Iceland

Carbon Management and Climate Modeling – syllabus
(ENGR3000 / 3 credits)

This seminar focuses on carbon management and mitigation, energy use and production in the Arctic, and the analysis and use of climate models in understanding and projecting climate change in the future. The seminar explores Iceland’s innovative experiments with carbon storage and fixation and the development of renewable energies, as well as considers the implications of climate projections in the Arctic. The seminar relies on resources available through program partners including University Centre of the Westfjords, University of Akureyri, University of Iceland, and several scientific institutions around Iceland.

The Arctic: Changing Ecosystems and Resilience – syllabus
(ENVI3000 / 3 credits)

The Arctic, a region of major importance to the world, is changing rapidly. This seminar makes the effects of climate change in this unique part of the world a subject of discussion. It addresses the conditions of change in Arctic ecosystems, highlighting areas of resilience and vulnerability and delving into areas of active study with researchers in Iceland. The seminar also considers community adaptation to the changing environment around them. Sessions will be primarily focused in Ísafjörður but will include program partners around Iceland, including members of working groups of the Arctic Council.

Research Methods and Ethics in the Arctic – syllabus
(ENVI3500 / 4 credits)

In this seminar, students are introduced to recent research on climate change. Students become familiar with the methodologies employed in natural and social science research on climate change as well as in renewable energy and sustainability studies. Students select and analyze relevant issues surrounding climate change in the Arctic, including its impact on ecosystems and human communities, in consultation with program faculty. Students will work independently or in small groups to research and identify an existing problem related to climate change in the Arctic and produce a research proposal for their Research Project in Arctic Climate Protection. This course gives students the opportunity to engage on a deeper level with the topics covered in the seminars and to develop their academic and research skills. Support is provided throughout the course by program faculty, particularly in aiding students in finding resources and Research Project in Arctic Climate Protection advisors in Iceland.

Research Project in Arctic Climate Protection – syllabus
(ISPR3000 / 6 credits)

The Research Project in Arctic Climate Protection builds on and connects the content and experiences from the other courses in the program and is undertaken in the second half of the semester.  In this course, students design a project addressing the protection of the Arctic climate through renewable energy, behavioral practice, or a creative method/approach to track or address climate change in the Arctic. Students have the opportunity to work independently or in small groups on their projects. Another aim of the Research Project in Arctic Climate Protection is to build collaborative partnerships with local communities for the enhancement of innovative approaches to climate change.

Potential project topics include:

• Thinning of ice sheets and glacier retreat
• Melting permafrost
• Ecosystem carbon sequestration
• Renewable energy
• Arctic air pollution
• Climate change impacts on marine species
• Communicating climate science
• Arctic tourism and climate change
• Invasive species proliferation and altered migration patterns caused by climate change