This course is for Master’s and PhD students in the environmental programs and introduces the research process and some of the tools used in the environmental studies inquiry. The emphasis of this course is on development and writing of proposal. The course offers a structured approach to writing thesis proposal and explorations in research design and methods. Research on the environment usually involves various disciplines to provide a better understanding of the issues. This course, therefore, emphasizes interdisciplinary research and issues, which arise in the collaboration among researchers from different backgrounds.

At the end of this class, the students should be able to:
1. understand the stages of the environmental studies research process;
2. explain the idea of interdisciplinary research in environmental studies;
3. write a successful research proposal;
4. learn how to design research project;
5. carry out their dissertation, thesis and future research projects; and
6. be able to critique dissertations, theses, and journal articles.