September 19, 2024
New program provides foundation in environmental data science
Expertise in environmental science is increasingly valuable to understand and address critical issues like a rapidly changing climate, biodiversity loss, and human health, empowering individuals and industries to make informed decisions and contribute to a more sustainable planet.
A new master’s program in environmental science at the University of Chicago will provide students with the foundational quantitative and data science skills needed across a wide range of environmental science disciplines, as well as the opportunity to specialize in areas such as climate science, biogeochemistry, ecology, and oceanography.
“The demand for environmental science training is widespread and increasing, with environmental issues permeating all sectors of society,” said Maureen Coleman, associate professor of geophysical sciences and faculty director of the program. “Our program will provide a rigorous foundation in environmental data, earth systems, and climate sciences.”
Students will take two environmental data science courses featuring different types of environmental data, data analysis, data collection instrumentation, and data science topics such as machine learning, with a special emphasis on environmental problems.
They will also choose from a variety of electives taught by field-leading faculty in topics such as environmental chemistry, climate dynamics, glaciology, and paleoclimatology. The program culminates with a capstone project-based course wherein students focus on real world problems in environmental science.
After completing the year-long program, graduates will be equipped with the environmental science knowledge and data science skills needed to pursue graduate studies or careers in public policy, corporate sustainability, ecosystem conservation, or green investing.
Set to launch in autumn of 2025, the program is accepting applications this fall.
“The MS in Environmental Science is a strong addition to an already excellent set of master’s programs in the physical and mathematical sciences,” said Ka Yee C. Lee, Interim Dean of the Physical Sciences Division. “Given the distinction of the Department of the Geophysical Sciences faculty and the flexible nature of the degree, students will have remarkable opportunities to engage with leading scholars across disciplines and graduate prepared to make a positive impact on the world.”