Academic and Training Program Hub

The Center on Collaborative Systems for Safety, Security, and Resilience (CoSSaR) at the University of Washington is at the forefront of research and innovation aimed at enhancing the safety, security, and resilience of complex systems. Our mission is to develop interdisciplinary solutions that address the critical challenges faced by communities, industries, and governments worldwide.At CoSSaR, we bring together experts from diverse fields—engineering, computer science, social sciences, and more—to collaborate on projects that have real-world impact. Whether it’s improving public safety, strengthening transportation networks, or advancing cybersecurity, our work is driven by a commitment to making communities more resilient and secure.We partner with leading academic institutions, government agencies, and private sector organizations to co-create innovative solutions that are both practical and transformative. Through our cutting-edge research, education, and outreach efforts, CoSSaR is helping to shape a safer, more secure future.

This self-directed undergraduate education tab is for people interested in climate electives but who may not have the time for the climate science minor. We encourage students to start with courses that teach the basics of climate systems. Then find classes from as many different focus areas that are applicable to your interests or that you are able to fit in your schedule. We strive to continually update the list, so if you know of a class that should be here, let us know by email uwpcc@uw.edu .

The Pacific Northwest (PNW) Climate Ambassadors program at the University of Washington trains graduate students studying topics related to climate change to effectively engage with the public. Our first cohort of students completed their initial training in May 2025 and are ready to develop presentations on a topic related to their climate science interest and expertise.

The Climate Science Minor aims to give students a strong interdisciplinary foundation in climate science with opportunities to explore policy, energy, and human dimensions of climate change.

The Graduate Certificate in Climate Science (GCeCS) was created to provide an interdisciplinary training in methods, research issues, and communication of climate science that enhances the scientific breadth and professional employability of GCeCS awardees. The certificate combines the PCC courses, specifically designed to address the cross-linkages in the earth system that disciplinary curricula are not able to do, with a capstone in Climate Science Communication.

The Program on Climate Change amplifies the University of Washington’s exceptional range of expertise in climate related fields. Interaction among faculty through PCC activities promotes the integration of existing observational and modeling efforts within and between individual departments, providing a powerful synthesis approach for addressing the problems of climate change. Through courses, events, and planning for future initiatives, the program unites faculty, graduate students, and more recently undergraduates and off-campus partners, in efforts to understand, mitigate and adapt to climate change.

The UVA Center for Risk Management of Engineering Systems (The Center), recognized worldwide for its contributions to risk, resilience, and reliability, brings together UVA's technical expertise in collaborations across the University. The Center develops theory, methodology, and technology to identify and manage risk for engineering systems. Industry and government sponsors of research at the Center work closely with faculty and students contributing their unique strengths and interests.The Center draws together faculty from the School of Engineering and Applied Science, the Darden School of Business, the College of Arts and Sciences, and other units of the University to address cross-disciplinary risk-based government- and industry-sponsored studies. Such joint activities lead to: interacting with graduate students and faculty; exchanging knowledge and ideas at workshops; consulting informally with faculty on technical and other issues; attending tutorials and workshops; welcoming outside staff and professionals to the University of Virginia; sharing technical reports, articles, and publications; accessing software tools; and advancing the state of knowledge and the cutting edge of research on risk management.

Combining the expertise and resources provided by Old Dominion University (ODU), William & Mary’s Virginia Coastal Resilience Collaborative (VCRC) and Virginia Institute of Marine Science (VIMS), we conduct studies, provide training and offer a variety of services in the area of recurrent flooding resilience to local governments, state agencies, industries, and citizens of the Commonwealth.