Department of Geography & Environment

Administration

  • Robert Kaufmann Chair
  • Bruce Anderson Director, Undergraduate Studies
  • Cleveland, Friedl, Glick, Gopal, Kaufmann, Myneni, Salvucci, Strahler, Woodcock Professors
  • B. Anderson, Phillips, Sue Wing Associate Professors
  • Bauer, Cunningham, Hutyra, Short Assistant Professors
  • P. Anderson, Reibstein, Walker Lecturers
  • Batchelder, Chatterjee, Lakshmanan, Lewis Professors Emeriti

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

Students in the environmental science major 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 majors also take courses in natural resource and energy policy.

Majors 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 major 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 majors 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 majors 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 majors 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.

School for Field Studies

The School for Field Studies (SFS) conducts semester and summer programs in international environmental field study for Boston University credit. Programs are conducted at international centers in Kenya, Costa Rica, Australia, Mexico, Bhutan, Tanzania, and Turks & Caicos. 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. Visit the SFS website.

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 majors, minors, and other interested students.

Also visit the BU Outing Club website for information on hiking trips and other outdoor activities.