Northwestern University
AC-3: Undergraduate Program

The Environmental Sciences Program in the Weinberg College offers an interdisciplinary curriculum that prepares students to address one of society’s greatest challenges, namely preservation and stewardship of the natural world.

Natural science and engineering courses emphasize fundamental and quantitative approaches for identifying, understanding, and solving environmental problems spanning local to global scales, such as air and water pollution, biodiversity, climate change, energy, and sustainability.

Courses in the social sciences and humanities place environmental problems in a historical, philosophical, and political context and offer critical perspectives for translating science into action.

A major in the Environmental Sciences Program provides preparation for employment in environmentally oriented firms, companies, and organizations; training for graduate study in diverse environmental disciplines; and pre-professional development for students interested in law, business, or medicine.

The bachelor of science in environmental engineering in the Department of Civil and Environmental Engineering takes an interdisciplinary approach to educating the next generation of environmental engineers. Accredited by ABET, the program's four-year curriculum provides students with a sound foundation in environmental engineering principals, and the opportunity to integrate other key areas into their coursework, including basic science, social science, humanities, and public policy.

The EPS program covers traditional geologic studies through the latest advances in Earth and Planetary Science. Students take courses in a variety of disciplines, and practice what they learn with theoretical content, fieldwork, and lab work. Students may also choose a concentration to tailor the EPS major to their interests; one available concentration is Climate Science.

The ISEN undergraduate certificate provides a means for Northwestern students to pursue interdisciplinary instruction in the increasingly important areas of sustainability and energy during their undergraduate coursework, while signaling broad topic proficiency to potential future employers.

The certificate can be petitioned by any undergraduate student at the university, and consists of seven total courses:
-Three introductory ISEN survey courses at the 200-level (ISEN 210, 220, 230)
-Four additional elective courses across a variety of disciplines and departments, including natural science, engineering, social science, study abroad opportunities, and special topics

Students pursuing the certificate will in some cases receive preferential pre-registration access to certain courses associated with the certificate, and be apprised when new courses are introduced at the university.

The Environmental Policy and Culture Program offers students an interdisciplinary approach to environmental studies, focusing on the social sciences and humanities. The program is developing a focus on global issues, including climate change, energy production, and sustainable water and food supplies for a growing population.

We offer a program of study starting with a choice of two overview courses and continuing with more advanced lecture courses and seminars. Students in the EPC program acquire knowledge and analytical skills that will serve them in a variety of careers including public service in government and jobs in non-governmental organizations, business, law, medicine, and journalism.

The Environmental Engineering minor is meant to train students to incorporate environmental practices into their engineering careers. Recognizing that environmental sustainability is an integral skill for all engineers, the minor program is tailored to provide engineering students with basic skills in how one can manage air, soil, and water to control pollution, treat wastewater, and provide drinking water.