The ESES 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 our majors, the ESES program has professors ready to advise you in the customization of your degree. 

OUTLINE OF THE ESES 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

ESES Introductory Core: Required Courses

  • ESE 200: Earth's Physical Systems
  • ESE 379: Intro to GIS Systems

 12 - 14

ESES Introductory Core: Breadth Coursework
Four introductory courses selected from four different categories.

 15-20

ESES 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, ESES students choose to focus in one of two concentrations, depending on their developing interests.

SAE: SOCIETY AND THE 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 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

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

ESES REQUIRED CORE, 7 HOURS

Both of the below courses are required. ESE 200 is a general introduction into 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 Fall semesters, while GGIS 379 is available Fall and Spring semesters.

ESES 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 111, GEOL 143, IB 100, IB 103,IB 104,  IB 105, IB 150, MCB 150, NRES 103, NRES 105, UP 205

  

Earth’s Physical Systems, Resources, and Hazards

  

ATMS 100, ATMS 120, ATMS 201, GEOL 100, GEOL 104, GEOL 107, GEOL 117, GEOL 118, GGIS 103, GGIS 222

  

Environment and the Human Response

  

ACE 210, ACE 251, ESE 210, GGIS 106, HIST 202, REL 270, RST 242, SOC 160, NRES 287

  

Sustainability, Policy, and Global Change

  

ANTH 278, ATMS 140, CPSC 215, GEOL 208, LA 250, NPRE 101, NPRE 201, PS 224, PS 225, SOC 270

  

Visualizing the Earth System

  

ATMS 207, GGIS 105, GGIS 224

 

ESES 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. Advanced courses will in most circumstances 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. It is strongly recommended that students 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 440, IB 444, IB 447, IB 451, IB 452, IB 453, IB 461, IB 485, NRES 348, NRES 419, NRES 420, NRES 431

  

Earth's Physical Systems, Resources, & Hazards

  

ABE 436, ATMS 420, ATMS 449, CEE 330, CEE 340, CHEM 360, ENSU 302, ESE 320, ESE 333, ESE 411, ESE 445, ESE 470, ESE 486, GEOL 380, GEOL 401, GEOL 450, GEOL 451, GEOL 460, GGIS 401, GGIS 406, GGIS 408, MSE 489, NRES 351, NRES 403

  

Environment & the Human Response

  

AGCM 330, HK 408, ENG 315, ENGL 476, ENSU 301, ENSU 303, ESE 311, ESE 360, ESE 389, ESE 467, ESE 477,  GGIS 350, GGIS 384, GGIS 455, GGIS 483, GGIS 495, GGIS 496, LA 314, LA 430, LA 450, NRES 340, NRES 472, SOC 447

  

Sustainability, Policy, and Global Change

  

ACE 310, ACE 406, ACE 411, ATMS 307, ATMS 447, ATMS 449, CPSC 336, CPSC 415, CPSC 431, ENSU 303, ENSU 310, ENSU 410, ESE 410, ESE 465, ESE 466, ESE 482, ETMA 311, HORT 435, NPRE 480, NRES 325, NRES 439, UP 405, UP 446, UP 456, UP 480

  

Visualizing the Earth System

  

ATMS 305, ESE 421, ESE/GGIS 380, GGIS 371, GGIS 407, GGIS 412, GGIS 460, GGIS 468, GGIS 476, GGIS 477, GGIS 479, NRES 427, NRES 454, UP 418

 

 

NOTES
  1. A minimum of 120 hours of course work 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 approval of advisor.
  5. There are two ESES minor options, the ESES 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 ESES and in a major directed by one of the three departments (Geology, Geography, and Atmospheric Science) that make up the School without the explicit approval of the ESES 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.