The Integrated Scientific Applications program offers four specializations which dictate the coursework and focus of each student. Learn to interpret and articulate climate science information emphasizing impacts on society, infrastructure and critical resources with a specialization in Climate Science Applications. Prepare for careers that bridge environmental sciences with business competencies, collaborative skills and geospatial data management through the Environmental Earth Systems Management specialization. Obtain skills in remote sensing, data management, GIS and image analysis while learning how to apply them within a business context through the Geo-Informatics specialization. Develop proficiencies in quantifying uncertainty and managing weather risk with a specialization in Weather Intelligence and Risk Management.
All Integrated Scientific Applications students ground their study in core courses which explore business operations, accounting and finance, strategic management, statistical applications, environmental economics and more. Courses are offered in face-to-face, online and hybrid formats to complement the schedules of busy professionals. Additional coursework is dependent on a student's chosen specialization.
The Climate Science Applications specialization recognizes that effectiveness in today's economic and political arena requires more than knowing climate science. The CSA curriculum emphasizes the interpretation and articulation of climate science, prediction, variability, and uncertainty in light of current economic policy, business and government operations, sustainability, and impacts on society, infrastructure, population migrations, and critical resources.
The Environmental Earth Systems Management specialization prepares students for 21st century environmental challenges that demand knowledge of theory, technical skills, critical thinking abilities and collaboration across disciplines. The curriculum prepares students for careers that bridge earth and environmental systems science with competencies in business and information management, geospatial applications, modeling, risk assessment, economics, and leadership skills.
The GeoInformatics specialization focuses on remote sensing, data structures and data mining, GIS, and image processing, analysis and interpretation. The GI curriculum develops skills beyond a traditional GIS concentration by using GIS, IDL/ENVI and other software to conduct data retrieval and image processing from satellites, radar, LiDAR, and other active and passive remote sensing devices.
The Weather Intelligence and Risk Management specialization is a response to workforce needs that demand highly skilled scientists and technically-astute professionals with good business sense, excellent communication skills and the ability to work in a team-oriented environment. The WIRM curriculum is designed to build proficiencies in quantifying uncertainty, analyzing and managing risks, understanding weather derivatives and valuation, balancing economic exigencies and mining information for the optimization of value within the context of the business enterprise.