Course Overview!

The Master of Science (MS) program in Earth and Environmental Sciences at Boston College offers a flexible curriculum tailored to each student's background and career objectives. It emphasizes a strong foundation in earth sciences and research skills, preparing graduates for careers in environmental consulting, engineering, natural resource exploration, and government service. The program allows students to integrate studies in geology, geophysics, and environmental science, making it attractive to those seeking diverse employment opportunities. The program requires a research-based thesis and is suitable for students seeking to continue their studies toward a Ph.D. or seek immediate employment in a highly analytical field. Students must meet the minimum admission requirements of the university, including English language proficiency benchmarks.

Course Structure

The MS program doesn't have a fixed curriculum. A student and his/her faculty advisory committee design a course and research program based on the student's background and career objectives. However, there is a foundation in geoscience assumed. For the Master of Science in Teaching (MST), administered jointly with the Lynch School of Education, five required Earth science courses must be chosen from specific options. The list includes: two from Exploring the Earth I and II or Structural Geology I; one each from Earth Materials or Petrology; Weather, Climate, Environment, Oceanography, or Astronomy; and Petrology, Structural Geology I or II, Environmental Geology, Environmental Chemistry, or Introduction to Geophysics. Students can substitute with other courses in the Earth and Environmental department with approval. A comprehensive exam (oral and written) is required for the MST.