Students complete their honors project over the fall and spring semesters in their final year in ENVD, and are strongly encouraged to begin their project work the summer before their final year. Students who will be graduating in December should complete their honors thesis the spring before their graduation. Students receive 6 total credits for working on their honors project, divided between fall and spring classes and independent study work, as follows:
Coursework and thesis credits for the fall and spring semester, during an academic year.
| |
Fall |
Spring |
| Coursework |
2-credit thesis preparation class |
1-credit writing group class |
| Thesis Credits |
1-credit (with thesis chair) |
2-credits (with thesis chair) |
A fall semester ENVD course (ENVD 4972) helps students develop their research question and an understanding of their contribution, supports students in writing the critical introduction/literature review of their projects, establishes norms for scholarship in ENVD, deepens students’ understanding of scholarship and methods in environmental design, creates a sense of community and cohort among the honors students, and results in draft one of the thesis.
In addition, a spring course (ENVD 4980) supports students in writing and presenting their thesis and prepares them for their defense. These courses are taught by one of the Honors Council members or are taught in close coordination with the Honors Council.
The thesis credit hours (ENVD 4979) closely resemble independent study courses, are conducted with the thesis chair, and are intended to hold both the student and the chair accountable to making progress on the thesis throughout the year.
