The Center for Advanced Undergraduate Studies and Experience (CAUSE) is a unique center that supports the educational mission of the College of Earth and Mineral Sciences, providing special services, courses, and facilities that are not available at the departmental level. A goal of the center is to promote undergraduate research and study abroad/study away. CAUSE-sponsored courses provide “real world experiences” for students – a chance to leave the classroom behind and spend time tackling a topic of contemporary importance in the field.
CAUSE was created in the early 1990s to promote interdisciplinary, problem-based learning opportunities for undergraduates. CAUSE experiences vary from year to year and range from a multi-semester seminar course that allows students to do theme-based research both in the classroom and out in the field with a Maymester of summer travel component or one semester courses with an embedded travel component. CAUSE courses focus on the political, economic, and physical environment of a selected country or area. CAUSE courses are open to all majors in the college and every effort is made to keep costs affordable to make the experience accessible to a greater number of students. Recent CAUSE experiences have focused on both international and U.S. locations.
Spring 2027- EMSC 470W (3 credits) + summer travel
Communities in Uganda’s Rwenzori Mountains face increasing climate risks from flooding, erosion, and landslides. Landscape restoration through tree planting is a climate adaptation strategy that may be effective against climate related flooding, yet planting trees alone does not indicate restoration success or full achievement of community adaptation goals. Understanding and addressing the various socio-ecological challenges to community-led tree planting programs as adaptation strategies is at the center of this transdisciplinary educational-research initiative which will combine classroom lectures and activities followed by a two-week fieldwork program in Uganda in June 2027.