MA in Earth & Environment

The MA in Earth & Environment provides students with extensive coursework and scholarly opportunities within the earth and environmental sciences, geography, remote sensing, sustainability, energy, environment analysis, and policy. Upon completion of the MA, students should be prepared for postgraduate training or employment in industry, government, or nonprofit agencies.

Learning Outcomes

• Demonstrate intermediate knowledge of the fundamental concepts and topics in a specific subfield of Earth & Environment.
• Demonstrate understanding of key research questions, the research design process, and the quantitative and/or qualitative methods used in a specific subfield of Earth & Environment.
• Communicate research questions and results to the scientific community and communicate about problems in Earth & Environment to a broader audience.
• Integrate, synthesize, and apply scientific knowledge to societal problems, such as the sustainable use of energy and water resources, the identification and mitigation of risks posed by climate change and natural hazards, and the consequences of human activities on the environment.

Course Requirements

Students must complete 32 units at the graduate level (500 level or above). A maximum of 4 units of 900-level research courses may count toward this requirement. Appropriate coursework will be determined in consultation with the faculty, and will be dependent upon the student’s professional and academic goals. Students pursuing the degree with a traditional thesis may apply a maximum of 12 units of 900-level research courses toward this requirement.

Language Requirement

There is no foreign language requirement for this degree.

Professional Development

The professional development requirement ensures that students are well prepared for academic study at BU and for pursuing their ultimate careers. The requirement may be satisfied through coursework; cocurricular activities sponsored by the University; professional or community organizations; or through activities approved by the student’s advisory committee/major professor.

Master’s Examination or Project

The MA in Earth & Environment requires satisfactory completion of an examination project or portfolio in the last semester of study. This requirement may also be satisfied via the completion of a written thesis approved by at least three members of the department (usually the student’s advisor and mutually agreed upon second and third readers) and presentation of the completed research to the department.