Earth, Society, & Environmental Sustainability Major, BSLAS

The Environmental Sustainability major is designed for students who want to understand how natural systems, human societies, and environmental challenges intersect. Through two flexible concentrations—Science of the Earth System and Society and the Environment—students can tailor their studies to focus on climate and Earth processes, environmental policy, sustainability solutions, or the complex dynamics that connect them.

Whether you're interested in environmental science, community resilience, sustainability planning, or policy and advocacy, the ESES major offers a strong interdisciplinary foundation that prepares you for impactful careers in government, nonprofits, industry, and beyond.
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What can you do with a degree in environmental sustainability?

"Graduates from Illinois are recruited by companies across the nation. Our students have gone on to graduate programs across the country – in Medicine, Law, Biology, Public Affairs, Journalism, and more – and careers for organizations large and small, including positions in environmental consulting, business consulting, sustainability management, teaching, wetlands restoration, the Peace Corps, and environmental engineering."

—Dr. Jonathan Tomkin
ESES Program Director

Science in the Earth System Concentration

Acquire technical and scientific skills in sustainability! The SES concentration is a rigorous scientific program in the geophysical and ecological sciences focused on the complexity and interactions of natural systems.  The Science in the Earth System concentration explores the scientific complexity and interactions of natural systems. Students in this track might be interested in focusing on these areas:

  • Water/Hydrology
  • Ecology and Ecosystems
  • Data and Modeling
  • Engineering and Management Practices
  • Climate and Global Change
  • Biogeochemical Cycles
  • Types of Pollution and Their Sources
  • Remote Sensing
  • Sustainability Applications of GIS
  • Green Chemistry
  • Sustainability and ESG Consulting

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Society and Environment Concentration

Integrate sustainable practices in society!  The SAE concentration offers a balanced cross-disciplinary social science/humanities education, emphasizing the political, socio-cultural, economic, and historical dimensions of sustainability. Students in this track might be interested in focusing on these areas:

  • Environmental Policy
  • Environmental Economics
  • Studies in Science and Technology
  • Social Valuation of Environmental Systems
  • Social Studies of the Physical Environment
  • Environmental History
  • Social Movements and the Environment
  • Perceptions of Environmental Risk
  • Environmental Ethics
  • Sustainability and ESG Consulting

Helpful Links:

Environmental Sustainability Minor

Looking to broaden your degree with a meaningful focus on sustainability? The Earth, Society & Environment Minor offers a flexible, customizable path for students in any major who want to better understand the relationships between ecosystems, societies, and the environment. With wide-open course options—from humanities to hands-on science—you can explore sustainability from the angle that inspires you most. And if you discover you want to go even deeper, all required courses for the minor count toward the ES major.

Ready to explore the possibilities?
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Advising

Want help scheduling your classes? Schedule an appointment with an advisor.

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Why Study Environmental Sustainability

Find out why should you major in environmental sustainability.

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Apply

Find out what you need to join us.