You will assume a role as a private consultant, regulator, or environmental advocate in a semester-long project to permit a controversial new facility. Your instructors, highly knowledgeable environmental professionals from these sectors of the permitting arena, will work with you to develop your specific component for your team. Supporting lectures on issues such as environmental justice and wetlands, legal challenges and other aspects of the permitting process round out the course. Conducting a scientific investigation of your own can be highly rewarding and gives a clear idea about life as a graduate student. You may work alone or form a team to attack a larger question.
Projects can last for one, but usually two semesters.
You will work closely with a faculty member with expertise in your subject to develop and implement a scientific investigation. You begin by identifying an important and interesting problem, develop researchable hypotheses, and define and perform experiments to create new knowledge. Findings are summarized in a final report. Entering your completed project into undergraduate competitions held at many professional conferences allows you do discuss your work with professionals and can open many doors.