change Careers by the Numbers

16,800

new climate analyst jobs expected in the next 10 years

Career Explorer, 2022

$73,230

national median salary for environmental scientists and related specialists

U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, 2021

Contact

Undergraduate Admissions

Contact Undergraduate Admissions at (800) 477-4863 or email admissions@davidegalliani.com. You can also stop by our office on the Biddeford Campus Monday–Friday from 8 a.m.–4:30 p.m.

School of Marine and Environmental Programs