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An old drawing of the HMS Challenger.
Book looks at treasure trove of scientific data from 19th-century HMS Challenger voyage
The voyage of the HMS Challenger in the 1870s was a sprawling 3-1/2-year expedition to explore the world’s oceans. The scientists aboard the vessel collected 100,000 specimens of sea creatures, discovered 5,000 new species, mapped the ocean floors and took hundreds of measurements of sea...
Two geologists looking at a clipboard in the field.
Illinois Launching Two New Online Graduate Certificates in Environmental and Engineering Geology
The University of Illinois Urbana-Champaign is expanding its online offerings with two innovative programs, designed to meet the growing demand for advanced skills in environmental and engineering geology.Launching in spring 2026, the graduate certificate programs in...
Wind turbines in a field.
Illinois wind patterns show signs of change, study finds
Winds across Illinois are beginning to still. A new study led by University of Illinois Urbana-Champaign researchers has found that average wind speeds across the state have declined over the past three decades—and that the prevailing wind direction is slowly shifting southward. The findings,...
A river running through a farm field.
More than a dry spell: research shows impact of severe weather on climate change mitigation
While rivers are popular magnets for fishing, boating, and kayaking, they are also potential powerhouses in the fight against climate change. Rivers and streams carry inorganic carbon from land to oceans in a process called lateral carbon flux. In recent years, environmental engineers have proposed...
Sarah Austin. A woman sitting on rocks by the sea.
Meet Sarah Austin: New lecturer in Earth Science and Environmental Change
 Sarah Austin didn’t set out to become a geologist. In fact, she jokes that she “messed up” when she first enrolled at the University of Minnesota Twin Cities, mistakenly thinking the College of Education and Human Development was the right path to medical school. But one introductory geology...
Jenna Shelton. A woman sitting on a rock next to a creek posing for the camera.
ESEC alum named Illinois State Water Survey director
Jenna Shelton (B.S., 2011, Environmental Geology) recently joined the Prairie Research Institute as the new director of the Illinois State Water Survey.Shelton is a hydrobiogeochemist with 14 years of experience at the U.S. Geological Survey. She has a dynamic background of research and leadership...

Alumni Homecoming: 75 Years of Geology!

The Department of Earth Science and Environmental Change recently marked a major milestone—75 years of geology at Illinois—with a weekend of celebration, connection, and exploration. From alumni panels and campus tours to remarks by university leadership and a field trip to Starved Rock, the reunion brought together generations of geologists to honor the past and look toward the future. Relive the moments, see the photos, and learn how you can help support student field experiences for years to come.

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Become a dynamic leader in the field of Environmental Geology

The Department of Earth Science & Environmental Change offers an online graduate-level certificate and Master's degree in Environmental Geology. The master's degree and certificate are designed to meet the existing high demand for advanced geology expertise to solve industry problems. The graduate-level certificate is a 12-credit program and provides an ideal bridge into the 32-credit hour online master's degree should students desire to continue on for an advanced graduate degree. Both programs are fully online, which precludes the need for an extended absence from a current job and/or familial responsibilities, and maximizes learning flexibility. 

Graduate Programs iGeology Program website

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