G&ES Home Page

W elcome to the Department of Geography & Environmental Studies at Northeastern Illinois University in Chicago. Northeastern (NEIU) is a commuter campus located on Chicago's far north side, with approximately 11,000 students commuting from throughout the city and northern suburbs.

The Department offers three degreed programs. There are undergraduate Bachelor of Arts in Geography and in Environmental Studies, and a graduate M.A. in Geography & Environmental Studies. The department also offers a minor in Geography & Environmental Studies, and a minor certification for Elementary Education and Early Childhood Education. Read more about these programs by selecting the appropriate Program link, to the left.

The Geography degree emphasizes standard geograpic courses in physical geography, human geography, regional geography, and techniques including Computer Cartography and Geographic Information Systems. Environmental Studies in the department emphasizes the interface between the human and natural environments, and concentrates on resource management, natural area management and interpretation, and environmenal problems, policy and regulation. Both geography and environmental studies span the human and natural sciences, and therefore come together nicely for a graduate M.A. in G&ES.

The NEIU Campus has devoted large areas to natural prairie, which are maintained and periodically burned by the department of G&ES and the G&ES student club, Geomaniacs. The department also maintains a GIS inventory of all trees, shrubs, and planted areas on campus in one of its two computer laboratories. The University has "smart classrooms" and student computer labs situated across campus, and provides all students with an internet account, hosting and email with generous space. It has an excellent library and all the standard facilities one would expect at a University of this size. Visit the bookstore and cafeteria in the Student Union, and tour the Physical Education building located on the southern end of campus. Ample parking is now available in the new three story garage.

Northeastern is conveniently located on Chicago's far north side. The city offers many opportunities for internships, volunteer work, and first-hand experience in environmental and geographic organizations throughout the urban environment. The department takes pride in its ability to integrate experiences in the local environment with traditional academic coursework. Many geographic and environmental professionals teach courses in the department as adjunct faculty, and thereby share their knowledge and experience and create unique and valuable connections for employment. Follow the Personnel, Alumni link to see what our graduates are doing now.

Welcome again to the department. Thank you for visiting this site and we hope to make your acquaintance if we have not done so already!

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