Curriculum Overview
About the Program
The Earth Systems and Global Change Minor Program offers an interdisciplinary education aimed at understanding how the Earth operates as a highly interconnected and integrated system. By bringing together approaches from the natural sciences and sustainability studies, the program enables students to explore the dynamic interactions among the geosphere, biosphere, hydrosphere, and atmosphere. It also provides a scientific framework for evaluating the societal challenges arising from global environmental change.
Within the scope of the program, students gain fundamental concepts and analytical skills related to contemporary global issues such as climate change, biodiversity loss, natural hazards, and sustainability. Through hands-on learning involving real-world datasets, case studies, Geographic Information Systems (GIS), and remote sensing tools, students develop the capacity to critically assess global risks and propose solutions across a wide range of disciplines, including engineering, biology, computer science, and architecture.
The ultimate goal of the minor program is to educate a new generation of students who possess a systems-oriented perspective, are capable of approaching complex environmental problems from multiple angles, and can develop holistic, science-based solutions.
Educational Objectives
The primary objective of this minor program is to provide undergraduate students from diverse engineering and science disciplines with a comprehensive perspective on Earth System Science. Through the program, students are expected to:
-
Acquire fundamental knowledge of the main components of the Earth system (atmosphere, hydrosphere, geosphere, and biosphere) and their interactions
-
Understand the impacts of natural processes and human activities on the Earth’s past, present, and future
-
Learn the scientific foundations of globally critical issues such as climate change, biodiversity loss, natural hazards, and sustainability
-
Develop practical skills by working with real datasets and using GIS, remote sensing, and basic data analysis tools
-
Build awareness of systems thinking, environmental policies, and climate justice
Career Opportunities
Graduates who successfully complete the program can pursue employment opportunities across a wide range of sectors at both national and international levels, supported by their interdisciplinary knowledge base, systems-thinking approach, and analytical skills. As the demand for qualified experts continues to grow in areas such as environmental management, climate adaptation policies, disaster preparedness, and sustainable development, graduates of this program are well positioned for diverse career paths, including:
-
Environmental and Disaster Management Organizations: Roles in natural hazard risk analysis, climate adaptation projects, ecosystem conservation, and environmental policy development as specialists or project consultants.
-
Public Institutions and Municipalities: Employment in sustainability, disaster preparedness, and environmental monitoring projects within institutions such as the Ministry of Environment, Urbanization and Climate Change, AFAD, the Turkish State Meteorological Service, and local governments.
-
International Research and Applied Projects: Participation in environment-focused projects funded by international programs such as Horizon Europe, Interreg, Erasmus+, and the Belmont Forum.
-
Energy, Infrastructure, and Planning Sectors: Positions as engineering or environmental specialists in renewable energy, water management, sustainable urban development, and infrastructure projects.
-
Academic and Research Institutions: Pursuit of graduate (MSc and PhD) studies and academic careers in Earth Sciences, Ecology, Climate Science, and Sustainability.
-
NGOs and International Organizations: Professional roles as environmental analysts, project coordinators, or policy developers in organizations such as WWF, UNEP, IPCC, and UNESCO.