ENS 440:
Environmental Research Planning
Spring 2004

Instructor: Dr. Cappellato
Office: 106 Science Center
X2604

Course Logistics: Class will meet on Wednesday and Friday from 10:20-11:10 in room 326 Science Center.

Course Description: In this course, you will explore the nature of research on the environment. One of our primary goals this semester is to prepare you to conduct research next year, for your senior project. Various aspects of research (proposal-writing, literature reviews, library research, presentation) will be covered.

Assignments: The majority of the course will be spend preparing a proposal, a document that describes the proposed future research project. This task will take many weeks, as you prepare rough versions and have the opportunity to receive constructive criticism from the professor and your peers. By the end of the semester, you will each have shared your proposal will a faculty member who will potentially be your project advisor and you will have a completed, approved proposal.

Independent research, conducted during the senior year, is a significant component of the ENS major at Alfred. While unforeseen circumstances may prevent you from actually completing the specific research proposed during this class, we expect that you will select a topic and write your proposal in good faith, that is, with the intention of doing the project! If there are eventually changes to the proposed research project, you will modify your proposal to reflect those changes at a future date. We encourage you to start early on your research, perhaps as soon as this spring or this summer.

Text: There is no text for this class, but you will be provided with short readings when appropriate.

Grading: Grades will be based on written and oral activities throughout the semester. Points for each project will be made known to you at the time of the assignment. If you earn 90% or greater of the possible points, you will receive some kind of an A. 80% or better: some kind of B; 70% or better: some kind of C; 60% or better: some kind of D. Failure to earn at least 60% of the possible points will earn you a failing grade in the course.