Mar 28, 2024  
2023-2024 Undergraduate Catalog 
    
2023-2024 Undergraduate Catalog

Earth, Atmosphere and Environment (B.S.)


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The major in earth, atmosphere, and environment offers the opportunity to develop a greater understanding of specific aspects of earth science, geology, geography, and atmospheric sciences by choosing electives for multiple and wide-ranging areas of study. The department also offers a certificate in geographic information science (GIS). With the proper selection of electives, the student can meet federal civil service qualification standards as a soil scientist, hydrogeologist, or hydrologist. Students planning to pursue the earth and space science education emphasis can teach in grades 9-12, but completion of the emphasis does not fulfill all the requirements for initial educator licensure.

The student learning outcomes for this degree are located at http://www.niu.edu/assessment/clearinghouse/outcomes/index.shtml.

Senior Thesis Requirements

Seniors having a cumulative GPA of 2.75 and having completed at least 26 semester hours in earth, atmosphere and environment are eligible to undertake a senior thesis. The thesis shall be a written report prepared with an approved advisor, in accordance with accepted guidelines for published scientific literature and reflecting a research effort commensurate with the hours of credit to be earned.

Check departmental information for any additional requirements.

Emphasis 1. Climate Science


Requirements in Department (43-44)


Requirements outside Department (11-12)


Additional courses may be substituted with written approval of the departmental undergraduate advisor.

Please note corequisite information in course descriptions.

Total Hours for Emphasis 1, Climate Science: 54-56


Emphasis 2. Earth and Planetary Science


Requirements in Department (40-41)


Requirements outside Department (12)


Total Hours for Emphasis 2, Earth and Planetary Science: 52-53


Emphasis 3. Earth and Space Science Education


Requirements listed in these sections are minimum requirements. Meeting these requirements will not guarantee students admission to the earth and space science educator licensure program or courses.

Completion of this emphasis does not fulfill all requirements for initial educator licensure.

Requirements in Department (41-42)


Additional Requirements for Earth Science Education (6)


Upper-division course work in EAE or, with approval of the licensure coordinator, from other areas of earth science, usually physical geography, meteorology, or astronomy (6)

Requirements outside Department (20)


Please note corequisite information in course descriptions.

Total Hours for Emphasis 3, Earth and Space Science Education: 61-62


Emphasis 4. Environment and Society


Requirements in Department (48)


Requirements Outside Department (15-19)


Total Hours for Emphasis 4, Environment and Society: 63-67


Emphasis 5. Geospatial Systems


Requirements in Department (48)


One course from the following (3)


  • Credits: 3
  • Available for general education credit.

  • This is a nature and technology general education course for the Origins and Influences Pathway.

  • Credits: 3
  • Available for general education credit.

  • This is a nature and technology general education course for the Global Connections Pathway.

  • Credits: 3
  • Available for general education credit.

  • This is a nature and technology general education course for the Sustainability Pathway.

  • Credits: 3
  • Available for general education credit.

  • This is a nature and technology general education course for the Sustainability Pathway.

  • Credits: 3
  • Available for general education credit.

  • This is a nature and technology general education course for the Origins and Influences Pathway.

Upper-divison EAE course work (12)


Requirements Outside Department (12)


Total Hours for Emphasis 5, Geospatial Systems: 60


Emphasis 6. Water and Soil Science


Requirements in Department (45)


Upper-divison EAE course work (15)


Requirements Outside Department (12)


One of the following:


Total Hours for Emphasis 6, Water and Science: 57


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