Decisions about climate, resources, and environmental risk increasingly shape every profession. Yet many UBC students graduate without learning how the Earth’s atmosphere, ocean, land, and life are interconnected.

A new undergraduate certificate in Earth, Ocean and Atmospheric Sciences aims to change that. EOAS Lecturer Louise Longridge and Professor of Teaching Stuart Sutherland have launched the certificate to expose a broader range of UBC students to the Earth and environmental science topics that shape our world. 

Certificates are similar in concept to a minor, but, importantly, the credits earned through a certificate can also apply towards a student’s primary degree. The program focuses on earth system change, with upper-level course requirements (9 credits total) across three core areas: the geosphere, the atmosphere and hydrosphere, and the biosphere. 

I spoke with the codirectors to learn more about why they decided to form the program and what it has to offer students. 

Why did you decide to form this certificate?

Stuart: It started with something that I considered for a long time - within our department we’re preaching to the choir. Students who are enrolled in our courses are already interested in the environment, environment change, earth history, mass extinctions, and so on.

What we felt was missing was a certificate that students from other disciplines could complete that would appear on their degree and on their CV. This would show that, even if they’re not specializing in EOAS or environmental science, they’ve meaningfully engaged with these ideas. 

We wanted to acknowledge that understanding the times we’re living in, and being able to interpret them through the lens of the past, is really important for so many careers. Law, politics, education, really every industry is touched by these issues.

What do you think students don’t realise about studying earth system science?

Louise: I find that as I move through life, I keep returning to concepts I learned about our planet as an undergraduate. Learning about our planet is an opportunity to learn something that you might apply every day. It might really change your worldview in terms of the way you live on the earth and maybe what you want to do with that time. 

As I’m looking out the window right now, blinded by the sun, I’m thinking about how extraordinary this planet is. I don’t think I’d have that level of appreciation without those impactful undergraduate courses.

Stuart: I think for the students, this is about being part of the leading edge of understanding the Earth as a system. What's important for them to know is that they aren’t just going to learn isolated facts about dinosaurs, whales, or clouds - this knowledge, is directly relevant to their career and to the entire planet as we move forward. 

Louise: We don’t want to catastrophize, but the truth is that everybody is already being affected by climate change in some way. Pretending otherwise isn’t a long-term solution. Instead, we want students to feel empowered by what they learn in the certificate.

Right now, I often hear from undergraduates who feel overwhelmed or discouraged about the future, saying things like, “I can't even look at that. It’s too depressing.” Instead, they’ll leave the certificate with knowledge they can carry forward and use productively. Knowledge is how you get agency. The more you understand, the more capable you are of creating positive change.

Stuart: It's empowering students to make informed decisions and evaluate data critically without drama, fear, or without someone else telling them what conclusions to draw.

Who is the certificate designed for?

Louise: The certificate is intentionally broad to work for students that are not already in Earth or Environmental Science programs. Because of that, it’s honestly beneficial for almost anyone. 

Many of the courses don’t have science prerequisites at all For my course, EOSC 326, it’s helpful to have some biology, either from high school or first year, although it doesn’t matter which biology course. Also, most of the courses can be taken any time from second year onward, so students don’t need to wait until later in their degree.

We hope to reach, for example, the second-year arts student who struggled with science in high school and may have written it off. You don’t need to be “a science person”, you just need curiosity about the planet.

What else would you like to say about the certificate to that second year arts student? 

Stuart: A lot of the courses in the certificate were originally designed for arts students. I can speak to my course specifically, EOS 310, and there's no heavy math or equation solving involved. The emphasis is on analysis, interpretation, and critical thinking.

Louise: I would want them to know that it doesn't have to be complicated. I think a lot of people picture unfamiliar terminology, or get worried about being unable to read a chart. But these courses are led by people who are very passionate about what they do, and are happy to work with students who are struggling. There are lots of resources available, and help is always there if they need it. Essentially, I’d tell them learning more about the Earth and how it works as a system will likely enrich their life. If they’re interested, just go for it!