A major 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 major 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 may be below the 300 level, and at least two must be at the 400 or 500 level: GE 102, 103, 201, 202, 250, 300, 323, 328, 331, 356, 375, 381, 382, 491, 492, 505, 511, 512, 519, 541, 542, 550, 597; IR 373.

Economic Geography Track

An economic geography track major 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.

A major 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 302, GE 365, GE 375, 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/GE 439, 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.

A five-course minor 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. Contact the undergraduate advisor for additional information.

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. For general information, please refer to the BA/MA Program.

A major 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 310; and GE 375, 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 majoring 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/GE 439, 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.

A major 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 309, 375, 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.

The minor in environmental science consists of five courses as specified below. No course taken as part of a student’s major 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.

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 major requirements may be used to fulfill the requirements of the minor in environmental analysis and policy. Courses taken to fulfill minor 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 375, 394, 420, 425, 511, 519, 520, 550, 594; CAS GE 250, 302, 304, 323, 356, 365, 375, 425, 460; CAS HI 394; CAS IR 390, 395, 594, 599. One of these courses must be in quantitative environmental modeling from CAS GE 302, GE 365, GE 375, GE 420, or GE 550.

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 major 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.

The Boston University Marine Program

For environmental science majors, the Boston University Marine Program (BUMP) offers fall and spring semester curricula. Courses taken through BUMP count as major 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 toward the major and minor. The Washington Internship Program offers the following internship course:

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

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 majors and minors.

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 Special Courses and Programs for detailed course descriptions.