Welcome to Climate Change Studies
“The climate change topic is rapidly evolving from only an earth science issue to a technological, economic and sociological issue. We have designed a broad interdisciplinary curriculum to reflect this expanding focus.”
Dr. Steve Running, former Climate Change Studies Program Director, and a lead author on the Nobel Prize winning Intergovernmental Panel on Climate Change
About Us
The University of Montana offers the nation's first interdisciplinary, undergraduate degree program in climate change. By combining rigorous coursework from over a dozen colleges and departments, the Climate Change Studies program provides students a unique opportunity to understand and engage with climate change. Students from over 20 different departments collaborate in CCS’s wide range of classes, field studies, and projects to build a diverse community of climate leaders.
The CCS minor educates students in three areas of the climate change issue: science, society, and solutions. Coursework in the minor provides a foundation that enables students to engage the scientific, societal and political dimensions of global climate change. Further, the focus on solutions with its orientation toward applied learning helps students develop critical thinking and problem solving skills.
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What students say about the Climate Change Studies minor
“The Climate Change Studies minor has made me reevaluate some of my closest beliefs, taught me the value of skepticism, challenged me to verify sources, instilled in me a wonder for the complexity of the world, and pushed me to not only learn about climate change but act on what I learned.”
“It helped me to better fully conceptualize the system and its problems, as well as how to communicate the problems to the public.”
“It has enabled and empowered me to not only find my niche in the field of biological education, but allowed me to focus my passion for teaching through a lens which is personal.”
“This minor will be with me forever, changing my life and lives I hope to help change.”
“It has given me a better understanding of our Earth, how to live sustainably, and the importance of that lifestyle as well.”