Sunrise over a lake that's surrounded by trees

Welcome to EEGS

Our mission is to prepare students for their future careers by cultivating critical thinking and science-based inquiry skills. Students develop foundations in earth, environmental, and geographical sciences (EEGS) to analyze local and global issues challenging the human‒environment relationship. EEGS faculty members engage in active research, professional development, and service to enhance quality teaching and provide an interdisciplinary curriculum.

Dr. Van Grinsven and students at FROST

Meet our Faculty and Staff

The faculty and staff of our department are dedicated to helping our students achieve their goals at NMU while planning for the future. We believe in providing a broad, rigorous academic background that includes field experiences and hands-on learning opportunities.

Weston Hall in witner

Explore Department Facilities

The Earth, Environmental and Geographical Sciences classroom spaces, labs, and faculty offices span across two buildings: Weston Hall and The Science Building. These facilities host a combined GIS and a remote sensing lab.

eegs alumni and friends

EEGS Alumni and Friends

NMU faculty, staff, and administrators remain committed to serving our alumni and friends, whether you crossed the commencement stage last year or decades ago. We hope to see you back on campus for a visit, but if that’s not possible, stay connected virtually.

campus fall colors

Giving to the Department

The Earth, Environmental and Geographical Sciences Department has several initiatives to give our students hands-on learning and research experiences. We invite you to support the departments’ fundraising initiatives.

Students around campfire at Tourist Park

Diversity, Equity, Inclusion, and Justice

Hate or discrimination of any kind has no place in EEGS. Now more than ever we must reaffirm our commitment to principles of diversity, equity, inclusion and justice. We will continue to build on our efforts to create a safe and welcoming space for every student.

A photo of a person examining notes.

Department Bylaws

Faculty in the Earth, Environmental and Geographical Sciences Department abide by a set of bylaws that set forth key rules and operating procedures.

Aerial view of campus at Northern MIchigan University

Our History

The EEGS department is rooted in Geography. In fact, geography was one of the original subjects taught when the State Board of Education created Northern State Normal School on July 14, 1899. The first geography courses were basic and were taught by Martha B. Ackermann.

about eegs banner - students in the woods

Contemporary issues that we explore include environmental change, natural hazards, sustainable development, biosphere-atmosphere interactions, resource management, and globalization. To make sense of the patterns and processes on Earth, we conduct field-based studies and also use high-tech tools to collect and analyze data. Geographic information systems, remote sensing, and global positioning systems help us create maps and interpret spatial patterns to answer questions and solve problems.

5

academic minor programs offered

1

certificate program in GIS offered

9

faculty members

30

average class size

1899

first courses taught at NMU

8%

projected job growth, Bureau of Labor Statistics

Testimonial by Mackenzie Finton, ENV alumna

"I am incredibly grateful for all the opportunities and support that I have been given by the EEGS Department over my years at NMU, and I look forward to applying the skills I have gained in my future career."

Mackenzie Finton

BS, Environmental Science, 2023

Contact Information

To contact the Earth, Environmental and Geographical Sciences Department, e-mail eegs@nmu.edu or call 906-227-2500. The fax number is 906-227-1621.

University Business Hours

University business hours are 8 a.m. - 5 p.m. during the fall and winter semesters (late August through early May) and 7:30 a.m.–4:00 p.m. during the summer (early May through late August). Northern Michigan University is located in the Eastern time zone.

Campus Location

The Earth, Environmental and Geographical Sciences Department is located at 3001 Weston Hall. Weston Hall is located in the Seaborg Science Complex on NMU’s academic mall. It is connected to The Science Building and sits across from Harden Hall. Parking areas for the complex can be reached off of Elizabeth Harden Drive.

Mailing Address

Earth, Environmental and Geographical Sciences Department
Northern Michigan University
1401 Presque Isle Avenue
Marquette, MI 49855