Eli Fenichel
Yale School of the Environment
Knobloch Family Professor of Natural Resource Economics
Knobloch Family Professor of Natural Resource Economics
Curriculum
The Environmental Data Science Certificate Program is an online, six-month program for those interested in leveraging data to solve environmental challenges locally, regionally, and across the globe.
On This Page
Lectures will be delivered by Yale School of the Environment’s renowned faculty and highly trained staff and will include the participation of other Yale partners, alumni, and leading experts. Synchronous discussions, practice coding workbooks, and a capstone project provides a comprehensive educational experience.
There are four foundational courses — Data Foundations, Data Stewardship, Data Cleaning & Analysis, Data Communication — and two Special Topics. Each course has weekly modules.
Format
The curriculum consists of weekly, asynchronous recorded lectures and a weekly synchronous cohort meeting covering key topics in environmental data science. Practice coding workbooks, readings, and supplemental material accompany each lecture topic to reinforce learning. In addition to the core content, special topics provide an opportunity to strengthen analytical skills by concentrating on specific methods. The program culminates in a capstone project, where learners demonstrate acquired skills to address environmental challenges, producing actionable insights or proposed solutions.
This online certificate developed by faculty from the Yale School of the Environment, is designed to provide learners with a comprehensive foundation in Environmental Data Science. Drawing upon the expertise of Yale’s faculty, the curriculum integrates cutting-edge theoretical knowledge with practical, applied skills. The certificate program is structured to accommodate diverse learning styles and schedules, delivered through synchronous live sessions, asynchronous recorded lectures, and interactive online assignments. Learners will also benefit from a robust network of academic and professional support and an international cohort, fostering collaboration, critical thinking, and sustained engagement throughout the learning journey.
This certificate is made possible by the contributions of Yale faculty, staff, invited guest lecturers, The Poorvu Center for Teaching and Learning, and Yale Broadcast Studio.
Program framework and key learning outcomes
Key Learning Outcomes
- Build a foundation of best practices in obtaining, integrating and managing data for environmental data science. Acquire expertise in data acquisition, ensuring data quality, consistency, and accessibility for analysis using environmental datasets.
- Convert data into meaningful insights and solutions from local to global environmental challenges. Learn the details of data access, data management/maintenance and learn to recognize when advanced analytical methods are necessary.
- Identify and address issues within data to maximize environmental insights. Learn how to effectively program and interpret environmental data through various exploratory data analysis techniques, including basic descriptive statistics and regression analysis.
- Communicate your findings through meaningful visualizations to deepen understanding and support decision-making.
Yale School of the Environment (YSE)
Since 1900, YSE has addressed the world’s most critical environmental challenges through research, practice-based scholarship, and public engagement. Our internationally renowned faculty lead rigorous coursework across ten learning communities, each focused on a different area of expertise. Their innovative research, completed with students and staff across Yale and within numerous disciplines, is changing how we understand the environment, conservation, and sustainability.
By joining YSE, you can become an integral part of this robust and diverse community of learners committed to addressing the planet’s most pressing environmental challenges.
This online certificate developed by faculty from the Yale School of the Environment, is designed to provide learners with a comprehensive foundation in Environmental Data Science. Drawing upon the expertise of Yale’s faculty, the curriculum integrates cutting-edge theoretical knowledge with practical, applied skills. The certificate program is structured to accommodate diverse learning styles and schedules, delivered through synchronous live sessions, asynchronous recorded lectures, and interactive online assignments. Learners will also benefit from a robust network of academic and professional support and an international cohort, fostering collaboration, critical thinking, and sustained engagement throughout the learning journey.
This certificate is made possible by the contributions of Yale faculty, staff, invited guest lecturers, The Poorvu Center for Teaching and Learning, and Yale Broadcast Studio.
Lead Faculty
Jennifer Marlon
Yale School of the Environment; Yale Program on Climate Change Communication
Research Scientist and Lecturer
Research Scientist and Lecturer
Simon Queenborough
Yale School of the Environment
Senior Lecturer and Research Scientist; Musser Director, Tropical Resources Institute
Senior Lecturer and Research Scientist; Musser Director, Tropical Resources Institute