THE GLOBAL CHANGE MINOR

Preamble

The academic minor in Global Change provides a broad understanding of the environmental challenges that humanity is facing today and our need to develop a sustainable relationship with our planet and its resources. The GC minor explores the history of global environmental change and the interconnected issues involved in modern global change and global sustainability, as well as exposes students to strategies for effective economic development and resource management.

The three-semester, interdisciplinary course sequence “Introduction to Global Change” (http:/www.globalchange.umich.edu/) is an inquiry-based undergraduate curriculum that forms the core of the University of Michigan's Global Change minor.  Development of the program has benefited from the support of the Provost, various Deans, the Vice President for Research, the Whitaker Fund and CRLT, and from external funding from the National Science Foundation and the W&F Hewlett Foundation.  Recently it became part of the new Program in the Environment.

Curriculum

  • Highly interdisciplinary, seamlessly crossing NS and SS disciplinary boundaries.
  • Provide a broad understanding of the complex issues involving global change and global sustainability (Earth as a dynamic system). Enable students to use quantitative tools in approaching global change issues, including Stella (dynamic modeling), ArcView (spatial analysis), spreadsheets and interactive modules.
  • Offer a “front-loaded” minor, to engage motivated students in their first years of study 
    • Introduction to Global Change I (Environ110):  Physical Processes (4cr) (NS) 
    • Introduction to Global Change II (Environ111):  Human Impacts (4cr) (SS) 
    • One 200-level elective from Bio-, Geo- or Sociosphere (3-4 cr) 
    • Two 300 or 400-level electives from Bio-, Geo-, Sociosphere (6-8 cr) 

Eligibility

The GCminor requires 17 credits (typically 5 classes, of which one may count toward both the GCminor and the major).  The Global Change minor has been approved in the following schools and colleges: the College of Literature, Science and the Arts (effective Winter 2000), the College of Engineering (effective Winter 2001), the Division of Kinesiology (effective Fall 2001), the School of Natural Resources and Environment (effective Fall 2000).  Contact academic advisors for degrees in the Business School, the School of Music, and the School of Art and Design.

General Academic Minor Information

LSA: http://www.lsa.umich.edu/lsa/cg/bulletin/chap3/minors/

Global Change Minor - COURSES
The courses below are suggestions that identify the type of classes that are suitable.  Many others are allowed by contacting Ben van der Pluijm with course info for approval.  Note that you must receive a letter grade for courses toward a minor.

GCminor Core

Environ 110 Global Change 1: Physical Processes (4cr; NS)
Environ 111 Global Change 2: Human Impacts (4cr; SS)
One from:

     ANTHRCUL/ENVIRON 256 - Culture, Adaptation and the Environment
     BIOLOGY/ENVIRON 281 - General Ecology
     ENVIRON 270 - Our Common Future
     GEOSCI/ENVIRON 284 - Geology, Environment and Society

GCminor Electives
(Select 2 electives from 2 of the 3 categories Biosphere, Geosphere, Sociosphere)
The course list below is not complete and only shows the types of classes that meet the GCminor goals.  The listed classes have been taken by other students completing the GCminor or they were lifted from course descriptions.  Contact the GCminor Program Director with your suggestions by sending an email (to Ben van der Pluijm) that includes the course descriptions and/or links to the classes' websites.  At any time you should feel free to arrange a meeting to discuss the GCminor and its requirements. Examples of suitable courses are:

Biosphere

     BIOL 355/NRE337 Woody Plants - Biology and Identification
     BIOL 381 Ecology
     BIOL 390 Evolution
     BIOL 451/NRE 451 Biology of Mammals
     BIOL 455 Ethnobotany
     BIOL 476/NRE 476 Ecosystem Ecology
     BIOL 481 Population Dynamics and Ecology
     BIOL 482/483 Limnology
     BIOL 498 Agroecosystems
     BIOL 476/NRE 476 Ecosystem Ecology
     EEB/NRE 315 Ecology and Evolution of Infectious Diseases
     NRE 317 Conservation of Biological Diversity
     NRE 311 Aquatic Ecosystems
     NRE 337/BIOL 355 Woody Plants - Biology and Identification
     NRE 432 Forest Hydrology and Watershed Management 
     NRE 451/BIOL 451 Biology of Mammals 
     NRE 453 Tropical Conservation & Resource management 
     Permission Director (300-level up)

Geosphere

     AOSS 300 Global Environmental Impacts of Technological Change
     AOSS 304 Atmospheric and Oceanic Environment 
     AOSS 335 Space Science and Spacecraft Applications
     AOSS 432 Environmental radiative processes
     AOSS 467 Biogeochemical Cycles
     AOSS 475 Earth-Ocean-Atmosphere Interactions 
     CHEM 467/AOSS 467/GEOL 465 Biogeochemical Cycles
     Env 380/Geol 380 Mineral Resources, Economics, and the Environment
     GEOL 425 Environmental Geochemistry
     GEOL 442 Earth Surface Processes and Soils
     GEOL 465/ CHEM 467/AOSS 467 Biogeochemical Cycles
     GEOL 477 Hydrogeology
     GEOL 478 Natural Waters
     Permission Director (300-level up)

Sociosphere

     NRE 360 Behavior and Environment - Environmental Psychology
     NRE 361 Conservation Behavior - Source Reduction and Recycling 
     NRE 375/Econ 370 Natural Resource Economics
     NRE 492 Environmental Justice
     Econ 471 Environmental Economics    
     EnvStud 391 Sustainability on campus
     GEOG 432/URB 532 Sustainable Environments: International Perspective
     PolSci 312, Environmental Politics and Policy
     RC/SocSci 305 Society and the Environment
     SOC 330 Population Studies
     URB 532/GEOG 432 Sustainable Environments: International Perspective
     Permission Director (300-level up)
    

Additional Information
 Other courses, including field courses, will be allowed, as annual offerings change often and fast.
Contact the Director (vdpluijm@umich.edu) for questions and/or permission for electives.

last update: March 11, 2008