Academics
BU offers hundreds of courses related to sustainability — in undergraduate, graduate, doctoral, and special degree programs. Learn about our academic partners here . Whatever your major, course offerings enable you to advance your sustainability awareness and know-how. Make sustainability part of your education and set yourself up for an impactful career by delving into topics such as…
sustainable energy
climate change
environmental history
The below list is updated annually.
Learn about Diverse Sustainability Leaders , with the help of a resource developed by BU Sustainability Intern Cellina Kim. Study these leaders, draw inspiration from their work, and build upon their legacies.
From the moment you set foot on campus, start getting involved in interdisciplinary research . See climate-related sustainability research by BU students and learn about Campus Climate Lab research funding opportunities.
CAS AH 580 Architectural Technology and Materials
4 credits. junior standing or consent of instructor.
An introduction to the history of architectural construction, technologies, and materials, and their consequences in the built environment. Students receive a practical understanding of the building process and of its social and cultural contexts.
CAS AH 584 Greater Boston: Architecture and Planning
4 credits. Either sem.
May be repeated for credit as topics change. Topic for Spring 2017: Boston Architecture. A project- and research-based seminar on Boston's most famous modern renewal project. Students visit and conduct in-depth research on Government Center's spaces and buildings, seen in the context of mid-century American urban, social, and architectural history.
CAS AH 587 Green Design
4 credits. junior, senior, or graduate standing.
Explores sustainability and green architecture from the eighteenth century to present. Charts intersections of nature and built environments through methods from architectural and urban history, history of technology, and environmental history. "Green architecture" examined within historical and spatial context.
CAS AM 202 What's Boston?
4 credits. 2nd sem.
What's Boston? explores Boston's complex urban and natural world. University faculty share cutting-edge research, focusing on Boston as a PLACE and a guiding IDEA, introducing the perspectives of disparate scholarly disciplines. Discover where you stand and where you might go! This course carries humanities divisional credit in CAS. Effective Fall 2018, this course fulfills one unit in each of the following BU Hub areas: Aesthetic Exploration, Historical Consciousness.
CAS AM 376 Housing America
4 credits.
What do dwellings say about the diversity of American experience? For over four centuries and across a continent, wealth and poverty, family and community, taste and technology have all shaped the meaning of home. Illustrated lecturers supplemented by field trips. Also offered as CAS AH 376.
CAS AM 546 Places of Memory: Historic Preservation Theory and Practice
4 credits. Either sem.
Covers key aspects of the history, theory, and practice of historic preservation. Preservation is discussed in the context of cultural history and the changing relationship between existing buildings and landscapes and attitudes toward history, memory, invented tradition, and place. Also offered as CAS AH 546 and CAS HI 546.
CAS AM 554 Preservation Planning
4 credits.
Introduces students to local, state, and national government policies and practices intended to protect historically and aesthetically significant structures. In addition, the course covers planning approaches aimed at managing redevelopment in established neighborhoods, to create livable and sustainable communities.
CAS AM 555 Boston Architectural and Community History Workshop
4 credits.
Focuses on class readings, lectures, and research on a single neighborhood or community in Boston (or Greater Boston). Greatest emphasis is on using primary sources-- land titles and deeds, building permits, fire insurance atlases and other maps. Explores places and sources that help assess and narrate the rich history of architectural and urban development.
CAS AN 285 Coping with Crisis in Contemporary Africa (area)
4 credits. Either sem.
Explores the ways ordinary Africans are coping with problems of security, environmental degradation, forced migration, economic decline, and disease. Readings and lectures contrast outsiders' interpretations of these "crises" with the way they are experienced by those they affect. Staff. 4 cr. Either sem. Effective Fall 2018, this course fulfills a single unit in each of the following BU Hub areas: Historical Consciousness, Social Inquiry I.
CAS AN 309 Boston: An Ethnographic Approach (area)
4 credits. Either sem. First Year Writing Seminar (e.g., WR 100 or WR 120)
Using the tools of ethnographic practice, explores Boston's multiple identities. Boston's patterns of immigration and demographic change are mapped through fieldwork and historical documentation. On site observations will help students understand local meanings of place and community. Effective Spring 2022, this course fulfills a single unit in each of the following BU Hub areas: Writing- Intensive Course, Social Inquiry II.
CAS AN 333 Human Population Genetics
4 credits. Either sem. (CAS AN102 OR AN233 OR CAS BI108 AND either BI206 OR BI216).
BU Hub Learn More Scientific Inquiry II Quantitative Reasoning II Research and Information Literacy
This course uses human genomic variation as a framework for better understanding our evolutionary history. Using hands-on population genetic analyses, we will analyze real human genomic data from the 1000 Genomes Project to investigate the evolutionary patterns underlying human diversity. Effective Fall 2020, this course fulfills a single unit in each of the following BU Hub areas: Quantitative Reasoning II, Scientific Inquiry II, Research and Information Literacy.
CAS AN 336 Primate Evolutionary Ecology
4 credits. CAS AN 102.
BU Hub Learn More Scientific Inquiry II Quantitative Reasoning I Creativity/Innovation
Introduction to the various theoretical approaches to understanding the diversity and evolutionary ecology of wild non-human primates. Using lemurs, marmosets, chimpanzees and more, this course delves into behavioral ecology, genetic approaches to mating systems, foraging theory, community ecology, and conservation. Effective Fall 2021, this course fulfills a single unit in each of the following BU Hub areas: Quantitative Reasoning I, Scientific Inquiry I, Creativity/Innovation.
CAS AN 363 Food and Water: Critical Perspectives on Global Crises
4 credits.
BU Hub Learn More Global Citizenship and Intercultural Literacy Social Inquiry II Teamwork/Collaboration
Examines how people, past and present, have interacted with food and water. Explores multiple causes and consequences of global food and water inequities. Considers the cultural politics of food/water production, consumption, and distribution in different parts of the world. Effective Fall 2020, this course fulfills a single unit in each of the following BU Hub areas: Global Citizenship and Intercultural Literacy, Social Inquiry II, Teamwork/Collaboration.
CAS AN 379 China: Tradition and Transformation (area)
4 credits. Either sem.
BU Hub Learn More Global Citizenship and Intercultural Literacy Social Inquiry II Research and Information Literacy
Examines daily life in China and Taiwan, tracing how opposed economic and political paths transformed a common tradition. Topics include capitalism and socialism; politics and social control; dissidence; gender relations; religion, arts, and literature; and pollution. Effective Fall 2018, this course fulfills a single unit in each of the following BU Hub areas: Social Inquiry II, Global Citizenship and Intercultural Literacy, Research and Information Literacy.
CAS AN 556 The Evolution of the Human Diet
4 credits. CAS AN 102 or CAS BI 107 or CAS BI 108; or consent of instructor.
BU Hub Learn More Scientific Inquiry II Research and Information Literacy Writing-Intensive Course
An investigation of human dietary evolution including primate and human dietary adaptations, nutritional requirements, optimal foraging, digestive physiology, maternal and infant nutrition, hunting and cooking in human evolution, and impacts of food processing and agriculture on modern diets and health. Effective Fall 2020, this course fulfills a single unit in each of the following BU Hub areas: Writing-Intensive Course, Scientific Inquiry II, Research and Information Literacy.
CAS AR 290 Human Impacts on Ancient Environments
4 credits.
Examination of human-environmental interactions in the global landscape over the past 10,000 years through migration, hunting, disease, agriculture, and other cultural activities; implications for contemporary and future resources management and environmental policy. Effective Fall 2019, this course fulfills a single unit in the following BU Hub areas: Social Inquiry I, Global Citizenship and Intercultural Literacy.
CAS BI 260 Marine Biology
4 credits. 2nd sem. CAS BI 107; or consent of instructor.
BU Hub Learn More Scientific Inquiry I Critical Thinking Research and Information Literacy
Life in the seas: its ecology, evolution, and human impacts. Includes behavioral, physiological, structural, ecological, and evolutionary perspectives. A prerequisite for the Marine Semester. Three hours lecture, one hour discussion. Effective Spring 2019, this course fulfills a single unit in each of the following BU Hub areas: Scientific Inquiry I, Critical Thinking, Research and Information Literacy.
CAS BI 306 Biology of Global Change
4 credits. Either sem. CAS BI 107; Recommended: CASCH101 or CASCH171.
BU Hub Learn More Scientific Inquiry II Ethical Reasoning Research and Information Literacy
The ecological impacts of human activity on terrestrial and aquatic ecosystems. Climate change, forest decline, eutrophication, acidification, loss of species diversity, and restoration of ecosystems. Three hours lecture, three hours lab. Effective Fall 2019, this course fulfills a single unit in each of the following BU Hub areas: Scientific Inquiry II, Ethical Reasoning, Research and Information Literacy.
CAS BI 307 Biogeography
4 credits. CAS BI 107 and CAS GE 101.
Examines the spatial distribution of plants and animals from historical, ecological, and analytical perspectives. Environmental and human influences on species distribution, abundance, and diversity are considered, as are changes resulting from past and projected climate change. Also offered as CAS GE 307.
CAS BI 423 Marine Biogeochemistry
4 credits. Either sem. CAS CH 101 and CAS CH 102; or BUMP semester and cases144 or consent of instructor.
BU Hub Learn More Philosophical Inquiry and Life's Meanings Scientific Inquiry II Research and Information Literacy
Oceanic nutrient and biogeochemical cycling in the context of the marine response to global change. Links between local and global scales are emphasized. Topics include oceanic productivity, iron limitation, oceanic glacial carbon dioxide budget, biogenic particle fluxes, oceanic glacial- interglacial biogeochemistry. Effective Fall 2020, this course fulfills a single unit in each of the following BU Hub areas: Philosophical Inquiry and Life's Meanings, Scientific Inquiry II, Research and Information Literacy.
CAS BI 523 Marine Urban Ecology
4 credits. enrollment in the Marine Semester.
Marine Urban Ecology is an emerging, interdisciplinary field that aims to understand how human and ecological processes can coexist in human-dominated systems. Topics, ecosystems, and organisms associated with urbanization in the Greater Boston area. Also offered as CAS GE 523. Effective Fall 2019, this course fulfills a single unit in the following BU Hub area: Teamwork/Collaboration.
CAS BI 530 Forest Ecology
4 credits. 2nd sem. CAS BI 107; and CASBI303 or CASBI306, or consent of instructor.
BU Hub Learn More Scientific Inquiry II Oral and/or Signed Communication Research and Information Literacy
Prerequisites: CASBI107 and CASBI303 or CASBI306, or consent of instructor. The major biotic and abiotic factors influencing forest ecosystem composition, structure, and function. Role of solar radiation, hydrology, soils, succession, and management of forest ecosystems. Includes New England case study. Three hours lecture plus discussion. Meets with CAS GE 530. Effective Spring 2023, this course fulfills a single unit in each of the following BU Hub areas: Oral and/or Signed Communication, Scientific Inquiry II, Research and Information Literacy.
CAS BI 539 Coral Reef Dynamics: Shallow Waters, Deep Time
4 credits. enrollment in the Marine Semester.
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 EE 539. Effective Fall 2019, this course fulfills a single unit in each of the following BU Hub areas: Scientific Inquiry II, Creativity/Innovation.
CAS BI 541 Coral Reef Resilience and Restoration
4 credits. 1st sem. enrollment in the BU Marine Semester and junior or senior standing.
BU Hub Learn More Oral and/or Signed Communication Research and Information Literacy
Caribbean coral reefs have fallen into ruin. Students develop methods to restore reef health by applying genomics, life history theory, landscape ecology and climatology. This course is an advanced follow-on to CAS BI/ES 539 (Coral Reef Dynamics), and includes field work in Belize. Effective Fall 2019, this course fulfills a single unit in each of the following BU Hub areas: Oral and/or Signed Communication, Research and Information Literacy.
CAS BI 543 Global Ecology
4 credits. Biology/Earth & Environment graduate students or senior standing; previous undergraduate ecology or environmental science course.
Explores the many biospheric threads that link and exchange throughout the earth. Themes include life systems as a geological force, bacteria as a global organism, the major impacts of algae, and climate change update. Three hours lecture.
CAS BI 546 Marine Megafaunal Ecology: Stellwagen Bank National Marine Sanctuary and Surrounding Waters
4 credits. CAS BI 260 and CAS MA 213; or consent of instructor; enrollment in the Marine Semester.
Marine macrofauna: whales, seals, seabirds, fishes, turtles, jellies, and people in Stellwagen Bank National Marine Sanctuary. Evolution, food webs, and distributional ecology; physical and human influences on foraging and movement behavior. Student research builds ecosystem-based science for Sanctuary management. Effective Fall 2019, this course is part of a Hub sequence.
CAS BI 578 Marine Geographic Information Science
4 credits. 1st sem. CAS BI 260 and CAS ES 144; CASMA213 strongly recommended. Enrollment in the Marine semester required.
BU Hub Learn More Oral and/or Signed Communication Research and Information Literacy
Introduction to marine geographic information systems and spatial analysis for conservation, management, and marine landscape ecology. Comparative examples from Gulf of Maine and tropics. Solve problems in coastal zoning and marine park design, whale and coral reef conservation. Also offered as CAS EE 578. Effective Fall 2019, this course fulfills a single unit in each of the following BU Hub areas: Oral and/or Signed Communication, Research and Information Literacy.
CAS EE 395 Sustainability Science: Earth House Practicum 1
2 credits. 1st sem. sophomore standing and residency in Earth House.
This seminar-style course is designed for residents of BU's Earth House. The course is intended to enrich student residents' living/learning experience through exploring the theory and practice of sustainability, with 7 Buswell Street serving as the principle object of inquiry. Through guided discussions and student-led research, we will examine the three pillars of sustainability - social, environmental, economic - across four resource domains of food, water, energy, and materials, and consider how these multiple pillars and domains overlap and interact as a nexus. Effective Fall 2019, this course fulfills a single unit in the following BU Hub area: Scientific Inquiry II.
CAS EE 396 Sustainability Science: Earth House Practicum 2
2 credits. 2nd sem. sophomore standing, residency in Earth House, and CAS EE 395; or consent of instructor.
This seminar-style course is designed for residents of BU's Earth House. The course is intended to enrich student residents' living/learning experience through exploring the theory and practice of sustainability, with 7 Buswell Street serving as the principle object of inquiry. Through guided discussions and student-led research, we will examine the three pillars of sustainability - social, environmental, economic - across four resource domains of food, water, energy, and materials, and consider how these multiple pillars and domains overlap and interact as a nexus. Effective Fall 2019, this course fulfills a single unit in the following BU Hub area: Ethical Reasoning.
CAS EE 493 Applied Research Techniques and Strategies Toward Sustainability in the Tropics
Var credits. admission to SFS Sustaining Tropical Ecosystems Program.
Application of the scientific process in a field research project that addresses a local environmental issue. Students help design a field research project; collect, manage, and analyze data; and communicate research results.
CAS HI 175 World History to 1500
4 credits. 1st sem.
BU Hub Learn More Historical Consciousness Global Citizenship and Intercultural Literacy Critical Thinking
Explores historical and environmental factors influencing how cultures take shape and impact each other. Examines early global connections and conflicts between people of different continents as well as between humans, other species, the natural environment, and the planet as a whole. Effective Fall 2018, this course fulfills a single unit in each of the following BU Hub areas: Historical Consciousness, Global Citizenship and Intercultural Literacy, Critical Thinking.
CAS HI 316 American Urban History
4 credits. First Year Writing Seminar (e.g., WR 100 or WR 120)
BU Hub Learn More Historical Consciousness Social Inquiry I Writing-Intensive Course
Examines cities in America, from colonial era forward, focusing on Boston, New York, Chicago, New Orleans, Detroit, and San Francisco in national and transnational context. Focus on social, political, and environmental change to understand present and past urban landscapes. Effective Spring 2021, this course fulfills a single unit in each of the following BU Hub areas: Writing-Intensive Course, Historical Consciousness, Social Inquiry I.
CAS HI 343 Taste, Culture, and Power: The Global History of Food
4 credits.
BU Hub Learn More Historical Consciousness Digital/Multimedia Expression Creativity/Innovation
An exploration of the global history of food from prehistory to the present, considering the birth of agriculture, food in nations and empires, hunger and nutrition, and the future of eating, including examples from Asia, Africa, Europe, and the Americas. Effective Fall 2019, this course fulfills a single unit in each of the following BU Hub areas: Historical Consciousness, Digital/Multimedia Expression, Creativity/Innovation.
CAS HI 346 History of International Human Rights
4 credits.
Meets with CAS IR 348. History of international human rights since the eighteenth century. Examines political, social, economic rights, the UN Charter, the Universal Declaration of Human Rights, and related international conventions, enforcement, regionalism, globalization, and NGOs. Analyzes tensions between national sovereignty and human rights.
CAS HI 351 Environmental History of Africa
4 credits. 2nd sem.
BU Hub Learn More Scientific Inquiry II Global Citizenship and Intercultural Literacy Research and Information Literacy
Focus on the African environment and ecological systems over the past 150 years. Topics include climate change, hydrography, agriculture, deforestation, soil erosion, disease, conservation, famine, and the role of colonialism and government policy in environmental change. Effective Fall 2018, this course fulfills a single unit in each of the following BU Hub areas: Scientific Inquiry II, Global Citizenship and Intercultural Literacy, Research and Information Literacy.
CAS HI 450 Topics in the History of Popular Culture
4 credits. Either sem.
May be repeated for credit if topic is different. Topic for Spring 2022, Section A1: Horror and American Culture. Course relates the genre of horror as expressed in literature, film, and other media to both the primordial fears of individuals and the collective fears of American society as those fears changed over time.
CAS HI 451 Fashion as History
4 credits.
BU Hub Learn More Historical Consciousness Global Citizenship and Intercultural Literacy Critical Thinking
This seminar treats clothing and other products of material culture as historical documents. Explores what clothing can tell us about key developments in the modern period relating to trade and commerce, empire, gender, class, industry, revolution, nation-building, identity politics, and globalization. Effective Fall 2019, this course fulfills a single unit in the following BU Hub areas: Historical Consciousness, Global Citizenship and Intercultural Literacy, Critical Thinking.
CAS HI 589 Nature's Past: Histories of Environment and Society
4 credits.
Explores approaches in environmental history and asks how non-human actors, together with human agents, determined historical outcomes and shaped ecological, technological, demographic, political, and cultural change. Cases are selected from North America, Latin America, Europe, Asia, and Africa.
CAS IR 206 Introduction to the Sociology of Globalization
4 credits. Either sem.
(Meets with CAS SO 206.) A sociological introduction to globalization. Explores the roles of technology, transnational corporations, and the state. Considers globalization's impacts on the workplace, the environment, and other institutions as well as the emergence of global social movements. Carries social sciences divisional credit in CAS. Effective Fall 2018, this course fulfills a single unit in each of the following BU Hub areas: Social Inquiry I, Global Citizenship and Intercultural Literacy.
COM CM 313 Corporate Communication
4 credits. Either sem. CM215
Explores the trends and issues affecting corporations, crisis management, public affairs communication, consumer affairs, employee relations, environmental problems, and issues of multinationals. Uses case studies.
COM CM 561 Special Topics
4 credits. Either sem. CM722
Spring 2022 - This class explores social media through seven key frameworks. The Historical Framework gives students a deeper understanding of how communications channels evolved into mass media, and later into social media. The Cultural Framework applies specific communication, social and psychological theories to the study of new media. The Functional Framework explores how and why people (and corporations) use social media. The Procedural Framework begins the class' study of how new media has shaped business operations and the communications process. The Organizational Framework continues the discussion of the business context for social media and introduces the need for social media management. The Technology Framework helps students understand and categorize the thousands of social networks, tools and platforms that have emerged as new media has matured.
COM JO 723 Science Newswriting I
4 credits. 1st sem.
Students develop experience in writing about science, technology, and medicine for the consumer press. At instructor's option, students may write scripts for broadcast and/or articles for publication in scientific, professional, or business magazines and periodicals. Four credits, fall semesters.
COM JO 732 Conflict and Commentary in Science Reporting
4 credits. 2nd sem.
A course in writing about science policy issues, including in-depth coverage of controversial issues and writing scientific-related essay, such as those that appear in Slate and Salon. classroom discussions will involve complex areas of science reporting, including scientific fraud and business issues related to science. Four credits. (Prerequisite: COM JO 705.)
COM JO 881 Science Video Production
4 credits. Either sem.
The moving image carries enormous power; whether shown in theaters, on television, on the internet or on our smart phones, video has the ability to change the world, as has been demonstrated time and again. this course is designed to examine the power of non-fiction video through the deconstruction of various films and videos, and serve as an introduction to video production through a series of production exercises culminating in a complete short film as a final project. While this course focuses on science, it will be useful for anyone interested in learning more about non-fiction video production.
ENG BE 209 Principles of Molecular Cell Biology and Biotechnology
4 credits. Either sem. high school biology and CAS CH 101 or equivalent
Introduction to the molecular, physical and computational principles of cell function in the context of cutting-edge applications in bioengineering and medicine. Biological concepts include: molecular building blocks, energetics, transport, metabolism, nucleic acids, gene expression and genetics. Applications include bioenergy, synthetic biology, the human-genome project, and gene circuit engineering. The objectives of the labs are to teach basic techniques and instrumentation in bioengineering, to collect and analyze data and to make sound conclusions. Labs emphasize the experimental, problem solving, and analytical skills required in biomedical engineering and research.
ENG EC 417 Electric Energy Systems: Adapting to Renewable Resources
4 credits. Either sem. ENG EK 307.
This course will present a detailed perspective of electric power systems from generation, transmission, storage, to distribution to end users. Significant emphasis will be placed on methodologies for reliable and efficient transmission and distribution of power over the grid including challenges for adapting to renewable resources such as photovoltaics and wind. Conventional approaches will be presented with emphasis to future technology such as the "smart grid". Analysis of 3-phase power will be presented using numerous examples. Items such as power system stability, security, reliability will be covered. Optimization methods, models, simulation techniques, monitoring and control, grid storage technologies, and micro-grids will also be discussed. Power electronics will be introduced specifically in reference to high voltage circuits. Finally, planning for large numbers of electric vehicles will present new challenges to the effective distribution of power which will be discussed from both centralized and decentralized approaches.
ENG EC 543 Sustainable Power Systems: Planning, Operation and Markets
4 credits. Senior standing or consent of instructor.
Breakthroughs in clean energy generation technologies and the advantage of exploiting efficiently the available work in fossil fuels will render electricity the dominant energy form in a sustainable environment future. We review the key characteristics of Electric Power Transmission and Distribution (T&D) networks and the associated planning and operation requirements that ensure supply adequacy, system security and stability. Capital asset investment and operation cost minimization is discussed in a systems engineering context where the assets as well as the dynamic behavior of generators, T&D networks, and loads interact. Recent developments in the formation of competitive wholesale markets at the High Voltage Transmission system level, the associated market participation and clearing rules and the market clearing optimization algorithms are presented and analyzed in terms of their effectiveness in fostering cost reflective price signals and competitive conditions that encourage optimal distributed/not-centralized investment and operating decisions. Finally, we present T&D congestion and supply-demand imbalance related barriers to the widespread adoption of environmentally friendly and economically efficient technological breakthroughs, and propose a systems engineering and real-time retail-market based coordination of centralized as well as decentralized generation, storage and load management resources that is able to achieve desirable synergies and mitigate these barriers. Same as ENG ME 543 and ENG SE 543. Students may not receive credits for both.
ENG EC 573 Solar Energy Systems
4 credits. ENG EK 408; graduate standing or permission of the instructor. ENG EC 471 is suggested.
This course is designed for first year graduate and senior undergraduate students from engineering disciplines. It is intended to educate students in the design and applications of solar energy technology. It will focus on fundamentals of solar energy conversion, solar cells, optical engineering, photoelectrochemical cells, thermoelectric generators, and energy storage and distribution systems. The course covers solar energy insolation and global energy needs, current trends in photovoltaic energy engineering, solar cell materials science, design and installation of solar panels for residential and industrial applications and connections to the national grid and cost analysis of the overall system. In addition, basic manufacturing processes for the production of solar panels, environmental impacts, and the related system engineering aspects will be included to provide a comprehensive state-of-the-art approach to solar energy utilization. Same as ENG MS 573. Students may not take credit for both.
ENG EC 583 Power Electronics for Energy systems
4 credits. Either sem. ENG EC 410.
Introduction to power electronics with emphasis on conversion circuits for energy systems. DC to DC conversion using buck, boost, and buck-boost converters. DC to AC inverters. Connection to power grid. Properties of MOS transistors used for high power conversion applications. Properties of magnetic elements and interactions with power circuits. Applications of power electronic circuits to energy systems, including solar cell installations, wave and wind power, and electric vehicles. High frequency inductors and transformers.
ENG EC 707 Radar Remote Sensing
4 credits. Experience in electromagnetic waves, analog and discrete signal processing, or consent of the instructor.
Principles of radar systems and radar signal analysis with emphasis on environmental remote sensing. Topics include antenna fundamentals, wave propagation/scattering in various media, the radar equation, radar cross-section, target characteristics, ambiguity function, radar system components, pulse compression techniques, and aperture synthesis. Highlighted systems include ground-penetrating radars, synthetic aperture radar (SAR), weather radars, and incoherent scatter radars, and LIDAR.
ENG EK 131 Introduction to Engineering: Hands On
2 credits. Either sem. Freshman standing or consent of instructor
This course introduces freshmen to a set of design-oriented engineering skills through a hands-on experience using engineering tools (software and hardware) for design and prototyping. Students will be exposed to a number of mechanical and electrical engineering tools applicable to 3D visualization, building structures, designing and wiring circuits, prototyping and instrumentation. Students will work individually and in teams to build substructures that can be integrated into a functional device (final product).
ENG EK 210 Introduction to Engineering Design
2 credits. Either sem. ENG EK 131; ENG EK 131 and Sophomore standing or consent of instructor.
A two-credit introductory course to the principles of engineering design, intended to give second- year undergraduates a basic understanding of the process of taking a product from client explanation to design concept through product deployment. Students will work in teams with time and budget constraints on societally meaningful projects. Web-based lectures will cover topics concurrent with specific phases of the projects. The course will culminate in a "Design Showcase." Restricted to ENG sophomores - others only by consent of instructor. Effective Fall 2018, this course fulfills a single unit in the following BU Hub area: Teamwork/Collaboration.
ENG EK 225 Introduction to Energy Conversion and Environmental Engineering
4 credits. Either sem.
This class examines the existing state of the world's energy use and its impact on society and the planet. A quantitative framework is provided in order to evaluate current and potential technologies. Individual energy generation, conversion, and end use options are evaluated within this framework. Both renewable energy generation technologies: wind, solar, biomass, and hydro, and conventional sources such as nuclear and fossil fuels will be compared. Energy conversion is discussed with regards to batteries and fuel cells, liquid bio- fuels, and grid level storage systems. These technologies are then put into a social context and their use around the world is discussed. Evaluations are based on homework and class discussions, midterms, and a final. Cannot be used for credit towards an engineering degree.
ENG EK 335 Introduction to Environmental Engineering
4 credits. 2nd sem. CAS CH 131 and CAS MA 124; or equivalent. Sophomore standing.
This course provides a technical introduction to a wide range of environmental engineering topics to quantitatively understand and analyze environmental problems. Topics covered include mass and energy balance for analyzing environmental engineering concepts, population growth, models for resource consumption and risk analysis, energy systems, air pollution and prevention strategies, water quality assessment and supply issues, drinking and waste water treatment, solid waste treatment and management strategies, and resource recovery and recycling. Relevant existing laws and regulations are also reviewed in the context of the topics covered.
GMS BC 600 Biology, Chemistry and Physics of Natural and Man-made Hazards
3 credits. Either sem.
This course provides a broad overview of physical, chemical and biological aspects of man-made and natural hazards. Hazards range from the everyday-thunderstorms, winter, chemical spills, disease clusters-to the extraordinary-powerful hurricane, earthquakes, dirty bombs, and pandemic. This course will teach details essential to every healthcare emergency manager to prepare for known and emerging threats, including threats to the infrastructure essential to healthcare delivery. Emphasis will be placed on the increasing number of technological hazards, both those that may be intentionally introduced to those created because of the international connectivity provided by airplanes. Discussion will include the short, medium and long term impact to human populations and infrastructures of the various hazards and the impacts on triage and triage decision making processes. 3 cr
GMS BC 610 Medical Consequences of Natural and Man-made Hazards
3 credits. Either sem.
This course provides a broad overview of medical consequences of man-made and natural hazards. Hazards can directly impact people's lives, as well as indirectly by damaging an area's health infrastructure. This course will teach details essential to every healthcare emergency manager to prepare for known and emerging threats, including discussing external and internal hazards. Emphasis will be placed on human population effects, and the wide range of multiple interdependent aspects of social, cultural and physical infrastructures. Discussion will include the short, medium and long term impact on healthcare delivery, including the importance of psychological concerns such as morale and post-event counseling. 3 cr
GMS BC 620 Psychology and Sociology of Disasters and Methods of Risk Communication
3 credits. Either sem.
This course surveys psychological and social factors affecting community and individual responses to disasters. Emphasis is placed on groups who may experience greater impact as a result of disability, social, economic, or racial disparities. This course explores the methods of risk communications to diverse audiences including considerations of subjectivity of risk, translating complex concepts into clear concise informative messages, and recognizing time sensitivity of information. 3 cr
GMS BC 630 Ethical & Policy Issues in Health and Medical Services Emergency Management
3 credits. Either sem.
This course explores the complex issues surrounding ethical, legal and policy issues concerning health and health care delivery under crisis conditions. Issues evaluated include end-of-life decision making, implications of triage, medical malpractice, insurance company regulation and liability. Additionally, the interrelationships of the various levels, and often competing branches, of government will be evaluated. 3 cr
GMS BC 650 Community Health and Emergency Management
3 credits. Either sem.
Public Health is a multidisciplinary field that aims to prevent disease and death and to promote a healthy quality of life. Public Health surveillance, intervention, and evaluation intervene at the population and societal level, taking on the effort to advance the health and safety of the greatest amount of people. This course will explore the multiple concentrations of public health, focusing on epidemiology and environmental health. In order to understand what public health is and how it should be applied during an emergency, this course will discuss specific epidemiological disasters in history, the scientific and statistical perspective associated with collecting, analyzing, interpreting and utilizing data, and the interconnectedness that is required to rapidly evaluate and manage disasters. 3 cr
GMS BC 700 The Disaster Lifecycle
3 credits. Either sem.
This course focuses on examining health needs and health care delivery methods to prepare for, respond to, recover from, and mitigate impacts of crises. Preparedness consists of being ready for any kind of emergency no matter what the source of the disaster. Practically this means looking at preparedness from an all-hazards perspective and developing the complicated array of policies, methods and programs. Disaster response is a complicated multi-institutional operation requiring sophisticated planning, logistics and communications. Response planning emphasizes the interface and coordination requirements of the National Response Framework. Recovery involves all the necessary actions to reinstate normal operations including reconstitution of necessary data, hardware, software, personnel, supplies and facilities. Recovery actions are focused on issues and decisions that occur after immediate response needs are addressed. Current and proposed Federal, state, local and private nonprofit disaster recovery methods are discussed. This course addresses these issues through discussion of the cycle of planning, training, equipping, exercising and mission continuity processes and reviewing case studies of current and past governmental and private methods. 3 cr
GMS BC 710 Methods and Practices of Incident Command
3 credits. Either sem.
This course examines command and control processes, including Incident and Unified Command Structures, under crisis and disaster management situations for health and medical services. Use of simulations tools will be accomplished (such as Incident Commander: A Crisis Training Simulation) to provide training of community management level incident command actions, based on the Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA) mandated command structures articulated in the National Incident Management System. Additionally, decision making under uncertainty and emerging social and operational network theory will be evaluated and discussed. 3 cr
GMS MH 706 Social & Cultural Foundations
3 credits. Either sem. consent of instructor
This course provides an overview of social justice, the cultural context of relationships, issues, and trends in a multicultural society, in order to enable students to work effectively with people from varied racial, cultural and class backgrounds. The course is organized around the ethical responsibility of counselors to provide clients across a wide range of identities with meaningful and relevant clinical services, and the role of counselors in promoting overall health and wellness across cultures. A contemporary body of professional literature is explored, with an emphasis on self-awareness, knowledge of others, experiential learning activities, and multicultural counseling skills acquisition. 3 cr, Yr. 1, Spring sem.
GRS AH 893 Seminar: Twentieth-Century Architecture
4 credits. Either sem. graduate standing or consent of instructor.
Fall 2022 topic: "Government Architecture." The state is a place. What can we learn from its architecture? What can we hope from it, and how can it fail us? Focus on the United States. A joint seminar of MIT (Political Science) and BU (Architectural History).
KHC AN 101 Humans Among Animals
4 credits. Either sem.
This course examines some of the ways humans understand (other) animals, and how we use animals to understand ourselves. Considering wild, herded, and domestic species, we ask what is known and unknown about animal thought, feeling, and communication; (2) what humans assume, believe, and imagine about these knowns and unknowns; and (3) what roles language and culture play in these understandings in contemporary societies variously engaged in hunting, herding, farming, and pet keeping. We will see how the lines people draw between humans and animals, or culture and nature, get redrawn - for psychological, political, and other reasons -- and explore where they blur in the light of new discoveries, and in the twists and turns of story and humor. Case material on selected species, human languages and societies will come from various settings in Africa, Europe, and North America. Our approach is interdisciplinary, drawing on anthropology, history, linguistics, philosophy, psychology, and zoology. Findings will have practical, legal, and ethical implications, bearing on some of the most pressing issues of our time. CAS Divisional Assignment: SS; KHC Assignment: SS
KHC BI 101 Climate Change Biology in Massachusetts: What Would Henry Say?
4 credits. Either sem.
This course will place Thoreau and Walden within the context of modern climate change biology research. Students will read Walden concurrently with papers on climate change and recent books to appreciate how Thoreau anticipated many modern climate change issues. Effective Fall 2018, this course fulfills a single unit in each of the following BU Hub areas: Scientific Inquiry I, Quantitative Reasoning I, Critical Thinking.
KHC HC 301 Interdisciplinary Perspectives on Global Challenges I
4 credits. 1st sem.
Climate change is one of the biggest environmental, social, political and technical challenges humanity will face over the next century. We ask: What is climate change? How has the world's climate changed over time? How did scientists identify climate change and develop consensus about its causes and likely effects? What are the likely consequences of climate change in different regions of the world? What can be done to reduce the production of greenhouse gases and mitigate the impact of climate change? Who bears moral responsibility for climate change? The course uses a variety of discipli Effective Fall 2019, this course fulfills a single unit in each of the following BU Hub areas: Historical Consciousness, Ethical Reasoning, Critical Thinking.
KHC HC 302 Interdisciplinary Perspectives on Global Challenges II
4 credits. 2nd sem.
BU Hub Learn More Global Citizenship and Intercultural Literacy Social Inquiry II Teamwork/Collaboration
68.5 million people were displaced from their homes by wars and persecution by the end of 2017. What disciplines and methodologies will help us understand this unprecedented global crisis? A premise of this course is that any understanding of the contemporary refugee crisis requires interdisciplinary study, and the most effective solutions are developed by teams like the interdisciplinary groups you will form in this class. The refugee crisis will provide a lens through which to understand nation/states, culture, identity, technology, trauma, and human resilience. Effective Spring 2020, this course fulfills a single unit in each of the following BU Hub areas: Social Inquiry II, Global Citizenship and Intercultural Literacy, Teamwork/Collaboration.
KHC HC 501 People in Process: Lives & Works
2 credits. Either sem.
Students discuss case studies that highlight the impact of innovative research on culture and examine the major challenges that face our society, from access to higher education to health care to race and gender in the workplace. The course also supports students ongoing work on their senior projects. Effective Fall 2020, this course fulfills a single unit in the following Hub area: Philosophical Inquiry and Life's Meanings.
KHC HC 502 People in Process: Choice & Change - Writing Intensive
2 credits. Either sem. First Year Writing Seminar (e.g., WR 100 or WR 120)
Explores the challenges, choices, and influence of an individual who has had an impact on the student's educational decisions by crafting written arguments with attention to modes of expression and range of genres. Effective Fall 2020, this course fulfills a single unit in the following BU Hub area: Writing- Intensive Course.
KHC PH 103 Seeing Poverty
4 credits. Either sem.
How do we understand poverty in modern America? Images of poverty might lead us to believe poverty is exclusively a problem of urban people of color, but what do historic and modern depictions of poverty in popular culture -- reality TV shows, or films tell us? How is data on poverty calculated and understood? This course will explore the ever-changing and ever-political sociological and public health issues of measuring poverty in America today. Using literature, film, photography, and public data sets, the course will explore the true meaning of "poverty." Effective Fall 2018, this course fulfills a single unit in each of the following BU Hub areas: Social Inquiry I, The Individual in Community, Critical Thinking.
KHC PY 101 Energy
4 credits. Either sem.
Ours is an energy intensive society. American energy consumption per capita is now over ten times what it was when our nation was founded, and the rest of the world is rapidly following our example. This is leading to increasingly severe worldwide problems such as the growing competition for scarce resources including fossil fuels (today's principal sources of energy by far) but also fresh water, agricultural land and mineral resources. Many countries face ever more severe problems of pollution, congestion, drought, and the growing effects of global climate change. The goals of this seminar are to examine the physical principles underlying the production, distribution and consumption of energy and to use this knowledge to explore and discuss such issues as energy conservation, public transport, the so-called hydrogen economy, electric and hybrid vehicles, nuclear power and carbon sequestration, as well as to evaluate the feasibility of various alternative sources of energy sources. During the Seminar, we anticipate freewheeling conversations relating to various energy-related issues, such as: Are we running out of oil? What is the evidence for anthropically caused Global Warming? What can be done to prevent (or prepare for) it? Can part or all of the problem be solved by alternative power sources? Is it feasible to capture and sequester the CO2 produced by fossil power plants? How important is it to conserve energy?
LAW BK 935 Microfinance and Development
2 credits. Either sem.
This course provides an introduction to the field of microfinance, particularly its rapid evolution and role in economic development. Students will learn key concepts including the study of lending methodologies, products available to micro-entrepreneurs and the legal challenges, public policy considerations, and risks faced by investors, technical experts and financial providers. This course will also examine financial practices in the developing world such as payment and remittance systems, which allow foreign nationals to transfer funds internationally within and outside traditional banking systems. Not offered Spring 2022.
LAW JD 716 Construction Law
2 credits. Either sem.
This course will introduce students to the key concepts of construction law. The course takes students from pre-construction through project execution, and addresses the issues and conflicts that frequently arise during the construction process. Although portions of the course will address issues of contract law and dispute resolution, the course focuses on issues that are particular and unique to construction.
LAW JD 722 Environmental Justice & Civil Rights (S)
3 credits. Either sem.
Environmental Justice can be defined as the fair treatment and meaningful involvement of all people, regardless of race, color, national origin, or income with respect to the development, implementation, and enforcement of environmental laws and policies. Over the last two decades efforts to secure environmental justice, including climate justice, have become important features of environmental policy and activism in the United States and globally. This seminar will explore whether a healthy environment is a basic human right, why environmental justice concerns have arisen, and what legal mechanisms may be used to address them. We will identify current situations where claims of environmental injustice might be made, and examine how existing legal tools, such as the US Constitution, the 1964 Civil Rights Act, federal environmental statutes, and international treaties might be applied to deal with them. Course requirements include a final paper, a class presentation based on the paper topic, and class participation. Students may also register for the Environmental Law Practicum and gain practical experience working on environmental justice issues at an environmental non-profit organization. There is no prerequisite for this seminar. LIMITED WRITING REQUIREMENT OPTION: A limited number of students may be permitted to satisfy the upper-class writing requirement with the approval of the Associate Dean for Academic Affairs. GRADING NOTICE: This class does not offer the CR/NC/H option. OFFERING PATTERN: This class is not offered every year. Students are advised to take this into account when planning their long-term schedule. **A student who fails to attend the initial meeting of a seminar (designated by an (S) in the title), or to obtain permission to be absent from either the instructor or the Registrar, may be administratively dropped from the seminar. Students who are on a wait list for a seminar are required to attend the first seminar meeting to be considered for enrollment.
LAW JD 766 Environmental Law Practicum (C)
Var credits. Either sem.
THIS CLASS IS RESTRICTED to students who have formally applied to and been accepted to the Environmental Law Practicum. Students receive credit for completing environmental law-related legal projects for a regional or national environmental law organization, such as the Conservation Law Foundation and the Natural Resources Defense Council. Projects will vary in scope and content based on student interest and the needs of the partnering organization. Project topics include clean energy, clean water, and environmental justice, which concerns the intersection of civil rights, fundamental fairness, and environmental policy. Students may also have the opportunity to work on litigation-related matters. Throughout the semester, students will work both under the supervision of an attorney at the partner organization and under the supervision of Professor Pam Hill. Practicum students must attend at least six class meetings with Professor Hill. Students receive either 1, 2 or 3 graded credits depending on the nature of the project and the anticipated workload. NOTE: This clinic counts toward the 6 credit Experiential Learning requirement. GRADING NOTICE: This course does not offer the CR/NC/H option.
LAW JD 778 Introduction to Risk Management and Compliance
4 credits. Either sem.
Spanning the range of industries from health care to financial services to manufacturing and beyond, compliance is the fast-growing practice of managing the full range of legal risk within highly-regulated organizations. At the complex intersection of law, business operations, reputation, and ethics, compliance lawyers practice "preventive law" to protect companies against corporate criminal and civil liability. We will discuss how to identify and evaluate an organization's legal risks and and work in multidisciplinary teams to develop effective strategies to prevent wrongdoing (and detect violations when they do occur). Among other topics, we will look at the Federal Sentencing Guidelines for Organizations, the Foreign Corrupt Practices Act, and enforcement guidance from the Department of Justice and Securities & Exchange Commission to see how compliance has become a key mechanism of corporate accountability in the U.S. and globally.
LAW JD 779 Digital Civil Liberties (S)
3 credits. Either sem.
This readings seminar will focus on emerging issues of civil liberties in our digital society, with special attention paid to privacy and freedom of speech in the age of social media, platforms, and artificial intelligence. We will explore the potential and dangers of the Internet revolution in communications, and how it is affected by the activities of users, by companies like Google, Facebook, and Twitter, and by government attempts to restrain or shape the evolution of online activity through law. The course will be structured around discussions of principal readings of relatively recent (and readable) books and articles, including the possibility of videoconferencing or in-person lectures with some of the authors to discuss their work. There will be three student papers required -- two short papers due during the semester providing a critical review of one of the readings chosen by the student, and a slightly longer paper due at the end of exams comparing and critiquing two of the principal readings. In addition to gaining a deeper understanding of the topics of the books, we will work on developing essential skills for lawyers of close reading and clear and persuasive writing. UPPER-CLASS WRITING REQUIREMENT: Class of 2024 -- This class may be used to partially satisfy the requirement. ** A student who fails to attend the initial meeting of a seminar (designated by an (S) in the title), or to obtain permission to be absent from either the instructor or the Registrar, may be administratively dropped from the seminar. Students who are on a wait list for a seminar are required to attend the first seminar meeting to be considered for enrollment.
LAW JD 796 Climate Change Law and Policy (S)
3 credits. Either sem.
Climate change is the most important environmental issue of this century. It has generated major law and policy over the last several years, both in the United States and internationally, and presents significant legal and policy issues that remain unresolved. This seminar will examine the legal tools available to address climate change and possibilities for future action, as well as related challenges in light of the current political landscape. The seminar first will consider the international context and review the history of climate change efforts on a global scale, including the United Nations Framework Convention on Climate Change, the Kyoto Protocol, and the 2015 Paris Agreement. It will then focus on currently available U.S. authorities, including the Clean Air Act and executive branch powers, and on state and local efforts. Because there is no statute that addresses climate change head-on, the seminar will consider the challenges presented when a major policy concern is advanced in the absence of a firm statutory foundation. Climate change also raises important issues of human rights, environmental justice, and international and intergenerational equity, which will be examined. Finally, the seminar will look to the future and pose questions concerning expectations for international cooperation and possible developments in U.S. law and policy. There are no prerequisites. The grade will be based on class participation and papers. LIMITED WRITING REQUIREMENT: A limited number of students may be permitted to satisfy the upper-class writing requirement with the approval of the Associate Dean for Academic Affairs. GRADING NOTICE: This class will not offer the CR/NC/H option. ** A student who fails to attend the initial meeting of a seminar (designated by an (S) in the title), or to obtain permission to be absent from either the instructor or the Registrar, may be administratively dropped from the seminar. Students who are on a wait list for a seminar are required to attend the first seminar meeting to be considered for enrollment.
LAW JD 832 Energy Law & Policy (S)
3 credits. Either sem.
Energy law and policy are integral to the U.S. economy and have major impacts on the environment. This seminar will provide an overview of U.S. energy law and policy with an emphasis on the sources and regulation of electric energy. We will pay particular attention to emerging alternative energy sources, e.g. wind, solar, biomass, as well as new technologies, e.g. horizontal fracking for the development of natural gas. We will consider the division of regulatory authority among federal, state, and local governments. Students will have the opportunity to enhance their research, writing, and oral presentation skills and receive detailed feedback. There are no pre-requisites to the course other than a curious mind and interest in the subject matter. UPPER-CLASS WRITING REQUIREMENT: A limited number of students may use this class to satisfy the requirement. GRADING NOTICE: This course does not offer the CR/NC/H option. ** A student who fails to attend the initial meeting of a seminar (designated by an (S) in the title), or to obtain permission to be absent from either the instructor or the Registrar, may be administratively dropped from the seminar. Students who are on a wait list for a seminar are required to attend the first seminar meeting to be considered for enrollment.
LAW JD 833 Environmental Law
4 credits. Either sem.
This is an introductory survey course in environmental law. We will consider the theoretical foundations and political dimensions of environmental law as we focus on several key statutes including the Clean Air Act (and its application to climate change), Clean Water Act, the Comprehensive Environmental Response, Compensation and Liability Act (the Superfund statute), and the National Environmental Protection Act.
MET AD 620 Environmental Law, Regulation & Sustainability
4 credits. Either sem.
This course provides a framework to study the global environmental problems and the direct impact on government, business, and non-governmental organizations in seeking sustainability. Students will be seeking resolution of major environmental concerns related to a vital balance between economic needs and environmental protection domestically and on a global perspective. Students will examine global concerns of climate change, ozone destruction, disposal of solid & hazardous waste and 20 major global environmental issues. 4 credits
MET AD 650 Economic Development via Tourism in the Developing World
4 credits. Either sem.
Many branches of the tourism industry have become incorporated into the increasingly important economic paradigm of sustainable economic development (economic development while minimizing the negative environmental, social and cultural impact of such development) in both the developed and developing world. In this course students will visit a developing country and learn how the tourist industry has developed in that country, determine how sustainable that development has been and what are potential directions for future growth in the tourist industry.
MET AD 657 Economic Sustainability, Development, and Competitiveness of a Tourist Destination
4 credits. Either sem.
This course allows the student to understand and learn how to develop and manage tourism destinations that have the capability to perform effectively in an increasingly competitive international marketplace in ways that are environmentally, socially, and culturally sustainable. Topics include: the evolving nature of competition and sustainability, dimensions of competitive destination and sustainable destination, the global macro-environment for tourism, the competitive micro-environment, core resources and attractors, supporting facilities, and destination policy, planning, and development.
MET ES 108 Environmental Geology II: Land Use Planning, Environmental Impact, and Global Change (N)
4 credits. Either sem.
The course introduces the concept of global climate change and Earth system science by first discussing basic principles of environmental geology and plate tectonics. Groundwater, groundwater pollution, and environmental impact of resource recovery are discussed in the context of health and land-use planning. Other topics include glaciations, desertification, acid rain, global warming, and long-term geologic change.
MET ML 626 Food Waste: Scope, Scale, & Signals for Sustainable Change
4 credits. Either sem.
Food waste is a hot topic but not a new one. Some wasted food is the sign of a healthy system-- if there were exactly enough calories produced to meet each of our needs, there would be mass starvation, riots, and hoarding as we all scrambled to get our share. But by some estimates, food loss and waste account for nearly 40% of the food produced. How much wasted food is too much? At the same time this food is wasted, food insecurity is everywhere, even on BU's campus. Is all wasted food "trash?" Need it be? Why is food wasted and where along the supply chain is it wasted? What are the ethics of donating surplus food/waste/trash of those who have too much to those who don't have enough? This hybrid course explores the history, culture, rhetoric, and practicalities of wasted food, from farm, through fork, to gut (is overeating a form of food waste? What about wasting micronutrients by converting them to ultraprocessed foods?). Each week includes readings, discussion, application activity; and several weeks will include a guest lecture from a food system practitioner. Students will develop practical solutions in a final project.
MET ML 720 Food Policy and Food Systems
4 credits. Either sem.
This course presents frameworks and case studies that will advance participants' understandings of U.S. and global food systems and policies. Adopting food-systems and food-chain approaches, it provides historical, cultural, theoretical and practical perspectives on world food problems and patterns of dietary and nutritional change, so that participants acquire a working knowledge of the ecology and politics of world hunger and understand the evolution of global-to-local food systems and diets. Global overview of world food situations will be combined with more detailed national and local-level case studies and analysis that connect global to local food crisis and responses.
MET ML 723 Sustainable Food Systems
4 credits.
Sustainability, will examine the contemporary food system through a multi- disciplinary lens. The course will allow students to put readings and ideas into culinary practice. By examining the often-competing concerns from other domains, including economic (both micro and macro), social welfare, social justice and social diversity, health and wellness, food security and insecurity, and resiliency, we can begin to move towards solutions that treat the disease (our food system) and not just the symptoms (domain specific issues). Students will read widely in the topic area, engage in classroom discussion, and work together in the kitchen to understand hands- on culinary approaches to some of the most important issues of our time.
MET PO 241 Introduction to Public Policy
4 credits. Either sem.
Undergraduate core course. Analysis of several issue areas: civil rights, school desegregation, welfare and social policy, education and urban housing, energy and the environment. Characteristics of policy systems in each issue area are analyzed to identify factors which may affect the content and implementation of public policies.
MET SO 335 Technology, Environment, and Society
4 credits.
Relationship between technology, environment, and social life. Impact of actual cases of technological development and environmental degradation. Emergence of social problems, and strategies for their solution.
MET SO 501 Special Topics in Sociology
4 credits.
SO501 is the designation for "Special Topics in Sociology". The subject matter for SO501 courses changes from semester to semester, and more than one SO501 can be offered in a given semester. For additional information, please contact the MET Applied Social Sciences Department. Fall 2018, SO501 D1: "Developing Sustainable Communities." This course is designed to explore the many challenges of achieving sustainable development through a coherent and thought provoking overview of moves towards developing sustainable communities. The course will focus on improving the quality of people's lives, on disinvested communities and on the inequitable distribution of income, wealth, and environmental hazards. It will investigate the theory of sustainable development and ask about the principles, tools, and techniques, of moving towards the ecological integrity, economic security, empowerment, responsibility and social well being characteristics of sustainable communities. Case studies will be drawn from around the world.
QST IM 852 Latin American Field Seminar
3 credits. 2nd sem. Students must have 16 credits of MBA course work completed at Questrom.
This intensive ten day seminar provides students with a broad understanding of the ways in which business strategies can create value at the base of the economic pyramid. Students will gain first-hand experience of how businesses, NGOs (non-governmental organizations), and governments are using models of social enterprise to address social and economic issues in the fields of health, education, and the environment in the context of emerging markets in Latin America. This study program includes extensive site visits to social enterprises, multi-national firms, NGO ventures, and government organizations. Students also hear from a wide variety of Latin American specialists in topic areas. A broad range of topics will be covered including: renewable energy, sustainable development, eco-tourism, new models for providing health and education services to underserved populations, social enterprise, micro-enterprise, corporate social responsibility, and public/private partnerships. The course will consist of three pre-departure sessions focused on social enterprise, corporate social responsibility, and emerging markets. Students are also expected to select an individual research track of interest for the duration of the seminar. This seminar is open to all full-time and part-time MBA and MSDi students. Full-time students may register for it as a spring elective, part-time students can register for it as they see fit, students graduating in May can register for this class in the Spring and still participate in commencement ceremonies, and MSDi students may take it in year two.
QST MK 867 Purpose-Led Marketing
3 credits. Either sem. QST MK 723 or QST MK 724.
Globalization, increasing transparency in business operations and the prevalence of social media have forever changed the way stakeholders view and interact with organizations. Societal and business imperatives are not only often considered compatible; they can be increasingly viewed as one and the same. People today often communicate, organize and engage based on mutual interests, and, generally, place greater trust in organizations and individuals that work for a better world. Marketing has often been referred to as the "science of sales." Whether you are selling a product, an intervention or an idea, it can be a powerful tool for advancing social change in today's dynamic environment. The strategic integration of a relevant social purpose into a product, business or nonprofit organization through brand-building citizenship activities can drive consumer and donor recall, consideration, acquisition, retention and propensity to recommend. However, these efforts do not usually constitute a "silver bullet" and may not be the best solution to a business problem or societal need at all. In the worst cases, ill-conceived citizenship marketing strategies can result in damaging consequences. Practitioners must be pragmatic when engaging in marketing social change. Understanding how to apply best practice, identify opportunities, address challenges, engage stakeholders and innovate strategically are essential skills in this rapidly evolving sector. The purpose of this course is to provide students with an in-depth understanding of how marketing principles can be applied to create both short-term and lasting social change. Students will explore dimensions of the modern landscapes of brand, corporate and nonprofit "citizenship" and how they relate to marketing. Areas of study include: cause-related marketing and cause branding; nonprofit branding and social movements, as well as corporate social responsibility and shared value creation.
QST OM 845 Clean Technologies and Supply Chains
3 credits. QST OM725 or OM726
The clean technology industry is one of the largest sectors of the economy and yet still undergoing significant growth and attracting a plethora of new entrants. It has been characterized by a great deal of experimentation around new technologies and around business models in the face of regulatory and market place disruptions. The course uses a combination of cases, simulation and analytical exercises to review trends and their co-evolution within the clean technology/energy eco-system. It aims to build a skill set around risk and opportunity assessment, and allied implementation challenges. This course is aligned with the requirements of the Entrepreneurship, PNP and Strategy concentrations.
QST PL 851 Sustainable Energy Business Models and Policies
3 credits. 1st sem.
The course will feature a series of 13 speakers, each from one area of sustainable energy business, in a discussion that connects the business strategy, business model, public policy and regulatory drivers that affect the business. The areas featured include solar and wind energy, the smart grid, energy efficiency businesses, energy storage, and several others. The goal of the course is to (1) introduce business students to this specialized area and to the range of subjects they will need to learn if they intend to pursue a career in this sector; (2) show students how different sustainable energy companies define their business model to respond to transformations and opportunities in their industry, and how that business model interacts with public policies. Students from outside of Questrom may enroll with permission of instructor, based on knowledge of energy technologies, regulation, and basic energy economics.
QST SI 430 Cleantech Venture Consulting Practicum
4 credits. Either sem. QST SM131; CAS EE150 or ENG EK225
Required course for the Undergraduate Minor in Sustainable Energy. Serves as the capstone project providing students with a multidisciplinary experience that applies ALL three disciplines on the Undergraduate Minor in Sustainable Energy, i.e. Business, Environmental Sciences and Engineering. The practicum is offered in conjunction with a "sponsoring company" to provide students with a hands-on experience with a real-world sustainable energy project.
QST SI 447 Investing in Sustainable Technologies
4 credits.
Summer only. Prereq: SMG FE 323, IS 323, MK 323, OM 323. Introduces students to the broad issues underlying global sustainability challenges resulting from population growth, resource scarcity, environmental degradation, and climate change; emerging technological solutions to those challenges in food supply, water/sanitation, energy, healthcare industries/sectors; and, the structure, operations and methods of the global venture capital industry. Students will work in teams focused on specific industries/sectors of interest and identify attractive investment opportunities within the industry/sector. Students will then search for and identify an array of breakthrough technologies related to that sector, connecting emerging innovations from the research lab with market needs/opportunities and assessing attractiveness and commercial feasibility of each, thus collectively crafting a diversified portfolio of sustainable technology-based investments. The course is intended for students with limited/no prior background in sustainability, sciences or technologies. (Pilot Course for Summer 2010.)
QST SI 453 Strategies in Environmental Sustainability
4 credits. Either sem. QST SM131, or QST SI250, or QST SI480, or COM FT591, or SHA HF307; Junior standing
With the growing global call for climate action, firms are recognizing business imperatives for climate resiliency. This course broadens our vision of corporate strategy to incorporate environmental initiatives as a way to create value. If you are a student who embraces the power of the private sector to lead climate imperatives, you will find this course particularly applicable. You will leave this course with a clear and actionable framework for implementing sustainability initiatives at all levels of the firm. Effective Spring 2021, this course fulfills a single unit in each of the following BU Hub areas: Digital/Multimedia Expression, Teamwork/Collaboration.
QST SI 836 Decarbonization of the Global Economy
3 credits. Either sem. QST PL 727 or QST PL 730.
The changing relationship between business and the natural environment offers both challenges and opportunities for firms. In this course we will discuss many facets of business, including financing, risk management, measurement, competitive positioning, innovation, and strategy in the context of increasing pressures for improved environmental sustainability. The course will be interactive and discussion-oriented, with a case discussion in most class sessions, supplemented by debates, simulation exercises, visitors, student presentations, discussions of recent news articles, and mini-lectures. The course is appropriate for all students interested in how demands for sustainability will continue to change the business environment.
QST SI 847 Strategic Analysis of Energy & Environmental Sustainability Projects
3 credits. Either sem. AC710/711/712, FE717/721/722, FE730/PL714/727, IS710/711/716, MK713/723/724, OB712/713/715, OM710/725/726, QM711/716/717, SI718/750/751
This course is a field-based team project course focused on real world issues related to energy and environmental sustainability. Course projects are provided by external "client" organizations and provide students with an integrative, hands-on experience in the development, deployment, and/or implementation of sustainable energy/environmental technologies/systems/initiatives. Examples of client organizations are public/private/non-governmental organizations that operate in the: a) energy generation, distribution or storage sector, b) energy/energy services (ESCO)/environmental services sector, c) energy/environmental project development services or financing sector, or d) public/private sector, such as a large energy-user evaluating sustainable energy/environmental strategy/implementation alternatives. The course is of hybrid design, blending in-class lectures, panel discussions and cases with on-line elements and field site visits. Prior course work in areas such as finance, marketing, policy and strategy will be augmented with specific/relevant industry/application/technical content through online sources, webinars and expert speakers.
QST SI 849 Corporate Sustainability Strategy
3 credits. Either sem. QST SI 750 or QST SI 751.
Focuses on embedding sustainability (ESG/CSR) into corporate strategy as an approach for creating long-term shareholder/stakeholder value, where value covers the broad spectrum of economic, environmental and social outcomes. Through readings, lectures, case discussions, in-class exercises, lab session and a team project, this course will: 1) Introduce students to problem framing and environmental scanning techniques as methods for understanding macro-level social, economic and environmental systems and their implications; 2) Apply a variety of long-range strategic forecasting and analysis methods, techniques and tools through a scenario planning lab simulation; 3) Develop decision frameworks for corporate strategy development focused on creating/capturing value and managing risk through a sequence of strategic actions over time; 4) Explore newly emerging paradigms for sustainability-driven innovations in product/service, value chain and business model development and stakeholder-based, non-market actions.
SAR HS 325 Introduction to Global Health
4 credits. Either sem.
BU Hub Learn More Global Citizenship and Intercultural Literacy Ethical Reasoning Teamwork/Collaboration
This course will provide students with an overview of the complex social, economic, political, environmental, and biological factors that structure the origins, consequences, and possible treatments of illness worldwide, as well as the promotion of health. Students will learn about the major themes and concepts shaping the interdisciplinary field of global health, and will gain an understanding of solutions to health challenges that have been successfully implemented in different parts of the world. Effective Fall 2019, this course fulfills a single unit in each of the following BU Hub areas: Global Citizenship and Intercultural Literacy, Ethical Reasoning, Teamwork/Collaboration.
SAR HS 345 Global Environmental Public Health
4 credits. Either sem.
BU Hub Learn More Global Citizenship and Intercultural Literacy Ethical Reasoning
Environmental health is associated with recognizing, assessing, understanding and controlling the impacts of people in their environment and the impacts of the environment on the public health. The complexity of the problems requires multidisciplinary approaches. This course will provide an introduction to the principles, methods, and issues related to global environmental health. This course examines health issues, scientific understanding of causes, and possible future approaches to control of the major environmental health problems internationally. Effective Fall 2020, this course fulfills a single unit in each of the following BU Hub areas: Ethical Reasoning, Global Citizenship and Intercultural Literacy.
SAR HS 425 Healthcare Policy and Practice in Ireland
4 credits. 1st sem.
Available in Dublin Health Science program onlyHow can healthcare policy and practice in Ireland be described? What are its origins and how has it evolved, specifically related to cultural, political, social and economic developments? How can the current fragmented and two-tiered system be improved? These are key questions, especially following the launch in 2017 of the ten-year Sl?intecare healthcare programme. During this course students will discuss these questions, using the six building blocks of the World Health Organisation (WHO) health system framework, comparing the Irish health systems with other health systems. Effective Fall 2020, this course fulfills a single unit in each of the following BU Hub areas: Global Citizenship and Intercultural Literacy, Social Inquiry I.
SED ED 225 Project Citizen: Promoting Civic Engagement
2 credits. Either sem.
The course examines how a model of citizen action (Project Citizen) can be used to promote active and informed citizenship among youth and adults. Students apply that model to analyze and influence a current public policy of their choice. Effective Fall 2018, this course fulfills a single unit in the following BU Hub area: The Individual in Community.
SED SO 520 Project Citizen: Promoting Civic Engagement
2 credits. 2nd sem.
The course examines how a model of citizen action (Project Citizen) can be used to promote active and informed citizenship among youth and adults. Students apply that model to analyze and influence a current public policy of their choice. Effective Spring 2020, this course fulfills a single unit in the following BU Hub area: The Individual in Community.
SHA HF 120 Principles of Food Production Management
2 credits. Either sem. SHA HF 100
HF 120 is a laboratory based practical course. It will provide students with an overview of food service operations as they relate to commercial food production. Emphasis throughout the course is placed on food science, food costing, calculations, food purchasing, and product identification. Students will perform practical culinary skills to produce menu items. Additionally, proper use of tools and equipment will be featured along with testing and evaluation of menu items. Additional $150 for lab supplies. 2 credits, offered Fall & Spring.
SPH EH 717 Foundations of Environmental Health
3 credits. Either sem.
EH717 is the introductory core course that focuses on assessment and control of a broad range of physical, chemical, and biological factors in the natural and built environment that affect the health of individuals and populations. EH717 addresses an array of environmental issues including emergency preparedness; food safety and regulation; electromagnetic radiation; energy utilization; solid, liquid, and hazardous materials management; the fate of chemicals in the environment; vector control; livestock production; air and water quality; occupational health and safety; the built environment; environmental justice; and other timely environmental issues of growing importance across the globe.
SPH EH 725 Analytical Methods in Environmental Health
2 credits. Either sem. Required for all EH concentrators who have not completed EH765. EH717may be taken concurrently with or prior to EH725.
Students in this course learn the skills, methods and critical thinking framework necessary for upper level environmental health courses and for success as public health professionals. Environmental Health is a field of public health in which environmental hazards and health risks to populations are identified, assessed and managed through a data-driven process. This course extends the depth of concepts taught in EH717 and should be taken concurrently for students entering in the fall semester. We take the opportunity to partner with communities to design and conduct a data collection and analysis effort that is suitable for rigorous analyses with the many tools commonly used in environmental health.
SPH EH 730 Methods in Environmental Health Sciences
4 credits. Either sem.
This course is one of three foundational courses for the Environmental Health (EH) Certificate. Environmental health is a field of public health in which environmental hazards and health risks to populations are identified, assessed and managed through a data-driven process and sustainable alternatives are explored. This course extends the depth of concepts taught in the Core MPH curriculum and extends the breadth of topics to teach the scientific and policy aspects of a wide range of environmental health situations. In this course, we design and conduct a data collection and analysis effort that is suitable for rigorous analyses with the many tools commonly used in environmental health. The methods relevant to the field are taught in the context of the relevant environmental health issues of today. Students are well prepared for upper level environmental health courses and for success as public health professionals.
SPH EH 735 The Environmental Determinants of Infectious Diseases
2 credits. 2nd sem.
The environment is a key determinant of infectious disease burden in a population. This course presents an overview of how existing and, in particular, changing global environmental (physical, social, and behavioral) factors can affect the transmission cycle of infectious pathogens in both developing and industrialized countries. It examines issues of water, sanitation and hygiene in resource-limited settings that contribute to the enormous morbidity and mortality associated with childhood diarrheal diseases, and neglected tropical diseases (NTDs). It also explores how environmental alterations and natural disasters can result in ecological changes that impact the maintenance and spread of infectious diseases in a community. Sustainable environmental intervention strategies to reduce the burden of infectious diseases will be considered for each of the major diseases covered in class. This course is appropriate for MPH students and undergraduates.
SSW HB 735 Racial Justice and Cultural Oppression
3 credits. Either sem. Graduate Corequisites: HB 720; Or permission of department chair. Required of all students
This course examines the social psychological, and institutional causes and implications of racism as a dynamic force influencing social work. The course builds on and integrates concepts presented in foundation courses. It analyzes and evaluates the social, cultural, political, economic, and interpersonal contexts of racism that bear on our current policies and institutional arrangements. The course is designed to familiarize students with 1) theoretical overviews of race and racism; 2)historical accounts and contemporary experiences of racism; 3) the formation of racial identity; 4) multicultural contexts and fundamentals of cultural competency; and 5) effective social change efforts based on organizational analysis.
SSW HB 749 Social Perspectives on Health and Illness
3 credits. 2nd sem. SSW HB 720; Or permission by department chair.
This course is designed to orient students toward major contemporary health issues and to foster an understanding of the way that social, environmental, and cultural contexts can contribute to either health or illness. The course is premised on the notion that understanding how context influences these outcomes is of direct importance to social work practice in a variety of domains. The course is organized into three modules. The first introduces students to important historical, theoretical, and current perspectives on health and illness and provides the groundwork for the rest of the course. The second module focuses on health and illness using the social ecology of health model. The last module focuses on emergent issues in health and illness, integrating the knowledge from the first two modules in order to demonstrate to students the multitude of ways in which social contexts can jointly promote health-related outcomes.
STH TC 815 Acadia Travel Seminar
3 credits. Either sem.
TRAVEL DATES: Monday, May 20 to Sunday, May 26 This course will explore the context of nature as a foundation for spiritual practice. Readings from a variety of faith traditions, including Celtic Christianity and Native American spirituality, will provide the theological grounding for the course. Emphasis will be placed on experiencing and developing individual and communal practices that connect persons to the Holy in and through nature. Students will be guided in experiencing nature as sacred subject rather than object; as teacher, spiritual guide, companion, and neighbor. The settings for this course will be Boston and the Alcyon Center, a spiritual life center in Seal Cove, Maine, just outside the bounds of Acadia National Park, that hosts nature-based retreat experiences (www.alcyoncenter.org) . Four Boston-based sessions will be held on Fridays prior to the travel portion of the course. These sessions will offer theoretical and theological foundations for the travel portion of the course as well as an opportunity to connect with nature in non-wilderness settings. The week after graduation, the class will travel to the Alcyon Center for several days exploring holistic approaches to grounding spiritual practices in nature. With Acadia National Park as a context, students will be led in hikes, nature walks, and other activities exploring how to facilitate such experiences as spiritual practices. Students will also be given the opportunity to reflect upon and engage in the practices and operations of the Alcyon Center, which are based in a rhythm of holy living grounded in nature. These experiences will provide insight into how spiritual traditions can impact more than just programming in such settings. Other class sessions will consider environmental stewardship and sustainability as individual and communal spiritual practices with local resource persons and Alcyon Center staff providing assistance. A follow up session will be held at STH at the beginning of June. Please note: * Each day in Acadia will involve 2-4 miles of hiking, most of which will be easy, but one or two of which could be considered moderately strenuous depending upon one's ability. We will do our best to accommodate persons with differing ability levels, but students should be prepared to undertake this level of activity. * Meals at the Alcyon Center are mostly vegetarian (some chicken and fish) with a good number of gluten-free options (though not prepared in a dedicated GF kitchen). There is ample refrigerator space for students needing to tend to food needs that fall outside these parameters.