COURSES OF INSTRUCTION
ENVIRONMENTAL STUDIES PROGRAM
Professor Kevin Klein, Coordinator - Economics
Professor Kent Elwood – Psychology
Associate Professor Jan Buhrmann – Sociology
Associate Professor Jason Price
Instructor T.J. Devine - Economics
The Environmental Studies program at Illinois College strives to develop in its students an
interdisciplinary understanding of environmental issues that supports personal and professional
development, ethical leadership, and service.
Program Core
All students completing a major in Environmental Studies will complete this program core (28
credit hours): EV 224, CH 101 or *CH 111, BI 109 or **BI110, EV111;
One two-course policy sequence:
Sequence 1: EC 105 and EC 372,
Sequence 2: SO101 and SO 317,
Sequence 3: PS 101 and PS 278,
Sequence 4: IS 205 and either EC 344 or PO 383;
Capstone: As seniors, all students will complete either an internship or research experience
culminating in both written and public verbal presentations of the experience.
*Students planning to major in Biology or Chemistry must take CH 111. Students planning to
pursue graduate work in the environmental sciences are also encouraged to take CH 111.
** Students planning to pursue the Wildlife Management or Environmental Biology tracks, or
planning to double major in Biology and Environmental Studies, must take BI 110.
Program Tracks
In addition to the core program stated above, each student will complete one of four available tracks.
1. General Environmental Studies
This track is intended for students who want a general introduction to environmental studies
and plan to also major or minor in another discipline. This track is good for students who want
to develop an understanding of environmental issues and then combine that understanding
with another discipline.
Choose four additional courses beyond those chosen for the core: BI 201, BI 324, EC 344, EC
372, EV 235, EV 312, EV 344, EV 355, PS 278, SO 317. To expand upon an interdisciplinary
perspective on environmental issues, take one course chosen from: AR 201, AR 346, EN 205,
EN 208, EN 212, EN 356, EN 212, EV, EV 312, HI 215, HI 344, PH 315, SO 317.
2. Wildlife Management
The Wildlife Management track of the Environmental Studies Major is intended to prepare
students for careers in ecological conservation and wildlife management that do not require
formal postgraduate education. Students considering pursuing a graduate degree in wildlife
management or conservation biology should strongly consider double majoring in biology.
Students choosing the Wildlife Management Track must take BI 110 in the core.
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To gain depth in the fields of ecology and environmental biology, take three courses chosen
from: BI 201, BI 324/EV 324, BI 245, BI 325, BI 326, BI 328/PS328, BI 350, EV 355.
To expand upon an interdisciplinary perspective on environmental issues, take one course
chosen from: AR 201, AR 346, EN 205, EN 208, EN 212, EN 356, EV 235, EV 312, HI
215, HI 344, PH 315, SO 317.
3. Environmental Policy Track
Students pursuing the environmental policy track are those interested in the social aspects
of environmental issues, social justice, and how to best effect change in society through
legislative changes and participation in grassroots organizations, governmental agencies, and
nongovernmental organizations.
COURSES OF INSTRUCTION
In addition to the core, students also take EV 344.
Students completing this track must complete a second policy sequence from the following
options, in addition to the sequence taken as part of the core:
Sequence 1: EC 105 and EC 372,
Sequence 2: SO101 and SO 317,
Sequence 3: PS 101 and PS 278,
Sequence 4: IS 205 and either EC 344 or PO 383;
Three additional courses selected from: IN 160, EC 342, EC 344, PO 105, PO 150, PO 202,
PO 383, PO 386, PO 3XX: Interest group politics.
Students should also consider taking additional elective courses from: AR 201, AR 346, EN
107, EN 234, EN 304, EN 309, EN 356, EV 235, HI 215, HI 344, PH 315, PO 362.
4. Humanities Track
The humanities track informs student approaches to environmental issues through writing,
visual and aural artistic production, and other forms of cultural expressions.
Choose at least five additional courses beyond those chosen for the core from: AR 201, AR 346,
EN 107, EN 234, EN 304, EN 309, EN 356, EV 235, HI 215, HI 344, PH 315, PO 362.
A minor in Environmental Studies can be achieved by completing the core program above for a
total of 24 credit hours. Students choosing a minor in environmental studies need not complete
the capstone experience.
Majors should note that many graduate and professional programs will also expect CH 203,
204 and 211 as well as CH 111, 112.
EV 104 Principles of Biogeography and Conservation (4)
Issues pertaining to conservation of species and defining the role of individual species within
various ecosystems and geographical regions will be emphasized. The course will cover
political, social and economic issues which impact the diversity, conservation and restoration of
endangered and threatened species.
EV 105 Earth’s Physical Systems (4)
The goal of this course is to understand the dynamic natural systems that operate in Earth’s
environments. Emphasis is placed on processes that form and transform the surface of the planet.
Factors that impact human activities are stressed. Topics include earth-sun relationships, weather,
classification of climate, composition and structure of the solid earth, soil formation, groundwater,
streams, glaciers and coastal processes. Three hours of lecture and a two hour lab each week.
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COURSES OF INSTRUCTION
EV 111 Physical Geology (4)
Introduction to the composition and structure of the Earth, and to the dynamic forces in the
planet’s interior. The course also examines surficial processes that erode and transform rock to
produce landforms and landscapes. Topics include minerals and rocks, volcanoes, earthquakes,
origin of ocean basins, structure and motions of continents, formation of mountain ranges,
geologic hazards, and mineral resources. Three hours of lecture and a two hour lab each week.
EV 112 Historical Geology (4)
The historical evolution of planet Earth from its origin to the present. Emphasis is placed
on methods and theory used by scientists to decipher the “rock record.” The importance of
fossils is stressed. Topics induce the concept of geologic time, dating techniques, interpretation
of rock sequences and reconstructing ancient environments (including climates and biotic
communities). Three hours of lecture and a two hour lab each week. Prerequisite: EV 111 or
permission of the instructor.
EV 224 Environmental Science (4)
The study of the impact of human activities on the environment. Fundamental ecological
concepts which indicate the balance of nature without humans are compared to current
problems caused by human domination of the world. Topics include air, water and land
pollution, energy and overpopulation.
EV 235 Women and the Environment (4)
An investigation into the role of women in various countries and their impact on the
environment. The status of women and problems women face in both developing and
undeveloped countries will be addressed. The impact of women in ecological literature,
environmental policy and health are some topics covered in the course.
EV 312 The Illinois River Valley and Its People (4)
Ecological, environmental, and economic factors will be addressed with an emphasis on how
humans have used and changed this ecosystem and how the ecosystem has determined local
social and economic patterns throughout the past. Field trips and lab exercises which take
students to important ecological and historical sites along the Illinois River will be incorporated
into the laboratory component.
EV 317 Environment and Society (4) (See SO 317.)
EV 324 General Ecology (4)
Principles of ecology, illustrated by lecture and by the investigation of selected types of habitats.
Three class hours and one three-hour laboratory period per week. Field trips. Prerequisite:
MA 133 and one 200-level biology course. Recommended: MA 123 or BI 207. Offered fall
semesters.
EV 326 Ecology of the Northern Woods (4)
This course focuses on land use in the northern woods of Upper Michigan. Students
will investigate logging, fishing, and mining in the upper Great Lakes region. Ecological,
environmental, and economic factors will be addressed with an emphasis on how humans
have used and changed this ecosystem and how the ecosystem has determined local social and
economic patterns throughout the past 150 years. A mandatory one week long field trip to
Northern Michigan is required. Permission of the instructor and a trip fee are required.
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Wildlife management and other natural resource fields are both arts and sciences that deal with
complex interactions in the environment. Wildlife “science” is based on scientific principles,
which will be covered in this course. Techniques of managing wildlife, managing nature
preserves and problems of managing large refugees will be included. Topics include evaluating
and determining habitat requirements and management techniques for a number of bird and
mammal species. Several field trips to local US fish and wildlife areas are required as part of the
course.
EV 349 Environmental Health (4)
(See SO 349.)
COURSES OF INSTRUCTION
EV 344 Principles of Wildlife Management (4)
EV 355 Field and Research Methods in Ecology (4)
This course emphasizes the use of all aspects of the scientific method. Experimental design,
literature review, conducting an experiment, data analysis will be taught as students perform
research on an individual topic in Ecology or Environmental Science.
EV 461, 462 Independent Study Environmental Studies (1 - 4)
EV 463, 464 Internship in Environmental Studies (1 - 4)
Students serve as interns in private or public organizations which oversee, study, or manage
environmental resources. Internships may involve public issues, scientific research, or have
business applications. For horticulture, students will work at a local landscape company,
learning all aspects of horticulture. Topics covered will include plant cultivation, plant
diseases, and small business management techniques. Students must have Junior standing and
permission of the Academic Dean or EV coordinator to enroll.
EV 465, 466 Independent Research in Environmental Studies (1 - 4)
EXERCISE SCIENCE (See BIOLOGY page 26)
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