The University of Newcastle will be the first university in Australia to offer a Bachelor of Climate Science and Adaptation degree.
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The undergraduate degree, to be introduced next year, will provide students with a specialised pathway into a climate science and adaption career.
Nationally jobs for natural and physical science professionals are projected to grow 10.7 per cent from 2019 to 2024, and 12.5 per cent for environmental scientists.
"The impacts of climate variability and climate change are affecting our lives like never before," Associate Professor Anthony Kiem from the Faculty of Science said.
"There is therefore an urgent need to better understand, quantify, and adapt to climate-related risks."
The university hopes the three-year degree will increase the profile of climate science and adaptation research at the university.
In addition the degree aims to develop a multidisciplinary program of study for students that spans science, technology, engineering, arts, mathematics and medicine.
Pro vice-chancellor of the faculty of science Lee Smith said the new degree also highlighted the university's commitment to environmental sustainability.
"Environmental and social responsibility are at the core of our institution and it's important we continue to take a leading role on issues of environmental sustainability," he said.
The university was among the first universities to commit to using 100 per cent renewable energy.
It has also invested heavily in recent years in water recycling initiatives at the Callaghan campus.
The new degree aims to strengthen relationships between the university and industry and government bodies that are affected by climate impacts and/or have an active role in climate science and adaptation.
The university says the degree is designed to be suitable for students from diverse backgrounds.
The degree provides students with a core skill set, which are then enhanced through elective pathways in areas such as biodiversity and conservation, mathematics, physics, psychology, communication and data analytics.
The university is ranked in the country's top eight universities for overall satisfaction for undergraduate agriculture and environmental studies students.