18 courses with the subject MCS, each shown exactly as we captured it from the college's catalog, with every element we hold. Where the wording looks broken, that is our reading of the catalog, not the college's text.
MCS 5010Residency #1 Introduction to Applied Climate Studies8
The twelve-day residency includes lectures, discussions, workshops, project group meetings, field trips, field skills, and mentoring sessions. The schedule typically runs from 9:00 am to 9:00 pm each day, with two hours for meals and transitions. This residency covers an introduction to climate studies, data analysis and management, and climate justice. The residency also includes important steps for the project team formation, with an emphasis on project management, team skills, and collaboration. Students engage in learning and practicing facilitation and leadership exercises. In addition, the residency involves field work, demonstrations, and excursions to engage in climate-related projects, practices, and plans. The residency includes a climate summit that students attend, engage, and reflect upon. Overall, the first residency sets the stage for the rest of the program. Students are evaluated on a Pass/Fail basis.
This course offers an overview of the physical mechanisms in climate systems and variables by which climate change occurs. The science behind current and projected climate change scenarios, consequences, and interactions is examined. This includes ways in which climate systems interact with other natural and social systems. Students explore and critique some of the tools decision-makers use to quantify damages caused by climate change impacts and gain a foundation in communicating complex science to a range of audiences.
MCS 5120Climate Change Mitigation, Resilience, and Adaptation2
This course explores responses and strategies to address climate change with a focus on clean, renewable energy systems and how they work. The curriculum also explores climate-smart building, with an emphasis on building materials, lighting, and green building standards. The course highlights a variety
MCS 5210Climate Data Analysis, Management, and Visualization2
In this course, students gain the necessary knowledge and expertise to effectively address climate-related issues through the use of data management, analysis, and visualization techniques. Students explore a wide range of publicly available climate data sets and also consider strategies for collecting data. Students gain proficiency in statistical analysis and visualization processes and learn how to convert raw data related to climate challenges into visually appealing and informative graphics, charts, and interactive dashboards. Moreover, they understand the potential of these visualizations to raise awareness, shape public opinion, and stimulate action toward addressing climate change.
MCS 5220Climate Data: Geographic Information Systems2
In this course, students continue to build skills in data management, analysis, and visualization through the utilization of Geographic Information Systems (GIS) software. Students build an understanding of how to most effectively process vector and raster data to analyze spatial relationships related to climate change. Students learn how to build maps and create story maps. Topics include data structures and basic functions, methods of data capture and sources of data, and the nature and characteristics of geospatial data and objects. Instruction and hands-on exercises cover a range of application areas and disciplines, reflecting the climate issue application relevance of this tool. Moreover, students deepen their understanding of the potential of GIS to engage a range of audiences and decision-makers in addressing climate-related concerns.
This course explores justice and equity as they relate to climate change, highlighting how governance, policy, and economics have created inequitable climate change impacts on communities of color, immigrants, Indigenous Peoples, and low-income earners. The course involves transnational case studies from the US and international perspectives that demonstrate the intersection of environmental hazards and climate change with migration, displacement, surveillance, and identity. The course allows students to deepen their understanding of these issues and consider examples of successful strategies for climate change mitigation and adaptation that enhance equity and justice. Emphasis is placed on policies and approaches that lead toward more justice.
This course examines climate action planning processes and their intersection with justice and equity. Students learn how to develop climate planning that can lead to more resilient and regenerative communities, institutions, and organizations. The course involves strategies for collective visioning, design, and implementation, including stakeholder engagement, community participation, collaboration, evaluation, and adaptive management. Students learn about community-based social marketing, diffusion of innovations, principles of negotiation, and potential to reduce barriers to participation.
MCS 5400Organizational Climate Action Management and Leadership2
This course provides integrated frameworks to better understand how to effectively take action on climate issues in a variety of organizational contexts. The course highlights management, decision-making, reporting mechanisms, and advanced strategies for addressing climate change. The curriculum explores materiality, transparency, networks, engagement (organizational and community),
In this course, students work on project teams built during the residency to complete a study and analysis of a defined problem or issue in partnership with an organization, company, or community partner. Faculty/community mentors work with each project team and guide the students through a project-based learning structure and curriculum leading to an online presentation at the end of winter term and a final research deliverable and presentation to the client/partner during the second summer residency. This first phase involves scoping, understanding context, and setting up what will be needed for the second half of the project.
Building on the groundwork of Phase I, student teams move into more active implementation of their partner-engaged project. Drawing on skills developed in the MACS professional modules and preliminary courses, students co-design and execute research or applied interventions. Teams may gather, manage, analyze, and interpret data, pilot strategies, or test tools in close collaboration with their partner organization. Emphasis is placed on iterative development and continuous dialogue with partners. Deliverables will be co-developed with project partners and might include a project brief, a public-facing online presentation, and preparation of core materials for final deliverables.
Students work on project teams to complete an analysis of a defined problem or issue in partnership with an organization, business, or other community partner. In project two, students either continue a multi-semester project or begin a new project with a different partner. Faculty/community mentors work with each project team or individual and help guide students through a project-based learning structure. Presentations allow for peer and mentor feedback. This phase involves scoping, understanding context, refining the project, and setting up for Phase II.
The final project and final phase centers on synthesizing learning, translating work for public and partner use, and contributing to the student’s professional portfolio. Students finalize deliverables tailored to partner needs while reflecting on their project’s broader significance. Emphasis is placed on clear communication, ethical closure, and long-term relationship stewardship. The course culminates in a final presentation during the summer residency and a written reflection on the evolution, outcomes, and impact of the student’s applied work. Portfolio materials, including but not limited to case studies or policy briefs, are finalized for use beyond the program.
MCS 5620Professional Skills Module #2 - Technical Tools for Climate and
Environmental Action (1cr) This second module supports the development of core technical skills necessary for data-informed and evidence-based climate work. Students gain fluency in a range of tools and frameworks relevant to their ongoing applied projects and future professional projects. The skills module courses occur online in either a synchronous or asynchronous format, depending upon the topic or skill being introduced. Skill modules vary depending on the student projects, and may include: greenhouse gas accounting and reporting frameworks, enhanced data visualization, general communication strategies, land-use dynamic simulators, NOAA resilience planning tools, map support, report writing, and more. Students are evaluated on a Pass/Fail basis.
