Requirements for major in ESES

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 employs three advisors ready to assist you in the customization of your degree. Our advisors each teach courses within the major, and have extensive knowledge of the University of Illinois campus, courses, student resources, and more. They are here to help you make sense of our degree requirements and select courses that will develop your potential and nurture your curiosity.

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.

 9 - 12

ESES Advanced Courses
Five advanced courses from the approved list, three must be from the ESE or ENSU rubric.
 

ESES INTRODUCTORY CORE, 12-14 HOURS

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

Environment & the Human Response 

  • ESE 170: Nature Religion
  • GEOG 106: Geographies of Globalization
  • ACE 210: Environmental Economics ACE 255: Economics of Food and Environmental Justice
  • ACE 251: The World Food Economy
  • ENGL 274: Lit & Social Issues, Energy Literature
  • HIST 202: American Environmental History
  • HIST 282: Nature and American Culture
  • SOC 160: Global Ineq and Social Change
  • RLST 270: Religion, Ethics, Environment

Sustainability, Policy, & Global Change

  • ANTH 278: Climate Change & Civilization
  • ATMS 140: Climate and Global Change
  • GEOL 208: History of the Earth System
  • CPSC 215: The Prairie & Bioenergy
  • NPRE 101: Energy Sources
  • NPRE 201: Energy Systems
  • PS 224: Politics of the National Parks
  • PS 225: Environmental Politics
  • LA 250: Environmental Site Analysis
  • SOC 270: Population Issues

Earth's Physical Systems, Resources, & Hazards

  • ATMS 100: Introduction to Meteorology
  • ATMS 120: Severe and Hazardous Weather
  • ATMS 201: General Meteorology
  • GEOG 103: Earth’s Physical System
  • GEOG 222: Big Rivers of the World
  • GEOL 100: Planet Earth
  • GEOL 103: Planet Earth QR II
  • GEOL 104: Geology of the National Parks
  • GEOL 107: Physical Geology
  • GEOL 117: The Oceans
  • GEOL 118: Natural Disasters

Visualizing the Earth System

  • GEOG 105: The Digital Earth

Earth's Biosphere & Ecology

  • ESE 111: Emergence of Life
  • ESE 126: Extinction: Dinosaurs to Dodos
  • GEOL 143: History of Life
  • IB 100: Biological Sciences
  • IB 103: Introduction to Plant Biology
  • IB 105: Environmental Biology
  • IB 107: Global Warming, Biofuels, Food
  • IB 150: Organismal & Evolutionary Biol
  • MCB 150: Molec & Cellular Basis of Life
  • UP 205: Ecology & Environmental Sustainability