A UAlbany professor and students studying climate maps.

Bachelor of Science in
Climate Science

Gain Knowledge and Skills to Address Important Issues Surrounding Climate Change

Acquire a holistic view of Earth's climate and how it impacts and interacts with the environment and human society in the climate science bachelor’s program at UAlbany.

Learn how different parts of the Earth system (atmosphere, ocean, biosphere) interact to shape our climate. You'll become proficient in using key tools of climate science such as climate modeling, data analysis and statistics. Through coursework, hands-on exploration and internships, you’ll also develop interdisciplinary know-how to address the policy and societal aspects of climate change.

As a University at Albany graduate with climate science expertise, you’ll be well equipped for wide-ranging career possibilities, from consulting and policy making to research and education, or go on to pursue an advanced degree.

Additional Program Information

Course Catalog  |  Four-Year Plans  |  Program Contact: Justin Minder

Program of Study

programofstudy

Through this program’s flexible, interdisciplinary curriculum, you’ll cultivate your understanding of the science of the Earth system and research potential solutions surrounding climate change. Core courses in chemistry, physics and calculus, as well as climate science courses covering environmental science, policy and data analysis will prepare you for a range of career options.
 

Required Courses

Environmental Science

  • Introduction to Environmental Science
  • Introduction to Environmental Science Laboratory
  • Understanding the Earth
  • Environmental Statistics and Computation
  • Meteorological and Environmental Measurement  
  • Ocean Science  
  • Climate Laboratory  
  • Paleoclimatology  
  • Major Topics in Environmental Science

 

Atmospheric Science

  • Atmospheric Structure, Thermodynamics, and Circulation  
  • Climate Variability and Change
  • Water and Climate Change
     

Chemistry and Physics

  • General Chemistry I & II
  • Physics I: Mechanics
     

Math and Informatics

  • Calculus I & II
  • Programming for Problem Solving 
     

Electives

15 credits of upper-level Climate Science courses 

Applied Learning


Learn about the research being conducted by your professors and conduct your own research alongside them to contribute to a better understanding of Earth’s current climate and climate change. For example, students have conducted research in the department’s Paleoclimate Lab, where they worked with samples such as corals and lake sediments to improve our understanding of past changes in the climate. Other student research projects can involve computer models of the climate system, analysis of satellite data, or investigations of connections between climate and infectious diseases.

Internship opportunities and other hands-on training will give you invaluable experiences that can lead to an exciting career in this high-demand field. Past students have taken advantage of opportunities for coordinated study abroad involving departmental collaborations with universities in countries such as Argentina and Brazil. You will also have opportunities to travel to conferences to present your research and participate in professional development.

 


 

A UAlbany student conducting environmental research in the field.

 

applied-learning

Career Outcomes

A BS in Climate Science from UAlbany will prepare you to pursue graduate school or a career in a range of industries, including consulting, renewable energy, public policy, education and research.  


Potential job titles for a climate science degree include:  

  • Climate Policy Analyst
  • Environmental Scientist
  • Environmental Coordinator
  • Environmental Consultant
  • Sustainability Analyst
  • Environmental Education Coordinator
  • Climate Advisor
  • Climate Modeler
  • Research Associate
  • Data Analyst
  • Grant Writer

Potential employers include:

  • Federal, State and Local Governments
  • Universities
  • Consulting firms
  • Technology
  • Insurance and risk analytics
  • Sustainable energy companies
  • K-12 schools

 

 

Four students having a discussion in front of a globe in UAlbany's ETEC building.
career
Student Learning Objectives


Learning objectives that UAlbany students are expected to attain through their course of study within their academic program.

Bachelor of Science

A student completing the BS degree in Climate Science is expected to be able to:

  • Effectively communicate with colleagues or others via clear and efficient writing or presentation technique.
  • Identify and describe the various components comprising the Earth's climate system, including recognizing key aspects of these components' interactions and feedback loops.  
  • Perform quantitative analyses specific to climate problems, including assessing relevant parameters and interpreting their trends in space and/or time.
  • Apply field methods, data, concepts and models to the solution of problems in the climate sciences. 
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What Makes The University at Albany Great

Student move-in day.

Living-Learning Communities

Live and take classes with other incoming freshmen who share your personal interests, passions or intended academic major.

A student abroad visiting a monument.

Study Abroad

Become a global citizen: international experience is crucial to success in business, education, research, and public policy.

A student conducting undergraduate research.

Undergraduate Research

Research, scholarship, and creative activities at the University at Albany is an option for all students, across all academic disciplines. You will be able to learn more about a specific academic field or career path all while building a long-lasting mentoring relationship with a faculty member or principal investigator.

Explore Minors

Build competency in a passion or strengthen your resume.

A minor consists of 18–24 graduation credits which must include a minimum of 9 graduation credits of advanced coursework at or above the 300 level. Most undergraduate degrees require completing a minor and it has to have a different title from your major.

Full List of Minors
  • Acting
  • Africana Studies
  • Anthropology
  • Art
  • Art History
  • Atmospheric Science
  • Bioethics
  • Biology
  • Broadcast Meteorology
  • Business
  • Chemistry
  • Chinese Studies
  • Cognitive Science
  • Communication (Fully Online Option)
  • Computer Science
  • Creative Writing
  • Criminal Justice Studies (Fully Online Option)
  • Cybersecurity (Fully Online Option)
  • Documentary Studies
  • East Asian Studies
  • Economics
  • Educational Studies
  • Electrical and Computer Engineering
  • Electronics
  • Film Studies
  • Emergency Preparedness, Homeland Security and Cybersecurity (Fully Online Option)
  • English
  • Forensic Science
  • French
  • Game Design and Development
  • Geographic Information Science
  • Geography
  • Globalization Studies
  • Hebrew
  • History (Fully Online Option)
  • Informatics (Fully Online Option)
  • Instrumental Performance
  • International Studies
  • Italian
  • Japanese Studies
  • Journalism (Fully Online Option)
  • Judaic Studies
  • Korean Studies
  • Latin American and Caribbean Studies
  • Law and Philosophy
  • Leadership
  • Legal Studies
  • LGBTQ Studies
  • Library and Information Science
  • Linguistics
  • Machine Learning
  • Mathematics
  • Medical Anthropology
  • Music
  • Musical Performance
  • Musical Theatre
  • Philosophy
  • Physics
  • Political Science
  • Portuguese
  • Pre-Education
  • Psychology (Fully Online Option)
  • Public Health
  • Public Policy
  • Religious Studies
  • Russian
  • Russian and Eastern European Studies
  • Social Welfare Studies
  • Sociology (Fully Online Option)
  • Spanish
  • Statistics
  • Sustainability
  • Theatre
  • Theatrical Design/Technology
  • Urban Studies and Planning
  • U.S. Latino Studies
  • Vocal Performance
  • Women's, Gender and Sexuality Studies

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