College of Arts & Sciences

Geography & Environment

Chair Mark Friedl

Director, Undergraduate Studies Ian Sue Wing

Professors Cleveland, Friedl, Glick, Gopal, Kaufmann, Lakshmanan, Myneni, Salvucci, Strahler, Woodcock

Associate Professors B. Anderson, Phillips, Sue Wing

Assistant Professor Bauer

Lecturers P. Anderson, Reibstein, G. Walker

Professors Emeriti Batchelder, Lewis

The Department of Geography & Environment offers four undergraduate concentrations: in human geography, in physical geography, in environmental science, and in environmental analysis and policy.

Students in the environmental science concentration receive a background in the relevant natural science disciplines while developing an expertise in a specific field. The curriculum provides extensive lab work in several courses including earth sciences, geography, biology, and chemistry. Environmental science concentrators also pursue courses in natural resource and energy policy.

Concentrators in environmental analysis and policy receive an extensive background in assessing the principal energy, resource, and environmental problems facing society. The predominant techniques of policy analysis and resource management presented through the curriculum include cost-benefit analysis, risk assessment, energy systems analysis, and computer modeling of environmental systems. Students also learn about the social and institutional framework within which resource planning, management, and policy-making take place. Courses in the life and physical sciences ensure an understanding of the biophysical basis of environmental problems.

Human geography is the study of the spatial organization of human activity and human interaction with the physical environment. The concentration with specialization in human geography can follow either of two tracks: the general track, which covers economic, political, and cultural geography, and the more focused economic geography track. Both tracks stress the application of analytical methods, including Geographic Information Systems (GIS). Graduating human geography concentrators may find employment in urban and regional planning departments; firms consulting on transportation, industrial location, and retail site planning; and state and federal agencies with responsibilities for social services, economic development, and infrastructure policy. Human geography also provides an excellent background for students planning to do graduate studies in fields such as business administration, transportation planning, public policy, and law.

Physical geography is the study of natural systems and cycles that interact within the Earth’s life layer, where land and oceans meet the atmosphere. Physical geography concentrators take a variety of courses designed to provide a broad background in natural sciences and expertise in the main topical areas of physical geography: landforms/soils/vegetation, hydrology, and climate. The program emphasizes the application of advanced information technology to geographical analysis with courses in GIS and remote sensing. Graduating concentrators may find employment in firms consulting on environmental problems; research organizations addressing such diverse issues as forestry, water resources, and global climate change; state and federal agencies with environmental, wildlife, and resource mandates; and public and private sector organizations in the field of remote sensing and GIS.

Concentration in Geography with Specialization in Human Geography (2225)

A concentration in human geography may follow either of two tracks: the general track, which provides a broad range of studies in the geography of human activities, or the economic geography track, which is more focused on the geography of economic processes.

General Track  A general track concentration in human geography requires completion of eleven courses with a grade of C or better in each course.

Courses  A core of three geography courses is required: CAS GE 102 or GE 103 (students are advised to take both); a choice of one from GE 100, GE 101, and GE 104; and GE 365.

Required Related Courses  A statistics requirement may be met with CAS MA 213 or EC 305. A calculus requirement may be met with MA 121, 122, 123, 124, 127, 129, or a score of at least 3 on the AB calculus advanced placement examination.

Additional Courses  Six additional geography courses are selected from the following list. No more than one shall be below the 300 level, and at least two must be at the 400 or 500 level: GE 102, 103, 201, 202, 250, 275, 300, 323, 328, 331, 356, 381, 382, 491, 492, 505, 511, 512, 519, 541, 542, 550, 597; IR 373.

Economic Geography Track  An economic geography track concentration in human geography requires completion of twelve courses with a grade of C or better in each course.

Courses  A core of three geography courses is required: GE 103 (students are advised to take GE 102 as well); a choice of one from GE 100, GE 101, and GE 104; and GE 365.

Required Related Courses  All students in the economic geography track are required to take CAS EC 101 or EC 111, and are advised to take either EC 102 or EC 112. A statistics requirement may be met with CAS MA 213 or EC 305. A calculus requirement may be met with MA 121, 122, 123, 124, 127, 129, or a score of at least 3 on the AB calculus advanced placement examination.

Additional Courses  Six additional courses are selected from the following list. At least two must be at the 400 or 500 level: GE 300, 323, 328, 356, 491, 492, 505, 511, 519, 533, 541, 542; EC 320, 356, 377. (Note: EC 320 and EC 377 require both EC 101/111 and EC 102/112 as prerequisites.)

Students may also take any two courses from the following list as part of their six additional courses:

School for Field Studies

Kenya Wildlife Management Studies: CAS EE 302, EE 491, EE 492.

Costa Rica Sustainable Development Studies: CAS EE 303, EE 491, EE 492.

Mexico Conserving Marine Mammals & Coastal Ecosystems: CAS EE 303, EE 491, EE 492.

Australia Tropical Rainforest Management: CAS EE 302, EE 491, EE 492.

Turks & Caicos Marine Resource Management Studies: CAS EE 302, EE 491, EE 492.

Note: Students taking either EE 491 or EE 492 must demonstrate to their advisor’s satisfaction that their directed research contains a substantial human geography component.

TOP OF PAGE

Concentration in Geography with Specialization in Physical Geography (2226)


A concentration in physical geography requires the completion of sixteen courses with a grade of C or higher in each course.

Courses  A core of six courses is required: CAS GE 101; GE 104; a choice of either GE 302 or GE 365; and three of the following four: GE/BI 307, GE 310, ES 317, and ES 333. A choice of one among three courses on human-environment interaction is also required: GE 511, GE 542, or GE 594.

Required Related Science and Mathematics Courses  A calculus requirement may be met with CAS MA 123/124; 127, 129, or a score of at least 3 on the BC calculus advanced placement examination. A statistics requirement may be met with MA 213 or EC 305. A physics requirement may be met with any of the following two-course sequences: PY 211/212, PY 241/242, or PY 251/252. BI 107 is also required.

Advanced Topical Courses  Three additional courses, at least two of which must be at the 400 level or above, are selected from four topical areas: methods, landforms/soils/vegetation, hydrology, and climate. In order to focus course selection, two of the three courses must be from a single topical area.

Methods: GE 275, GE 302, GE 365, GE 440, GE 445, GE 448, GE 502, GE 505, GE 550, GE 565.

Vegetation/Soils/Landforms: BI 303, BI 306, BI 417, BI 448, BI 540, ES 331, ES 333, ES 411, GE 448, GE/BI 525.

Hydrology: GE/ES 483, GE 514, GE/ES 517, BI 417.

Climate: GE 312, GE 446, GE/ES 483, GE 503, GE 504, GE 507, ES 351.

Tropical Ecology Program in Ecuador: Students may choose to fulfill their advanced topical courses with any three of the following: CAS BI/GE 438, BI/GE439, BI/GE 440, and BI/GE 441.

Unless a student has chosen the Ecuador program option, any two of the following courses may be applied as advanced topical courses:

School for Field Studies

Kenya Wildlife Management Studies: CAS BI/EE 371, BI/EE 372, EE 491, EE 492.

Costa Rica Sustainable Development Studies: CAS EE 374, EE 377, EE 491, EE 492.

Mexico Conserving Marine Mammals & Coastal Ecosystems: CAS BI 374, BI 379, EE 491, EE 492.

Australia Tropical Rainforest Management: CAS BI/EE 369, EE 370, EE 491, EE 492.

Turks & Caicos Marine Resource Management Studies: CAS BI/EE 373, EE 374, EE 491, EE 492.

Note: Students choosing this option are still required to take at least two of the three advanced topical courses at the 400 level or above, and at least two of the three courses must be from a single topical area.

Minor Concentration in Geography (2206)

A five-course minor concentration may be elected in various clusters of geography. At least three of the five courses should be 300 level or above. A grade of C or higher is required in each course submitted for the minor concentrator. Contact the undergraduate advisor for additional information.

BA/MA in Geography (2206)

The BA/MA program in geography provides qualified juniors and seniors an opportunity to earn a bachelor’s and a master’s degree in one coherent program. Candidates and their faculty advisors outline a program designed to suit the candidates’ special interests. This normally entails work in other departments offering directly related subject matter. Candidates complete two research seminars in the program. Requirements include eight graduate-level courses, a thesis, and a departmental colloquium presentation. The departmental BA/MA statement and further information are available from the Directors of Undergraduate Studies or Graduate Studies. Please refer to Special Courses and Programs under College of Arts and Sciences on this site for general information about BA/MA programs.

TOP OF PAGE

Concentration in Environmental Science (0434)


A concentration in environmental science requires the completion of 16 courses with the grade of C or higher, as approved by the student’s advisor. Those sixteen courses comprise seven required principal courses, five required related math and science courses, and four approved elective courses.

Principal Courses  These seven required courses provide disciplinary foundations in biology, earth sciences, and geography relevant to interdisciplinary study in environmental science: CAS GE 100, GE 275, and GE 310; BI 107 and BI 306; ES 105, and ES 317.

Required Related Courses  Five related math and science courses are required: CAS MA 123 and MA 124 (or MA 127 or MA 129); CAS CH 171 and CH 172 (or approved equivalent); and one of the following three: CAS PY 211, PY 241, or PY 251. Environmental science majors are strongly encouraged to take CAS EC 101. As appropriate and in consultation with their advisor, students concentrating in environmental science are encouraged to take additional math and science courses including CAS PY 212 (or PY 242 or PY 252), CH 273, MA 213, MA 225, and MA 226.

Electives  Four courses selected by the student in collaboration with the advisor from the following list. Students may also petition to fulfill this requirement through the Boston University Marine Program. No more than two electives can be “Techniques” courses.

Biology: CAS BI 305, BI 407, BI 414, BI 417, BI 423, BI/ES 443, BI 448, BI 486, BI 508, GE/BI 525.

Earth Sciences: ES 331, ES 333, ES 351, ES 371, BI/ES 423, ES 440, BI/ES 443, ES 483, ES 533, ES 534, ES 541.

Geography: GE/BI 307, GE 503, GE 504, GE 507, GE 510, GE 514, GE/ES 517, GE/BI 525, GE 599.

Techniques in Environmental Analysis: GE 302, GE 365, GE 440, GE 448, GE 502, GE 505, GE 516, GE 550, ES 573.

Tropical Ecology Program in Ecuador: Students may choose to fulfill all four electives with CAS BI/GE 438, BI/GE439, BI/GE 440, and BI/GE 441.

Unless a student has chosen the Ecuador program option, any two of the following courses may be applied as electives:

School for Field Studies

Kenya Wildlife Management Studies: CAS BI/EE 371, BI/EE 372, EE 491, EE 492.

Costa Rica Sustainable Development Studies: CAS EE 374, EE 377, EE 491, EE 492.

Mexico Conserving Marine Mammals & Coastal Ecosystems: CAS BI 374, BI 379, EE 491, EE 492.

Australia Tropical Rainforest Management: CAS BI/EE 369, EE 370, EE 491, EE 492.

Turks & Caicos Marine Resource Management Studies: CAS BI/EE 373, EE 374, EE 491, EE 492.

Concentration in Environmental Analysis and Policy (0435)

A concentration in environmental analysis and policy requires the completion of 16 courses with the grade of C or higher, as approved by the student’s advisor. The sixteen courses comprise six required principal courses, five required related courses, and five elective courses.

Principal Courses  CAS GE 100, EC 101; CAS GE 275, 309, 420; GE 425 or GE/IR 304.

Required Related Courses  Three courses in natural science: CAS BI 117 and BI 306, and one of the following four courses: CAS CH 171 (or 101), CAS ES 105, CAS GE 101, CAS PY 105. One course in calculus (CAS MA 121 or MA 123) and one course in statistics (CAS MA 213 or CAS EC 305).

Electives  Five courses from the following list. The topical areas are meant to be suggestive only. Students may, with their advisor’s approval, substitute equivalent courses through the Washington Internship Program.

Environmental Modeling: CAS GE 302, 365, 440, 445, 448, 502, 505, 512, 517, 519, 542, 550.

Economic and Policy Analysis: CAS EC 201, 202, 320, 337, 338, 571; CAS GE 250, 304, 323, 328, 404E, 409E, 460, 511, 519, 541; CAS IR 304; CAS PO 241, 544, 625.

Human Institutions: CAS AN 362, 382, 538; CAS EC 320; CAS GE 201, 202, 250, 300, 304, 323, 331, 356, 394, 404E, 409E, 520, 521, 533, 541, 594; CAS HI 394; CAS IR 304, 594; CAS PH 250, 257; CAS SO 277, 304, 310.

International Environmental Policy: CAS AN 362, 382, 538; CAS EC 320; CAS GE 201, 202, 250, 300, 304, 331, 356, 394, 404E, 409E, 531, 594; CAS HI 394; CAS IR 304, 373, 390, 395, 536, 573, 594, 595, 597, 599.

Additionally, any two of the following courses may be applied as electives:

Tropical Ecology Program in Ecuador: CAS BI/GE 438, BI/GE 439, BI/GE 440, and BI/GE 441.

School for Field Studies

Kenya Wildlife Management Studies: CAS EE 302, BI/EE 371, EE 491, EE 492.

Costa Rica Sustainable Development Studies: CAS EE 303, EE 374, EE 491, EE 492.

Mexico Conserving Marine Mammals & Coastal Ecosystems: CAS EE 303, EE 374, EE 491, EE 492.

Australia Tropical Rainforest Management: CAS EE 302, EE 491, EE 492.

Turks & Caicos Marine Resource Management Studies: CAS EE 303, EE 374, EE 491, EE 492.

Minor in Environmental Science (0434)

The minor in environmental science consists of five courses as specified below. No course taken as part of a student’s concentration requirements may be used to fulfill the requirements of the minor in environmental science.

Principal Courses  Two courses selected from: CAS BI 107, CAS ES 105, CAS GE 100, CAS CH 101, and CAS PY 211.

Required Related Courses  Three courses selected from: CAS BI 305, BI 306, BI/ES 443, BI 448, ES 317, ES 333, ES 351, ES 533, ES 534, ES 541, GE/BI 307, GE 310, GE 503, GE 504, GE 514, GE/BI 525.

Minor in Environmental Analysis & Policy (0435)

The minor in environmental analysis and policy consists of five courses as specified below. Up to two courses taken as part of a student’s concentration requirements may be used to fulfill the requirements of the minor in environmental analysis and policy. Courses taken to fulfill minor concentration requirements must be completed with a grade of C or higher.

Principal Courses  CAS EC 101, CAS GE 100, and GE 309.

Required Related Courses  Two courses from: CAS AN 362; CAS GE 275, 394, 420, 425, 511, 519, 520, 550, 594; CAS GE 250, 275, 302, 304, 323, 356, 365, 425, 460; CAS HI 394; CAS IR 390, 395, 594, 599. One of these courses must be in quantitative environmental modeling from CAS GE 275, GE 302, GE 365, GE 420, or GE 550.

Minor in Environmental Remote Sensing and GIS (0436)

The minor in remote sensing and geographic information systems consists of five courses as specified below. Up to two courses taken as part of a student’s concentration requirements may be used to fulfill the requirements of the minor in environmental remote sensing and GIS.

Principal Courses  Two principal courses are required: CAS GE 302 and GE 365.

Required Related Courses  Three courses from: CAS GE 440, GE 445, GE 448, GE 502, GE 503, GE 505, or GE 516.

Organizations

Gamma Theta Upsilon  Gamma Theta Upsilon is the National Honor Society in Geography.

Sigma Xi  See Honor Societies.

Environmental Student Organization  The Environmental Student Organization sponsors seminars, service, and social events during the year and is open to concentrators and non-concentrators.

TOP OF PAGE

Courses

Courses marked with a (†) satisfy divisional studies requirements.

†CAS GE 100 Introduction to Environmental Science

Introduction to basic physical, ecological, and environmental concepts underlying the relationship between human society and the natural environment. Evaluation of problems and options available in dealing with the areas of natural resources, pollution, environmental degradation, and population growth. Cleveland, Kaufmann. 4 cr, either sem. (SS)

†CAS GE 101 Natural Environments: The Atmosphere

An introduction to weather and climate. Topics include the controls of weather and climate, day-to-day variations in weather, severe storms, climates of the world, urban climate and air pollution, past climates and climatic change, and the impact of climatic variations on society. Friedl, Myneni. 4 cr, either sem. (NS) (lab)

†CAS GE 102 The Cultural Landscape

Not offered 2009/2010

†CAS GE 103 Economic Geography

Factors influencing the spatial organization of economic activity, including the spatial structure of urban regions, principles of regional trade and interaction, transportation networks, and spatial diffusion systems. Emphasis on the location of economic activity and spatial aspects of area development. Staff. 4 cr, 1st sem. (SS)

†CAS GE 104 Natural Environments: The Physical Landscape

Introduction to controls that shape the ecosystems and landscape of the earth. Vegetation and soils of the forests, deserts, grasslands, and tropics. The work of rivers, glaciers, oceans, and volcanoes in sculpturing the earth’s surface. History of the natural landscape. Staff. 4 cr, 2nd sem. (NS)

†CAS GE 110 Our Changing Planet: The Perspective from Space

An integrated treatment of the various components of the earth system: the atmosphere, lithosphere, ecosphere, and hydrosphere, as well as how they are changing. Extensive use of observations and measurements from space. Emphasis on global environmental change and human impact on earth. Woodcock. 4 cr, 1st sem. (NS) (lab)

†CAS GE 201 World Regional Geography I

Overview of the special combination of environmental, historical, economic, and organizational qualities of the regions of the Old World, including Western and Eastern Europe, the former Soviet Union, East and South Asia, the Middle East, and Africa. Emphasis on current issues of regional and global development. Walker. 4 cr, either sem. (SS)

CAS GE 202 World Regional Geography II

Not offered 2009/2010

†CAS GE 226 Geography of the Boston Region

Not offered 2009/2010

†CAS GE 250 The Fate of Nations: Climate, Resources, and Institutions

Relationships among environment (e.g., climate), natural resources (e.g., energy, water), and human societies (hunter-gatherers to industrial economies). Principles from thermodynamics, climatology, ecology, and economics used to evaluate the role of environment and resources in the success and failure of societies. Kaufmann. 4 cr, 1st sem. (SS)

CAS GE 275 Introduction to Quantitative Environmental Modeling

Prereq: CAS MA 115 or CAS MA 213 or equivalent. Introduces students to quantitative models of environmental systems. Emphasizes application of quantitative models to environmental problem solving. Includes computer exercises with examples from current environmental issues such as population growth, pollution transport, and biodiversity. Bauer. 4 cr, either sem.

CAS GE 300 Geography of World Commerce

Introduction to the components and flows of international commerce. Examines the spatial nature of the world economy and offers explanations for the forces that affect trade, environment, and development. Staff. 4 cr, 1st sem.

CAS GE 302 Remote Sensing of Environment

Not offered 2009/2010

CAS GE 304 Environmentally Sustainable Development

Traces the emergence of sustainable development as the defining environmental challenge of our times. Surveys and evaluates policies for balancing ecological sustainability and economic development in various parts of the world and at the global level. Also offered as CAS IR 304. Helwege. 4 cr, 1st sem.

CAS GE 307 Biogeography

Prereq: CAS BI 107 and CAS GE 101. Examines the spatial distribution of plants and animals from historical, ecological, and analytical perspectives. Environmental and human influences on species distribution, abundance, and diversity are considered, as are changes resulting from past and projected climate change. Also offered as CAS BI 307. Phillips. 4 cr, 2nd sem.

CAS GE 309 Intermediate Environmental Analysis and Policy

Prereq: CAS GE 100 and CAS EC 101. Introduction to economic and environmental theory critical to the formulation and evaluation of environmental and resource policy. This theory is applied to real-world analysis of climate change, population growth, oil supplies, energy use, and globalization. Cleveland. 4 cr, 2nd sem.

CAS GE 310 Climate and the Environment

Prereq: CAS MA 123 or equivalent; CAS PY 211 or equivalent; and either CAS GE 100 or CAS ES 105. Physical principles governing the climate system and its impact on the environment. Emphasis on understanding the physical processes governing energy, mass, and momentum transfer in the ocean and atmosphere. The interaction and feedback of these processes and their impact on the climate system and its variability. B. Anderson. 4 cr, 1st sem.

CAS GE 331 Political Geography

May not be taken by freshmen in their first semester. Geographic treatment of the state’s raison d’être, population, territory, resources, economic and political organizations, boundaries, and frontiers. Survey of geopolitical theory, supranational organizations, and world power. Staff. 4 cr, 2nd sem.

CAS GE 356 Geography of Third World Development

Theory and experience of third world development. Emphasis on issues of income distribution, geographical and regional inequality, importance of location in development planning, efficiency and equity consideration, and models of and strategies for regional development. Staff. 4 cr, 1st sem.

CAS GE 365 An Introduction to Geographic Information Systems (GIS)

Prereq: CAS MA 113 or 115. Practical hands-on computing experience using GIS for analyzing data from maps and other sources. Analytical functions unique to GIS are emphasized, as are applications in business, public health, land use planning, environmental monitoring, and other fields. Gopal. 4 cr, 1st sem.

CAS GE 381 Geography of Asia

Not offered 2009/2010

CAS GE 382 Understanding the Middle East

Introduces the contemporary Middle East, including the Arab world, Iran, Israel, and Turkey; examines the systems of government; the roles of external powers; the origins of the state system; the sources and objectives of opposition forces; the prospects for political reform including democratization; and the prospects for future cooperation or conflict. Also offered as CAS IR 382. Rollman. 4 cr, 1st sem.

CAS GE 394 Environmental History of Africa

Focus on the African environment and ecological systems over the past 150 years. Topics include climatic change, hydrography, agriculture, deforestation, soil erosion, disease, conservation, famine, and the role of colonialism and government policy in environmental change. Also offered as CAS HI 394. McCann. 4 cr, 2nd sem.

CAS GE 401, 402 Senior Independent Work

Prereq: approval of the Honors Committee. 4 cr, 1st & 2nd sem.

CAS GE 420 Methods of Environmental Policy Analysis

Not offered 2009/2010

CAS GE 425 United States Environmental Policy

Prereq: CAS GE 309. Survey and historical overview of key environmental policies and regulations in the United States. Emphasis on policy development, including formulation and implementation of federal pollution control regulations since the National Environmental Policy Act of 1970. Considers possible future policy needs. Staff. 4 cr, 2nd sem.

CAS GE 440 Digital Image Processing—Remote Sensing

Not offered 2009/2010

CAS GE 445 Physical Models in Remote Sensing

Not offered 2009/2010

CAS GE 448 Remote Sensing of Vegetation

Not offered 2009/2010

CAS GE 450 Environmental Field Methods

Prereq: CAS GE 310 and CAS ES 317 and CAS BI 306 and CAS MA 123, or equivalents; or consent of instructor. Fundamental concepts and paradigms related to the application of scientific methods in the field. Developing and implementing independent environmental field research projects. Emphasis on the multidisciplinary nature of environmental research. Phillips. 4 cr, 1st sem.

CAS GE 460 Resource Economics and Policy

Prereq: CAS GE 309 and CAS MA 121; CAS EC 201, EC 371, MA 122 recommended. Economic analysis of environmental resources and policies for their management. Introduces dynamic optimization as a tool for understanding and anlayzing both resource scarcity and the management of energy, fishery, and forestry resources for sustainability. Bauer. 4 cr, 1st sem.

CAS GE 483 Geodynamics II: Fluids and Fluid Transport

Not offered 2009/2010

CAS GE 491, 492 Directed Study

Prereq: approval of CAS Room 105. Variable cr, 1st & 2nd sem.

CAS GE 502 Advanced Topics in Remote Sensing

Not offered 2009/2010

CAS GE 503 Micrometeorology: Energy and Mass Transfer at the Earth's Surface

Not offered 2009/2010

CAS GE 504 Physical Climatology

Prereq: CAS GE 310 or consent of instructor. Physical principles governing the climate system and the spatial and temporal patterns of weather elements on regional and global scales. Physics of energy, mass, and momentum transfer; the observed state of the atmosphere; climate feedback processes; and climate change. B. Anderson. 4 cr, 2nd sem.

CAS GE 505 Geographic Information Systems (GIS)

Prereq: CAS GE 365 and CAS MA 213. Provides a theoretical and practical introduction to Geographic Information Systems (IS). Introduces the essentials in GIS, methods of data capture and sources of data, nature and characteristics of spatial data and objects, data structures, modeling surfaces, volumes and time, and data uncertainty. Emphasis is on applications. Laboratory exercises included. Gopal. 4 cr, 1st sem.

CAS GE 507 Dynamical Oceanography

Prereq: CAS MA 124 or CAS MA 127 or CAS MA 129 and CAS ES 144, and CAS PY 212, or consent of instructor. Introduction to the physical ocean system. Physical properties of seawater; essential ocean dynamics; mixing and stirring in the ocean; simple waves; observed current systems and water masses; and coupled atmosphere-ocean variability. Also offered as CAS ES 507. B. Anderson. 4 cr, 2nd sem.

CAS GE 510 Physical Principles of the Environment

Prereq: CAS BI 306 and CAS GE 304 or consent of instructor. Principles and concepts underlying the physical and ecological forces that cause environmental change. Topics include soil erosion, acid rain, thermal pollution, greenhouse effect, stratospheric ozone depletion, and loss of biodiversity. Staff. 4 cr, 1st sem.

CAS GE 512 Global Climate Change: Policy Modeling and Analysis

Not offered 2009/2010

CAS GE 514 Dynamic Land Surface Hydrology

Prereq: CAS MA 121 or CAS MA 123 or CAS MA 127 and CAS CH 101 or CAS CH 111 or CAS CH 131 or CAS CH 161 or CAS CH 171 or CAS PY 105 or CAS PY 211 or CAS PY 233 or CAS PY 251. Land surface hydrology with emphasis on the unsaturated zone. Development and applications of physics governing transport of water, vapor, and heat in soils and the near surface atmosphere. Effects of vegetation, topography, and water table runoff, evapotranspiration, and recharge. Salvucci. 4 cr, 1st sem.

CAS GE 516 Multivariate Analysis for Geographers

Prereq: CAS MA 124 or equivalent, or consent of instructor. Applications of multivariate techniques to problems in spatial context, emphasizing interpretation. Review of regression and analysis of variance. Introduction to topics including canonical correlation, factor analysis, discriminant and clustering analyses. Friedl. 4 cr, 1st sem.

CAS GE 517 Models for Hydrologic Analysis

Not offered 2009/2010

CAS GE 519 Energy, Society, and the Environment

Prereq: CAS GE 304 or equivalent. Overview of technical, historical, economic, social, and environmental aspects of energy systems, including fossil fuels, nuclear, solar, wind, biomass, and energy end use efficiency and conservation. Cleveland. 4 cr, 1st sem.

CAS GE 520 Topics in Energy and Environmental Policy

Not offered 2009/2010

CAS GE 521 Environmental Law and Policy

Survey of the major features of environmental law and relevant procedural and consitutional issues. Comparison of practical realities (political, economic, social, geographic, biological) with the ideal context for what should be. Projects include legal research and mock advocay. Reibstein. 4 cr, 1st sem.

CAS GE 522 Environmental Policy and Decision-Making

In-depth look at environmental policy and decision-making: how society addresses environmental problems. Includes discussion of the environmental movement, law, science, technology, economics, and international relations. Examines new issues facing environmental professionals and approaches to creating a sustainable world. Reibstein. 4 cr, 2nd sem.

CAS GE 525 Plant Physiological Ecology

Not offered 2009/2010

CAS GE 530 Forest Ecology

Prereq: CAS BI 107 and CAS BI 303 or CAS BI 306, or consent of instructor. The major biotic and abiotic factors influencing forest ecosystem composition, structure and function. Role of solar radiation, hydrology, soils, succession, and management of forest ecosystems. Includes New England case study. Three hours lecture plus discussion. Also meets with CAS BI 530. Templer. 4 cr, 2nd sem.

CAS GE 533 Risk Assessment

Not offered 2009/2010

CAS GE 536 European Environmental Policy

Prereq: junior standing or consent of instructor. Focuses on key concepts, actors, and issues related to European integration, environmental policy making, and sustainable development. Also examines transatlantic environmental relations and the role of the European Union in global environmental governance. Also offered as CAS IR 536. Selin. 4 cr, 2nd sem.

CAS GE 541 Economic Geography of Transport

Not offered 2009/2010

CAS GE 542 Models of Urban Transportation Systems

Not offered 2009/2010

CAS GE 550 Modeling Environmental and Social Systems

Not offered 2009/2010

CAS GE 575 Topics in Applied Remote Sensing

Prereq: CAS GE 302 or CAS GE 502 or equivalent, or consent of instructor. Applications of image processing and modeling in remote sensing for environmental problems. Classification, mapping, change detection, and ecological modeling; multitemporal and multispectral analysis of image data. Primary focus on optical remote sensing; discussion of emerging technologies such as Lidar. Student projects. Woodcock. 4 cr, 1st sem.

CAS GE 594 Global Environmental Negotiation and Policy

Prereq: consent of instructor. Key concepts, actors, concerns, and issues related to the process of negotiating global environmental policies. Overview of the international system and environmental problems; an international negotiation simulation; case studies of global agreements on ozone depletion, climate change, desertification, and biodiversity, among others. Meets with CAS IR 594. Selin. 4 cr, 1st sem.

CAS GE 597 Sustainable Development in Latin America

Prereq: CAS GE 100 or CAS IR 292 or CAS IR 590 and junior standing, or consent of instructor. Provides an empirically based understanding of the social and environmental aspects of economic development in Latin America and the Caribbean (LAC) for purposes of analyzing the numerous trade and development policies that nations in LAC are currently considering. Also offered as CAS IR 597. Gallagher. 4 cr, 2nd sem.

CAS GE 599 Science, Politics, and Climate Change

Applies a science and technology studies perspective to climate change science and policy. Examines the relationships between scientific and political systems at global, national, and local levels. Also offered as CAS IR 599. Selin. 4 cr, 2nd sem.

Special Programs in the Environment

The Boston University Marine Program  For environmental science concentrators, the Boston University Marine Program (BUMP) offers fall and spring semester curricula. Courses taken through BUMP count as concentration credit.

The Washington Internship Program  Environmental analysis and policy students can live and work as an intern in the policy-making atmosphere of the nation’s capital for a semester through the Washington, D.C., Internship Program. Students take courses in policy-making that give them an insider’s look at how policies are formulated in the federal government. Possible internships with congressional committees, the executive branch, or non-profit groups provide practical experience. Courses taken through the program count as concentration credit. The Washington Internship Program offers the following internship course:

CAS GE 404 E Internship in Energy and Environmental Policy—Washington, D.C.

Prereq: acceptance to Washington Internship Program. Participation in the Washington Internship Program provides students with the opportunity to gain practical experience in a policy-shaping organization. Students are placed in full-time internships according to their personal academic/professional interests. 4 cr, either sem.

International Programs in the Environment  The Division of International Progams at Boston University coordinates a number of study-abroad programs that offer students international environmental experience. Students apply for these international programs after consulting with their advisor. In general, courses taken through the following programs count toward concentration credit.

Tropical Ecology Program in Ecuador  The Division of International Programs and the Center for Ecology & Conservation Biology at Boston University operate a Program in Tropical Ecology in collaboration with the Universidad San Francisco de Quito in Ecuador. Designed specifically for biology and environmental science concentrators, the program provides a unique semester-long, eighteen-credit program for students to study the ecology of tropical Ecuador through intensive field-based experiences. Students live at different field stations during the semester, including one month at the Tiputini Biodiversity Station in the Amazon rain forest, two weeks on the Pacific coast, and one week on the Galápagos Islands. Students take a three-week Spanish and Culture course at the beginning of the semester and live with Ecuadorian families in Quito when not in the field. The four ecology courses are taught in English. Students should contact the Division of International Programs or the Center for Ecology & Conservation Biology for more information.

The Tropical Ecology program offers the following courses:

CAS BI/GE 438 Tropical Montane Ecology

CAS BI/GE 439 Tropical Rainforest Ecology

CAS BI/GE 440 Tropical Coastal Ecology

CAS BI/GE 441 Studies in Tropical Ecology

Please see the Special Programs section of this site for detailed course descriptions.

School for Field Studies

The School for Field Studies (SFS) conducts semester and summer programs in international environmental field study. Programs are conducted at international centers in Kenya, Costa Rica, Australia, Mexico, and the Turks and Caicos Islands. Issues addressed by the School for Field Studies centers include Wildlife Ecology and Management, Sustainable Development, Tropical Rainforest Management, and Marine Resources Management. Program information and applications are available from the School for Field Studies Admissions Office, 10 Federal Street, Suite 24, Salem, MA 01970-9935; 800-989-4418. The SFS website is at School for Field Studies.

TOP OF PAGE

Published by Trustees of Boston University
One Silber Way
Boston, MA 02215

16 October 2009
Boston University
Questions
Credits