Environmental Geoscience, Northern Illinois University
Overview and Context
Our major is divided into three emphases, one of which is Environmental Geoscience. The other two emphases are Geology and Earth Science Education. Regardless of their chosen emphasis, all majors take the same core courses. Programs differ in the requirements and choices above the level of this core. Our Environmental Geoscience emphasis was designed to provide a broad background in integrative, interdisciplinary science. It maintains rigor and depth in the geosciences while at the same time building a solid foundation in one other scientific field in which the student is interested.
Connecting to the Future of Science
Our Environmental Geoscience emphasis has been effective in connecting to the future of science in several ways. Most importantly it has allowed students with a broad interest in science to purse those interests without being pigeon-holed into a narrow geological focus. We strongly believe that the future of science is highly interdisciplinary and multidisciplinary, and feel that our program is fostering in our majors, exactly that type of thinking and problem-solving approach.
Goals and Assessment
Our department goals statement lists eight areas of "skills and knowledge" that we expect each student to be able to demonstrate upon completion of the program. Without going into detail, these eight categories of Expected Outcomes are: (1) Earth Materials, (2) Earth Features, (3) Earth Processes, (4) Interpretation of the Geologic Record, (5) Collection, Evaluation and Manipulation of Data, (6) Communication, (7) Scientific Analysis, and (8) Societal Significance of Geoscience. Detailed explanations of these expected outcomes are provided in the additional materials for our program, listed at the bottom of this page.
We have a comprehensive assessment plan that collects, analyzes and reflects on a variety of data collected at regular intervals. This plan is also provided as one of the additional materials for our program, at the bottom of this page.
Courses and Sequencing
Entry into the programThe following courses serve as an introduction to the program: Introductory Geology and Introductory Geology Lab.
- Paleoenvironments and Paleoecology
- Solid Earth Composition
- Global Cycles
- Dynamics and Structure of the Earth
ElectivesStudents are required to take 9-12 credit hours of upper division geoscience courses (usually 3-4 courses). Choices include, but are not limited to:
- Introduction to Groundwater
- Geochemistry of the Earth's Surface
- Environmental Geochemistry
- Engineering Geology
- Environmental Change
- Geophysical Well Logging
- Groundwater Geophysics
Other required courses
- General Chemistry I and associated lab
- General Chemistry II and associated lab
- Calculus I
- Elementary Statistics
Additional MaterialsExpected Outcomes for the Program (Microsoft Word 29kB Mar23 07)
Assessment Plan (Acrobat (PDF) 713kB Mar23 07)