The Program
The major in Earth & 环境al Sciences engages students in the study of the Earth and its habitable environments with a focus on the key natural and physical processes that shape our planet, from the geologic past to the present, and into the future.
Students gain a broad foundational understanding of concepts and research techniques in the physical, life, and interdisciplinary natural sciences that inform society about the physical world and environment in which we live.
Each student, in consultation with an advisor, chooses a focus for in-depth coursework in one of three areas: Ecosystems, Earth and Climate, and Earth Observations. All levels of the curriculum emphasize analysis of data for critical evaluation of scientific arguments related to the study of Earth and environmental systems.
Students majoring in Earth & 环境 take advantage of special opportunities that include BU’s Earth House living-learning community, as well as studies abroad in Australia, Denmark, and Italy, among others; qualified students may conduct mentored research toward Honors in the Major.
The BA in Earth & 环境al Sciences prepares students for graduate study, including the Department’s MA in Energy & 环境, MA in Remote Sensing & Geospatial Sciences, and PhD in Earth & 环境, in the field, or for entry-level employment in a variety of professions including environmental consulting, ecosystem management, private sector industry, governmental and private scientific agencies, science journalism, and environmental law.
Degree Learning Outcomes
- Demonstrate knowledge of fundamental concepts and specific topics in environmental science, Earth and climate science, and Earth observations that inform the study of planet Earth.
Understand the application, and limits, of problem-solving tools from the Earth and environmental sciences to represent, organize, and assess information.
Identify and quantitatively analyze data in order to critically evaluate scientific arguments related to the study of Earth and environmental systems.
Communicate effectively, both in writing and verbally, using languages from environmental science, Earth and climate science, and Earth observations to express ideas and their importance.
Solve complex problems in Earth and environmental sciences that require the application of scientific concepts and laboratory techniques from a combination of Earth and climate science, environmental science, and Earth observation.
Degree Requirements
The major in Earth & 环境al Sciences requires a total of 16 courses (64 units), all completed with a grade of C or higher, as approved by the student’s advisor. Those 16 courses comprise three required core introductory courses; six required related mathematics and science courses; and seven approved principal electives, five of which must come from a single group (Ecosystems, Earth & Climate, or Earth Observations), and the remaining two of which must be chosen from outside that group. Students declare their primary group by the end of their second year. At least one principal elective course must be at the 500 level. With prior approval from faculty advisors, students may apply coursework taken as part of the BU Marine Program (among other study abroad opportunities) toward the total of 16 courses required for the major. In addition, up to one term (4 units) of Directed Study (EE 491 or 492) may be applied toward fulfillment of the 16-course requirement for the major.
Introductory Core Courses (3)
- CAS EE 100 环境al Change and Sustainability
- CAS EE 107 Introduction to Climate and Earth System Science
- CAS EE 270 Data, Models, and Analysis in Earth & 环境
CAS EE 100 and EE 107 may be taken in either order; both must be taken before EE 270. Students who have previously completed CAS MA 213 may substitute that course for EE 270.
Required Related Courses (6)
- Calculus: CAS MA 123, 124; or MA 127; or MA 129
- General Chemistry: CAS CH 101 or CH 109 or CH 111 or CH 171
- Physics: CAS PY 211 or PY 251
- Biology: CAS BI 107
- One of: CAS BI 108; CH 102 or 110 or 112 or 172; or PY 212 or 252
Degree Electives
Students select seven of the following, five from a single group and any two from outside that group. At least one course must be an upper-level elective numbered 500 or higher.
Ecosystems Group
Core Electives
- CAS BI 306 Biology of Global Change
- CAS EE 317 Introduction to Hydrology
- CAS EE 371 Introduction to Geochemistry
- CAS EE 375 Introduction to Quantitative 环境al Modeling
- CAS BI 413 Microbial Ecology
- CAS EE/BI 423 Marine Biogeochemistry
- CAS EE/BI 443 Terrestrial Biogeochemistry
- CAS EE/BI 475 Urban Ecology
- CAS EE 483 环境al and Geophysical Fluid Dynamics
- CAS EE 491/492 Directed Study
Upper-level Electives
- CAS EE 503 Micrometeorology: Energy and Mass Transfer at the Earth’s Surface
- CAS EE 509 Applied 环境al StatisticsCAS EE 512 Urban Climate
- CAS EE 514 Dynamic Landsurface Hydrology
- CAS EE/BI 523 Marine Urban Ecology (BUMP)
- CAS EE 525 Plant Physiological Ecology
- CAS EE 529 Modeling and Monitoring Terrestrial Ecosystems Processes
- CAS EE/BI 530 Forest Ecology
- CAS EE 533 Quantitative Geomorphology
- CAS EE/BI 539 Coral Reef Dynamics: Shallow Waters, Deep Time (BUMP)
- CAS EE 542 Coastal Ecosystems (BUMP)
- CAS EE 585 Ecological Forecasting and Informatics
- CAS EE/BI 591 Bio-Optical Oceanography (BUMP)
- CAS EE/BI 593 Marine Physiology and Climate Change (BUMP)
Earth & Climate Group
Core Electives
- CAS EE 300 Earth’s Rocky Materials
- CAS EE 305 Earth Structure
- CAS EE 310 Climate and the 环境
- CAS EE 317 Introduction to Hydrology
- CAS EE 351 Paleoclimatology and Paleoceanography
- CAS EE 360 Intro to Physical Oceanography
- CAS EE 371 Introduction to Geochemistry
- CAS EE 375 Introduction to Quantitative 环境al Modeling
- CAS EE/BI 423 Marine Biogeochemistry
- CAS EE 491/492 Directed Study
Upper-level Electives
- CAS EE 503 Micrometeorology: Energy and Mass Transfer at the Earth’s Surface
- CAS EE 504 Physical Climatology
- CAS EE 507 Dynamical Oceanography
- CAS EE 511 Introduction to the Atmospheric Boundary Layer
- CAS EE 512 Urban Climate
- CAS EE 514 Dynamic Landsurface Hydrology
- CAS EE 533 Quantitative Geomorphology
- CAS EE 540 Atmospheric Chemistry and Global Change
- CAS EE 542 Coastal Ecosystems: Adaptation and Resilience to 环境al Change (BUMP)
- CAS EE 543 Estuaries and Nearshore Systems (BUMP)
- CAS EE 544 Coastal Sedimentology (BUMP)
- CAS EE 557 Oceanography of Stellwagen Bank and Surrounding Waters (BUMP)
- CAS EE 585 Ecological Forecasting and Informatics
- CAS EE/BI 591 Bio-Optical Oceanography (BUMP)
- CAS EE/BI 593 Marine Physiology and Climate Change (BUMP)
Earth Observations Group
Core Electives
- CAS EE 302 Remote Sensing of 环境
- CAS EE 365 An Introduction to Geographic Information Systems
- CAS EE 375 Introduction to Quantitative 环境al Modeling
- CAS EE 422 Aquatic Optics and Remote Sensing
- CAS EE 444 Digital Image Processing
- CAS EE 445 Physical Models in Remote Sensing
- CAS EE 446 Remote Sensing of the Lower Atmosphere
- CAS EE 491/492 Directed Study
Upper-level Electives
- CAS EE 501 Advanced Topics in Remote Sensing
- CAS EE 503 Micrometeorology: Energy and Mass Transfer at the Earth’s Surface
- CAS EE 505 Geographic Information Systems (GIS)
- CAS EE 508 Data Science for Conservation Decisions
- CAS EE 516 Multivariate Analysis for Geographers
- CAS EE 529 Modeling and Monitoring Terrestrial Ecosystems Processes
- CAS EE 540 Atmospheric Chemistry and Global Change
- CAS EE/BI 578 Marine Geographic Information Science (BUMP)=
- CAS EE/BI 591 Bio-Optical Oceanography (BUMP)
Related Programs and Study Abroad
Boston University Marine Program
For students wishing to develop a marine focus, particularly in connection with a biological emphasis, courses are available through the Boston University Marine Program (BUMP). In this case, the emphasis is on field and laboratory teaching and research, and includes aspects of ancient marine geology, biogeochemistry of sediments, and biota. Access is also provided to present-day natural field laboratories in the local area and in Belize. More information about BUMP is available here.
Sea Education Association/SEA Semester
Se
Sydney, Australia STEM Program
The Sydney STEM Program offers upper-division students of Science, Technology, Engineering, and Mathematics (STEM) the opportunity to pursue courses in their designated fields of study through direct enrollment at the University of Sydney. Sydney STEM students will also benefit from the excellence of the Boston University Sydney Center’s staff, facilities, and activities. Considered one of the most prestigious institutions of higher learning in Australia, the University of Sydney is conveniently located within walking distance of the BU Sydney Center in the Chippendale district, a vibrant neighborhood of university activity, cafes, contemporary galleries, the Central Park Mall, converted warehouses, and cutting-edge innovation.
Honors in Earth & 环境
Students who maintain a minimum GPA of 3.0 are eligible to work toward honors in the major. Requirements include completion of the two-course sequence of independent study (CAS EE 401 and CAS EE 402) and successful defense of a senior thesis as the primary means to graduate with honors in Earth & 环境. In appropriate circumstances, and with the approval of the Departmental Honors Committee, students may apply significant summer research toward the production of a senior thesis. In such cases, students combine independent summer fieldwork with either EE 401 or EE 402 as the basis for writing and defending a senior honors thesis.
Each honors student is advised by at least two faculty members, who act as first and second readers of the Senior Honors Thesis. Interested students should contact the department Director of Undergraduate Studies, who oversees departmental honors, no later than March of the junior year.
Application for Honors in Earth & 环境
