EESC 1176 Living on the Coast

This introductory course explores the dynamic interactions between coastal processes and human societies. Students will investigate the physical, ecological, and social dimensions of coastal living, including the challenges and opportunities posed by coastal environments. The structure of the class will be split into two modules. The first will establish a shared understanding and basis of knowledge for all students on the processes that shape coastal landscapes. The second will delve into 5 case studies, where we will explore diverse coastal landscapes and the connections between coastal processes, hazards, built environments, and society. There will be weekly formative assessments in the form of quizzes or reading reflections to assess student learning and engagement with the material.

Course overview

Department
Earth and Environmental Sciences
School
MCAS
Credits
3
Level
Undergraduate

Catalog details

Satisfies core
Natural Science

Catalog text is imported from the reviewed Boston College course snapshot. Confirm eligibility in EagleApps.

Requirements fulfilled

  • University Core: Natural Science (All undergraduates)

Requirement eligibility can vary by school, cohort, and section. Confirm the selected section in EagleApps or with an advisor.

Course evaluations

Response-weighted averages from Boston College’s official course evaluations (Avalanche/Blue).

Course rating
3.94 / 5 · Very Good
65 responses
Instructor rating
4.03 / 5 · Very Good
65 responses
Terms evaluated
2
Most recent: Spring 2026

Scales: overall ratings run from 1 (poor) to 5 (excellent); agreement questions from 1 (strongly disagree) to 5 (strongly agree); weekly effort from 1 (up to 1 hour) to 5 (10 or more hours).

Evaluations by term and instructor
TermInstructorCourse overallInstructor overallWell organizedClear learning objectivesIntellectually challengingHelpful assignmentsApplicable beyond courseAttendance necessaryWeekly effortResponses
Spring 2026Kathleen Wilson3.94.04.34.44.04.34.24.41–3 hrs/week38 of 40
Spring 2025Kathleen Wilson4.04.04.64.44.54.54.34.51–3 hrs/week27 of 30

Data freshness

Course and evaluation data last updated 2026-10-09. Source details and limitations are documented in Data Sources and Methodology.

Instructors

Sections

  • Section 01
    Fall 2026 · Francesco Fustinoni, Kathleen Wilson · Higgins Hall 225 TuTh 09:00AM-10:15AM · Offered