Environmental Science of the Arctic
Gain first-hand knowledge about one of the most critical global topics of our time. Explore climate change theory through the lens of scientific climate history in the Arctic. See for yourself, alongside expert scientists in the field on your Study Tours, what is currently being researched in the changes occurring within the glaciers of Iceland, the Greenland ice sheet, or the tundra of Arctic Norway.
Core Courses
Climate, Glaciers, and Human Impact
Fall/Spring, 3 Credits
This course focuses on the natural science aspects of climate change with emphasis on historic times. The course takes a journey from ancient times through to the present describing periods when the climate was strikingly different than it is today and revealing the mechanisms and feedback that govern the climate system. With Iceland as your case study, you gain a thorough understanding of general climate mechanisms, with a focus on the past 1,000 years and how civilizations have interacted with climate processes.
Ice Cores and Ice Ages
Fall/Spring, 3 Credits
This course focuses on the natural science aspects of climate change during the prehistoric times with focus on the glacial and the deglaciation. You gain an understanding of past climate variability, including its underlying causes and mechanisms as a basis for separating natural and anthropogenic climate change and for making useful projections of future climate and assessing its impacts. The course focuses on pre-human times, and the 100,000 year old Greenlandic ice sheet provides an ideal case study.
Polar Biology
Fall/Spring, 3 Credits
In this course, gain an understanding of biology of the polar areas, with a special emphasis on the Northern Hemisphere. Learn how organisms of the Polar Regions are evolutionarily adapted to cold terrestrial or marine habitats with strong seasonality. By studying theoretical and practical case studies, gain insight into population dynamics and species richness within Denmark, and of the Arctic regions in Norway and Greenland.
Core Course Study Tours
This program travels on Study Tours to the following destinations:
Climate, Glaciers, and Human Impact:
- Week-Long Study Tour: Iceland
- Core Course Week: Denmark
Ice Cores and Ice Ages:
Polar Biology:
Early in the semester, you delve into your academic focus during Core Course Week, in which you travel on a short Study Tour for three days in Denmark or a neighboring country, combined with a two-day seminar in Copenhagen. Later in the semester, you travel again with your Core Course on a week-long Study Tour in Europe.
While on tour, theories learned in the classroom come to life by meeting with professionals and experts in your field who contribute to furthering your understanding of course topics. Study Tours are hands-on and experiential, combining theory with practice, and expose you to additional cultural perspectives. You have the opportunity to visit sites and experts in your field of interest that you may not otherwise have access to.
Elective Courses
Add elective courses to complement your Core Course at DIS Copenhagen. You decide how to build your course load based on your needs and interests!
Electives range across disciplines and include research, workshops, studios, and even Exploration Electives, which come with a travel component.
Visit our website to view the full list of over 200 additional elective courses!
Prerequisites
Climate, Glaciers, and Human Impact/Ice Cores and Ice Ages:
One course in environmental or Earth science at university level. One year of physics or chemistry at university level is recommended.
Bring appropriate clothing and footwear to stay warm and dry during the Study Tour in potential subzero temperatures. Confidence in hiking on hilly and potentially slippery terrain is mandatory.
Polar Biology:
One course in environmental or Earth science at university level. One course in biology or ecology at university level is recommended.
Bring appropriate clothing and footwear to stay warm and dry during the Study Tour in potential subzero temperatures. Confidence in hiking on hilly and potentially slippery terrain is mandatory.
