Environment, Society, and Sustainability Capstone

Catalog description

In this project-based capstone course, students will address real-world sustainability challenges through focused research. Building on coursework in the Environment, Society, and Sustainability major, students will work independently or in teams to design and implement research projects addressing sustainability issues aimed at making a tangible, positive, impact on the environment and society. The course begins with a careful introduction to research design that ensures students can identify a project or question where they can make a meaningful contribution. Drawing inspiration from the United Nations Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs), students will identify specific sustainability issues that resonate with their interests and passions. This segment will conclude with students presenting a polished research proposal. These proposals will undergo rigorous review and refinement to ensure feasibility, innovation, and alignment with sustainability principles. The bulk of the course will be dedicated to guided research with training on how to overcome common hurdles to original research, including data acquisition and cleaning, method choice, and visualization of results. Students will engage with stakeholders, conduct research, gather data, and utilize appropriate methodologies to design and execute their projects effectively. Throughout the course, students will receive guidance and support through focused lectures, class discussions, and one-on-one consultations with the instructor. At the conclusion of the course, students will present their sustainability projects to the class and, if appropriate, relevant stakeholders. The final project is meant to serve as a culminating document demonstrating the student's capacity to contribute meaningfully in a wide range of sustainability-focused settings.