Catalog Description

CIPP650 examines the causes and impacts of climate change, emphasizing human health and society in Maryland, including the scientific basis for climate change, health equity, and governmental policies. Case studies are highlighted, and students can work in teams to develop innovative solutions to climate change-driven environmental challenges. The course addresses issues such as extreme heat, infectious disease, air pollution, saltwater inundation, and environmental justice.

Schedule

CIPP650 will be offered in Spring 2025 on Wednesdays 2-4 pm in-person and remotely.

Learning Objectives

• Building foundational knowledge in the science of climate change, including how greenhouse gas emissions promote warming of the land, oceans, and polar regions, with consequences for human health and society.

• Communicating how climate change can contribute to human diseases and societal stressors, with disproportionate impacts on economically disadvantaged, vulnerable people, communities, and countries.

• Developing familiarity with environmental laws and policies at the local, state, national, and international levels that are aimed at mitigation and adaptation to climate change.  

• Embracing interprofessional teamwork for responding to climate change with a consortium of faculty from the Graduate School and professional Schools of Medicine, Nursing, Law, and Social Work. 

• Successfully partnering with stakeholders and representatives at the local, state, and national levels to conduct meaningful actions for addressing challenges from climate change.  

Student Projects

Some examples of projects include:

• Adaptation and the Red Line: Ideas for a "Greener" Future for Baltimore City Commuters
  
• Using Community-Focused Outreach to Mitigate Heat Stress Impacts with Worsening Climate Change
• Baltimore Waterfront Flooding Adaptation
• A Blight on South Baltimore: Combating Baltimore's Most Prominent Polluter with Interdisciplinary Advocacy

Contact

For more information, please contact:

Dr. S. DasSarma, Course Director

Karin Russ, Course Co-Director