This course makes a direct contribution to enhancing the sustainability of the campus and the broader community in which it is located. The campus and the community serve as the laboratory for identifying, evaluating and assessing indicators of progress toward greater sustainability. Students develop research projects designed to test criteria for sustainability in a variety of settings, both on and off campus using qualitative and quantitative research methods. The course requires students to collect and analyze physical and social data. A variety of tools may be used including systems analysis, environmental audits, field surveys, questionnaires, interviews, and statistical analysis.
Students then make recommendations for improvements on the basis of their analysis .
Upon completion of the course, students should be well prepared to take on the challenges of proposal-writing, systems analysis, research design and implementation and report preparation required for successful completion of ERS 490 and further professional or academic work after graduation. A decision MUST be made in the first 2 weeks of class. The course text is Ted Palys, Research Decisions. It is available in the bookstore. In addition, students are expected to familiarise themselves with information available in print and on the web about WATgreen, the broader Greening the Campus movement and the social requirements for environmental literacy.