About Environmental Studies

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Students in Vietnam May term course work to restore mangroves that were destroyed by defoliant chemicals in the Vietnam War 
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Greening Great Britain course explores Cairgorms National Park in Scottish Highlands
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Sam Yoest completes her internship with the Illinois Environmental Protection Agency
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Students go kayaking at Moraine View State Recreation Area during the Environmental Studies May term paddling excursion
Ojaswee experiments with pest controls
Ojaswee Shrestha experiments with biological pest controls in a fully-funded summer internship at the International Rice Research Institute
 

"The University, through its policies, programs and practices, is committed to diversity, social justice and environmental sustainability" – Illinois Wesleyan University Mission Statement

What is Environmental Studies? In short, it's an examination of issues that arise from interactions of human beings with the natural world.

Environmental challenges can be daunting. At IWU we ask our students to put their passion for sustainability to work during their time here, so that they graduate empowered and prepared to make a difference in the world. For example, this Signature Solutions article describes students' experiences in Vietnam during a recent research-focused Vietnam travel course. 

Our Environmental Studies Program offers both a major and a minor degree. Students pursue one of three unique ways to complete the major by focusing on one of the following areas of concentration:

Our students gain a solid foundation in ecological principles, earth science concepts and scientific causes of today's environmental challenges, as well as the institutions - cultural, political, and economic - and ethical dimensions through which to tackle them.

Read our full Mission Statement and Student Learning Goals.