Understanding the climate system is crucial to navigating this century’s challenges with climate change. In this emphasis, you will study the interactions between Earth’s atmosphere, hydrosphere, cryosphere, lithosphere, biosphere, and human society and learn how these interactions drive climate.

You will learn about the physical causes of climate change and its consequences; the composition of the atmosphere and its inputs from oceanic, biological, and geological sources; and how past climates help us predict future climate changes. You will also analyze climate data sets, including model predictions, and gain a better understanding of political, economic, and community solutions to climate change.

You will come out of this program with a strong foundation for interdisciplinary study in climate science, as well as for addressing climate challenges in government, industry, and community organizations.

To understand the Earth, you need to study its minerals, rocks, soils, and landscapes in many different settings. You have to study it at all scales, too, from vast landscapes to microscopic soil particles. You have to interact with it through hands-on experiences in labs and on field trips. That is exactly what you get in Earth science’s geology emphasis. The faculty love getting out in the field with students, and when they can’t go out, they bring the field into the classroom through maps, rock samples, slides, and stories.

You’ll learn how the Earth works and how society interacts with it. You’ll learn how fundamentally important our relationship with the Earth is and how geology influences all ecosystems. Delve into the remarkable history of the Earth, the rocks of which it is composed, and the physical, chemical, and biological changes that the Earth is continually undergoing. Northland’s geology program gives you a thorough understanding of how the physical earth—its minerals, rocks, soils, water, landscapes—form the foundation on which all ecosystems exist.

Our water science emphasis gives you all the skills and knowledge you need to understand the chemistry, biology, and movement of water in the environment. You’ll also gain a deep appreciation for how we are connected to each other and the Earth through water. You’ll study geologic, hydrologic, and atmospheric processes and learn how people are influenced by and have an impact on water quality.

Courses focus on the science of the distribution and circulation of lakes, streams, oceans, ground water, and atmospheric water. You’ll graduate with an understanding of the importance of water resources to all ecosystems and be ready for graduate school or a career in the field.

In addition to rigorous and relevant coursework, Northland students also have the opportunity to gain real-world work experience through Northland College’s Mary Griggs Burke Center for Freshwater Innovation.

• Earth Science Major (BS) requirements
  • Climate Science Emphasis requirements
  • Geology Emphasis requirements
  • Water Science Emphasis requirements