Introduction to the Climate and Sustainable Growth Major

The Climate and Sustainable Growth Major is a degree program anchored in the Chicago Curriculum on Climate and Sustainable Growth. This major provides students with a foundational grounding of the climate and growth challenge, a deep dive into a track of their choice, and experiential learning to widen their perspectives of the challenge.

Foundational Courses

The foundational courses for the Climate and Sustainable Growth Major include:

• The Climate and Growth Challenge (CCSG 19000)
• The Science of Climate Change (CCSG 20100)
• The Economics of Climate Change and Energy (CCSG 20300)
• Energy: Science, Technology and Human Usage (CCSG 20500)
• Climate Change: Law and Ethics (CCSG 20700)
• Politics and Law of Climate Change and Energy (CCSG 20900)
• Climate Change: Impacts and Adaptation (CCSG 21100)
• Climate, Energy, and Development: Global Perspectives in Practice (CCSG 25000)

Tracks

The Climate and Sustainable Growth Major offers several tracks, including:

• Climate Science and Technology
  • Students in this specialization must choose four courses from a list of options, including GEOS 22060, GEOS 23205, GEOS 23600, and others.
• Politics, Economics, and Society
  • This specialization is divided into three clusters: economics, politics and law, and social impacts. Students must take four courses from the list of options, including PBPL 28633, PBPL 26930, PPHA 39925, and others.
• Finance
  • Students in this specialization are required to take a set of courses, including financial accounting, investments, and others.

Capstone

The capstone requirement consists of the Capstone Seminar and a capstone project. The Capstone Seminar guides students engaged in research design, data collection and analysis, and thesis writing.

Experiential Learning: The September Term

The September Term is an experiential learning opportunity that allows students to travel to several locations key to understanding global perspectives surrounding the climate and sustainable growth challenge.

Degree Programs

The University of Chicago offers several degree programs related to climate and sustainable growth, including:

• Climate and Sustainable Growth Major
• Climate and Sustainable Growth Minor
• Master of Science in Climate and Energy Policy
• Other Academic Programs
• India Summer Fellows Program

Research Opportunities

The University of Chicago provides various research opportunities for students, including:

• Polsky Research Fellows
• Bartlett Fellowships
• DRW Fellowships
• Predoctoral Fellowships

Global Experiences

Students have the opportunity to connect with global stakeholders through participation in treks and major energy gatherings like COP, CERA Week, and Climate Week NYC.

Careers and Mentoring

The University of Chicago offers various career and mentoring resources, including:

• Internships and Funding
• Career Series
• Alumni Community
• Work in Climate
• Climate & Energy Career Fair

On Campus Programs

The University of Chicago offers various on-campus programs, including:

• UChicago Sustainability Dialogue
• Green Fund
• Climate Case Competition
• Environmental Frontiers
• Lunch & Learn

Research Pillars

The University of Chicago's research pillars include:

• Energy, Markets, and Policy
• Technology and Innovation
• Climate Systems Engineering

Entities and Resources

The University of Chicago provides various entities and resources, including:

• Programs & Labs, Projects, and More
• Research Funding
• Tools & Data Resources

Latest Publications

The University of Chicago publishes various research papers and articles, including:

• Active learning accelerates electrolyte solvent screening for anode-free lithium metal batteries
• Campaigning for Extinction: Eradication of Sparrows and the Great Famine in China
• Can AI weather models predict out-of-distribution gray swan tropical cyclones?

Opinions and Analysis

The University of Chicago publishes various opinions and analysis pieces, including:

• Why the For-Profit Race into Solar Geoengineering is Bad for Science and Public Trust

Podcasts

The University of Chicago produces various podcasts, including:

• Shocked

Charts

The University of Chicago publishes various charts and data visualizations, including:

• 2025 Poll: Americans’ Views on Climate Change and Policy in 15 Charts

Research Highlights

The University of Chicago highlights various research projects and findings, including:

• Rain, Tide, and Lives: The Hidden Mortality Cost of Mumbai’s Monsoon

News

The University of Chicago publishes various news articles and updates, including:

• Study of One Megacity Finds Chronic Flooding Increases Deaths, Especially Among the Poor and Young
• New AI model explores massive chemical space with minimal data

Institute News

The University of Chicago's Institute for Climate and Sustainable Growth publishes various news articles and updates, including:

• UChicago Scholars to Provide Technical Support in Global Effort to Deliver Farmers with Key Information to Manage Climate Risk
• The University of Chicago’s Institute for Climate and Sustainable Growth Celebrates One-Year Anniversary

In the News

The University of Chicago is featured in various news articles and updates, including:

• Excess Rainfall Costs Mumbai $1.2 Billion and Caused 2,700 Deaths Every Year, Study Says
• As world leaders enter climate talks, people in poverty have the most at stake
• Tiny Guyana navigates eye-popping ascent on oil production and wealth

Events

The University of Chicago hosts various events, including:

• Climate Frontiers: Energy and Climate at UChicago
• Arthur H. Compton Lecture Series: An Intro to Climate Systems Engineering
• MSCEP Q&A with Harris Admissions and Institute Leadership

Event Series and Around Campus

The University of Chicago hosts various event series and around campus, including:

• Seminars
• Career Series
• Energy & Climate Club
• Lunch & Learn
• Climate Frontiers

Global Experiences

The University of Chicago provides various global experiences, including:

• UChicago at COP
• UChicago at CERAWeek
• UChicago at Aspen Ideas: Climate
• UChicago at Climate Week NYC

University of Chicago Summary

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Overview:

The University of Chicago is a prestigious research university located in the Hyde Park neighborhood of Chicago. It is known for its rigorous academic programs, emphasis on independent thinking, and commitment to intellectual freedom. The university boasts a diverse community of scholars and students who contribute to groundbreaking research and advancements in various fields.

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Services Offered:

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Student Life and Campus Experience:

The university offers a vibrant campus experience with a diverse community, access to arts and culture, and a strong connection to the surrounding South Side neighborhood. Students can expect a challenging academic environment that fosters independent thinking and critical analysis.

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Key Reasons to Study There:

Rigorous academic programs:

The university is renowned for its challenging and intellectually stimulating curriculum.

Emphasis on independent thinking:

Students are encouraged to develop critical thinking skills and engage in original research.

Intellectual freedom:

The university provides a supportive environment for faculty and students to pursue their research interests without limitations.

Field-defining research:

The university has a long history of groundbreaking research and discoveries that have shaped various fields.

Global impact:

The university is actively involved in addressing global challenges through research, initiatives, and programs across the world.

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Academic Programs:

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Other:

The university is deeply connected to its surrounding community and invests in the South Side through initiatives in health, education, economic growth, and the arts. It also emphasizes its commitment to diversity and inclusion, fostering a welcoming environment for students from all backgrounds.