Environmental science integrates a wide range of scientific disciplines necessary to understand the environment and the many interactions among its components. These interactions include the impact of human activities on the environment and the impact of the environment on humans.
University Core Curriculum Requirements
| General Education Distribution Area | Cr. Hrs. |
|---|---|
| Fine Arts (FA)* 2 courses, from at least two of the following areas of study: Art, CMT (Mass Media or Theatre), Music (includes Dance). | 6 |
| Humanities (HU)* 3 courses, from at least two of the following areas of study: CMT (Communication), English, Linguistics. Philosophy, Women's and Gender Studies, World Languages and Cultures, (Note: No more than two foreign language courses may be used to fulfill this requirement.) | 9 |
| Behavioral/Social Sciences (SB)* 3 courses, from at least two of the following areas of study: African & African American Studies, Anthropology, Computer Science, Economics, Geography & Environmental Studies, History, Justice Studies, Latino & Latin American Studies, Political Science, Psychology, Sociology, Social Work | 9 |
| Natural Sciences (NS and NSL)** 3 courses, from at least two of the following areas of study; one course must have a laboratory component (NSL): Biology, Chemistry, Earth Science, Environmental Science, Physics (Note: If an FYE ANTH that counts as Natural Science is taken, only one Biology course may be used for Natural Science). | 9 |
| Engaged Learning Experiences | |
| Students must complete, at Northeastern, three courses designated as Engaged Learning Experiences courses. One of the Engaged Learning Experiences courses must be at the 300-level, and one Engaged Learning Experiences course must be designated as "Boundary Crossing". | |
| Discipline Specific (ELE-DS) These courses have pre-requisites that are specific courses within a program of study. Discipline Specific courses give students a deeper understanding of how knowledge is created and applied in their field. | |
| Boundary Crossing (ELE-X) These are courses that cross disciplinary boundaries and/or cross boundaries through engagements outside the classroom or University allowing students to see how knowledge gained in one field might inform other fields or other aspects of society. | |
| Math/Quantitative Reasoning (MA) 1 Math course, that has intermediate Algebra as prerequisite OR is a course listed on the General Education Distributive Learning List of Approved Courses. Any 3 hour college level math course, beyond Intermediate Algebra, meets this requirement. |
- *
Majors in Fine Arts, Humanities or Social/Behavioral Sciences, may waive up to 6 credit hours of General Education requirements in the corresponding distribution area.
- **
Majors in Natural Sciences may waive up to 9 credit hours of General Education requirements in the Natural Sciences distribution area.
Students should also be aware of all other university requirements to obtain a degree - NEIU requirements
Major in Environmental Science
The interdisciplinary Environmental Science major requires a total of 79-82 credits through the following coursework.
| Code | Title | Hours |
|---|---|---|
| Required courses | ||
| ENVI-101 | Introduction To Environmental Science | 3 |
| ENVI-301 | Methods In Environmental Science | 4 |
| ENVI-390 | Environmental Science Research & Practice | 4 |
| STEM core | ||
Biology | ||
| BIO-150 | Essential Skills For Biologists | 2 |
| BIO-201 | General Biology I | 4 |
| BIO-202 | General Biology II | 4 |
Chemistry | ||
| CHEM-211 | General Chemistry I | 5 |
| CHEM-212 | General Chemistry II | 4 |
Earth Science | ||
| ESCI-211 | Physical Geology | 4 |
| ESCI-307 | Climate Change: Evidence, Causes, Effects | 4 |
Physics | ||
| PHYS-206L | University Physics I With Lab | 5 |
| PHYS-207L | University Physics II With Lab | 5 |
Mathematics | ||
| MATH-187 | Calculus I | 4 |
| MATH-275 | Applied And Computational Statistics | 4 |
| Electives (5 from BIO, CHEM, ESCI, PHYS) in consultation with advisor | 17-20 | |
Social Sciences/Policy/Humanities | ||
| GES-319 | Environmental And Natural Resources Policy | 3 |
| Electives (2 from Social Science/Humanities) in consultation with advisor | 6 | |
| Total Hours | 82-85 | |
- Greg Anderson, Professor, Department of Physics, Chair
- Paulo Acioli, Professor, Department of Physics
- Pamela Geddes, Professor, Department of Biology
- Elisabet Head, Associate Professor, Department of Earth Science
- Nadja Insel, Associate Professor, Department of Earth Science
- John Kasmer, Associate Professor, Department of Biology and Coordinator of Environmental Science
- Kenneth Nicholson, Associate Professor, Department of Chemistry
- Beth Reinke, Associate Professor, Department of Biology
- Kenneth Voglesonger, Associate Professor, Department of Earth Science
Students will need to take the following three ENVI designated courses in addition to 42 credit hours of STEM core courses, 17-20 credit hours of STEM elective courses, and 9 credit hours of Social Science/Humanities courses, for a program total of 82 to 85 credit hours for a major in Environmental Science.
ENVI-101. Introduction To Environmental Science. 3 Hours.
This course introduces environmental science as the interdisciplinary study of environmental issues related to human impact on the natural environment. The course addresses environmental science literacy and scientific methods through inquiry into and discussion of biogeochemical cycles, ecosystem dynamics, climate change, conventional and renewable energy, resources, and sustainability. Lecture (2 hrs) and laboratory (2 hrs).
Prerequisite: (MATH-091 - 499 or MATH-091A - 499Z or NEIU Math Placement Result 02 - 45 or ACT Math 19 - 36 or Accuplacer Elementary Algebra 060 - 084 or Accuplacer College Level Math 020 - 120 or Accuplacer Adv. Algebra & Func 200 - 300 or SAT Math 500 - 800).
ENVI-180. Fundamentals Of Data Science. 4 Hours.
Foundations of data science considers data from three perspectives: inferential thinking, computational thinking, and real-world relevance. Given data arising from some real-world phenomenon, how does one analyze that data to understand that phenomenon? The course teaches critical concepts and skills in computation and statistical inference, in conjunction with hands on analysis of real-world datasets, including economic data, document collections, geographical data, and data from social networks. It delves into social, ethical, and legal issues surrounding data analysis, including privacy and data ownership.
Prerequisite: MATH-173 with a minimum grade of C.
ENVI-301. Methods In Environmental Science. 4 Hours.
This problem-based interdisciplinary course builds on the knowledge and skills acquired in introductory biology, chemistry, earth science, mathematics, and physics. Topics covered include experimental design, sampling, and analytical techniques that are standard to the different scientific disciplines. Students are introduced to interdisciplinary field, laboratory, and data science methods, and develop skills in group collaboration as well as written and oral presentation. Laboratory activities will include both laboratory and fieldwork.
Prerequisite: BIO-202 with a minimum grade of C and CHEM-212 with a minimum grade of C and ENVI-101 with a minimum grade of C and MATH-275 with a minimum grade of C and (ESCI-121 with a minimum grade of C or ESCI-211 with a minimum grade of C) and (PHYS-202L with a minimum grade of C or PHYS-207L with a minimum grade of C).
ENVI-302. Beyond The Textbook: Science In Popular Literature. 2 Hours.
In this course, students will read, discuss, and explore the foundations and implications of science literature written for a popular audience. The books chosen for this course vary from semester to semester and will be chosen to cover a broad, interdisciplinary range of perspectives in STEM. The books selected will provide insight into the pursuit of objective truth, while providing the lens that science is done and implemented by individuals and societies, and therefore has ethical, moral, and social implications. [This course can count toward meeting the ELE requirements if ENVI-303 is not used to fulfill the requirement.].
Prerequisite: (100 - 399 or 100A - 399Z or).
ENVI-303. Beyond Textbooks: Science In Popular Literature. 3 Hours.
In this course, students will read, discuss, and explore the foundations and implications of science literature written for a popular audience. The books chosen for this course vary from semester to semester and will be chosen to cover a broad, interdisciplinary range of perspectives in STEM. The books selected will provide insight into the pursuit of objective truth, while providing the lens that science is done and implemented by individuals and societies, and therefore has ethical, moral, and social implications. [This course can count toward meeting the ELE requirements if ENVI-302 is not used to fulfill the requirement.].
Prerequisite: (100 - 399 or 100A - 399Z or).
ENVI-390. Environmental Science Research & Practice. 4 Hours.
This course puts into practice the knowledge and skills acquired by students throughout the Environmental Science Program. Through case studies, literature review, group discussions, and a research project, students apply concepts from the various scientific disciplines. Working in small teams, students conduct practical scientific research on environmental issues relevant to the local, regional or global community.
Requirements: three electives in BIO, CHEM, ESCI, MATH, and/or PHYS; program approval
Prerequisite: ENVI-301 with a minimum grade of C.
Suggested Electives
- BIO-305 WIP: General Ecology, 4cr
- CHEM-310: Chemical Aspects of Environmental Chemistry, 3 cr.
- ESCI-303: Environmental Geology in the Field, 4cr
- PHYS-340: The Science of Sustainable Energy, 3 cr.