Courses

• CAS ES 483: Geodynamics II: Fluids and Fluid Transport
  Large- and small-scale phenomena in oceanic, atmospheric, and landsurface fluids. Properties of gases and liquids; surface body forces; statics; flow analysis; continuity and momentum conservation. Darcy's Law; potential, open channel, and geostrophic flow; dimensional analysis; diffusion, turbulence. Also offered as CAS GE 483.
• CAS ES 491: Directed Study in Earth Sciences
  Individual instruction and directed research of a selected topic.
• CAS ES 492: Directed Study in Earth Sciences
  Individual instruction and directed research of a selected topic.
• CAS ES 507: Dynamical Oceanography
  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 GE 507.
• CAS ES 510: Introduction to the Atmospheric Boundary Layer
  Covers the basic dynamics of the atmospheric boundary layer (ABL), with a focus on the ABL processes and modeling. Introduces statistical descriptions of turbulent flows in the atmosphere and the connection between the ABL and other environment/climate system processes.
• CAS ES 514: Dynamic Landsurface Hydrology
  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 on runoff, evapotranspiration, and recharge. (Offered alternate years.)
• CAS ES 520: Modes of Climate Variability
  Assesses dynamics/physical mechanisms that drive major modes of climate variability, including: El Nino- Southern Oscillation, Pacific Decadal Oscillation, Atlantic Multidecadal Oscillation, Monsoons, and Annular Modes and investigates evolution of modes through time using paleoclimatic evidence and climate model simulations.
• CAS ES 533: Quantitative Geomorphology
  Quantitative analyses of surface processes that lead to landform evolution and landscape change. Emphasizes study of analytical techniques in understanding specific depositional and erosional processes; models of global landscape change; tectonic and climatic geomorphology.
• CAS ES 539: Coral Reef Dynamics: Shallow Waters, Deep Time
  Tropical reefs-- diverse, complex, and ancient-- exhibit lawful cycles of growth, degradation, and regeneration. Explore these through observations on the Belize Barrier Reef in fossil reef environments and through laboratory experiments. Insights are applied to reef conservation in today's changing world. Also offered as CAS BI 539.
• CAS ES 540: Atmospheric Chemistry and Global Change
  An introduction to the chemistry and physics of atmospheric pollution, and the impacts of air pollution on human welfare and the environment. Highlights the interactions between air quality, the biosphere, climate, and sustainable development.
• CAS ES 543: Estuaries and Nearshore Systems
  Physical and ecological processes interacting in estuarine and nearshore environments, including salt marshes, beaches, lagoons, deltas, and in wave- and tide-dominated regimes. Lectures complemented by extensive field work oriented toward individual and group research projects.
• CAS ES 557: Oceanography of Stellwagen Bank and Surrounding Waters
  Nutrient distribution and physical oceanography of Stellwagen Bank and adjacent waters. Bathymetric influences and effects of ocean currents of biogeochemical parameters. Includes day-long cruises on NOAA research vessel. Taught as part of the BU Marine Program Semester.
• CAS ES 565: Landscape Evolution: Tectonics, Surface Processes, and Climate
  An introduction to processes that shape landscapes in areas of active deformation, and the tools used to quantity rates of deformation, erosion, and exhumation. Draws upon techniques and processes from tectonics, geomorphology, sedimentology, geochronology, and GIS.
• CAS ES 576: Aquatic Geochemistry
  Fundamentals of water chemistry as applied to the evolution of surface, soil, and ground waters. Emphasis is on chemical equilibrium and kinetics, pH as a master variable, carbonate chemistry, mineral solubility, aqueous complexes, ion exchange, redox, and weathering reactions.
• CAS ES 591: Bio-Optical Oceanography
  This field- and lab-based course explores how the optically active constituents in seawater affect the in-water light field, and in turn, how field optics and remote sensing can facilitate the study of marine biogeochemistry, biological oceanography and water quality. Also offered as CAS BI 591.
• CAS ES 593: Marine Physiology and Climate Change
  Explores the range of physiological responses marine organisms exhibit in response to climate change. Investigates phenotypic plasticity exhibited across different organisms and how this plasticity can influence an organism's resilience to its changing environment. Also offered as CAS BI 593.
• CAS FY 101: First Year Experience
  Through activities and discussions, FY101 is focused on creating BU community, promoting health, wellness and safety, building academic pathways and success, and exploring identity.
• CAS FY 102: First Year Career Development (Internships, Majors, and Your Career Direction)
  FY102 will help first year students get started on utilizing the Career Development Cycle to maximize their time at BU. During this course students will create a plan of action towards choosing a major, creating a resume, finding an internship, and preparing for a career.
• CAS FY 103: First Year Experience Topics
  Focuses on the individual student's connection to the University through the exploration of a specific topic area.
• CAS GE 100: Environmental Change and Sustainability
  Introduces natural and social science concepts that underlie global environmental change and sustainability. Topics include climate change, biodiversity, energy, water, pollution, deforestation, agriculture, population growth. Sustainable development illustrated with ecological footprint based on student's lifestyle. Carries social science divisional credit in CAS. This course fulfills a single unit in each of the following BU Hub areas: Social Inquiry I, Ethical Reasoning.
  BU Hub Learn More

  • Social Inquiry I
  • Ethical Reasoning

Back to full list of College of Arts & Sciences