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The ES program offers a unique combination of structure and flexibility not found in most programs at the University of Illinois. Since most students are not accustomed to the level of choice we present in our majors, the ES program has professors ready to advise you in customizing your degree. 

Outline of the Environmental Sustainability Bachelor of Science in Liberal Arts and Sciences

HOURS
REQUIREMENTS
 15 - 18

One Concentration

  • Society and Environment (SAE) OR
  • Science of the Earth System (SES)
  7

ES Introductory Core: Required Courses

  • ESE 200: Earth's Physical Systems
  • ESE 379: Intro to GIS Systems
 12 - 14ES Introductory Core: Breadth Coursework
Four introductory courses selected from four different categories.
 15-20ES Advanced Courses
Five advanced courses from the approved list, three must be from the ESE or ENSU rubric.
 

Choose a concentration: either SAE or SES.

After studying cross-disciplinary introductory classes, ES students focus on one of two concentrations, depending on their developing interests.

SAE: Society and Environment,
15-18 Hours

It is also recommended, but not required, that SAE students take CHEM 101 or 102.*Substitutions may be made with advisor approval.

The SAE concentration offers a balanced cross-disciplinary social science/humanities education, emphasizing sustainability's political, socio-cultural, economic, and historical dimensions. 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

SES: Science of the Earth System, 
16-18 Hours

It is also recommended, but not required, that SES students take ECON 102. *Substitutions may be made with advisor approval.

The SES concentration is a rigorous scientific program in the geophysical and ecological sciences focused on the 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

ES Required Core, 7 Hours

Both of the courses below are required. ESE 200 is a general introduction to sustainability and the various topics covered by our major. GGIS 379 introduces students to the software and practices behind viewing data on a map with ArcGIS. Typically, ESE 200 is only offered in the Fall semester, while GGIS 379 is available Fall and Spring semesters.

ES Introductory Core, 12-14 Hours

Students take one approved introductory course from at least four of the following five areas:

Students take one approved introductory or advanced course from at least four of the following five areas.
Earth’s Biosphere and Ecology
ESE 111GEOL 143IB 100IB 103,IB 104IB 105IB 150MCB 150, NRES 103, NRES 105UP 205
Earth’s Physical Systems, Resources, and Hazards
ATMS 100ATMS 120ATMS 201GEOL 100, GEOL 104, GEOL 107GEOL 117GEOL 118GGIS 103GGIS 222
Environment and the Human Response
ACE 210ACE 251, ESE 210, GGIS 106HIST 202REL 270RST 242SOC 160, NRES 287
Sustainability, Policy, and Global Change
ANTH 278ATMS 140CPSC 215GEOL 208LA 250NPRE 101NPRE 201PS 224PS 225SOC 270
Visualizing the Earth System
ATMS 207GGIS 105, GGIS 224
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ES Advanced Courses, 15-20 Hours  

A minimum of five (5) 300- and 400-level courses from the approved list are required. At least three of these five advanced courses must be listed or cross-listed as an ESE or ENSU course. In most circumstances, advanced courses will count toward the LAS requirement of 21 hours of 300- or 400-level courses overall, and 12 hours of 300- or 400-level courses in the major. Students are strongly recommended to complete the LAS requirement with 21 hours of 300- or 400-level courses related to the ESE curriculum. Please note that your DARS report will not show these requirements as being met until you complete a Major Plan of Study with your advisor.

Looking for hands-on experience in a class? Consider ESE 401: ESE Capstone. ESE 401 offers a pathway for students to receive course credit for a senior thesis or internship experience. Make an appointment with Dr. Jonathan Tomkin to learn more about ESE 401.

ESE 401, ESE 497 
Earth's Biosphere & Ecology 
ESE 439, HORT 344, HORT 430,IB 362, IB 405, IB 411, IB 440IB 444IB 447IB 451IB 452IB 453IB 461IB 485NRES 348NRES 419NRES 420NRES 431 
Earth's Physical Systems, Resources, & Hazards 
ABE 436ATMS 420, ATMS 449CEE 330, CEE 340CHEM 360ENSU 302ESE 320ESE 333ESE 411ESE 445ESE 470ESE 486GEOL 380GEOL 401GEOL 450GEOL 451GEOL 460GGIS 401GGIS 406GGIS 408MSE 489NRES 351, NRES 403 
Environment & the Human Response 
AGCM 330HK 408ENG 315ENGL 476ENSU 301, ENSU 303, ESE 311ESE 360ESE 389, ESE 467, ESE 477GGIS 350GGIS 384GGIS 455GGIS 483GGIS 495GGIS 496LA 314LA 430LA 450NRES 340NRES 472SOC 447 
Sustainability, Policy, and Global Change 
ACE 310ACE 406ACE 411ATMS 307ATMS 447ATMS 449CPSC 336CPSC 415CPSC 431ENSU 303ENSU 310ENSU 410ESE 410ESE 465ESE 466ESE 482ETMA 311, HORT 435NPRE 480NRES 325NRES 439UP 405UP 446UP 456UP 480 
Visualizing the Earth System 
ATMS 305ESE 421, ESE/GGIS 380GGIS 371, GGIS 407, GGIS 412GGIS 460GGIS 468GGIS 476GGIS 477GGIS 479NRES 427NRES 454UP 418 
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NOTES
  1. A minimum of 120 hours of coursework is required for graduation, including twelve hours of advanced (400-level or approved 300-level) courses that must be taken on this campus.
  2. All foreign language requirements for the College of LAS must be satisfied.
  3. A Major Plan of Study form must be completed and submitted to the LAS Student Affairs Office, ideally by the end of the fifth semester (60-75 hours).
  4. Study abroad courses may be substituted for major and minor requirements with the approval of the advisor.
  5. There are two ES minor options: the ES minor and the Environmental Fellows Program minor.
  6. Double majoring is generally allowed, as per the College of Liberal Arts and Science’s guidelines, with the following exception: Undergraduate students may not major in both ES and in a major directed by one of the three departments which make up the School of Earth, Society and Environment (Climate, Meteorology and Atmospheric Sciences, Earth Sciences and Environmental Change, and Geography and Geographic Information Systems) without the explicit approval of the ES advisor.
  7. Departmental Distinctions are awarded as follows:

    Distinction: A minimum cumulative grade point average of 3.3, and have also completed an approved independent study project, approved senior thesis, or approved capstone.

    High Distinction: A minimum cumulative grade point average of 3.5, and have also completed an approved independent study project, approved senior thesis, or approved capstone.

    Highest Distinction: A minimum cumulative grade point average of 3.7, and also completed an approved senior thesis or approved research capstone.
     

  8. Graduate programs may require additional coursework. All students wishing to attend graduate school in any field should discuss necessary supplementary coursework with their advisor as early as possible.