Minor in Interdisciplinary Climate Science

Our students become accomplished critical thinkers who develop a unified understanding of Earth’s climate system and the tools to analyze it, applying their scientific and analytical skills to complex climate challenges across diverse career paths. 

The Interdisciplinary Climate Science Minor gives students a big-picture understanding of how Earth’s climate works from the atmosphere and oceans to ice, land and ecosystems. 

Open to students from all majors, the minor is ideal for those who care deeply about climate change and want the scientific tools to understand it. You’ll build a strong foundation in climate science while examining how climate shapes the environments we depend on and the societies we live in, with the flexibility to tailor your coursework to your interests and goals. 

Study climate science at a campus deeply connected to climate research, with opportunities to engage with nearby federal labs, field programs and real-world data as part of your coursework. 

  • Explore one of the most urgent challenges of our time 
  • Build scientific and data skills valued across many careers 
  • Connect classroom learning to real world climate research and solutions 

 

Top Green College

(Princeton Review, 2025)

 

No. 46 among public universities in the country

(U.S. News & World Report, 2026)

 

5 Nobel Laureates

Since 1989

#4 in the world in atmospheric science

(Academic Ranking of World Universities, 2024)

CU Boulder is home to the greatest concentration of geophysical researchers in the nation

CU Boulder is a partner with 15+ federal research labs here in Boulder, including NCAR and NOAA

Be successful.

A minor in climate science allows you to enter the workforce with a broad understanding and analytical skills. 

 

Broaden your employment possibilities with additional knowledge and skills gained from a minor

 

Work for weather and aerospace industries, and in the energy sector, insurance, military, government, scientific research institutions and academia

 

Atmospheric scientist, meteorologist, climatologist, weather forecaster, educator are common job titles of our graduates

Academic Plan & Requirements

The minor in climate science is open to all undergraduate students. To earn the minor, students must complete a minimum of 18 credits. 

Course topics include: 

  • Arctic Climate System 
  • Oceanography 
  • The Cryosphere: Earth’s Icy Environments 
  • Paleoclimatology 
  • Mountain Ecology and Conservation 
  • The Art and Strategy of Science Communication 
  • Climate Politics and Policy 
  • Global Geographies: Societies, Places, Connections