A major in earth sciences requires the completion of 15 courses approved by the department with a grade of C or better in each of the required earth science and required related courses. In addition, the student must pass an approved summer field course. The earth sciences major is intended to provide the student with a broad earth sciences background in preparation for further, more specialized graduate study or entry-level professional employment.

Required Earth Sciences Courses

CAS ES 101 or 105 or 140 or 142 or 144 or GE 104; ES 302 or 351; ES 360, ES 371; at least three of ES 222, 301, 317, 331, 333, and whichever of 302 or 351 is not taken above, only one of which may be at the 200 level; at least two ES courses at the 400 level or above, exclusive of CAS ES 401, 402, 491, 492. Students must also take CAS ES 500 or, with prior approval from the director of undergraduate studies, an equivalent summer field course. In addition, students are encouraged to enroll for one of the following pairs of courses: CAS ES 401, 402; ES 491, 492.

Required Related Courses

Mathematics requirement: CAS MA 123 and MA 124 or CAS MA 127 or CAS MA 129. Chemistry requirement: CAS CH 101, 102, or CAS CH 111, 112. Physics requirement: CAS PY 211, 212 or CAS PY 251, 252.

CAS BI 107 may, in very rare circumstances, be used to satisfy earth sciences major requirements with prior written approval of the director of undergraduate studies.

A major in environmental earth sciences requires the completion of 15 courses approved by the department with a grade of C or better. In addition, a summer field course is strongly recommended. The environmental earth sciences major is intended to provide the student with vocational tools for employment in the environmental industry or an adequate scientific background for further study in areas such as environmental policy, teaching, and government.

Required Environmental Earth Sciences Courses

CAS ES 101 or 105 or 140 or 142 or 144 or GE 104; ES 302 or 351, ES 220, 317; at least one course from the following: CAS ES 222, 301, 333, 360, and whichever of 302 or 351 is not taken above. In addition, students must take at least four courses from the list below, with at least one course in each group: (1) glacial/hydrology (CAS GE 347, CAS ES 411, 511, 534); (2) surface processes/marine earth science (CAS ES 331, 333, 440, 452, 541, 533); and (3) geochemistry (CAS ES 371, 423, 571, 573, 576).

Required Related Courses

CAS MA 123, 124 or MA 127 or MA 129; CAS CH 101, 102, or CH 111, 112; CAS PY 211, 212 or PY 251, 252.

Advisors

Hall (ES), Janes (AS)

Principal Courses

CAS AS 202 and 311; one 100-level ES course or CAS GE 104; CAS ES 360; CAS MA 123, 124 (or both replaced by 127 or 129) and MA 225; CAS CH 101 or 131; CAS PY 211, 212 (or 251, 252), and 355 (or 403), and 405 or 408; at least 4 courses from the following, one of which must be 400 level or above, not all in the same department: AS 312, 414, 441; ES 222, 301, 371, 483, 505, 581; GE 302, 310, 312; PY 313 or 354; PY 410; PY 405 or 408 if not already taken.

Recommended

Any from the above required list if not taken as a principal course, in addition to CAS CH 102; CS 111, 112.

A five-course minor in earth sciences consists of no more than one 100-level course (CAS ES 101, 105, 140, 142, 144, or GE 104) and at least four courses at the 200 level or above, including ES 302 or ES 351. The grades in each of these courses must be C or higher. All student minors develop their programs in consultation with a departmental advisor. For further information, contact Professor Marchant in the department.

Faculty in the Department of Earth Sciences also contribute to the major in Environmental Science, which is administered through the Department of Geography & Environment. This major is designed to provide interdisciplinary training in Environmental Science and includes coursework in Earth Sciences, Biology, and Geography. Full details regarding requirements for the major and minor in Environmental Science are provided under Department of Geography & Environment.

This program offers exceptionally qualified students an opportunity to earn both the bachelor’s and the master’s degree in less time than required to obtain the degrees separately. Admission normally occurs during the fifth semester of undergraduate study, at which time a coherent program is designed to suit the student’s special interests and needs. Requirements for admission are satisfactory completion of at least three earth science courses and an overall grade point average of 3.5 or higher. Students combine coursework and directed research leading to a required thesis. For further information, contact Professor Kurtz or Professor Marchant in the department. For general information please refer to BA/MA Programs.

This cooperative program permits degree candidates at Boston University to pursue courses in areas of fluid mechanics and geophysics at Boston College. Cross-registration is designated by the symbols XAS (for undergraduate students) and XRG (for graduate students).