Independent study through the ES Program
One-semester projects. Students who wish to pursue independent study in the field of environmental studies may enroll in one semester of ENVS 0500. The intent of offering ENVS 0500 is to make available to all ES majors an opportunity to engage in independent work regardless of whether or not the student is working toward honors in the major and is, therefore, conducting a senior thesis. Permission to enroll in ENVS 0500 only requires that a student have a faculty member who is affiliated with the ES Program agree to serve as the advisor of his or her ENVS 0500 project. Requirements for the grade in ENVS 0500 are determined by agreement between the student and the advisor before the project is begun.
Two-semester projects. Some independent projects are of such a magnitude that they cannot be completed in one semester. In such cases, students have the option to conduct the work over two semesters. There are two scenarios under which this can be pursued: thesis and non-thesis.
1.)
THESIS
2.) NOT LEADING TO A THESIS: Under special circumstances, a student may engage in a two-semester project without completing all of the work required for a senior thesis. Approval for conducting more than one semester of ES 500 on a single project can be given by the student's independent study advisor after consultation with the Program Director. It is the goal of the ES Program, however, to have all students who conduct more than one semester of independent study to complete the requirements for the senior thesis. Grades need to be submitted at the end of each semester, and may not be continued over to the next.
Two different independent projects. Students may conduct two different independent projects during their undergraduate careers. The guidelines for this option are the same as those described under "One-semester projects" (see above).