We offer four undergraduate minor programs:
Undergraduate minors
Climate Resilience minor
The minor in Climate Resilience is based on our faculty's expertise in climate change and is aligned with courses from many other schools at IU Indianapolis.
The minor is highly interdisciplinary, drawing on coursework offered in the School of Science, School of Liberal Arts, School of Public Health, School of Public and Environmental Affairs, and School of Health & Human Sciences. The minor includes courses that introduce students to the Earth-Climate system, climate dynamics, and human dimensions of climate change. Students will also select a higher-level proficiency course in the area of their interest and complete a proficiency course about climate change and society.
Climate change is a modern crisis that will require expertise from academics and professionals. Given the far-reaching effects of climate change, a minor in Climate Resilience will benefit students seeking careers in a diverse array of majors including: business, public policy, environmental science, tourism, geology, chemistry, biology, psychology, computer science, philosophy, geography, anthropology, sustainability, law, and economics.
A foundational understanding of climate resilience will prepare students by providing the knowledge, the vision, and the agency to meet these evolving challenges.
Climate Resilience minor requirements
The undergraduate minor in climate resilience requires 15 credit hours.
Earth-Climate System (3 credits from the following list):
- GEOL-G107 Earth and our Environment (3 credits)
- GEOL-G110 How the Earth Works (3 credits)
- GEOL-G115 Oceanography (3 credits)
- GEOG-G114 The Greenhouse Effect and Global Warming (1 credit)
- GEOG-G108 Physical Systems of the Environment (2 credits)
Climate Dynamics (3 credits). Choose one:
- GEOG-G303 Weather and Climate
- GEOL-G185 Global Environmental Change
Human Dimensions of Climate Resilience (3 credits). Choose one:
- SPEA-V222 Principles of Sustainability
- GEOL-G132 Environmental Issues and Solutions
Area proficiency courses (3 credits). Choose one:
- ANTH-B468 Bioarcheology
- BIO-K411 Global Change Biology
- CHEM-C420 Environmental Chemistry
- GEOG-G208 Environment and Society
- GEOG-G310 Human Impact on the Environment
- GEOG-G315 Environmental Conservation
- GEOL-G410 Undergraduate Research in Geology
- GEOL-G436 Earth Observation from Space
- GEOL-G457 Paleoclimatology
- GEOL-G460 Internship in Geology
- GEOL-G488 Global Cycles
- GEOL-G495 Senior Thesis in Geology
- PBHL-A435 Energy, Climate Change, Resilience, and Health
- PBHL-A445 Global Environ. Health and Sustainable Development
- PHIL-P237 Environmental Ethics
- SPEA-V310 Environmental Justice
- SPEA-V311 Natural Resources and Environmental Policy
- SPEA-E476 Environmental Law and Regulation
- TESM-T207 Tourism Policy and Sustainability
Proficiency course on climate resilience (3 credits):
- GEOL-G477 Climate Change and Society
Requirements
Environmental science encompasses processes occurring in air, water, and soil, and relates those processes to ecologic, societal, and individual health. Environmental science is an interdisciplinary field, bringing together geology, chemistry, biology, geography, sustainability studies, public health, and public policy, as well as additional disciplines. Students obtaining the minor will be able to understand the fundamental processes governing environmental systems, and be equipped to interpret those processes in planning and policy discussions.
If you choose to minor in environmental science, you will be better prepared to study environmental science in graduate school or obtain jobs in research, public policy, law, engineering, etc. This minor also provides useful skills and background knowledge if you want to work at environmental consulting companies or related non-profit organizations. The minor is also ideal for Geology majors whose interests are primarily related to processes at the interfaces of environment and human interactions.
Requirements
Geochemistry is a state-of-the-art science that studies the abundance of elements and their movement through the Earth’s crust, atmosphere, oceans, lakes, and streams.
This minor is ideal if you are:
- pursuing a Geology or Environmental Science degree and have an interest in geochemistry, chemistry, and chemical biology
- a Forensic & Investigative Sciences student wanting to learn geochemical approaches
- a Biology student wanting to develop a broader environmental context for your research
- seeking practical application of the chemical skills you have learned as part of your major
Knowledge of the chemical and biological reactions that mobilize and transform elements within the environment is fundamental to a broad range of disciplines including geology, climate science, environmental science, microbiology, ecology, forensics and chemistry.
Requirements
The minor in geology is designed to complement a major related to earth sciences in another program on campus.
The minor provides a general overview and context of the basic principles and concepts of geology. Additionally, the minor is a good option if you are interested in geology but do not wish to pursue a career in the earth sciences.
Apply for a minor
A decision to pursue a minor should be made in consultation with the undergraduate advisor.
To apply for a minor as a current student, submit the School of Science internal application.
In the Change request section, select "I am adding a minor," and choose climate resilience minor, environmental science minor, geochemistry minor or geology minor from the list.