In fulfilling emphasis requirements, a particular course may be counted in one area only, even if it is crosslisted in more than one department. Related courses from other departments may be substituted for environmental studies courses with the prior written approval of the department director, assistant director, or program advisor.
Check departmental information for any additional requirements.
Requirements in Environmental Studies (22)
This section does not apply to Emphasis 6 Educator Licensure-Environmental Science.
For Bachelor of Arts Students only. TECH 245 may not count towards emphasis requirements if used to satisfy the Requirements in Environmental Studies section.
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.
Emphasis 2. Sustainability and Energy Studies (31-32)
This emphasis incorporates courses from the colleges of Liberal Arts and Sciences, Engineering and Engineering Technology, and Business. It introduces students to sustainable systems and operations, covering green concepts in power production, processing, manufacturing, materials, transportation, and business strategies. Humanities and social sciences courses provide insights into the societal impact of energy. This interdisciplinary approach ensures a comprehensive understanding of sustainability, energy, and business perspectives.
Humans do not experience environmental benefits and risks uniformly. Climate change, pollution, habitat loss, and other environmental challenges impact some social groups more gravely than others. This emphasis helps students explore the causes and consequences of environmental inequities in the U.S. and around the world, as well as efforts to establish environmental justice, the sharing of environmental costs and benefits more equitably. Through courses in the emphasis, students will learn methods of historical and cross-cultural comparison to critically assess environmental challenges; examine multiple lines of environmental injustice, such as race, gender, and economic status; and compare and contrast interventions rooted in social movements, conflict mediation, governmental and non-governmental efforts. To prepare students for careers advocating for environmental justice, the emphasis includes a strong focus on environmental communication.
Requirements outside Environmental Studies (18)
Select two of the following courses focused on environmental impacts on people (6)
Students must select at least four of the following electives. These courses must be different from the courses selected for the Requirements outside Environmental Studies section.
Select at least one of the following social science courses (3-6)
This emphasis is designed to give students an understanding of how politics and law contribute to contemporary environmental problems and how policies can bring about sustainable solutions. Focus on how social structures impact environmental issues, how and why governments respond, the structure of environmental laws, and how policy change can be achieved. Students are exposed to: a broad range of perspectives from political science to economics, anthropology and the law; the role of grassroots, regional, and national nonprofit organizations to advocate for policy change; and examine environmental issues at the individual, local, national, and global levels. The resulting understanding of how complex natural and social systems interact as well as how to assess and advocate for solutions prepares students for long-term career success in a variety of environment and policy-oriented fields.
Requirements outside Environmental Studies (9)
Select one of the following policy/law courses (3)
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.
Select four of the following courses (12)
These courses must be different from the courses selected for the Requirements outside Environmental Studies section
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 advisor 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)
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