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Environment and Sustainability Programs

Earth Systems and Sustainability programs

Are you interested in finding sustainable solutions to environmental problems? We offer programs to address the most pressing environmental issues facing society while using the beautiful outdoors of Southern Illinois as a classroom.

Program Summaries | Degrees Offered

Environmental Resources & Policy

The physical, biological and social processes that effect our natural resources and environment are the focus of the Environmental Resources and Policy PhD program. Through intense research and inter-disciplinary training, students focus on environmental hazards and sustainability in one of eight different concentrations during their studies. Learn to address both the economic and environmental needs of the future with this advanced course of study.

Forestry

Students eager to embark on a career in the outdoors can choose from a variety of concentrations while earning a Bachelor of Science in forestry. A variety of customizable programs are available with hands-on training in topics such as ecological restoration, forest resource management, fire science wildlife habitats and soil science, all within the beautiful landscape of Southern Illinois.  Continued studies are offered in the Master of Science and Ph.D. programs to broaden career opportunities for forestry majors.

Geography & Environmental Resources

The relationship between nature and society is the basis of the Geography & Environmental Resources undergraduate and graduate programs.  Through the studies of environmental geography and sustainability, geographic information science and climate and water resources, students focus on the physical and social science of natural resources.  Outdoor field work, laboratory research and internship opportunities create a well-rounded course of study. 

Geology

Become an integral part of the resolution of global environmental issues such as pollution, non-renewable energy sources and groundwater protection in the geology undergraduate program. With a popular 6-week capstone experience each summer in Montana and Wyoming, as well as a focused curriculum and top-notch research facilities, this degree delivers.  A diverse and highly qualified team of faculty members, instructors and researchers expertly guide students earning a Bachelor of Science or Master of Science in geology.  

Minors:

Environmental Studies

The Environmental Studies minor is an excellent complement to any major, and serves to enhance your career opportunities. You will expand your viewpoint and gain new skills for environmental analysis.

Geography & Environmental Resources

What better way to supplement your degree than with a minor that offers a greater understanding of our world. Especially useful for those with degrees in related fields, our courses expand students’ understanding of the connection between society and natural resources.

GIS

A GIS Minor provides students with an understanding of the fundamentals of geospatial techniques and analytical skills, including earth-map relationships, cartography, remote sensing, digital processing, and spatial data representation and modeling in GIS.

Sustainability

A Minor in Sustainability enables students to expand their knowledge and understanding of the long-term sustainability of the earth’s resources and “green” energy.

Below you can find the program you are interested in and the degrees, minors, and online options offered for that program. You will see some programs have specializations (for undergraduate programs)/ concentrations (for graduate programs) listed. These are focused areas of study.
Program Bachelor's Master's Doctoral Minor Online
Environmental Resources and Policy     PhD  
Specializations/Concentrations:
Climatology     PhD    
Earth and Environmental Processes     PhD    
Ecology     PhD    
Energy and Mineral Resources     PhD    
Environmental Policy and Administration     PhD    
Forestry, Agricultural, and Rural Land Resources     PhD    
GIS, Remote Sensing, and Environmental Modeling     PhD    
Water Resources     PhD    
Environmental Studies minor    
  • Environmental Studies
  
Forestry BS  MS      
Specializations/Concentrations:
Forest Hydrology BS        
Forest Resources Management BS        
Forest Recreation and Park management BS        
Urban Forest Management BS        
Wildlife Habitat Management & Conservation BS        
Forest Resources Management   MS      
Recreation Resource Management   MS      
Wood Science and Technology   MS      
Geography and Environmental Resources BS MS, Certificate  
  • Geography and Environmental Resources
  • Sustainability
  • GIS
  
Specializations/Concentrations:
Environmental Geography and Sustainability BS MS, Certificate      
GIS BS MS      
Geology BA, BS MA, MS, Certificate PhD
  • Geology
  
Specializations/Concentrations:
Environmental Geology BS MA, MS      
Geophysics BS        
Resource Geology BS      
Geospatial Analysis   MA, MS      
Earth Science   Certificate