BA in Environmental Studies
North Central College
Key Information
Campus location
Naperville, USA
Languages
English
Study format
On-Campus
Duration
4 years
Pace
Full time
Tuition fees
USD 42,866 / per year *
Application deadline
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Earliest start date
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* tuition fee
Scholarships
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Introduction
Why choose environmental studies at North Central College?
Our environmental science program guides students to be scholars, researchers, and stewards of the natural environment. Situated in a complex landscape of urban, suburban, agricultural, prairie, wetland, and woodland habitats, North Central students have an opportunity to gain experience with a wide variety of environments and ecological and environmental issues. From understanding public policy behind environmental sustainability, environmental protection laws, and public health, to understanding the chemistry and biological makeup of natural resources. Environmental studies majors will have a curriculum dedicated to building their knowledge of the natural world. They will also be able to choose from three tracks within our curriculum: Sustainable Business, Science and the Environment, and Society and the Environment.
You can also:
- Use the campus as your laboratory, studying our green initiatives, such as geothermal heating systems, solar panel arrays, and a restored prairie.
- Conduct research with Argonne National Laboratory and Fermi National Laboratory, within 15 miles of campus. Students can gain experience working with the DuPage County Forest Preserve and local environmental nonprofit groups, government agency programs, and businesses.
- Make connections to the world. Through our award-winning Center for Global Education, students have many opportunities to study environmental issues around the world. Research and explore environmental issues in Costa Rica, Australia, Africa, China, Spain, and Equatorial Guinea.
- Apply what you learn. An experiential component requires students to conduct independent research, participate in environmental advocacy or complete an internship to prepare for careers in an environmental or sustainability field.
Curriculum
Environmental Studies, Science and the Environment Track, BA
Environmental Studies gives students a detailed understanding of complex environmental issues at the local, regional, national and global level using the diverse tools and perspectives of the natural and social sciences, humanities, and business.
Major Requirements
Environmental Studies Core Courses
- ENVI 105 - The Science of Climate Change
- ENVI 120 - People and Nature
- ENVI 230 - U.S. Environmental Issues
- ENVI 240 - Introduction to Environmental Economics
- ENVI 375 - Symposium in Environmental Experiential Component *
- ENVI 470 - Environmental Problem Solving
- ENVI 475 - Symposium in Environmental Experiential Component *
*Note: Experiential Component tied to ENVI 375/475
All students must complete an Experiential Component in order to gain hands-on experience in some aspect of Environmental Studies outside of the classroom, such as an independent research project, an activism project, or an internship. A professor from the Environmental Studies faculty will serve as the faculty mentor for each project. See the Environmental Studies program coordinator for the proposal and project approval process.
Students enroll in ENVI 375 - Symposium in Environmental Experiential Component to participate as an observer and questioner. Students then enroll in ENVI 475 - Symposium in Environmental Experiential Component to present the findings from their experiential project.
Electives
Twenty-four credit hours to include at least twelve at the 300-level from the following:
Science and Environment
Sixteen credits from the following, at least four of which are at the 300-level or above:
- BIOL 106 - Introduction to Environmental Science
- BIOL 220 - Ecology and Evolution
- BIOL 240 - Biostatistics
- BIOL 250 - Field Biology
- BIOL 325 - Plant Interactions in a Changing World
- BIOL 350 - Conservation Ecology
- BIOL 450 - Environmental Ecology Through Models and Experiments
- CHEM 122 - General Chemistry II
- CHEM 310 - Chemical Analysis
- CHEM 311 - Separation Methods
- CHEM 312 - Spectrometry and Spectroscopy
- CHEM 313 - Materials and Surface Analysis
- CHEM 490 - Special Topics (when appropriate)
- ENVI 260 - Introduction to Geographic Information Systems
- ENVI 290 - Topics in Contemporary Environmental Issues (when appropriate)
Sustainability or Society and the Environment Electives
Eight credit hours from the following:
- ARTD 160 - 3D Design: Form and Space
- ARTD 360 - Sculpture II: Installation, Site, and Environment
- ENVI 210 - Sustainability in a Changing World
- ENVI 224 - Environmental Literature
- ENVI 225 - Environmental Ethics
- ENVI 248 - American Environmental History
- ENVI 255 - Agriculture and the Environment: Educating Tomorrow's Consumers
- ENVI 260 - Introduction to Geographic Information Systems
- ENVI 290 - Topics in Contemporary Environmental Issues (when appropriate)
- ENVI 303 - Environmental Cost Analysis
- ENVI 305 - Cultural Ecology
- ENVI 310 - Energy and the Environment
- ENVI 315 - Global Environmental Perspectives
- ENVI 325 - Environmental Justice
- ENVI 362 - Topics in Business Sustainability
- ENVI 380 - Urban/Suburban/Rural Environmental Nexus
- ENVI 462 - Sustainability Performance Measurement
- FILM 223 - Film and the Environment
- LEAD 180 - Financial Intelligence for Social Entrepreneurs
- MGMT 335 - Logistics and Supply Chain Management
- MGMT 405 - Environmental Management
Additional Requirements for the BA Degree
Students must demonstrate elementary competence in a foreign language.
Career Opportunities
A North Central education integrates career preparation with rich academic study. Our faculty encourages you to refine and apply your knowledge in an interconnected world. Here you'll learn to think independently and work globally to solve problems and lead.
Internships
Recent graduates in environmental studies interned at:
- Brookfield Zoo, Brookfield, IL
- Morton Arboretum, Lisle, IL
- Forest Preserve District of DuPage County, Naperville
- U.S. Park Service, Grand Canyon, and Yellowstone National Parks
- The Shedd Aquarium, Chicago
- Willowbrook Wildlife Center, Glen Ellyn, IL
Careers
Recent graduates in environmental studies served as:
- Biologist/ecologist
- Urban and regional planner
- Sustainability coordinator
- Teacher/environmental educator
- Environmental lawyer
- Engineering