The Chicago area, despite its urban character, is home to significant biodiversity. Situated at the intersection of the northern boreal forest, prairie, savanna, and dune environments, Chicago is a crossroads for more than just our own species. Here the great eastern tallgrass prairies met oak-hickory woodlands as well as wetlands, savannas, swamps, and other associations, forming a complex mosaic of environments. The long history of human habitation in this region has significantly transformed local environments, but not all pre-contact environments have vanished and local efforts at restoration and conservation have begun to make a significant difference in the extent and health of indigenous plants and animals. Our logo is derived from the Hickory (Carya); local oak-hickory forests are dominated by Shagbark Hickory (C. ovata) and Bitternut Hickory (C. cordiformis).Campus Resources
A number of programs at the University of Chicago deal with environmental concerns. Some of these programs are described below. (Please explore the menu to the right for other student, off-campus, and affiliated resources.)
- Center for Integrating Statistical and Environmental Science (CISES) CISES's main objective is to advance the use of statistical methods to assess the state of the physical environment and its impact on human and ecological health.
- Climate Systems Center National Science Foundation Information Technology Research Program.
- The Environmental Studies Program Undergraduate concentration in the college with an interdisciplinary focus on environmental science and policy issues.
- The Human Rights Program Interdisciplinary program dealing with international human rights issue, including a number of topics intersecting with environmental research.
- M.S. Degree in Environmental Science and Policy The Irving B. Harris School of Public Policy Studies and the Division of the Physical Sciences at the University of Chicago offer a two-year program leading to a master of environmental science and policy degree, designed for students interested in assessing the scientific repercussions of various policies on the environment.
- The Sustainability Council The Sustainability Council works to improve campus sustainability by providing a forum for discussion amongst students, faculty, and staff. This forum allows for new environmental initiatives and sustainability policies to be enacted on campus.
- University of Chicago Environmental Center (UCEC) The student-run UCEC in the basement of the Reynolds Club (Room 002A) is open to both University and community members. It contains a variety of resources, including a lending library and meeting space for student environmental organizations.
Global Environment Links
New Graduate Teaching Opportunities for 2008-2009
The Program on the Global Environment has a number of opportunities for advanced graduate students specializing in environmental topics, regardless of discipline.
