Ohio State is in the process of revising websites and program materials to accurately reflect compliance with the law. While this work occurs, language referencing protected class status or other activities prohibited by Ohio Senate Bill 1 may still appear in some places. However, all programs and activities are being administered in compliance with federal and state law.

Climate & Natural Hazard Risk

Map and model flood, heat, landslide, and seismic risks; help communities plan for resilience.

What graduates do

Graduates support cities, public agencies, and private firms with data‑driven hazard maps and risk models that inform infrastructure and emergency planning.

  • Entry roles in consulting and public agencies
  • Strong demand during climate adaptation investments
  • Clear advancement into modeling & project management with experience/graduate study

Degree expectation: BS for entry; MS preferred for modeling‑heavy roles.

Common entry-level jobs

  • Hazards/GIS analyst
  • Catastrophe modeling assistant
  • Resilience planning intern

Careers (links to US Bureau of Labor Statistics outlook)

Training in the School of Earth Sciences

In the School of Earth Sciences you'll build practical, career-ready skills across the Earth sciences: 

  • Seismology and structural geology – interpret earthquakes, faults, and tectonic forces
  • Hydrology and climate science – understand floods, droughts, and water availability in a changing climate
  • GIS and remote sensing software – analyze spatial data and create professional maps
  • Statistics and data management – clean, visualize, and interpret real-world environmental datasets
  • Programming skills – automate analyses, model Earth processes, and create transparent, reproducible workflows.

Courses to consider

  • EARTHSC 2245 – Introductory Data Analysis for Earth and Environmental Sciences
  • EARTHSC 4530 – Structural Geology
  • EARTHSC 5201 – Introduction to Seismology
  • EARTHSC 5310 – Remote Sensing in the Earth Sciences
  • EARTHSC 5655 – Land Surface Hydrology

Hands‑on experiences

  • Field mapping of slopes & stream gauging
  • ArcGIS-based lab experiences
  • City/county hazard‑mitigation projects
  • Undergrad research experiences & presentation opportunities

FAQs

Is this work stable? Risk assessment and resilience planning are growing in government and consulting due to the increase in frequency and severity of natural hazards caused by climate change.
What about safety? All fieldwork in our courses follows OSU safety protocols; many roles are office-based and analysis-focused with occasional site visits.