Graduate Certificate in Climate Science (GCeCS)

The science of the climate system combines fluid dynamics, chemistry, radiation physics, geology, biology, and mathematical modeling and analysis skills. Practicing climate scientists and educators are continually needing to learn enough about this range of topics to keep abreast of the leading problems of climate science, such as whether the Amazon may turn into grassland, Greenland might melt, or coral reefs may dissolve in a greenhouse-warmed climate, or what are the critical feedbacks that produce natural glacial-interglacial cycles.

The Graduate Certificate in Climate Science (GCeCS) was created to provide an interdisciplinary training in methods, research issues, and communication of climate science that enhances the scientific breadth and professional employability of GCeCS awardees. The certificate combines the PCC courses, specifically designed to address the cross-linkages in the earth system that disciplinary curricula are not able to do, with a capstone project in Communicating Climate Science.

Curriculum

The GCeCS will consist of 17 credits, including 3 graded courses, 1 seminar/reading courses and a capstone project that includes a second seminar/reading course.

Course Requirements (11-12 credits)

(1) Physical climate:
Climate Dynamics (ATM S/OCN/ESS 587, 3 credits, offered Autumn Quarter)
(2) Climate and biogeochemistry:
The Global Carbon Cycle and Greenhouse Gases (OCN/ATM S/ESS 588, 3 credits, offered Spring Quarter)
(3) Applications of climate science. Pick one of:
Option 3a: Paleoclimatology- Data, Modeling and Theory (ESS/OCN/ATM S 589, 3 credits, Spr, alt yrs).
Option 3b: Paleoclimate Proxies (OCN/ATMS/ESS 554, 3 credits, Sp, alt years).
Option 3c: Climate Impacts on the Pacific Northwest (AtmS/Envir/ESS/SMA 585, 4 credits, Sp, alt yrs).
Option 3d: Climate Modeling (ATM S/ ESS 559 and OCEAN 558, 4 credits, Sp, alt yrs).
(4) PCC seminar: Current Research in Climate Change (OCN/ESS/ATM S 586, 2 credits, Au, Wi and/or Spr)

Capstone Requirements (6 credits)
The core courses provide an holistic appreciation of the earth system, and an appreciation of uncertainties. The capstone experience provides training into better ways to communicate new climate science findings to other scientists and professionals, policy-makers and advocates, the public and to students of all levels.

(1) GCeCS seminar: Communicating Climate Science (OCN/ATMS/ESS 593, 1 credit, Winter Quarter)

(2) Capstone Project (OCN/ATMS/ESS 596, 5 credits) will be designed by the student in collaboration with a member of the GCeCS Advisory Board, or faculty mentor designated by the GCeCS board, who will be responsible for oversight and grading of the project. Effort can be split over multiple quarters if appropriate. Potential capstone projects: internships with local agencies/journalists, creation and use of K-12 outreach materials; organization of seminars/workshops.

Following university requirements, successful completion of the GCeCS will require a cumulative GPA of 3.0 for courses required for the Certificate and a grade of 2.7 or higher for each course counted toward the Certificate.

Also note that courses taken for the certificate can count as electives to fulfill degree requirements.

Admission Requirements

Prerequisites include either:
(a) admission to the graduate programs of either Atmospheric Sciences, Earth and Space Sciences, or Oceanography, or

(b) admission to a graduate program or non-matriculated status at the University of Washington and an undergraduate or graduate course in ordinary differential equations with a grade of B (3.0) or above, and at least six quarters (fours semesters) of undergraduate or graduate coursework in geophysical science, physics, or chemistry, also with an average grade of B (3.0) or above.

Please submit the GCeCS Application form to the PCC office (BOX 355351) if you wish to participate in this certificate program.

The Program on the Environment (PoE) administers graduate certificates in Environmental Management and Policy Dimensions in Earth Sciences, which you may find of interest. For general description of graduate certificates, and information on these certificates in particular, please visit PoE's Description of Graduate Certificates

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