The Dean Ralph W. Taylor Academic Advising Center, familiarly known as “CAS 105,” provides all the information you need to satisfy your academic requirements, including: planning your degree program; registration; interpreting and implementing the College’s academic regulations, standards, and policies; intra-University transfer; Boston University's Collaborative Degree Program (BUCOP); leave of absence/withdrawal; academic difficulties, problems or concerns.
Forms and Procedures (course overload/fee waiver form, leave of absence, directed study guidelines and forms, concentration declaration and more)
Students who are looking ahead toward careers or post-baccalaureate education may wish to consider the combined bachelor’s degree–master’s degree programs offered jointly by the College and Graduate School of Arts and Sciences. In this joint program, students complete all requirements for the Bachelor of Arts and for the Master of Arts. The last two years of undergraduate study are integrated with the first year of graduate work, eliminating duplication of courses and, in some cases, reducing the time required to earn the two degrees.
Offers academic programs that successfully combine students’ intellectual development with practical experience in life and work.
Offers over 75 programs in over 33 cities in over 20 countries with programs in language, liberal arts, fine arts, engineering and science.
Best known for internship programs: 4,000 internship sources worldwide.
Please note that the Oxford Honors Studies Program is not affiliated with the CAS Honors Program
Boston University Police: Call 617-353-2121 for on-campus police, fire, and medical emergencies. Call 617-353-2110 for non-emergency.
Department Overview, Contacting the Police, Department Services, Crime Prevention, Crime Statistics, Police Advisories, Sensitive Crimes, Safety and Security
RAD program that trains women in basic self-defense and offers them viable options when confronted with various threats of violence.
Laptop Registration Program: Laptop computers are tagged with an aluminum plate that aides in theft deterrence and enables the safe return of lost, stolen, or misplaced laptops. The plate bears a unique ID number, a message, and an 800 number to call for 24-hour ownership verification and anti-theft information.
Bike Registration: Take advantage of free bike registration with the BU Police Department. We keep an accurate record of registered bikes and provide a sticker that has a unique registration number. The decal marks your bike as registered and deters potential thieves. When a stolen bike is recovered, the sticker helps BUPD return it to its rightful owner.
Walk-in in sessions, resume writing, career/personality assessment, workshops, career exploration group, career resource library, on-campus recruiting, employer information sessions, career and internship fairs, graduate school admissions fair, special events, e-mail lists, career advisory network, credential service, and more!
SeniorNet, a peer resource for students trying to decide on a major, is an on-line directory of BU seniors who have agreed to talk to you about their major.
The Boston University Collaborative Degree Program (BUCOP) allows qualified undergraduates to enroll in two of the University’s schools or colleges and earn two baccalaureate degrees simultaneously.
To be eligible to enroll in BUCOP, you must have a minimum cumulative GPA of 3.00 and must maintain this level of performance for the duration of the program. At least 144 credits must be earned in no fewer than 36 courses.
You must design a curriculum in consultation with your Faculty Advisors and/or Counselors in the relevant colleges to ensure that all requirements for both degrees are addressed; unless and until all requirements are fulfilled for both degrees, neither degree will be granted.
You may apply for admission to BUCOP no earlier than the first semester of your sophomore year and no later than the end of the first semester of your junior year.
To explore BUCOP possibilities in the College of Arts & Sciences, please contact the CAS Academic Advising Center to schedule an appointment with a CAS Academic Counselor.
Cross registration is a formal agreement between Boston University and several local colleges and universities whereby BU students can attend courses at other institutions, and students from other institutions can attend courses at BU. The primary schools in the cross-registration consortium are Boston College, Brandeis University, Tufts University, and Hebrew College.
Is a s eries of courses that provides the foundation of a liberal education
Weaves humanities, natural sciences and social sciences
CORE is one of two ways of fulfilling the general education requirement for all students in the College of Arts and Sciences. Like the other option, a more traditional divisional studies program, the Core accounts for about one-half of a student's courses during the freshman and sophomore years. The Core Curriculum is not a major, nor does it preclude your taking other courses as electives.
Provides services and support to ensure that students are able to access and participate in the opportunities available at Boston University.
Ensures quality of access to University programs and services; provision of reasonable accommodations and auxiliary aids and services; provides
access to accessible and fully integrated University Housing and special dietary accommodations through Dining Services; provides Career development, personal counseling, study skills and tutoring information, and academic support available through other campus resources.
Provides access to staff at Disability Services for consultation on developing self-advocacy skills, organizing and managing accommodations, and developing a support system.
Each semester, the ERC offers a series of workshops that give students the opportunity to learn how to become more successful academically. Students are encouraged to attend each workshop in the series because each workshop has been created to build and develop a series of specific skills. Fall 2009 workshops will be posted on the ERC main site.
ERC's Contingent Aid Program participation is mandatory for students who receive Contingent Aid. Students will be notified by the Office of Financial Assistance if they are required to enroll in the Contingent Aid Program.
The Escort Security Service is based in the George Sherman Union. The Escort Security Service serves the BU community, including all campus buildings. It extends along Commonwealth Avenue and Beacon Street between Packard's corner (Hamilton House) and Massachusetts Avenue (Danielsen Hall), and serves the southern portions of campus, including Beacon and Carlton Streets.
Escort Service Phone: 617-353-4877. (This number is on the back of your Terrier card.)
Walking escorts are available to all students, faculty, staff, and University guests from one on-campus location to another. Two walkers are dispatched for each walk request and are equipped with a radio for contact with the supervisor or to call Boston University Police, a flashlight, their Terrier Card, and umbrellas, when needed. All staff may be identified by their uniforms – a white shirt or jacket with the BU Escort Security Service logo.
The Escort Security Service does not operate if weather or other emergency conditions warrant the closing of the University or the delayed start or suspension of evening classes. The Escort Security Service does not operate during Fall Recess, Intercession, Spring Recess, and Summer Sessions.
Boston University Office of Fellowships and Scholarships coordinates student, faculty, and alumni applications for external fellowships, scholarships, awards, and prizes requiring university nomination, endorsement, or review. Other opportunities may be available through deans' offices, department offices, and the Office of Financial Assistance.
The Office of Financial Assistance offers comprehensive financial aid services to undergraduate students and their families, administering grants, scholarships, loans, and part-time employment funding.
A resource for students in their study of a foreign language, the Center offers more than 5,000 audiovisual titles; audio, video and computer labs; a/v recording studios; digital production services; and classroom equipment
The mission of the Howard Gotlieb Archival Research Center is to capture and document history by collecting the manuscripts from individuals who play a significant part in the fields of journalism, poetry, literature and criticism, dance, music, theater, film, television, and political and religious movements.
The Center welcomes researchers from all over the world and presents extensive exhibitions, seminars and tours for our students, parents and alumni as well as various visiting groups. CAS Honors Program students will find the Student Discovery Seminars, Student Enrichment Series and Faculty Form Chats particularly interesting! more>>
The Howard Thurman Center is the center for a range of multicultural and community-building programs, activities, services, and resources reflecting Dr. Thurman's philosophy of building community through self-exploration and shared experiences.
The Center hosts cultural programs, activities and services designed to build community through self-exploration and shared experiences.
Located in the lower level of the George Sherman Union
Independent Work for Distinction is a serious academic commitment that is undertaken in the student’s major or minor concentration during the final two semesters of his or her undergraduate program.
A student applying for Work for Distinction must be able to work independently and possess the intellectual maturity and self-discipline needed to complete a demanding project in the limited time available.
Students undertake a 2 semester independent program of study thesis and oral examination
Minimum GPA of 3.0 required; The GPA is expected to be substantially higher in the student's field of concentration. In fact, some departments require a higher GPA in the concentration to be eligible; please check with your department.
Deadlines to submit applications for Independent Work for Distinction for projects (beginning) Fall semester (May 15), Spring semester (November 15).
Public Open Night at the Observatory is a chance for people to come observe the night sky through telescopes and binoculars and see things they otherwise might not get to see, and learn some astronomy as well. The Open Nights are held most Wednesday evenings throughout the year, weather permitting. It is open to everyone. Starting times are 7:30pm during the Fall and Winter, and 8:30pm during the Spring and Summer. The program lasts about an hour.
The Judson B. Coit Observatory is located on the roof of the College of Arts & Sciences (CAS) building at 725 Commonwealth Avenue.
Convenes symposia and conducts interdisciplinary, policy-relevant, and future-oriented research that contributes to long-term improvements in the human condition. The center's focus is defined by its longer-range vision and is not confined to any particular set of issues. Our work seeks to identify, anticipate, and enhance the long-term potential for human progress; in all its myriad dimensions. See the web site for a list of lectures and events.
Interactive Maps of BU Charles River and Medical campuses
Interactive, moving, zoomable, street-level views on the campus and environs are available in Google Maps.
Open 8: 00 a.m. to 8:00 p.m. Monday through Thursday; 8: 00 a.m. to 5:00 p.m. on Friday; 9:00 a.m. to 5:00 p.m. on Saturday.
Student Health Services consists of a Walk-In Medical Clinic, an In-House Laboratory, a Behavioral Medicine Clinic by appointment or on an emergency basis, and a Crisis Intervention Counselor.
The College of Arts and Sciences Records Office is the repository for files of all students in the College, except for those in the MMEDIC and Seven-Year Medical Programs. When you declare your major concentration from undeclared, copies of the academic information in your folder are sent to the new department, which monitors your progress toward completion of degree requirements. The CAS Records Office maintains your file until you graduate from the College. Campus address: 725 Commonwealth Avenue, Room B-3. Phone: 617-353-9275.
The Undergraduate Research Opportunities Program (UROP) facilitates participation by BU undergraduates in faculty-mentored research across all disciplines. UROP can help students to connect with faculty members who want to involve undergraduates in their research. UROP also provides financial support for summer research fellowships, academic year stipends, research supplies, and travel for research or to professional meetings. UROP funds are awarded competitively to students who write grant proposals for Fall, Spring and Summer funding rounds. Since UROP ’s inception during the 1997-1998 school year, we have funded over 700 awards to Boston University students.
Promotes participation by BU undergraduates in faculty-mentored research
Other Undergraduate Research Programs - Apply through UROP Office: Mark Riemen Summer Research Prize; Summer Undergraduate Research Fellowship; Arnold & Mabel Beckman Foundation Award (Each student named as a Beckman Scholar performs research activities as part of their academic curriculum during two academic years and full-time over two summers. Eligibility: Boston University sophomore; Overall GPA of 3.4 or above and Majoring in Biology, BMB, Chemistry or Biomedical Engineering.)
The Boston University Office of the University Registrar maintains student records; issues transcripts; verifies attendance; issues diplomas; produces the class schedule; supervises registration and Veterans Affairs; and records grades.
Serves students who are planning a career in the fields of law, medicine, dentistry, veterinary medicine, or other health-related fields. Location: 725 Commonwealth Avenue, Room B-2. Phone: 617- 353-4867 (pre-law); 617- 353-4866 (pre-medical); E-mail: preprof@bu.edu.
Is a network of women faculty in science and engineering disciplines at Boston University whose goal is to foster a supportive research environment for women and men. Activities provide opportunities for career development, mentoring of students, and leadership training.
WISE@Warren is Boston University's unique living experience for freshmen and sophomores who intend to pursue studies in science, technology, engineering, or mathematics (STEM). Located in Warren Towers, one of BU's premier residency halls, WISE@Warren is a supportive, tight-knit academic and social community made up of 36 freshmen and sophomores as well as four upperclassman Peer Mentors and three Peer Leaders.
The purpose of the CAS Writing Program is to help students read challenging works with comprehension and critical discernment, to write about them cogently, with a lively sense of style, and to speak their minds with appropriate eloquence. Although writing seminars (WR 100 and WR 150) differ with regard to content, all of them lead students through a common sequence of writing assignments. These build upon each other, providing a context for steady improvement. Every writing seminar teaches grammatical correctness and stylistic versatility. All seminars stress the process of revision.
