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Nov 23, 2024
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2022-2023 Undergraduate Catalog [NOTE!!!! THIS IS AN ARCHIVED CATALOG. FOR THE CURRENT CATALOG, GO TO CATALOG.NIU.EDU]
Environmental Studies (B.A. or B.S.)
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Requirements in Environmental Studies (19)
Three semester hours from the following (3)
Requirements outside Environmental Studies (B.A., 9-22; B.S., 16-20)
For the B.A. degree
Fulfillment of foreign language requirement (0-12)
(See “Foreign Language Requirement for the B.A. Degree.”) Emphasis 1. Biodiversity and Environmental Restoration (32-38)
The diversity of life on earth (Biodiversity) represents a resource of unknown potential for improving human welfare that is increasingly put at risk by human activities. Perhaps the most significant challenge of the 21st century is to resolve how to best utilize this resource while providing effective stewardship such that biodiversity resources are maintained for future generations. Meeting this challenge requires a detailed understanding of the processes that promote, maintain, and diminish biodiversity at all levels of biological organization, from molecules to ecosystems, a theme that unites the many subdisciplines within biology. Organisms are intimately connected to their environments and environments vary on multiple spatial and temporal scales. Hence, utilization and stewardship of biodiversity requires understanding its connection to both natural and human-induced environmental change. This emphasis is offered for the B.S. only.
Requirements outside Environmental Studies (11)
Select one of the following humanities and social sciences courses (3)
Electives (18-24)
Students must select six electives. The electives are divided into three categories and students must select at least one course (up to a total of four courses) from each of the following: conceptually-based courses, methods-based courses, and taxonomically-based courses.
Select between one to four of the following conceptually-based courses (3-15)
Select between one to four of the following methods-based courses (3-15)
Select between one to four of the following taxonomically-based courses (3-16)
Emphasis 2. Energy Studies (37-38)
This emphasis combines courses in the colleges of Liberal Arts and Sciences and Engineering and Engineering Technology and will introduce students to the world of green technology and energy related issues. The focus of the emphasis includes, but is not limited to, green concepts in power production, processing, manufacturing, ecologically friendly materials, and transportation. Students will also take courses on the humanities and social sciences to better understand the role that energy plays in society. This emphasis is offered for the B.S. only.
Requirements outside Environmental Studies (13)
Select three of the following technology/engineering-based courses (9)
Select three of the following applications and natural science-based courses (9-10)
Select one of the following humanities and social sciences courses (3)
Select one of the following law/policy courses (3)
Emphasis 3. Nature in Society (30-31)
In this emphasis, students will study environmental issues through time and from diverse perspectives, preparing them to better understand and critically assess contemporary environmental challenges. The emphasis gives students broad exposure to how the environment is represented and researched in the social sciences and humanities. Throughout the emphasis, students will critically examine the notion of sustainability as a potential principle underlying and guiding human interaction with the environment. Students will investigate local and global manifestations of environmental problems and explore how rural/urban linkages influence sustainability.
Requirements outside Environmental Studies (15)
Select one of the following humanities courses (3)
Select one of the following social sciences courses (3)
Select one of the following policy courses (3)
Select two of the following communication and writing courses (6)
Electives (15-16)
Students must select at least five of the following electives from at least four different departments in the social sciences and humanities.
Select at least two of the following social science courses (6)
Select at least two of the following humanities courses (6)
Select at least one of the following science, engineering, and technology courses (3-4)
Emphasis 4. Environmental Policy (30-31)
This emphasis is designed to give students an understanding of how American law and policy have responded to environmental problems. This includes how environmental law operates and the goals of specific laws, equipping students to evaluate and better understand environmental legal issues they might encounter in their subsequent studies and professional lives. Requirements outside Environmental Studies (9)
Select one of the following policy/social science courses (3)
Select one of the following social sciences courses (3)
Select one of the following humanities courses (3)
Select two of the following policy courses (6)
Select two of the following communication and writing courses (6)
Select two of the following humanities courses (6)
Select one of the following science, engineering, and technology courses (3-4)
Emphasis 5. Water Sciences (38-42)
Whether it is for agriculture, industry, or personal consumption, current use of fresh water by humans is unsustainable. In many parts of the world, access to clean, safe drinking water is lacking. With the human population predicted to expand for the next 40-50 years demand for water will increase dramatically in the coming decades. It is essential that students pursuing environmental studies are well grounded in the economic, legal, physical, and biological facets of water resources. This emphasis is offered for the B.S. only.
Requirements outside Environmental Studies (14)
Select three of the following conceptually-based courses (9-11)
Select three of the following methods-based courses (9-11)
Select one of the following engineering/technology-based courses (3)
Select one of the following humanities and social sciences courses (3)
Emphasis 6. Sustainable Food Systems (36-38)
The emphasis in Sustainable Food Systems will consist of courses that provide engaged learning opportunities and enable practical application of knowledge. The interdisciplinary nature of the emphasis prepares students to understand and engage in finding solutions for the variety of issues they might face working in sustainable food systems. Both this knowledge and the associated experiences will provide the student with a solid foundation for work in sustainable food and farming.
The emphasis will prepare students in multiple areas of study that are all meant to provide them with an understanding of sustainable food systems: 1) Agriculture and Food - learn and experience essential drivers of agriculture and food systems; 2) Entrepreneurship and Economics - explore the underlying business and financial systems that contribute to these systems; 3) Urban, Community, and Policy - analyze and understand the political landscape in local and metropolitan communities; 4) Plant and Water Sciences - study and recognize the physical systems that impact agriculture and sustainable food options; 5) Health and Nutrition - examine agriculture practices, the food industry, and consumer behavior to see how they relate to food sustainability, nutritional health and wellness; and 6) Social and Cultural Change - obtain insights and expertise in how communities could address the social and cultural changes needed to achieve more sustainable food systems.
Select five of the following courses (15-16)
Select two of the following Entrepreneurship and Economics courses (6)
Select one of the following Urban, Community, and Policy courses (3)
Select one of the following Plant and Water Sciences courses (3-4)
Select two of the following Health and Nutrition courses (6)
Select one of the following Social and Cultural Change courses (3)
Emphasis 7. Educator Licensure - Environmental Science (95-97)
Students must complete a program of study approved by the director of the Environmental Science licensure program designed to provide a broad background in the discipline and meet the requirements for an undergraduate major in Environmental Sciences at NIU. Students pursuing secondary science educator licensure in environmental science must have a grade of C or better in all course work specifically required for licensure. This includes all environmental science, biology, chemistry, physics, and math courses, pedagogy, and written communication, oral communication, and psychology general education classes.
Admission and Retention Requirements
Candidates must submit an application in writing to the director of the Environmental Science licensure program.
Undergraduates must have a GPA of 2.50 in all work at NIU. Candidates must also have a minimum combined GPA of 2.70 in NIU courses numbered 200 and above in physical and biological sciences and mathematics.
All potential certification candidates must have a satisfactory review of progress with the departmental licensure adviser each semester after admission to the certification program. The candidate must also:
- take and pass the ICTS Environmental Science Content Test prior to applying to student teaching.
- take and pass the ICTS Assessment of Professional Teaching test before completion of the program.
Environmental Science Educator Licensure
All retention requirements listed above.
Five upper-division courses in environmental science (15)
Electives in designated courses teaching environmental science concepts (12-14)
Additional course work outside of the department (32)
Professional education courses, including (36)
Total Hours for a Major in Environmental Studies: 58-83 (B.A); or 65-81 (B.S.)
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