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¸£Àû±ÆÕ¾ Catalog 2025-2026

Climate Change and Society

NC State's Master's in Climate Change and Society is designed to give students the background knowledge of climate change science required to navigate its implications by supporting the development of informed policy and business decisions. Students from a diverse set of academic backgrounds will receive instruction to bolster their knowledge and skills. Incoming students possessing a math or science background will have the opportunity to learn about the policy process and develop communication skills, whereas those with liberal arts or business backgrounds will gain fundamental knowledge of climate science. The program partners with NOAA NCEI, the NC State Climate Office, the EPA and NC Sea Grant, among others, to provide valuable hands-on experience for students in the program who want to work at the nexus of climate change and society.

More Information

Applicant Information

  • Delivery Method:Ìý°¿²Ô-°ä²¹³¾±è³Ü²õ
  • Entrance Exam: GRE: please provide scores if available. In lieu of GRE scores the program may request an interview or portfolio of professional work.
  • Interview Required: None

Application Deadlines

  • ¹ó²¹±ô±ô:ÌýApplications for the Fall semester may be submitted at any time. Normally admission decisions are made by March 1.

Full Professors

  • Jay Levine
  • Walter Robinson

Practice/Research/Teaching Professors

  • Roberto Javier Mera

Emeritus Faculty

  • Fredrick Semazzi

Courses

Applied Ecology

´¡·¡°äÌý519/´¡·¡°äÌý419ÌýÌýFreshwater EcologyÌýÌý(4 credit hours)ÌýÌý

The course explores the structure and function of streams, lakes, and wetlands, including physical, chemical and biological controls of productivity and species composition of aquatic plants and animals and effects of pollution on organisms and water quality. The laboratory emphasizes modern, hands-on techniques for answering fundamental and applied questions. One local weekend field trip required. Credit in both ´¡·¡°äÌý419 and ´¡·¡°äÌý519 is not allowed.

Prerequisite: C- or better in BIO/±ÊµþÌý360

Typically offered in Spring only

Civil Engineering

°ä·¡Ìý578/°ä·¡Ìý478ÌýÌýEnergy and ClimateÌýÌý(3 credit hours)ÌýÌý

Interdisciplinary analysis of energy technology, natural resources, and the impact on anthropogenic climate change. Topics include basic climate science, energetics of natural and human systems, energy in fossil-fueled civilization, the impact of greenhouse gas emissions on climate, and technology and public policy options for addressing the climate challenge. The course is quantitative with a strong emphasis on engineering and science.

Prerequisite: Senior standing

Typically offered in Fall only

Communications

°ä°¿²ÑÌý525ÌýÌýGroup/Team CommunicationÌýÌý(3 credit hours)ÌýÌý

Comprehensive review of principles, theory, research, and practices involving group/team communication; associated with decision making, conflict management, relationship building, and evaluation of group/team effectiveness. Emphasis on guidelines for effective communication in groups and teams. Graduate standing required.

Prerequisite: Graduate standing

Typically offered in Fall only

This course is offered alternate even years

°ä°¿²ÑÌý538ÌýÌýRisk CommunicationÌýÌý(3 credit hours)ÌýÌý

Comprehensive review of principles, theory, research, and practices involving consensus building; associated with environmental, health and safety; enabling analysis and management of risks. Emphasis on risks associated with emerging science and technology. No quantitative experience necessary. Graduate standing required.

Typically offered in Fall only

This course is offered alternate odd years

°ä°¿²ÑÌý546ÌýÌýNonprofit Marketing and Public RelationsÌýÌý(3 credit hours)ÌýÌý

Survey of the marketing and public relations principles and practices applicable to nonprofit organizations.

°ä°¿²ÑÌý562ÌýÌýCommunication and Social ChangeÌýÌý(3 credit hours)ÌýÌý

Examine persuasive theories and methods including compliance gaining techniques. Evaluate effectiveness of public communication campaigns directed at social change.

Prerequisite: Graduate standing

Typically offered in Fall only

This course is offered alternate even years

°ä°¿²ÑÌý579/°ä°¿²ÑÌý479ÌýÌýClimate Change CommunicationÌýÌý(3 credit hours)ÌýÌý

An exploration of the communication successes and failures surrounding climate change and public opinion. Topics addressed include: agenda setting, media effects, framing, data visualizations, fear responses, naming, risk communication and theory, argumentation and refutation, and persuasion as well as issues and current events related to the challenges associated with communicating climate change to multiple stakeholders.

Typically offered in Spring only

Communication, Rhetoric, and Digital Media 

°ä¸é¶ÙÌý703ÌýÌýCommunication NetworksÌýÌý(3 credit hours)ÌýÌý

Intensive study of theories, histories, and practices of networked communication. Emergence, development, acceptance, and dissolution of a variety of networks organized around information and communication technologies. Survey of network theory and methods for studying networks, networked communication practices, and their effects on issues such as identity, labor, organization, power, etc. Research/applications project developed in consultation with the instructor.

Restriction: CRDM students only

Typically offered in Spring only

Environmental Assessment

·¡´¡Ìý501ÌýÌýEnvironmental StressorsÌýÌý(3 credit hours)ÌýÌý

Introduces students to how organisms are affected by and respond to changes or stressors - both natural and human-induced - in the environment. With a focus on the concepts most significant to the field of environmental assessment, the course emphasizes the fundamental processes and effects of pollutants and naturally-occurring substances in the environment, including emerging issues and historically significant cases.

Prerequisite: Graduate standing

Typically offered in Fall only

·¡´¡Ìý502ÌýÌýEnvironmental Risk AssessmentÌýÌý(3 credit hours)ÌýÌý

This course provides students with an appreciation and understanding of the principles of environmental risk assessment including: Hazard Identification, Toxicity Assessment, Exposure Assessment, and Risk Characterization. Emphasis is placed on contemporary problems in human health and the environment, and it will be based on the most current methodologies described in the "Risk Assessment Guidance for Superfund." Enrollment in the course requires graduate standing or consent of the instructor. Two semester sequence of college biology & college chemistry.

Prerequisite: Two semester sequence of college biology & college chemistry.

Typically offered in Spring only

·¡´¡Ìý503ÌýÌýEnvironmental Exposure AssessmentÌýÌý(3 credit hours)ÌýÌý

Provides students with an appreciation and understanding of the principles of environmental exposure assessment including the sources, transport and fate of chemicals in the environment. Emphasis is on contemporary problems in human health and the environment, covering topics such as: transformation and degradation processes, classes of contaminants a well as predicting environmental fate and exposure. Enrollment in the course requires graduate standing or consent of the instructor. Two semester sequence of college biology & college chemistry.

Prerequisite: Two semester sequence of college biology & college chemistry.

Typically offered in Fall only

·¡´¡Ìý504ÌýÌýEnvironmental Monitoring and AnalysisÌýÌý(3 credit hours)ÌýÌý

Monitoring and analysis of chemical and biological impacts to the environment. Theory of chemical, physical, biological, and ecological monitoring. Planning and conducting environmental sampling and monitoring programs. Management, analysis, and quality assurance and control. Enrollment in the course requires graduate standing or consent of the instructor.

Prerequisite: One Year College Biology and One Year College Chemistry

Typically offered in Spring only

·¡´¡Ìý505ÌýÌýEnvironmental Assessment Law & PolicyÌýÌý(3 credit hours)ÌýÌý

This course provides students with an appreciation for and understanding of the principles of environmental law and policy. Emphasis is on the US legal system and litigation process relevant to environmental law, covering topics such as: the National Environmental Policy Act (NEPA), the Pollution Prevention Act (PPA), the Clean Water Act, and the Clean Air Act. Throughout the course, a case study is integrated into the conceptual lecture material with the intent of providing practical examples to conceptual material.

Prerequisite: Graduate Standing

Typically offered in Fall only

English

·¡±·³ÒÌý508ÌýÌýUsability Studies for Technical CommunicationÌýÌý(3 credit hours)ÌýÌý

Advanced study of usability inspection, inquiry, and testing theories and practices related to instrumental and instructive texts (i.e., computer-related, legal, medical, pharmaceutical, financial, etc.). Practical experience testing a variety of texts using several testing methods, including completion of a substantial, lab-based usability test. For students planning careers in technical communication, human factors, software design, and multimedia design.

Prerequisite: ·¡±·³ÒÌý517

Typically offered in Fall only

Forestry

¹ó°¿¸éÌý531ÌýÌýWildland Fire ScienceÌýÌý(3 credit hours)ÌýÌý

Physical, chemical, biological, and ecological processes associated with wildland fire, particular emphasis on fire behavior, fuels, weather, climate and the associated effects on ecology, management, fire suppression, prescribed fire, and smoke emissions and exposure. Fire's effect on national policy, social and natural history of North America. In-depth exercises in fire and smoke modeling using established predictive systems.

Typically offered in Spring only

¹ó°¿¸éÌý575ÌýÌýAdvanced Terrestrial Ecosystem EcologyÌýÌý(3 credit hours)ÌýÌý

Views organisms and physical environment as integrated system. Outlines processes governing assimilation and cycling of energy, carbons, nutrients, and water. Evaluates ecosystem responses to intensive management, global climate change, air pollution, biofuels production, fragmentation, large-scale land use change. Illustrates application of ecosystem science approach to important regional and global questions through scaling of empirical, ecosystem-level data, ongoing research. Provides experience in hypothesis testing and experimental design, data analysis and interpretation, proposal development, and publication for research professionals. Graduate Standing.

Typically offered in Spring only

This course is offered alternate odd years

Geospatial Information Science

³Ò±õ³§Ìý510ÌýÌýFundamentals of Geospatial Information Science and TechnologyÌýÌý(3 credit hours)ÌýÌý

This course provides an advanced overview of how geographic information systems [GIS] facilitate data analysis and communication to address common geographic problems. Students improve spatial reasoning and problem definition expertise while emphasizing geographic data models and structures, data manipulation and storage, customization through programming, and the integration of geospatial analysis and modeling into project-based problem solving applicable to a variety of disciplines. Skilled application of both desktop and cloud-based GIS software supports these areas. Extensive independent learning and computer experiences include virtual laboratory sessions, alongside optional online or in-person weekly help sessions to facilitate student learning.

Prerequisite: Graduate Standing or PBS or Permission of Instructor

Typically offered in Fall and Spring

³Ò±õ³§Ìý512ÌýÌýIntroduction to Environmental Remote SensingÌýÌý(3 credit hours)ÌýÌý

Principles and hands-on techniques for processing and analyzing remotely sensed data for natural resource applications. Topics include review of the electromagnetic spectrum, pre-processing (georectification, enhancements and transformations), processing (visual interpretation, indices, supervised and unsupervised classification) and post-processing (masking, change analysis and accuracy assessment) of digital image data. This course will provide students with fundamental concepts and skills needed to pursue further studies in digital processing of remotely sensed data.

Typically offered in Spring only

³Ò±õ³§Ìý515ÌýÌýCartographic DesignÌýÌý(2 credit hours)ÌýÌý

Principles of cartographic design and how to apply them to produce high-quality geographic information system (GIS) based maps. Successful students will acquire an understanding of map design and experience applying it with GIS software. Students produce project maps in both print and web media.

Prerequisite: ³Ò±õ³§Ìý510

Typically offered in Spring only

³Ò±õ³§Ìý520ÌýÌýGeospatial Data Science and AnalysisÌýÌý(3 credit hours)ÌýÌý

This course provides exposure to and practice applying a variety of geospatial analysis methods and tools to support decision-making. Students will use both ArcGIS Pro and the R(TM) programming language and briefly explore the interoperability between these platforms. Using both platforms, we will practice data cleaning and processing, as well as descriptive and inferential spatial analysis methods. Students will learn to identify common limitations and special considerations that arise when working with geospatial data workflows and will learn how to leverage multiple tools to develop appropriate analysis methods. This course will be a combination of lectures and hands-on software training. Prior knowledge of GIS fundamentals is required.

Prerequisite: ³Ò±õ³§Ìý510

Typically offered in Fall and Spring

³Ò±õ³§Ìý609ÌýÌýGeospatial ForumÌýÌý(1 credit hours)ÌýÌý

The Geospatial Forum brings together researchers, educators, practitioners, and students of the geospatial sciences in an exciting, weekly series of lively presentations and facilitated discussions centered upon frontiers in geospatial analytics and geospatial solutions to complex challenges. Live discussions are recorded and made available online for students.

Typically offered in Fall and Spring

Marine, Earth, Atmospheric Sciences

²Ñ·¡´¡Ìý517ÌýÌýFundamentals of Climate Change ScienceÌýÌý(3 credit hours)ÌýÌý

This course will present the basic science of climate change, including chemical and physical systems and processes. The students will be introduced to how the climate system works and the role of greenhouse gases in the climate system. Students will learn about climatological data, climate models and how predictions/projections are made. Emphasis will be placed upon relating predicted/projected changes to manifestations such as sea level rise and changes in the distribution and character of precipitation. Topics include the primary climate components, ocean-atmospheric teleconnections, decadal and multi-decadal climate indices, natural and anthropogenic climate variability, and climate model projections.

Prerequisite: Graduate standing

Typically offered in Fall only

²Ñ·¡´¡Ìý518ÌýÌýAdaptation to Climate ChangeÌýÌý(3 credit hours)ÌýÌý

Climate Adaptation investigates the technological, economic, communication, scientific and legal challenges inherent to adaptation to climate change. This course provides practical hands-on experience for professionals in developing adaptation strategies in climate sensitive sectors. Content draws heavily on case studies in international development, infrastructure, health, energy, and transportation sectors.

Prerequisites: ²Ñ·¡´¡Ìý517 or permission from instructor

Typically offered in Spring only

²Ñ·¡´¡Ìý519ÌýÌýBarriers to Climate Change LiteracyÌýÌý(3 credit hours)ÌýÌý

Investigates the discipline-based geoscience education lenses of the cognitive, affective, and behavioral barriers to climate literacy and the practical interventions for addressing them. Critically analyzes key aspects of climate science, common misconceptions, mental models, cultural influences, and risk perceptions about climate change. Students engage with the public and design projects for overcoming barriers to climate change literacy. The course features relevant readings, classroom discussions, student peer-review, and summative and formative course feedback though course assignments and exams. Minimum of 50% seats reserved for Climate Change and Society Certificate program students.

Prerequisite: Graduate standing

Typically offered in Fall only

²Ñ·¡´¡Ìý540ÌýÌýPrinciples of Physical OceanographyÌýÌý(3 credit hours)ÌýÌý

Introduction to principles and practice of physical oceanography. The equation of state of seawater; energy transfer to the ocean by thermal, radiative and mechanical processes; the heat budget; oceanic boundary conditions; geographical distributionof oceanic properties; observational methods; conservation equations; simple waves and tides; physical oceanography of North Carolina coastal zone. Application of Fourier analysis techniques to interpretation of low-frequency motions in ocean and atmosphere. Review of Fourier method. Filtering of tidal signals. Spectral estimates and calculation of current ellipses. Identification of coherent motions and their empirical orthogonal modes. Data from field experiments used in lectures and homeworkassignments. Credit is not allowed for both ²Ñ·¡´¡Ìý460 and ²Ñ·¡´¡Ìý540

Typically offered in Fall only

²Ñ·¡´¡Ìý549/²Ñ·¡´¡Ìý449ÌýÌýPrinciples of Biological OceanographyÌýÌý(3 credit hours)ÌýÌý

Environmental dependencies, biological productivity, and trophic relationships in plankton, nekton and benthos; Sampling methods and experimental design; Human impacts on marine systems.Credit is not allowed for both ²Ñ·¡´¡Ìý449 and MEA(ZO)549.

Typically offered in Fall only

²Ñ·¡´¡Ìý593ÌýÌýSpecial Topics in Atmospheric ScienceÌýÌý(1-6 credit hours)ÌýÌý

Special topics in atmospheric science, provided to groups or to individuals.

Typically offered in Fall, Spring, and Summer

Natural Resources

±·¸éÌý520/¹ó°¿¸éÌý420/±·¸éÌý420/¹ó°¿¸éÌý520ÌýÌýWatershed and Wetlands HydrologyÌýÌý(4 credit hours)ÌýÌý

Principles of hydrologic science; classification and assessment of watersheds and stream networks; hydrologic, erosion, and water quality processes in natural and managed watersheds; wetlands hydrology; hydrologic measurements and data analysis; applications of hydrology and water quality management for forest agriculture, and urban ecosystems; watershed restoration. Emphasis field study of watersheds and hydrologic measurements. Two weekend field trips are required. Credit will not be given for both FOR(NR)420 and FOR(NR)520.

Typically offered in Fall only

±·¸éÌý571ÌýÌýCurrent Issues in Natural Resource PolicyÌýÌý(3 credit hours)ÌýÌý

Seminar providing an overview of current natural resource issues for the world and the U.S. Population, sustainable development, food and agriculture, forests, rangelands, biodiversity, energy resources, water resources, atmosphere and climate, international policies and instructions.

Typically offered in Fall only

Philosophy

±Ê±á±õÌý816ÌýÌýIntroduction to Research EthicsÌýÌý(1 credit hours)ÌýÌý

Institutional rules guiding the responsible conduct of research (RCR) and their philosophical justification. Rudiments of moral reasoning and their application to RCR. Topics: plagiarism, falsification and fabrication of data, and ethics versus custom, law, science, and religion.

Prerequisite: Graduate standing

Typically offered in Fall and Spring

Public Administration

±Ê´¡Ìý513ÌýÌýPublic Organization BehaviorÌýÌý(3 credit hours)ÌýÌý

Major conceptual frameworks developed to understand organization behavior. Motivation, leadership, group dynamics, communication, socio-technical systems, work design and organizational learning. Application of theories and concepts to public sectororganizations.

Prerequisite: Graduate standing or PBS status

Typically offered in Fall and Spring

±Ê´¡Ìý550ÌýÌýEnvironmental PolicyÌýÌý(3 credit hours)ÌýÌý

Focus on formation and impact of environmental policy in the U. S. Examination on decision-making processes at all levels of government. Comparisons between political, economic, social and technological policy alternatives. Emphasis upon applicationof policy analysis in environmental assessment and consideration on theoretical perspectives on nature of the environmental crisis.

Prerequisite: Advanced Undergraduate standing including 12 hours of PS program, Graduate standing or PBS status

Typically offered in Fall only

Political Science

±Ê³§Ìý536ÌýÌýGlobal Environmental Law and PolicyÌýÌý(3 credit hours)ÌýÌý

International organizations, laws and policies addressing global environmental problems including: population growth, atmospheric pollution, climate change, use of oceans, forests and biodiversity. Relationship between environment and Third World economic development.

Prerequisite: Graduate standing or PBS status

Typically offered in Summer only