ENV 4015 - RESEARCH IN ENVIRONMENTAL SCIENCE

credits: 0.0
This is a credit variable course for Zero or 1.0 credits under a different section numbers. Goal is to familiarize students with the practical aspects of conducting research in environmental science. Theoretical aspects of the scientific method covered in several classes will be applied to practical scientific problems in contemporary science. Students will learn how to synthesize several observations described in scientific literature into a series of hypotheses attempting to explain these observations, and subsequently test these hypotheses in the laboratory or field and write-up the results in a paper. Results will be presented at a scientific meeting or as a seminar for the Division. Objectives: A) Use published literature to summarize present knowledge in a field of science; B) Develop ability to synthesize pre-existing data to formulate falsifiable hypotheses; C) Practice capacity to formulate experimental designs to test hypotheses; D) Acquire skill in accurate collection of precise data; E) Develop ability to draw proper conclusions from acquired data; F) Improve skills in writing, revising and oral presentation; G) ENV 4015 students will prepare their work for publication or presentation at a conference. Method of Instruction: Classes will be one on one a mixture of fieldwork, laboratory work, and classwork. Method of Evaluation: Project data and presentation on a pass-fail basis.

Prerequisite(s): INSTRUCTOR’S SIGNATURE REQUIRED.