Undergraduate Research in E&E<\/a><\/h3>\n
\nHelpful Planning Documents<\/h3><\/p>\n\n- Environmental Analysis & Policy Degree Requirement Checklist (fall 2025)<\/a><\/li>\n
- Environmental Analysis & Policy Electives (updated spring 2025)<\/a><\/li>\n
- Earth & Environmental Sciences Degree Requirement Checklist (fall 2025)<\/a><\/li>\n
- Earth & Environmental Sciences Electives (updated spring 2025)<\/a><\/li>\n<\/ul>\n
<\/div>\n<\/div>\n\n
\nForms & Procedures<\/h3><\/p>\nCAS Official Forms and Procedures<\/a><\/strong><\/p>\nMost processes can be completed through MyBU without the use of a form. However, there are cases where forms are still required:<\/p>\n
\n- CAS Change of Expected Graduation<\/a><\/li>\n
- CAS Intent to Graduate<\/a> (submit 1 year prior to intended graduation)<\/li>\n
- Course Overload Fee Waiver<\/a><\/li>\n
- Incomplete Grade Report<\/a> (must be completed with the instructor)<\/li>\n
- Major Declaration<\/a> and Minor Declaration<\/a> (to add and change majors and minors)<\/li>\n
- Part-Time Status Petition<\/a> (required to enroll in fewer than 12 credits)<\/li>\n
- Request for Second Language Proficiency Evaluation<\/a> (for students proficient in a language to meet the CAS language requirement)<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n
Directed Study Application<\/a><\/strong><\/p>\nFill out all three sections of the form<\/span><\/a>\u00a0<\/span>with your supervising faculty member. Next, the Department chair\u2019s approval is required. Applications submitted to CAS Academic Advising without a Department chair\u2019s signature will be returned to the student.<\/p>\nAll applications must be submitted to CAS Academic Advising no later than the\u00a0<\/span>last day to add a standard class<\/a>\u00a0<\/span>for the semester in which the Directed Study will occur.<\/p>\nPetition for a Course to Count Toward your Major<\/strong><\/span><\/p>\nEmail the Undergraduate Program Coordinator<\/a> at syamaki@bu.edu<\/a><\/p>\nRequest for transfer courses to be approved prior to taking the course<\/p>\n
Transfer Course Pre-Screen<\/a><\/p>\nDatabase of Courses Previously Approved as BU Equivalents<\/a><\/p>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n\n
\nHonors in the Major<\/h3><\/p>\nDepartmental Honors\u00a0is an opportunity to broaden your educational horizons or to deepen your understanding of a specific topic.<\/p>\n
Students who maintain a minimum GPA of 3.5 or higher are eligible to work toward honors in the major. Requirements include completion of the two-course sequence of independent study (CAS EE 401 and CAS EE 402) and successful defense of a senior thesis. In appropriate circumstances, and with the approval of the Departmental Honors Committee, students may apply significant summer research toward the production of a senior thesis. In such cases, students combine independent summer fieldwork with either EE 401 or EE 402 as the basis for writing and defending a senior honors thesis.<\/p>\n
Interested students should contact the department Director of Undergraduate Studies (DUS), who oversees departmental honors, no later than March of their junior year. Students with an overall GPA between 3.3 and 3.5 can request permission from the DUS to be accepted into the program.<\/p>\n
Departmental Honors Application<\/a><\/p>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n\n
\nE&E Opportunities<\/h3><\/p>\n<\/ol>\n<\/ol>\nAcademic<\/strong><\/h4>\nThere are a variety of opportunities to get paid for your work, to deepen your research abilities, and to practice teaching!<\/p>\n
\n- Learning Assistants: <\/span><\/b>The LA Program<\/a> helps you learn teaching methods and practices! As an LA, you<\/span>\u00a0assist professors with department classes<\/span> and<\/span> help your peers by providing them with knowledgeable and experienced peer educators.<\/span><\/li>\n
- Lab Employees: <\/span><\/b>Earth & Environment faculty occasionally hire undergraduates to work in their laboratories. Consult with faculty about available opportunities.<\/span><\/li>\n
- A <\/span>Directed Study<\/span><\/b> is a CAS course designed for independent research under the guidance of a faculty member! You may choose to take a Directed Study<\/a> to go into more depth on a specific subject or to explore a topic not normally covered in the curriculum. Apply for a Directed Study<\/a><\/span><\/li>\n
- UROP:<\/span><\/b> The Undergraduate Research Opportunities Program<\/a> engages students in faculty-mentored research projects. Through this program, you can design your own research project and receive funding through BU. You will need a mentor to get started – we highly recommend reaching out to faculty you admire!\u00a0<\/span><\/li>\n
- Community Research: <\/span><\/b>In E<\/span>E 538, Research for Environmental Agencies and Organizations<\/a>, students perform research tasks that assist environmental and public health officials in achieving their missions, sometimes continuing projects begun in previous semesters. Team members communicate as needed with government officials, and end the class by presenting their work to them.<\/span><\/li>\n
- Earth House<\/span><\/span><\/strong>: <\/span><\/strong>In<\/span> a<\/span><\/span>n<\/span><\/span><\/span> historic rowhouse on South Campus, the residents at 7 Buswell Street <\/span>take part<\/span> in a Living Learning Community, which integrates curriculum with student life and housing. <\/span>All of<\/span> the things that students and teachers normally think of as being <\/span>means<\/span> to an end of education \u2013 eating, commuting, showering \u2013 are inverted and transformed <\/span>in<\/span> Earth House<\/a> to become primary topics of inquiry.<\/span><\/span>\u00a0<\/span><\/span><\/li>\n<\/ul>\n
Extracurricular<\/strong><\/h4>\nThe Department of Earth & Environment supports multiple student-led organizations<\/strong> that enhance our curricula, provide activities and experience beyond the classroom, and build community among students across the university!<\/p>\n\n- BU Geological Society (BUGS)<\/a>:<\/span><\/b>\u00a0<\/span>The BU Geological Society<\/em> is a group of students that organizes and sponsors activities that complement classroom study of rocks and geology.<\/span><\/li>\n
- Environmental Student Organization (ESO)<\/a>:\u00a0<\/span><\/span><\/b>The\u00a0Environmental Student Organization\u00a0<\/em>is a student-run group striving to increase awareness and discussion of environmental issues through a variety of events and projects.<\/span><\/li>\n
- The<\/span><\/b>\u00a0<\/span>Emerald Review<\/span><\/i><\/b><\/a>:\u00a0<\/span><\/span>The\u00a0<\/span><\/span>Emerald Review<\/i><\/span>\u00a0<\/span>is\u00a0<\/span><\/span>a<\/span>n<\/span>\u00a0<\/span>undergraduate<\/span>\u00a0<\/span><\/span>student<\/span>-run\u00a0<\/span><\/span>annual news\u00a0<\/span><\/span>publication that covers the science, technology, culture, and politics of the Earth & environment.<\/span><\/li>\n
- Epsilon Eta<\/a>:<\/b><\/span>\u00a0<\/b><\/span>\u00a0<\/span>Epsilon Eta<\/em> at Boston University is a multi-gender professional environmental fraternity;\u00a0<\/span><\/span>their<\/span>\u00a0<\/span>mission is to promote a healthy and sustainable\u00a0<\/span><\/span>environment.<\/span><\/li>\n
- BU Community Gardens:<\/strong><\/a> BU Community Gardens welcomes all who have an interest in plants, agriculture, and local food sources. They tend to several on-campus gardens and harvest fresh fruits and vegetables.<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n
<\/div>\n<\/div>\n\n
\nDegree Requirements<\/h3><\/p>\nTrack your BA requirements with Degree Progress through your MyBU Portal<\/a>.<\/p>\nUndergraduate Earth & Environment Degree Programs<\/a><\/p>\nBachelor’s Degree Requirements<\/a><\/p>\nApply to Graduate<\/a> (1 year before intended graduation)<\/p>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n\n
\nWho should I talk to?<\/h3><\/p>\nThroughout your time at BU, you will likely have a lot of questions – and we’re here to help answer them!<\/p>\n
Dr. Mike Dietze<\/strong><\/a>\u00a0 \u2014\u00a0 Professor, Director of Undergraduate Studies<\/h3>\n![\"\"](\"\/earth\/files\/2025\/05\/33.png\")
<\/a><\/p>\nDr. Michael Dietze<\/strong> (dietze@bu.edu<\/a>) currently serves as Director of Undergraduate Studies (DUS) for Earth & Environment. The DUS works with students\u2019 faculty advisors and with the Undergraduate Coordinator,<\/span> to assist current and prospective major students. Your faculty advisor will handle most advising issues but may refer students to the DUS for more unusual or difficult questions. The DUS\u2019s functions include the following:\u00a0<\/span><\/span><\/p>\n\n- Available for meetings in order to provide information about the Major, pre-affiliation course selection, and the affiliation and transfer processes<\/span><\/li>\n
- Serving as point person for student concerns\/issues with advising and curriculum<\/span><\/li>\n
- Advising students on course substitutions\/petitions<\/span><\/li>\n
- Signing administrative paperwork when the faculty advisor is unavailable<\/span><\/li>\n<\/ul>\n
<\/ul>\nSayaka Yamaki<\/strong><\/a>\u00a0 \u2014\u00a0 Undergraduate Program Coordinator<\/strong><\/h3>\n![\"\"](\"\/earth\/files\/2025\/05\/32.png\")
<\/a><\/p>\nSayaka Yamaki<\/strong> (yamaki@bu.edu<\/a>) is the Undergraduate Program Coordinator for Earth & Environment. As the primary advisor for all Earth & Environment undergraduates, she works with the DUS and other faculty to support students throughout their time at BU.<\/span> Sayaka knows the ins and outs of our curriculum, classes, faculty, and extra-curriculars and can network students with over 1,300+ alumni.<\/span><\/p>\n\n- Answering questions about BU requirements, including the Hub, majors, minors, and affiliated programs<\/span><\/li>\n
- Tracking students\u2019 academic progress within the majors<\/span><\/li>\n
- Assisting with college forms such as transfer credit applications, petitions, add\/drop forms, etc.<\/span><\/li>\n
- Facilitating the <\/span>course registration process<\/span> each semester<\/span><\/li>\n
- Career advising: Sayaka hosts Alumni Career Panels and Environmental Career Fairs, connects students to E&E <\/span>alumni, and can help clarify your career and\/or graduate school goals<\/span><\/span><\/li>\n<\/ul>\n
Dr. Lucy Hutyra<\/strong><\/a>\u00a0 \u2014\u00a0 Department Chair, Distinguished Professor<\/h3>\n
Helpful Planning Documents<\/h3><\/p>\n\n- Environmental Analysis & Policy Degree Requirement Checklist (fall 2025)<\/a><\/li>\n
- Environmental Analysis & Policy Electives (updated spring 2025)<\/a><\/li>\n
- Earth & Environmental Sciences Degree Requirement Checklist (fall 2025)<\/a><\/li>\n
- Earth & Environmental Sciences Electives (updated spring 2025)<\/a><\/li>\n<\/ul>\n
<\/div>\n<\/div>\n\n
\nForms & Procedures<\/h3><\/p>\nCAS Official Forms and Procedures<\/a><\/strong><\/p>\nMost processes can be completed through MyBU without the use of a form. However, there are cases where forms are still required:<\/p>\n
\n- CAS Change of Expected Graduation<\/a><\/li>\n
- CAS Intent to Graduate<\/a> (submit 1 year prior to intended graduation)<\/li>\n
- Course Overload Fee Waiver<\/a><\/li>\n
- Incomplete Grade Report<\/a> (must be completed with the instructor)<\/li>\n
- Major Declaration<\/a> and Minor Declaration<\/a> (to add and change majors and minors)<\/li>\n
- Part-Time Status Petition<\/a> (required to enroll in fewer than 12 credits)<\/li>\n
- Request for Second Language Proficiency Evaluation<\/a> (for students proficient in a language to meet the CAS language requirement)<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n
Directed Study Application<\/a><\/strong><\/p>\nFill out all three sections of the form<\/span><\/a>\u00a0<\/span>with your supervising faculty member. Next, the Department chair\u2019s approval is required. Applications submitted to CAS Academic Advising without a Department chair\u2019s signature will be returned to the student.<\/p>\nAll applications must be submitted to CAS Academic Advising no later than the\u00a0<\/span>last day to add a standard class<\/a>\u00a0<\/span>for the semester in which the Directed Study will occur.<\/p>\nPetition for a Course to Count Toward your Major<\/strong><\/span><\/p>\nEmail the Undergraduate Program Coordinator<\/a> at syamaki@bu.edu<\/a><\/p>\nRequest for transfer courses to be approved prior to taking the course<\/p>\n
Transfer Course Pre-Screen<\/a><\/p>\nDatabase of Courses Previously Approved as BU Equivalents<\/a><\/p>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n\n
\nHonors in the Major<\/h3><\/p>\nDepartmental Honors\u00a0is an opportunity to broaden your educational horizons or to deepen your understanding of a specific topic.<\/p>\n
Students who maintain a minimum GPA of 3.5 or higher are eligible to work toward honors in the major. Requirements include completion of the two-course sequence of independent study (CAS EE 401 and CAS EE 402) and successful defense of a senior thesis. In appropriate circumstances, and with the approval of the Departmental Honors Committee, students may apply significant summer research toward the production of a senior thesis. In such cases, students combine independent summer fieldwork with either EE 401 or EE 402 as the basis for writing and defending a senior honors thesis.<\/p>\n
Interested students should contact the department Director of Undergraduate Studies (DUS), who oversees departmental honors, no later than March of their junior year. Students with an overall GPA between 3.3 and 3.5 can request permission from the DUS to be accepted into the program.<\/p>\n
Departmental Honors Application<\/a><\/p>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n\n
\nE&E Opportunities<\/h3><\/p>\n<\/ol>\n<\/ol>\nAcademic<\/strong><\/h4>\nThere are a variety of opportunities to get paid for your work, to deepen your research abilities, and to practice teaching!<\/p>\n
\n- Learning Assistants: <\/span><\/b>The LA Program<\/a> helps you learn teaching methods and practices! As an LA, you<\/span>\u00a0assist professors with department classes<\/span> and<\/span> help your peers by providing them with knowledgeable and experienced peer educators.<\/span><\/li>\n
- Lab Employees: <\/span><\/b>Earth & Environment faculty occasionally hire undergraduates to work in their laboratories. Consult with faculty about available opportunities.<\/span><\/li>\n
- A <\/span>Directed Study<\/span><\/b> is a CAS course designed for independent research under the guidance of a faculty member! You may choose to take a Directed Study<\/a> to go into more depth on a specific subject or to explore a topic not normally covered in the curriculum. Apply for a Directed Study<\/a><\/span><\/li>\n
- UROP:<\/span><\/b> The Undergraduate Research Opportunities Program<\/a> engages students in faculty-mentored research projects. Through this program, you can design your own research project and receive funding through BU. You will need a mentor to get started – we highly recommend reaching out to faculty you admire!\u00a0<\/span><\/li>\n
- Community Research: <\/span><\/b>In E<\/span>E 538, Research for Environmental Agencies and Organizations<\/a>, students perform research tasks that assist environmental and public health officials in achieving their missions, sometimes continuing projects begun in previous semesters. Team members communicate as needed with government officials, and end the class by presenting their work to them.<\/span><\/li>\n
- Earth House<\/span><\/span><\/strong>: <\/span><\/strong>In<\/span> a<\/span><\/span>n<\/span><\/span><\/span> historic rowhouse on South Campus, the residents at 7 Buswell Street <\/span>take part<\/span> in a Living Learning Community, which integrates curriculum with student life and housing. <\/span>All of<\/span> the things that students and teachers normally think of as being <\/span>means<\/span> to an end of education \u2013 eating, commuting, showering \u2013 are inverted and transformed <\/span>in<\/span> Earth House<\/a> to become primary topics of inquiry.<\/span><\/span>\u00a0<\/span><\/span><\/li>\n<\/ul>\n
Extracurricular<\/strong><\/h4>\nThe Department of Earth & Environment supports multiple student-led organizations<\/strong> that enhance our curricula, provide activities and experience beyond the classroom, and build community among students across the university!<\/p>\n\n- BU Geological Society (BUGS)<\/a>:<\/span><\/b>\u00a0<\/span>The BU Geological Society<\/em> is a group of students that organizes and sponsors activities that complement classroom study of rocks and geology.<\/span><\/li>\n
- Environmental Student Organization (ESO)<\/a>:\u00a0<\/span><\/span><\/b>The\u00a0Environmental Student Organization\u00a0<\/em>is a student-run group striving to increase awareness and discussion of environmental issues through a variety of events and projects.<\/span><\/li>\n
- The<\/span><\/b>\u00a0<\/span>Emerald Review<\/span><\/i><\/b><\/a>:\u00a0<\/span><\/span>The\u00a0<\/span><\/span>Emerald Review<\/i><\/span>\u00a0<\/span>is\u00a0<\/span><\/span>a<\/span>n<\/span>\u00a0<\/span>undergraduate<\/span>\u00a0<\/span><\/span>student<\/span>-run\u00a0<\/span><\/span>annual news\u00a0<\/span><\/span>publication that covers the science, technology, culture, and politics of the Earth & environment.<\/span><\/li>\n
- Epsilon Eta<\/a>:<\/b><\/span>\u00a0<\/b><\/span>\u00a0<\/span>Epsilon Eta<\/em> at Boston University is a multi-gender professional environmental fraternity;\u00a0<\/span><\/span>their<\/span>\u00a0<\/span>mission is to promote a healthy and sustainable\u00a0<\/span><\/span>environment.<\/span><\/li>\n
- BU Community Gardens:<\/strong><\/a> BU Community Gardens welcomes all who have an interest in plants, agriculture, and local food sources. They tend to several on-campus gardens and harvest fresh fruits and vegetables.<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n
<\/div>\n<\/div>\n\n
\nDegree Requirements<\/h3><\/p>\nTrack your BA requirements with Degree Progress through your MyBU Portal<\/a>.<\/p>\nUndergraduate Earth & Environment Degree Programs<\/a><\/p>\nBachelor’s Degree Requirements<\/a><\/p>\nApply to Graduate<\/a> (1 year before intended graduation)<\/p>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n\n
\nWho should I talk to?<\/h3><\/p>\nThroughout your time at BU, you will likely have a lot of questions – and we’re here to help answer them!<\/p>\n
Dr. Mike Dietze<\/strong><\/a>\u00a0 \u2014\u00a0 Professor, Director of Undergraduate Studies<\/h3>\n<\/a><\/p>\nDr. Michael Dietze<\/strong> (dietze@bu.edu<\/a>) currently serves as Director of Undergraduate Studies (DUS) for Earth & Environment. The DUS works with students\u2019 faculty advisors and with the Undergraduate Coordinator,<\/span> to assist current and prospective major students. Your faculty advisor will handle most advising issues but may refer students to the DUS for more unusual or difficult questions. The DUS\u2019s functions include the following:\u00a0<\/span><\/span><\/p>\n\n- Available for meetings in order to provide information about the Major, pre-affiliation course selection, and the affiliation and transfer processes<\/span><\/li>\n
- Serving as point person for student concerns\/issues with advising and curriculum<\/span><\/li>\n
- Advising students on course substitutions\/petitions<\/span><\/li>\n
- Signing administrative paperwork when the faculty advisor is unavailable<\/span><\/li>\n<\/ul>\n
<\/ul>\nSayaka Yamaki<\/strong><\/a>\u00a0 \u2014\u00a0 Undergraduate Program Coordinator<\/strong><\/h3>\n<\/a><\/p>\nSayaka Yamaki<\/strong> (yamaki@bu.edu<\/a>) is the Undergraduate Program Coordinator for Earth & Environment. As the primary advisor for all Earth & Environment undergraduates, she works with the DUS and other faculty to support students throughout their time at BU.<\/span> Sayaka knows the ins and outs of our curriculum, classes, faculty, and extra-curriculars and can network students with over 1,300+ alumni.<\/span><\/p>\n\n- Answering questions about BU requirements, including the Hub, majors, minors, and affiliated programs<\/span><\/li>\n
- Tracking students\u2019 academic progress within the majors<\/span><\/li>\n
- Assisting with college forms such as transfer credit applications, petitions, add\/drop forms, etc.<\/span><\/li>\n
- Facilitating the <\/span>course registration process<\/span> each semester<\/span><\/li>\n
- Career advising: Sayaka hosts Alumni Career Panels and Environmental Career Fairs, connects students to E&E <\/span>alumni, and can help clarify your career and\/or graduate school goals<\/span><\/span><\/li>\n<\/ul>\n
Dr. Lucy Hutyra<\/strong><\/a>\u00a0 \u2014\u00a0 Department Chair, Distinguished Professor<\/h3>\n
- \n
- Environmental Analysis & Policy Degree Requirement Checklist (fall 2025)<\/a><\/li>\n
- Environmental Analysis & Policy Electives (updated spring 2025)<\/a><\/li>\n
- Earth & Environmental Sciences Degree Requirement Checklist (fall 2025)<\/a><\/li>\n
- Earth & Environmental Sciences Electives (updated spring 2025)<\/a><\/li>\n<\/ul>\n
<\/div>\n<\/div>\n\n
\nForms & Procedures<\/h3>
<\/p>\nCAS Official Forms and Procedures<\/a><\/strong><\/p>\n
Most processes can be completed through MyBU without the use of a form. However, there are cases where forms are still required:<\/p>\n
- \n
- CAS Change of Expected Graduation<\/a><\/li>\n
- CAS Intent to Graduate<\/a> (submit 1 year prior to intended graduation)<\/li>\n
- Course Overload Fee Waiver<\/a><\/li>\n
- Incomplete Grade Report<\/a> (must be completed with the instructor)<\/li>\n
- Major Declaration<\/a> and Minor Declaration<\/a> (to add and change majors and minors)<\/li>\n
- Part-Time Status Petition<\/a> (required to enroll in fewer than 12 credits)<\/li>\n
- Request for Second Language Proficiency Evaluation<\/a> (for students proficient in a language to meet the CAS language requirement)<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n
Directed Study Application<\/a><\/strong><\/p>\n
Fill out all three sections of the form<\/span><\/a>\u00a0<\/span>with your supervising faculty member. Next, the Department chair\u2019s approval is required. Applications submitted to CAS Academic Advising without a Department chair\u2019s signature will be returned to the student.<\/p>\n
All applications must be submitted to CAS Academic Advising no later than the\u00a0<\/span>last day to add a standard class<\/a>\u00a0<\/span>for the semester in which the Directed Study will occur.<\/p>\n
Petition for a Course to Count Toward your Major<\/strong><\/span><\/p>\n
Email the Undergraduate Program Coordinator<\/a> at syamaki@bu.edu<\/a><\/p>\n
Request for transfer courses to be approved prior to taking the course<\/p>\n
Transfer Course Pre-Screen<\/a><\/p>\n
Database of Courses Previously Approved as BU Equivalents<\/a><\/p>\n
<\/div>\n<\/div>\n\n
\nHonors in the Major<\/h3>
<\/p>\nDepartmental Honors\u00a0is an opportunity to broaden your educational horizons or to deepen your understanding of a specific topic.<\/p>\n
Students who maintain a minimum GPA of 3.5 or higher are eligible to work toward honors in the major. Requirements include completion of the two-course sequence of independent study (CAS EE 401 and CAS EE 402) and successful defense of a senior thesis. In appropriate circumstances, and with the approval of the Departmental Honors Committee, students may apply significant summer research toward the production of a senior thesis. In such cases, students combine independent summer fieldwork with either EE 401 or EE 402 as the basis for writing and defending a senior honors thesis.<\/p>\n
Interested students should contact the department Director of Undergraduate Studies (DUS), who oversees departmental honors, no later than March of their junior year. Students with an overall GPA between 3.3 and 3.5 can request permission from the DUS to be accepted into the program.<\/p>\n
Departmental Honors Application<\/a><\/p>\n
<\/div>\n<\/div>\n\n
\nE&E Opportunities<\/h3>
<\/p>\n- <\/ol>\n
- Learning Assistants: <\/span><\/b>The LA Program<\/a> helps you learn teaching methods and practices! As an LA, you<\/span>\u00a0assist professors with department classes<\/span> and<\/span> help your peers by providing them with knowledgeable and experienced peer educators.<\/span><\/li>\n
- Lab Employees: <\/span><\/b>Earth & Environment faculty occasionally hire undergraduates to work in their laboratories. Consult with faculty about available opportunities.<\/span><\/li>\n
- A <\/span>Directed Study<\/span><\/b> is a CAS course designed for independent research under the guidance of a faculty member! You may choose to take a Directed Study<\/a> to go into more depth on a specific subject or to explore a topic not normally covered in the curriculum. Apply for a Directed Study<\/a><\/span><\/li>\n
- UROP:<\/span><\/b> The Undergraduate Research Opportunities Program<\/a> engages students in faculty-mentored research projects. Through this program, you can design your own research project and receive funding through BU. You will need a mentor to get started – we highly recommend reaching out to faculty you admire!\u00a0<\/span><\/li>\n
- Community Research: <\/span><\/b>In E<\/span>E 538, Research for Environmental Agencies and Organizations<\/a>, students perform research tasks that assist environmental and public health officials in achieving their missions, sometimes continuing projects begun in previous semesters. Team members communicate as needed with government officials, and end the class by presenting their work to them.<\/span><\/li>\n
- Earth House<\/span><\/span><\/strong>: <\/span><\/strong>In<\/span> a<\/span><\/span>n<\/span><\/span><\/span> historic rowhouse on South Campus, the residents at 7 Buswell Street <\/span>take part<\/span> in a Living Learning Community, which integrates curriculum with student life and housing. <\/span>All of<\/span> the things that students and teachers normally think of as being <\/span>means<\/span> to an end of education \u2013 eating, commuting, showering \u2013 are inverted and transformed <\/span>in<\/span> Earth House<\/a> to become primary topics of inquiry.<\/span><\/span>\u00a0<\/span><\/span><\/li>\n<\/ul>\n
Extracurricular<\/strong><\/h4>\n
The Department of Earth & Environment supports multiple student-led organizations<\/strong> that enhance our curricula, provide activities and experience beyond the classroom, and build community among students across the university!<\/p>\n
- \n
- BU Geological Society (BUGS)<\/a>:<\/span><\/b>\u00a0<\/span>The BU Geological Society<\/em> is a group of students that organizes and sponsors activities that complement classroom study of rocks and geology.<\/span><\/li>\n
- Environmental Student Organization (ESO)<\/a>:\u00a0<\/span><\/span><\/b>The\u00a0Environmental Student Organization\u00a0<\/em>is a student-run group striving to increase awareness and discussion of environmental issues through a variety of events and projects.<\/span><\/li>\n
- The<\/span><\/b>\u00a0<\/span>Emerald Review<\/span><\/i><\/b><\/a>:\u00a0<\/span><\/span>The\u00a0<\/span><\/span>Emerald Review<\/i><\/span>\u00a0<\/span>is\u00a0<\/span><\/span>a<\/span>n<\/span>\u00a0<\/span>undergraduate<\/span>\u00a0<\/span><\/span>student<\/span>-run\u00a0<\/span><\/span>annual news\u00a0<\/span><\/span>publication that covers the science, technology, culture, and politics of the Earth & environment.<\/span><\/li>\n
- Epsilon Eta<\/a>:<\/b><\/span>\u00a0<\/b><\/span>\u00a0<\/span>Epsilon Eta<\/em> at Boston University is a multi-gender professional environmental fraternity;\u00a0<\/span><\/span>their<\/span>\u00a0<\/span>mission is to promote a healthy and sustainable\u00a0<\/span><\/span>environment.<\/span><\/li>\n
- BU Community Gardens:<\/strong><\/a> BU Community Gardens welcomes all who have an interest in plants, agriculture, and local food sources. They tend to several on-campus gardens and harvest fresh fruits and vegetables.<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n
<\/div>\n<\/div>\n\n
\nDegree Requirements<\/h3>
<\/p>\nTrack your BA requirements with Degree Progress through your MyBU Portal<\/a>.<\/p>\n
Undergraduate Earth & Environment Degree Programs<\/a><\/p>\n
Bachelor’s Degree Requirements<\/a><\/p>\n
Apply to Graduate<\/a> (1 year before intended graduation)<\/p>\n
<\/div>\n<\/div>\n\n
\nWho should I talk to?<\/h3>
<\/p>\nThroughout your time at BU, you will likely have a lot of questions – and we’re here to help answer them!<\/p>\n
Dr. Mike Dietze<\/strong><\/a>\u00a0 \u2014\u00a0 Professor, Director of Undergraduate Studies<\/h3>\n
<\/a><\/p>\nDr. Michael Dietze<\/strong> (dietze@bu.edu<\/a>) currently serves as Director of Undergraduate Studies (DUS) for Earth & Environment. The DUS works with students\u2019 faculty advisors and with the Undergraduate Coordinator,<\/span> to assist current and prospective major students. Your faculty advisor will handle most advising issues but may refer students to the DUS for more unusual or difficult questions. The DUS\u2019s functions include the following:\u00a0<\/span><\/span><\/p>\n
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- Available for meetings in order to provide information about the Major, pre-affiliation course selection, and the affiliation and transfer processes<\/span><\/li>\n
- Serving as point person for student concerns\/issues with advising and curriculum<\/span><\/li>\n
- Advising students on course substitutions\/petitions<\/span><\/li>\n
- Signing administrative paperwork when the faculty advisor is unavailable<\/span><\/li>\n<\/ul>\n
- <\/ul>\n
- Answering questions about BU requirements, including the Hub, majors, minors, and affiliated programs<\/span><\/li>\n
- Tracking students\u2019 academic progress within the majors<\/span><\/li>\n
- Assisting with college forms such as transfer credit applications, petitions, add\/drop forms, etc.<\/span><\/li>\n
- Facilitating the <\/span>course registration process<\/span> each semester<\/span><\/li>\n
- Career advising: Sayaka hosts Alumni Career Panels and Environmental Career Fairs, connects students to E&E <\/span>alumni, and can help clarify your career and\/or graduate school goals<\/span><\/span><\/li>\n<\/ul>\n
Dr. Lucy Hutyra<\/strong><\/a>\u00a0 \u2014\u00a0 Department Chair, Distinguished Professor<\/h3>\n
- Tracking students\u2019 academic progress within the majors<\/span><\/li>\n
Sayaka Yamaki<\/strong><\/a>\u00a0 \u2014\u00a0 Undergraduate Program Coordinator<\/strong><\/h3>\n
<\/a><\/p>\nSayaka Yamaki<\/strong> (yamaki@bu.edu<\/a>) is the Undergraduate Program Coordinator for Earth & Environment. As the primary advisor for all Earth & Environment undergraduates, she works with the DUS and other faculty to support students throughout their time at BU.<\/span> Sayaka knows the ins and outs of our curriculum, classes, faculty, and extra-curriculars and can network students with over 1,300+ alumni.<\/span><\/p>\n
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- Serving as point person for student concerns\/issues with advising and curriculum<\/span><\/li>\n
- Environmental Student Organization (ESO)<\/a>:\u00a0<\/span><\/span><\/b>The\u00a0Environmental Student Organization\u00a0<\/em>is a student-run group striving to increase awareness and discussion of environmental issues through a variety of events and projects.<\/span><\/li>\n
- Lab Employees: <\/span><\/b>Earth & Environment faculty occasionally hire undergraduates to work in their laboratories. Consult with faculty about available opportunities.<\/span><\/li>\n
- <\/ol>\n
Academic<\/strong><\/h4>\n
There are a variety of opportunities to get paid for your work, to deepen your research abilities, and to practice teaching!<\/p>\n
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- CAS Intent to Graduate<\/a> (submit 1 year prior to intended graduation)<\/li>\n
- Environmental Analysis & Policy Electives (updated spring 2025)<\/a><\/li>\n