Sharpen Your Knowledge of the Changing Arctic. Master your knowledge of the Arctic, the rapid changes taking place, and their connections with Northern peoples, economies and geopolitics.

4.8

stars

23 ratings

Mark C. Serreze +1 more instructor

Offered By

Arctic Climate, Environ. & Geographies of a Changing North SpecializationUniversity of Colorado Boulder

What you will learn

Mastering Arctic geography.
Understanding the pronounced and interconnected changes unfolding in the Arctic.
Recognizing intimate connections between the changing Arctic, Northern economies, peoples, and geopolitics.
Appreciate the long history of the Arctic and its peoples

Skills you will gain

Economics
Geography
Environmental Protection
Arctic Studies
Climate Change
History
oceanography
Environmental Studies
atmospheric science
arctic sustainability
Energy Economics
International Relations

About this Specialization

This specialization starts with an in-depth look at the physical geography of the Arctic and its key climate features, including the ocean's floating sea ice cover, the Greenland Ice Sheet, and patterns of temperature, precipitation, snow cover and permafrost. We will then learn about the remarkable unfolding changes that are transforming the Arctic environment, how they are related to each other, and cascading impacts on terrestrial and marine ecosystems. Attention then turns to the growing economic, strategic, and geopolitical importance of the Arctic in the context of observed environmental changes in the region.

Applied Learning Project

This specialization will consist of in-video questions, short quizzes for each module, and a final project for each course. Projects include a set of mapping exercises to gain familiarity with the Arctic region and its climate, a poster designed to illustrate and explain connections between observed physical and ecological changes unfolding in the Arctic and how the Arctic system will likely evolve in the 21st Century, and a project of each student's choice to illustrate how the changing Arctic will affect them and their community.

Shareable Certificate

Earn a Certificate upon completion

100% online courses

Start instantly and learn at your own schedule.

Flexible Schedule

Set and maintain flexible deadlines.

Beginner Level

There are no recommended backgrounds for those taking this specialization, other than an interest in our planet's changing environment.

Approximately 4 months to complete

Suggested pace of 2 hours/week

English

Subtitles: English

Shareable Certificate

Earn a Certificate upon completion

100% online courses

Start instantly and learn at your own schedule.

Flexible Schedule

Set and maintain flexible deadlines.

Beginner Level

There are no recommended backgrounds for those taking this specialization, other than an interest in our planet's changing environment.

Approximately 4 months to complete

Suggested pace of 2 hours/week

English

Subtitles: English

How the Specialization Works

Take Courses

A Coursera Specialization is a series of courses that helps you master a skill. To begin, enroll in the Specialization directly, or review its courses and choose the one you'd like to start with. When you subscribe to a course that is part of a Specialization, you’re automatically subscribed to the full Specialization. It’s okay to complete just one course — you can pause your learning or end your subscription at any time. Visit your learner dashboard to track your course enrollments and your progress.

Hands-on Project

Every Specialization includes a hands-on project. You'll need to successfully finish the project(s) to complete the Specialization and earn your certificate. If the Specialization includes a separate course for the hands-on project, you'll need to finish each of the other courses before you can start it.

Earn a Certificate

When you finish every course and complete the hands-on project, you'll earn a Certificate that you can share with prospective employers and your professional network.

There are 3 Courses in this Specialization

Course1

Course 1

The Arctic as a System

4.8

stars

17 ratings

In this course you will first learn about the Arctic as a geographic region, the peoples the Arctic, and the long history of Arctic settlement and exploration. Attention then turns to key features of the Arctic environment – its climate and weather, features of the ocean, sea ice, lands and the Greenland Ice Sheet, and some of the rapid changes being observed.

Learning Objectives: Appreciate the long history of the Arctic and its peoples. Recognize and recall the physical geography of the Arctic, including major features of the Arctic Ocean and Arctic lands. Describe the key climate and environmental elements of the Arctic, including its sea ice cover, patterns of temperature, precipitation, snow cover, land ice, permafrost and vegetation, the physical processes giving rise to these features, and how they are changing.

Course2

Course 2

The Changing Arctic: Present, Past, & Future

This course takes a detailed look at the remarkable changes unfolding in the Arctic environment, including the shrinking Arctic sea ice cover, shrinking land ice, thawing permafrost and cascading impacts on Arctic ecosystems. After a review of Arctic climates of the past, attention turns to the possible future of the Arctic’s climate and environment.

Course3

Course 3

Arctic Change & the Nexus of Governance, Economics & Culture

In this course, you will learn how the changing Arctic environment is tied to the growing economic and strategic importance of the North. After setting the stage through a review of the peoples of the Arctic and how they are dealing with change, Arctic governance, economies national defense, attention turns to marine use of the Arctic, oil and gas exploration, mining, fisheries and tourism. The course ends with a survey of recent Arctic events.

Instructors

Mark C. Serreze

Distinguished Professor of Geography and Director of the National Snow and Ice Data Center

Department of Geography

1,690 Learners

3 Courses

Mistia Zuckerman

1,690 Learners

3 Courses

Offered by

University of Colorado Boulder

CU-Boulder is a dynamic community of scholars and learners on one of the most spectacular college campuses in the country. As one of 34 U.S. public institutions in the prestigious Association of American Universities (AAU), we have a proud tradition of academic excellence, with five Nobel laureates and more than 50 members of prestigious academic academies.

Industry Partners

Frequently Asked Questions

What is the refund policy?
If you subscribed, you get a 7-day free trial during which you can cancel at no penalty. After that, we don’t give refunds, but you can cancel your subscription at any time. See our full refund policy.
Can I just enroll in a single course?
Yes! To get started, click the course card that interests you and enroll. You can enroll and complete the course to earn a shareable certificate, or you can audit it to view the course materials for free. When you subscribe to a course that is part of a Specialization, you’re automatically subscribed to the full Specialization. Visit your learner dashboard to track your progress.
Is financial aid available?
Yes. In select learning programs, you can apply for financial aid or a scholarship if you can’t afford the enrollment fee. If fin aid or scholarship is available for your learning program selection, you’ll find a link to apply on the description page.
Can I take the course for free?
When you enroll in the course, you get access to all of the courses in the Specialization, and you earn a certificate when you complete the work. If you only want to read and view the course content, you can audit the course for free. If you cannot afford the fee, you can apply for financial aid.
Is this course really 100% online? Do I need to attend any classes in person?
This course is completely online, so there’s no need to show up to a classroom in person. You can access your lectures, readings and assignments anytime and anywhere via the web or your mobile device.
How long does it take to complete the Specialization?
This specialization is intended to cover about 15 weeks.
What background knowledge is necessary?
No specific background is necessary.
Do I need to take the courses in a specific order?
It is recommended that the courses be taken in order, as each builds upon the other.
Will I earn university credit for completing the Specialization?
No, this Specialization is currently offered as non-credit only.
What will I be able to do upon completing the Specialization?
You will have gained keen insights into issues of climate change in the North. This will help prepare you to contribute in meaningful ways to make wise decisions for the future of our planet.

More questions? Visit the Learner Help Center.