Environmental Studies and Geography course catalog

2026-27 catalog

JEANETTE C. ARKLE, Assistant Professor 
B.S., B.A., M.S. California State University, Fullerton; Ph.D., University of Cincinnati

JENNIFER BURNHAM, Professor
A.B., Augustana; M.S., Illinois; Ph.D., Washington

C. KEVIN GEEDEY, Professor (Biology)
B.A., B.S., Ohio State; Ph.D., Michigan State

JASON KOONTZ, Professor (Biology)
B.S., Iowa State; M.S., Miami University (Ohio); Ph.D., Washington State

SARAH LASHLEY, Associate Professor, Co-Chair, Department of Environment, Geography and Geoscience
B.A., Allegheny College; M.S., Ph.D., University of Michigan

BRITTANY L. MCCALL, Assistant Professor (Biology)
B.S., Austin Peay State University; M.S., Arkansas State University; Ph.D., Arkansas State University

MICHAEL REISNER, Professor, Director Upper Mississippi Studies Center for Sustainable Communities
B.S., Montana State; J.D., University of Oregon; Ph.D., Oregon State University

CHRISTOPHER R. STRUNK, Professor
B.A., Wesleyan University; M.A., Ph.D., Minnesota

MAJOR in ENVIRONMENTAL STUDIES AND GEOGRAPHY. 38 - 40 credits, distributed among Core Courses (20 credits), an Area of Concentration (16 credits), and Senior Inquiry (2 - 4 credits).
Take the following six Core Courses (20 credits): ESGE 100, 200, 201, 205, 300, and 405
Take one Senior Inquiry Course (2 - 4 credits): ESGE 401, 402, or 403

Areas of Concentration: Students will take 16 credits of electives in an area of concentration, at least 12 of which are at the 300-level or above. At least two different perspectives (e.g., natural or social sciences) must be represented. No more than eight credits can be from a single subject code other than ESGE. Only one GIST course can count towards the area of concentration.

Earth and Ecological Conservation:

Take three of the following courses: ESGE 306, 332, BIOL 327, 335, 386, 387, GEOL 309, 325, 330, 360, and any one of GIST 372, 375, 376, or 475
Take one of the following courses: ESGE 303, 331, 387, 388

Environmental Policy, Management, and Advocacy:

Take three of the following courses: ESGE 303, 323, 331, 387, 388, ECON 221, POLS 326, and any one of GIST 372, 375, 376, or 475
Take one of the following courses: ESGE 306, 332, BIOL 386

Urban Planning and Justice:

Take three of the following courses: ESGE 223, 323, 387, 388, ECON 221, and any one of GIST 372, 375, 376, or 475
Take one of the following courses: ESGE 306, BIOL 386, GEOL 205

Sustainable Energy:

Take four of the following courses: ESGE 225, 387, 389, BIOL 329, ENGR 340, GEOL 205, SOAN 340, and any one of GIST 372, 375, 376, or 475
ESGE 380 may be substituted for one of the above electives on a case-by-case basis depending on the specific course offering.
Recommended supporting course: GIST 273.

MINOR IN ENVIRONMENTAL STUDIES AND GEOGRAPHY. 24 credits, distributed among Core Courses (16 credits) and Elective Courses (8 credits).

Take the following four core courses (16 credits): ESGE 100, 200, 201, and ESGE 300 or GIST 273
Electives. Students must work with their advisor to design an integrated sequence of electives at the 300-level. Take 8 credits from the following courses: ESGE 303, 306, 307, 323, 331, 332, 387, 388, 389, BIOL 327, 329, 335, 386, 387, GEOL 309, 325, 330, 360, SOAN 360
ESGE 380 may be substituted for one of the above electives on a case-by-case basis depending on the specific course offering.
Recommended supporting course: GIST 273.

MINOR IN GEOGRAPHIC INFORMATION SCIENCE AND TECHNOLOGY.. 16 credits. The Geographic Information Science and Technology Experiential Minor is 16 credits, distributed as follows: GIST 273 and GIST 475, and two of the following three GIST 372, GIST 375 or GIST 376.

Grade Point Average Notation: All courses listed in the catalog as required courses for any major and/or minor, including those courses outside of the department or with a different subject coding, are considered part of the major and will count in the grade point average. Some departments may have additional grade requirements for the courses offered within their department. Recommended supporting courses that are optional and not required may also count in the major depending on the program. For more information see your department chair or the degree requirements for Bachelor of Arts and information on Majors/Minors.