Graduate Certificate
Overview
The science of the climate system combines fluid dynamics, chemistry, radiation physics, geology, biology, and mathematical modeling and analysis skills. Practicing climate scientists and educators are continually needing to learn enough about this range of topics to keep abreast of the leading problems of climate science, such as whether the Amazon may turn into grassland, Greenland might melt, coral reefs may dissolve in a greenhouse-warmed climate, or what are the critical feedbacks that produce natural glacial-interglacial cycles.
The Graduate Certificate in Climate Science (GCeCS) was created to provide an interdisciplinary training in methods, research issues, and communication of climate science that enhances the scientific breadth and professional employability of GCeCS awardees. The certificate combines the PCC courses, specifically designed to address the cross-linkages in the earth system that disciplinary curricula are not able to do, with a capstone in Climate Science Communication.
OUR NEXT Certificate/Capstone drop-in Q&A SESSIOn WIll be In Fall 2025.
Watch your pcc email and This space for details, or email uwpcc@uw.edu.
Video Introduction to the Graduate Certificate in Climate Science: Updated for 2024:
See GCeCS curriculum tab on the left for updated course options.
Admission Requirements
Prerequisites include current enrollment in a UW graduate program.
Either in:
1) One of the University of Washington graduate programs in Atmospheric Sciences, Earth and Space Sciences, or Oceanography
OR
2) Any UW graduate program and have at least at least one quarter of undergraduate chemistry with a total of at least six quarters (four semesters) of undergraduate coursework in geophysical sciences, chemistry, biology or physics, all with an average grade of B (3.0) or above. Courses taken during non-matriculated status may be applied to the GCeCS. Submit an undergraduate transcript with your application that highlights science courses that meet these requirements.
Suggested: Experience with a programming language such as Python or MATLAB. One semester of calculus.
Note: There is no longer a graduate school restriction on the number of credits that can fulfill the requirements of both the certificate and the graduate degree. (updated July 22, 2022)
GCeCS Requirements
Students pursuing the GCeCS complete a minimum of 17 credits, including 3 graded courses, 1 seminar/reading course and a 5 credit capstone project that includes a communication seminar or course. See the time line below for deadlines to meet for completing the capstone in the last 12-9 months before graduating.
