First Year Focus
We welcome you to explore the realm of majoring in Environmental Science (ENVR_SCI), and majoring or minoring in Earth and Planetary Sciences (EARTH). We launched a new curriculum this Fall 2025 that applies to all those joining Northwestern University this year. Please be sure to consult this 2025-2026 requirement on our webpage, or in the correct year catalog.
If you are fascinated by the immensity of galaxies, or the intricacy of microscopic shell structures seen under a scanning electron microscope. If you are wanting to better the health of the planet and humanity. If you are seeking that "CSI Miami" experience of reconstructing ancient landscapes long turned to dust and pressed into stone. If you aim to create better climate models of the past-present-and future. If your secret mission to solve the world's energy problems. ... And especially if you are torn in deciding between careers founded in chemistry, or math, or biology, or physics... You have found your place, with ENVR SCI and EARTH SCI .
In our interdisciplinary curriculum, students in ENVR_SCI and EARTH learn integrative and quantitative approaches to address society’s greatest challenges: fundamental understanding, preservation and stewardship of the natural world. The curriculum synthesizes the natural sciences, engineering, and the social sciences, all of which are important for understanding the environment, the impact human activities have on it, and ways to mitigate and manage such impacts.
Our new 2025 coordinated curriculum provides you also with a comfortable starting point for all as you begin your studies without yet having to channel or pick between EARTH or ENVR_SCI.
Getting Started - First Year Courses
Both majors entail three levels of study: Related Courses, Core Courses - coded EARTH 21X, and Advanced Studies Courses mostly at the 300 level. The Related Courses in science and mathematics are often prerequisites for courses in the two successive levels. First year students are strongly encouraged to take Foundation Courses beginning in Fall of their first year.
Consider the following for your First Year.
- CHEM is required for ENVR SCI and recommended for EARTH majors. If you need CHEM, begin that sequence in the Fall of your First Year. CHEM sequence only begin in the Fall at NU (or summer Quarter) - so be sure to sign up for Fall 2025 CHEM course you have placed into by the CHEM program.
- Sign up for MATH 220 or MATH 218 courses as soon as you have room, and ideally Fall or Winter or your First year. Pursue the sequence you have placed into via the MATH placement test.
- If you have room, take additional STEM course to fill in your Related Course requirement, but we do encourage you to load-balance and spread out a bit... We know you also have your First Year Seminars, and Language Requirements to consider. And - you may want to explore and invest yourself in the major pathways between ENVR SCI and EARTh (instead of having too much Related Course work in one quarter). Load balancing in your course work is often a healthy and correct approach.
- If you do have time to get started - Then take EARTH 210 - Earth Systems and Climate Change which is our gateway course into both of the majors in ENVR_SCI and EARTH. You should take this EARTH 210 at your earliest opportunity which is often Fall of Sophomore year (but might be your first year). To give accessibility to this first Core Course, we are offering that in Fall 2025 and then a second section in Spring 2026.
- We have also saved space just for you in EARTH 210, exclusive to First Year students like yourself. If you want to ensure a seat as a prospective major/minor in First Year, then fill out this Department Waitlist please - https://bit.ly/EarthSystems-Fall2025
Welcome to our Community!
Fall 2025 - we have the WCAS Academic Directions Fair on Sept 11 in Norris.
Then on Monday September 15 - our Fall LakeSide Fire Pit Social!!! Join the mailing list to get announcements.
As a student interested in the Major or Minor, you will have opportunities to participate in a wide range of activities beyond the classroom, including research, seminars, field trips, and social events. Many undergraduates conduct research projects with faculty and graduate students that leads to great personal growth, and may also lead to honors theses and scientific publications.
There are several ways you can engage:
- Our majors participate in a wide variety of department-led field trips, including the Yucatan Peninsula, Mammoth Cave, and even kayaking the Chicago River.
- We invite you to attend our seminar series. Here, you can learn about the latest developments in the field as well as meet faculty and other students in our department. Seminars offer an excellent opportunity to learn about the latest developments in the field, as well as to meet faculty and other students.
- You can read student impressions.
- Interested in conducting research? Our majors conduct a wide variety of projects.
- Interested in conducting research? Diverse options are possible with our faculty in the Department, and for ENVR SCI majors with a number of faculty across many departments.
- Northwestern provides extensive support to get started, such as through Undergraduate Research Assistantships and once you have a clear direction through competitive funding for your specific project through Undergraduate Research Grants. Both the URAP and URG may be held during the academic year or over the summer.
- Careers in the earth and environmental sciences and beyond…visit our careers page for more information.
- There are several environmentally-oriented student groups on campus. We point you to our powerful and engaging GeoClub as a great starting point.
If you wish to keep current about events, department activities, research opportunities, and job openings, please contact us about being added to the Department’s undergraduate e-mail listserv, and notably our hugely popular Weekly E-News featuring select events and opportunities On Campus, Off Campus, and for those graduating Beyond Campus.
Advising
Our advising page contains more information about declaring the major and other useful resources. If you have questions or need more information, contact the Directors of Undergraduate Studies (DUS) - Prof Sageman for EARTH (brad@earth.northwestern.edu) or Prof Beddows for ENVR SCI (p-beddows@northwestern.edu)