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  Course Description
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  Course Schedule
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  Proposal Details

Final Thesis Details
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  Library Resources
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  EES Department

Proposal Due Dates

While we recognize that not everyone will work at the same pace, we place great emphasis on handing in these elements of the thesis ON TIME.   This is the best way to get useful feedback for your project.

Please also note that a reference list and proper citations are required in EVERY writing assignment!

Short Proposal (1-2 double spaced pages) (due 9/11)

This is a preliminary proposal, and therefore subject to change.   The thesis seminar faculty and your peers will evaluate these proposals and make suggestions for. See attached outline for details on required elements of the proposal. As you progress through the semester, the proposal will grow in length, as you refine these elements.

First Draft of Proposal (3-5 double spaced pages) (due 10/9)

The first draft will contain the same elements as the preliminary proposal, but it will incorporate comments from your thesis advisor and peers.   This draft should focus mainly on the introduction and literature review, as those elements must be well developed prior to refining your objectives and methods.   It is appropriate to include some preliminary objectives and methods, but the focus should be your literature review.

Second Draft of Proposal (5-7 double spaced pages) (due 10/30)

Presentation (10-15 minutes) (11/13 or 11/20).

Each student will make a powerpoint presentation of his/her thesis progress.   Use this opportunity to get helpful feedback from your peers and faculty advisors.

Final Thesis Proposal (7-10 double spaced pages) (due 12/4)

The final thesis proposal should accomplish the following two objectives:

1) It should present your thesis topic within the context of published literature, showing its significance to interdisciplinary and cross-disciplinary research in environmental science.

2) It should describe a valid set of objectives and workable methods for achieving those objectives.

As such it will comprise the first 1/3 of your thesis.   You can then spend the spring completing your research, as the proposal will map out your research/data collection and methods of analysis.

Format for Thesis Proposal

I. Introduction and Literature Review

Set up the background for your project.   Put the research in a larger context.   Include cited references to the literature supporting your thesis statement. At this stage of your academic career you should be focusing on peer-reviewed literature.   Extensive use of web sites and popular literature is not acceptable. Included in this section is a discussion of the significance of your research to disciplines it draws upon and to environmental science. Why is this an important topic?   How do you think your results or conclusions will contribute to the relevant disciplines, policy, society, education, etc?

II. Research Objectives

Explain the focus of your project.   Include a general hypothesis and/or the question(s) you intend to answer.   You may have an overarching hypothesis that leads to several questions or objectives.

III. Methodology

Clearly describe how you plan to accomplish your project.   Be specific.   You must specifically identify your data and provide a method you will apply to that data by which you will address each research objective or question you intend to answer . For example if you plan to work with an existing data set or collect new data, you should clarify the source of the data and/or indicate how you will collect and analyze the data.   If you intend to conduct interviews, please list potential interviewees, and the types of questions you will ask, and how you will incorporate responses into your analysis.

IV. Table of Contents

Include a preliminary table of contents (general outline) for your written research paper.

V. References

Include a list of references that you have cited in the proposal, as well as any other references you have or intend to use. Please consult the style manual by Turabian at the Hatfield reference desk for an excellent reference on APA format. This is also available through Amazon.com for between $7-11.

VI. Workplan