2024-2025 Undergraduate Catalog Department of Geography, Geology, and the Environment

Geo.IllinoisState.edu

Admission/Retention Requirements

For information about admission to this program visit the University’s Academics website.

Interdisciplinary Studies Program

The Geography, Geology and Environmental Sciences Department contributes to the Interdisciplinary Studies Program, and directs the IDS minor Urban Studies. To learn more about the Interdisciplinary Studies Program, refer to the Interdisciplinary Studies Program section.

Course Finder

Honors in Geography, Geology, and the Environment

The Department of Geography, Geology, and the Environment invites qualified Geography, Geology, and Environment (ESSS) majors to distinguish themselves by earning Honors through approved coursework and independent study. Students who enroll in the Honors program will have the opportunity to work closely with selected faculty. Those students who complete the requirements will graduate with Departmental Honors, which will be indicated on their transcript and diploma.

The Honors Program seeks to facilitate customized learning for Honors students in their disciplines by offering the opportunity for students to engage in Honors education and to have Honors Learning Experiences in upper division courses. Honors students may choose to focus their Honors Learning in their major and pursue the Honors in the Major designation, which is awarded at graduation. Learn more about Honors in the Major.

Geography

Degree Offered: B.A., B.S.

Major in Geography

Advisor: Jill Freund Thomas
(309) 438-8403
Email: jfthoma@ilstu.edu

View Geography Course Requirements

Geography Social Science Teacher Education Sequence

Advisor: Jill Freund Thomas
(309) 438-8403
Email: jfthoma@ilstu.edu

Clinical Experiences in Teacher Education

University-Wide Teacher Education Requirements

View Geography Social Science Teacher Education Sequence Course Requirements

Minor in Geography

21 credit hours required

Required courses

Geology

Degree Offered: B.S.

Major in Geology

Advisor: Dr. Dave Malone
(309) 438-2692
Email: dhmalon@ilstu.edu

Students in the Geology major must complete one of the following sequences.

Traditional Sequence

View Traditional Sequence Course Requirements

Accelerated Sequence

This sequence allows students to take up to 12 hours of approved graduate courses that will count for both the undergraduate Geology program and graduate Hydrogeology program. Students can then apply to the Hydrogeology graduate program in the spring of their senior year. Enrollment in the Accelerated Sequence does not guarantee final admission into the Hydrogeology graduate program. Program Admission Requirements for New and Continuing Students: High achieving students with a cumulative GPA of 3.20 or higher may apply to the accelerated sequence one year before completion of their undergraduate degree. For additional information on minimum requirements for admission and the application and selection process, visit IllinoisState.edu/Majors.

View Accelerated Sequence Course Requirements

Earth and Space Science Teacher Education Sequence

Advisor: Paul Meister
(309) 438-7479
Email: pameist@ilstu.edu

Clinical Experiences in Teacher Education

University-Wide Teacher Education Requirements

View Earth and Space Science Teacher Education Sequence Course Requirements

Minor in Geology

22 total credit hours required

Required courses

The remaining 16 credit hours shall be sourced from other Geology courses

Environmental Systems and Science and Sustainability

Degree Offered: B.S.

Major in Environmental Systems and Science and Sustainability (ESSS)

Advisor: Jill Freund Thomas
(309) 438-8403
Email: jfthoma@ilstu.edu

Students are encouraged to pursue a minor in Biological Sciences or Chemistry or Physics or Mathematics. ESSS students may not minor in the existing Environmental Studies Minor program.

Students in the Environmental Systems and Science and Sustainability major must complete one of the following sequences. 

Traditional Sequence

View Traditional Sequence Course Requirements

Accelerated Sequence

This sequence allows students to take up to 12 hours of approved graduate courses that will count for both the undergraduate ESSS Program and graduate Hydrogeology program. Students can then apply to the Hydrogeology graduate program in the spring of their senior year. Enrollment in the Accelerated Sequence does not guarantee final admission into the Hydrogeology graduate program. For additional information on minimum requirements for admission and the application and selection process, visit IllinoisState.edu/Majors. Program Admission Requirements for New and Continuing Students: High achieving students with a cumulative GPA of 3.20 or higher may apply to the accelerated sequence one year before completion of their undergraduate degree.

View Accelerated Sequence Course Requirements

Minor in Environmental Studies

The Minor in Environmental Studies is a multidisciplinary program that is available to students in any undergraduate major. The mission of the Environmental Studies Minor Program is to increase awareness of the interrelationships that exist between humans and the natural environment. Students will broaden their understanding of environmental issues as well as connections between human-made and natural environments. Knowledge and skills acquired through the program will help prepare students for further academic studies or for an environment-related career. Students should plan their minor program with the assistance of the Environmental Studies advisor.

25 total credit hours required

Required courses

Take 2 courses from the follow

Take 1 course from the following

Take 2 courses from the following

Students may choose to pursue one environmentally-based independent study or one environmentally-based internship to fulfill up to 3 credits toward the minor. Prior approval of the Advisor of the Minor in Environmental Studies is required for the student to receive credit for this experience toward fulfilling the requirements for the minor. Arrangement for supervision of the internship experience must be handled through the student’s major department.

No more than 9 hours may be selected from the student’s major department.