The main objective of this course is to expose students to skills and techniques relevant for carrying out a substantive original multidisciplinary research project with a focus on human adaptation to the coastal impacts of climate change. During the seminar, we will explore coastal hazards, socioeconomic characteristics, and vulnerability of coastal communities to the impacts of climate change, as well as relevant adaptation alternatives. Additionally, this course will give participants an opportunity to further develop their communication, presentation and technical skills.

The course will be divided into three parts. The first part will focus on personal and technical skills relevant to multidisciplinary research. The second part will include an overview of climate concepts and review of the latest scientific findings related to climate change - i.e. the latest assessment report from the International Government panel on climate change (IPCC AR5). The third part of the seminar will focus on socioeconomic vulnerability and relevant coastal adaptation actions. Groups of students will develop a basic assessment of climate change impacts, review adaptation alternatives for a chosen coastal region, and present their findings to the class.

This course will include hands-on, experiential, collaborative learning and research activity. Students will learn to locate and summarize existing scientific literature and relevant data, and effectively present their work. Students will be introduced to the world of multidisciplinary research and receive an overview of technical tools required to carry out cutting edge research. Finally, the group project presentations during the final week of the course will give students an opportunity to develop and practice their presentations skills. This is an ideal course for students who are interested in interdisciplinary research, climate change, coastal hazards and related issues.