Registration Guide: Environmental Analysis & Policy

CAS EE 107 Introduction to Climate and Earth System Science (offered either semester): Introduction to the Earth as an integrated system composed of interacting biosphere, hydrosphere, cryosphere, lithosphere, and atmosphere subsystems. Major themes include earth system stability, instability and capacity for change on all time scales, including human-induced climate change.

• If taken at BU, EE 107 fulfills a single requirement in each of the following BU Hub areas: Scientific Inquiry I, Quantitative Reasoning I, Research and Information Literacy.

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CAS EE 100 Environmental Change & Sustainability (offered either semester): Introduces natural and social science concepts that underlie global environmental change and sustainability. Topics include climate change, biodiversity, energy, water, pollution, deforestation, agriculture, population growth. Sustainable development illustrated with ecological footprint based on student’s lifestyle.

• If taken at BU, EE 100 fulfills a single requirement in each of the following BU Hub areas: Social Inquiry I, Ethical Reasoning.
• If taken as AP or IB credit, you will receive one single requirement in Social Inquiry 1 for your Hub requirement. You should plan to take CAS EE 107 (above) instead.

All EA&P majors take CAS BI 107 General Biology 1 (offered fall only). If you are registering for the fall semester, you are strongly encouraged to pick this as your second course, unless you have Advanced Placement (AP), International Baccalaureate (IB) or other external credit awarded for it.

• If taken at BU, BI 107 fulfills a single requirement in each of the following BU Hub areas: Scientific Inquiry I, Quantitative Reasoning I, Critical Thinking, Research & Information Literacy
• If taken as AP credit, BI 107 fulfills a single requirement in Scientific Inquiry I (with a score of 4) or a single requirement in each of the following: Scientific Inquiry I, Scientific Inquiry II (with a score of 5).
• If taken as IB credit, BI 107 fulfills a single requirement in each of the following: Scientific Inquiry I, Scientific Inquiry II.

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If you are entering BU in the spring semester, or if you are using AP, IB or A-level equivalencies for CAS BI 107, you may instead take CAS EC 101 Introduction to Microeconomics as your second course. CAS EC 101 is a required and related course that is offered in both the fall and spring semesters.

• If taken at BU, EC 101 fulfills a single requirement in each of the following BU Hub areas: Social Inquiry I, Ethical Reasoning, Critical Thinking.
• If taken as AP or IB credit, EC 101 fulfills a single requirement in Social Inquiry I.

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If you have advanced credit for both BI 107 and CAS EC 101. Most EA&P majors take CAS MA 121 Calculus for the Life & Social Sciences 1 (offered either semester). However, if you are following the pre-health track and/or enjoy calculus, you may want to consider taking CAS MA 123 Calculus 1 (offered either semester).

• If taken at BU, MA 121 fulfills a single Hub requirement in each of the following BU Hub areas: Quantitative Reasoning II, Social Inquiry II, and Critical Thinking.
• If taken at BU, MA 123 fulfills a single Hub requirement in each of the following BU Hub areas: Quantitative Reasoning II and Critical Thinking.
• If you have AP or IB credit, MA 123 will award one single requirement in Quantitative Reasoning II for your Hub requirement.
• If you have AP, IB, or external credit/equivalency for CAS MA 121 or CAS MA 123, you have fulfilled this requirement for the major and should take a course of interest (below)

CAS Language Course: CAS students must exhibit proficiency through the fourth-semester level of a language other than English. If you have not already done so, please review the full language policy here.

If you will fulfill this requirement through coursework at BU, then your next course should be a language. If you’re new to the language, you’ll start with the first-semester level (usually coded as 111 – for example, Spanish 1 is LS 111, Arabic 1 is LY 111, etc.). If you have previously studied the language, you will need to take a placement test to determine what level to start with (for instance, LS 112 Spanish 2, LY 211 Arabic 3, LK 212 Korean 4, etc.). Please review the CAS Language Requirement page for detailed information about placement tests and appropriate levels.

If you will fulfill your language requirement through advanced credit (such as AP/IB scores) or through native proficiency of another language, you have fulfilled your language requirement and can instead take a course of interest (as seen below).

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Course of Interest: Select a course that interests you – perhaps based on subjects you’ve enjoyed in the past or a new subject you’re excited to try for the first time! If you’re not sure where to start, you can review our Registration Instructions for tips on browsing by topic or Hub requirement. 

For your writing course, you will take one of the following:

• If you did not apply to BU with a TOEFL/IELTS score, you can take either:
  • CAS WR 120 First-Year Writing Seminar. Each section of WR 120 focuses on a specific topic/theme, so you should register for a section that pairs with your interests.
  • CAS CC 101 Core Humanities 1: Ancient Worlds: (offered Fall only): An interdisciplinary study of the origins of civilization, from Mesopotamia and the Hebrew Bible to the development of Greek civilization through Homer, Greek tragedy, and the philosophy of Plato. You should enroll in CAS CC 101 if you are considering the Core Curriculum. This course fulfills a single requirement in each of the following Hub areas: Aesthetic Exploration, First-Year Writing Seminar, Creativity/Innovation.

• If you applied to BU with a TOEFL/IELTS score, you should take the Multilingual Writer Placement (instructions will be sent via email) before you register for a writing course. The writing placement is a suggestion, but it will help you make an informed decision about the most appropriate level for you. Depending on what level WR course you register for, you will fulfill the following Hub requirements:
  • CAS WR 111 Academic Writing for ESL Students 1 – fulfills The Individual in Community Hub
  • CAS WR 112 Academic Writing for ESL Students 2 – fulfills Global Citizenship & Intercultural Literacy Hub
  • CAS WR 120 First-Year Writing Seminar – fulfills First-Year Writing Seminar Hub (If you place into WR 120, you are welcome to take CC 101 Core Humanities 1 instead to fulfill your FYW Hub.)

First-Year Seminar: FY 101 (offered fall only, 1 credit) – Optional

FY101 is a one-unit course that serves as a semester-long introduction to BU and college life. Each section is co-taught by a BU staff member alongside a BU student.  You will meet with a small community of other incoming students who will serve as conversation partners as together you learn how to leverage BU’s resources to create a more successful and meaningful college experience. Through discussions, activities, class field trips and program-wide events, you will make immediate connections with the BU community. Specialty sections are available for natural science majors, social science majors, computer science and math majors, undeclared students, and first-generation college students. Check out the social science sections below! Is your preferred specialty section full or unavailable? Register for a general CAS section (CAS FY101 AB-IE) where you will get to meet students from across CAS!

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First-Year Career Development Seminar: FY 102 (offered spring only, 1 unit) – Optional

FY102 will help first-year students get started on utilizing the Career Development Cycle to maximize their time at BU. During this course students will create a plan of action towards choosing a major, creating a resume, finding an internship, and preparing for a career that they will love. Seminars are offered in various fields of interest and include guest speakers from different industries.