BA in Environmental Studies - Environmental Health in Chestnut Hill United States | Boston College

The Environmental Studies program at Morrissey College of Arts and Sciences provides interdisciplinary undergraduate education, offering both a major (B.A.) and minor. This unique academic community unites around a common mission: creating an ecologically restorative, socially equitable, and economically stable society. Addressing 21st-century environmental crises—from climate change to biodiversity decline—demands comprehensive strategies that bridge natural sciences, social sciences, and humanities. Through this program, students explore integrative solutions while developing sustainable pathways, supplemented by campus-wide environmental discussions through conferences and lectures.

Environmental Studies majors participate in critical examinations of modern ecological concerns, drawing from diverse academic fields to explore ecosystem and human health restoration. Students deepen their expertise by selecting a specialized concentration, choosing from six 3-credit courses tailored to specific environmental issues or professional trajectories. The program balances flexibility in course selection with structured cohort experiences, fostering both community collaboration and individual growth. This curriculum cultivates shared purpose while nurturing students' distinct passions and competencies.

Human well-being is fundamentally linked to environmental vitality. Thriving ecosystems—rich with diverse plant, animal, and microbial life—directly sustain healthy human communities. Industrial pollutants like plastics, toxic gases, and pesticides degrade both ecological systems and public health, with marginalized communities often bearing disproportionate exposure. Students focusing on this concentration examine environmental determinants of health disparities, frequently pursuing careers in public health or sustainable development to address these systemic challenges.