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 covers 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. Graduate students may enroll in EAE 577.

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

Dates: May 19 – June 18, 2025

Optional 40-hour OSHA HAZWOPER training (May 12-16, 2025) can be taken for credit (EAE 408) or as a separate course.

Application deadline: April 2025

To request information about the course, please fill out this form. Housing on campus is available during the course. This field course may be canceled or have its dates changed at any time. The cost of the camp is subject to change.

Course Content

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 

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

Undergraduate Advising

Director of Undergraduate Studies
Mark Fischer
Davis Hall 406
mfischer@niu.edu

MET Advisor
Victor Gensini
Davis Hall 118
vgensini@niu.edu