Overall Rating Gold
Overall Score 66.21
Liaison Stephen Ellis
Submission Date June 9, 2023

STARS v2.2

Boston University
AC-3: Undergraduate Program

Status Score Responsible Party
Complete 3.00 / 3.00 Stephen Ellis
Director, Data Analytics
BU Sustainability
"---" indicates that no data was submitted for this field

Does the institution offer at least one ​sustainability-focused​ major, degree, or certificate program for undergraduate students?:
Yes

Name of the sustainability-focused undergraduate degree program:
B.A. in Environmental Analysis and Policy

A brief description of the undergraduate degree program:
Students in the Environmental Analysis & Policy major are trained broadly in the social sciences with a clearly defined specialization in the environmental field. Students receive an extensive introduction to the principal energy, resource, and environmental issues that confront society as well as the analytical tools that are used to understand them. Such tools include cost-benefit analysis, basic computer modeling skills, policy formulation and analysis, technology assessment, and statistics. Students learn about the social and institutional framework in which environmental and natural resource planning, management, and policy making take place. Students take classes in the natural and physical sciences to ensure they understand the biophysical basis of environmental issues. Students are encouraged to take environmental courses in special programs such as the Washington Internship Program and the School for Field Studies. A number of students double major in related disciplines such as mathematics, economics, political science, international relations, and geography.

Website URL for the undergraduate degree program:
Name of the sustainability-focused, undergraduate degree program (2nd program):
B.A. in Earth & Environmental Sciences

A brief description of the undergraduate degree program (2nd program):
The major in Earth & Environmental Sciences engages students in the study of the Earth and its habitable environments with a focus on the key natural and physical processes that shape our planet; from the geologic past to the present, and into the future. Students gain a broad foundational understanding of concepts and research techniques in the physical, life, and interdisciplinary natural sciences that inform society about the physical world and environment in which we live. Each student, in consultation with his or her advisor, chooses a focus for in-depth coursework in one of the three areas: Ecosystems, Earth & Climate, or Earth Observations. All levels of the curriculum emphasize analysis of data for critical evaluation of scientific arguments related to the study of Earth and environmental systems. The BA in Earth & Environmental Sciences prepares students for graduate study in the field or for entry-level employment in a variety of professions including environmental consulting, ecosystem management, private sector industry, governmental and private scientific agencies, science journalism, and environmental law.

Website URL for the undergraduate degree program (2nd program):
Name of the sustainability-focused, undergraduate degree program (3rd program):
B.A./M.S. in Energy & Environment

A brief description of the undergraduate degree program (3rd program):
The BA/MS program in Energy & Environment offered through the Department of Earth & Environment combines advanced undergraduate and graduate coursework to provide students with foundational knowledge and advanced analytical skills to prepare them for professional opportunities in energy and environmental fields at a variety of organizations including government agencies, consulting firms, and nonprofits. The program provides qualified juniors and seniors an opportunity to earn a bachelor’s and a master’s degree in one coherent program. The program is open to students pursuing the major in either Environmental Analysis & Policy (EAP) or Earth & Environmental Sciences (EES). The MS is awarded in Energy & Environment by the Graduate School of Arts & Sciences (GRS).

Website URL for the undergraduate degree program (3rd program):
The name and website URLs of all other sustainability-focused, undergraduate degree program(s):
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Does the institution offer one or more sustainability-focused minors or concentrations for undergraduate students?:
Yes

Name of the sustainability-focused undergraduate minor or concentration:
Environment & Development Track, available when studying towards a B.A. in International Relations

A brief description of the undergraduate minor or concentration:
The Environment and Development Track within the International Relations program offers a wide variety of courses covering a broad range of related topics. These courses inform students about key debates, policy, and management issues surrounding efforts to integrate environmental protection measures with the promotion of economic and social development to achieve sustainable development. Some courses focus on the activities of major international organizations and industrialized and developing countries while other courses emphasize more regional and/or issue-specific perspectives and concerns.

Website URL for the undergraduate minor or concentration:
Name of the sustainability-focused undergraduate minor or concentration (2nd program):
Minor in Sustainable Energy

A brief description of the undergraduate minor or concentration (2nd program):
The Minor in Sustainable Energy, open to all undergraduates, teaches students the interdisciplinary nature of energy studies. The curriculum includes the essential elements of energy from the business, economics, policy and engineering perspectives, as taught by faculty in those areas. The program is a collaborative effort among faculty in the Department of Earth and Environment in the College of Arts and Sciences, the Questrom School of Business, and the College of Engineering.

Website URL for the undergraduate minor, concentration or certificate (2nd program):
Name of the sustainability-focused undergraduate minor or concentration (3rd program):
Concentration in Energy Technologies and Sustainability, available when studying toward B.S. in Engineering

A brief description of the undergraduate minor or concentration (3rd program):
The Energy Technologies and Sustainability concentration is designed for undergraduate engineering students to acquire a fundamental understanding of the environmental impacts of various energy technologies and put them in a position to pursue a career in green technology. The diverse elective courses will include the analysis of recent environmental policy; the electrochemistry of fuel cells and battery cells; the planning, operation, and marketing of sustainable power systems; and the emergence of sustainable energy as the defining environmental challenge of our time. As the engineering discipline of energy and environment continues to grow, students with a specialized background in this concentration will be well-prepared for this emerging field. The 16-credit concentration is available to students in any of the College of Engineering’s bachelor’s degree programs. The concentration is noted on students’ official transcripts and will prepare students for careers in clean energy, energy conversion, and environmentally sustainable systems.

Website URL for the undergraduate minor or concentration (3rd program):
The name and website URLs of all other sustainability-focused undergraduate minors and concentrations:
Minor in Environmental Analysis & Policy:
http://www.bu.edu/academics/cas/programs/earth-environment/minor-in-environmental-analysis-policy/

Specialization in Ecology & Conservation Biology (available when studying toward B.A in Biology):
http://www.bu.edu/academics/cas/programs/biology/ba-ecology-conservation/

Minor in Earth & Environmental Sciences:
https://www.bu.edu/academics/cas/programs/earth-environment/minor-in-earth-environmental-sciences/

Additional documentation to support the submission:
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Data source(s) and notes about the submission:
This represents FY2021 and FY2022 BU Metrics.

The information presented here is self-reported. While AASHE staff review portions of all STARS reports and institutions are welcome to seek additional forms of review, the data in STARS reports are not verified by AASHE. If you believe any of this information is erroneous or inconsistent with credit criteria, please review the process for inquiring about the information reported by an institution or simply email your inquiry to stars@aashe.org.