BA in Environmental Studies - Climate Change and Societal Adaptation in Chestnut Hill United States | Boston College

The Environmental Studies major encourages students to participate in the vital task of comprehending and tackling modern environmental concerns. Students explore diverse fields spanning natural sciences, social sciences, and humanities, examining various approaches to restoring Earth's ecosystems and human wellbeing. Through six 3-credit courses in their chosen specialization, ENVS majors develop expertise in either specific environmental problems or career trajectories. The program offers adaptable course options within each focus area while maintaining a cohesive learning community where sophomores, juniors, and seniors come together for core requirements. This balanced approach fosters both collaborative engagement around shared objectives and individual growth in personal interests, expertise, and abilities.

Climate change presents particularly complex obstacles because fossil fuels permeate nearly all facets of modern life—powering our heating and cooling systems, transportation networks, electrical grids, agricultural systems, water infrastructure, and manufacturing processes. This specialization equips students with scientific understanding of Earth's climate mechanisms and human-induced alterations, while investigating strategies to both reduce further impacts and adapt to inevitable changes. Ideal for aspiring climate leaders, this focus area prepares students to drive meaningful environmental progress.