Earth, Atmosphere and Environment

Field Methods in Environmental Geosciences (EAE 477)

An environmental field camp designed to train you in field methods and integrative problem-solving related to environmental geosciences. The course will cover topics such as field methods in hydrogeology, surface-water and vadose-zone hydrology, water quality analysis, ecosystem health, environmental surface geophysics, site evaluation and techniques and regional landscape history and environmental change.

This course is offered during the summer session only. Non-NIU students may apply.

Prerequisites: EAE 490 or consent of department (non-NIU students must have taken a hydrogeology course)

Dates: Summer 2025

Optional 40-hour OSHA HAZWOPER (May 13-17, 2024)

Application deadline: March 2025

Please contact askeae@niu.edu for detailed cost information. This field course may be canceled or change dates at any time. The cost of camp is subject to change.

Course Content

Field Methods in Hydrogeology
  • Water table contour maps
  • Aquifer testing
  • Local and regional hydrogeologic framework
  • Drilling and well installation
Water Quality
  • Groundwater and surface water sampling techniques
  • Field measurement of water quality parameters
  • Field analysis of water chemistry
  • Inorganic water analysis
  • Organic water analysis
  • Microbiology of water
Field Trips
  • Drinking and waste water plants
  • Lake Calumet (Superfund site)
  • Quaternary deposits of northern Illinois

Contact Us

Department of Earth, Atmosphere and Environment
Davis Hall, Room 312

815-753-1943 (undergraduate)
815-753-0631 (graduate)

815-753-1945 (fax)
askeae@niu.edu

Undergraduate Advising

Director of Undergraduate Studies
Justin Dodd (Geology and Environmental Geosciences)
Davis Hall 413
jdodd@niu.edu
815-753-0631

Nicole LaDue (Earth Science Education)
Davis Hall 403C
nladue@niu.edu

Xuwei Chen (Geography)
Davis Hall 202A
chen@niu.edu

Victor Gensini (Meteorology)
Davis Hall 219E
vgensini@niu.edu

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