What are the dates of the course?
This course is self-paced, which means you can complete the content anytime. This run of the course will close on August 31, 2023 -- so be sure to complete all materials by then!
Are there due dates for the assignments?
For self-paced courses, edX suggests due dates for assignments and exams as a way to help you stay on track. These due dates are suggestions to help you plan and pace your studies. You can submit assignments or exams any time up until the final end date of the course. Learn more about edX suggested due dates here.
If you see an assignment you have not completed is Past Due, or you see a message that you have missed a suggested deadline on the course homepage or Dates tab, you can shift your due dates. You can shift your due dates using the Shift due dates button on the course homepage or Dates tab. This will not affect any of the progress you have made in the course so far.
What resources will I need for this class?
A strong internet connection will be helpful, but we will try to ensure materials are available for slower bandwidths as well. The course is optimized to run on the most recent versions of most browsers, and Google Chrome and Safari have been shown to work the best with the platform. No other computer programs or books are necessary. All the readings will be provided as links.
How many hours a week will this course take?
Though it varies by person, this course should be on average 2 hours of viewing time for the lecture videos plus 2-3 hours per module for comprehension questions, readings, and engagement on the discussion board. You can pace it accordingly and work at any time suitable to you. None of the course is compulsory --the Mid-Term and Final Exams are only required if you want to earn a Verified Certificate. However, if you are auditing the course, you are free to pick and choose the topics that interest you.
What kind of background do I need for this course?
The course is open to all and is accessible to learners without prior background in the topic of climate science.
Can I take this class for university credit?
No. While we encourage teachers and professors to incorporate this material into their own courses, you cannot take this course on its own for university credit.
How will I communicate with other learners?
You will communicate mostly in the discussion forum within the course platform.
I see that all the due dates are set in UTC. What is UTC?
All of the due dates and times are presented in UTC, which is Coordinated Universal Time, set equivalent to Greenwich Mean Time (GMT). To convert this to your time zone, please use a time zone converter.
How is the course graded?
This course contains ungraded video comprehension questions. Verified learners also have access to graded mid-term (15 questions) and final exams (20 questions).
VERIFIED LEARNERS: The mid-term exam counts for 40% of your final grade, and the final exam counts for 50%. The remaining 10% of the course grade comes from Participation (completing pre- and post-course surveys). You must pass with a 70% or above to receive your Verified Certificate.
Whether or not you are pursuing a certificate, you are encouraged to complete all of the available assessments, as they are your opportunity to gauge how well you understand the material.
Who do I contact with questions?
- Course content issues (questions about assessments and lectures) should be emailed directly to courses@sdgacademy.org, using the subject line "Climate Science Course."
- edX Technical issues should be directed to the Student Support Team via the Help button at the top of your screen.