The climate science major trains quantitatively literate climate system scientists with a strong foundation in physics, chemistry, and geosciences. Climate scientists work to increase climate literacy among employers, students, colleagues, and the public through their solid understanding of the fundamental processes of Earth's climate system and scientific credibility of climate information. As climatologists they analyze/interpret climate and paleoclimate data (e.g., atmospheric, oceanographic, geochemical, glaciological, geological, solar/orbital) and computationally simulate climate processes, predict future climate change, and reconstruct Earth's past climates. They have deep knowledge of the information going into climate models, interconnectedness of Earth's surface systems, carbon cycling, and uncertainties associated with climate model projections. As climate scientists, they help other professionals (including policy makers, engineers, entrepreneurs, insurance companies, lawyers, health professionals), students, and the lay public communicate about climate change meaningfully and make informed decisions about the magnitude and impacts of expected climate change and its mitigation. They can also work as state climatologists or serve state and federal government organizations like EGLE, NASA, and NOAA. Lastly, they have the educational foundation to pursue related studies in graduate school. 

Environmental Science is an interdisciplinary field that studies environmental systems involving the interaction of geological, chemical and biological processes. Environmental scientists bring this systems approach to analyzing and addressing complex environmental challenges. The vision of the Environmental Science program is to cultivate future leaders who develop sustainable solutions for a healthier planet.

Why Environmental Studies? Environmental and Sustainability studies are the systematic study of human interaction with their environment. While distinct from ecology and environmental science, the discipline encompasses study in their basic principles as well as the associated subjects, such as: policy, politics, law, economics, social aspects, planning, pollution control, natural resources, and the interactions of human beings and nature.
 

 Environmental and Sustainability Studies

Why Geography and Sustainable Planning?  Geography and Sustainable Planning offers students the 21st century skill sets helping to solve complex environmental, economic and social problems such as food and water security, sustainable economic growth, environmental justice, and climate change adaptations. Our flexible transdisciplinary program provides courses of study focused on the geospatial technologies (cartography, satellite remote sensing, and GIS), sustainable urban and regional planning, environment and global/regional development

Geography and Sustainable Planning

Why Study Natural Resources Management? Environmental pollution, deforestation, climate change, and increasing demand for outdoor recreation are just a few of the current challenges to environmental sustainability. The Natural Resources Management (NRM) program prepares students to care for the land and water resources of Michigan and beyond, and to serve the people whose well-being depends on these resources. 

Natural Resources Management Major/ Minor

The certificate in climate science offers learners the opportunity to learn foundational principles of climate science without seeking a degree. This foundational background in climatology may aid learners to increase their ability to be hired for jobs that have components involving mitigating climate change. In addition, degree seeking students may also wish to pursue this certificate, whether their degree is in related or unrelated fields, in order to supplement their credentials without adding too much time toward graduation. For example, a student majoring in communications, geography, or environmental and sustainability studies may wish to add a few credits from STEM-based climate science courses to increase their ability to be hired or broaden their job prospects. Similarly, a student majoring in closely related fields such as biology, chemistry, or geology may wish to distinguish themselves for employers with some background in climate science. For unrelated fields such as (but not limited to) communications or photography students may benefit from taking the few courses required for this certificate to boost their credentials if applying for jobs related to communicating the effects of climate change. 

The Ecological Restoration certification program is embedded within the Natural Resources and Environmental Management program and housed in the Biology Department. The certification program provides knowledge, skills, and practical experience to Natural Resources and Environmental Management (NREM) students who are interested in the restoration, conservation, and stewardship of terrestrial, wetland, and aquatic ecosystems to the benefit of the plants, animals, and humans that rely on them.

The environmental remote sensing certificate provides cutting-edge skills in remote sensing science, digital image processing, and big data visualization. Emphasis is placed on applications of remote sensing technology in environmental planning, sustainable development, climate change adaption, urban resiliency planning, and natural resource management. 

Program description

The event sustainability operations certificate will prepare students with skills to work with events. Those interested in working in the meeting and events industry will gain a wider understanding of the role sustainability principles and practices play when planning, conducting, and evaluating events. This certificate is geared to both the for-profit and not-for-profit event providers. An important component of this certificate is working with actual events.

This certificate can be completed in one calendar year, if all prerequisites were completed previously. To view requirements for and career opportunities with a Green Chemistry Certificate.. For questions regarding Green Chemistry certificates, contact Dalila Kovacs at [email protected] .

Program Description

The geographic information science and technology certificate allows you to map, model, query, and analyze large quantities of data according to location. This technology benefits organizations in almost every industry. There is growing interest in the economic, environmental, and strategic planning value of GIS.

Program Description

The Department of Geography and Sustainable Planning offers a certificate in sustainable urban and regional planning. Students learn the best practices, strategies and techniques required for sustainable urban and regional development, smart and green infrastructure, and sustainable integration of social, environmental, and economic priorities in planning. 

Anyone admitted to GVSU as a degree-seeking student may complete this certificate.

Program Description

Strong local food systems are essential for healthy local communities. Students preparing for careers in local food enterprises, health care, sustainability, education, business, social work, non-profit administration and many other fields will benefit from the skills and experience necessary to address the role of food in community life.

Program Description