The capstone is designed to provide an opportunity for students to integrate many aspects of their course of study, while introducing the opportunity to conduct independent or collaborative work oriented towards the discovery of new information and, or solving environmental challenges. The capstone requirement must be fulfilled during the student's senior year. This requirement can be met with a two-semester thesis (ENVS 1970 & ENVS 1971), one-semester research project (ENVS 1970 or ENVS 1971), or an approved capstone course.
Institute at Brown for Environment and Society
Undergraduate Capstone
Honors Thesis
The thesis is an in-depth, original work of scholarship. This scholarship can take many forms, from basic discovery that fuels future advances, to applied problem solving that meets the challenges facing our environment, but also to engaged work that involves a reciprocal, collaborative relationship between our scholars and an organization outside Brown.
The thesis is conducted during the senior year, over the course of two semesters and under the supervision of a faculty member. Typically the faculty member is a Fellow of IBES, but additional Brown faculty can also serve as a thesis advisor with permission of the student's concentration advisor.
Thesis Requirements and Deadlines
One Semester Independent Research
An independent research project investigates a topic, tests a hypothesis or addresses a question that can advance our understanding of natural or social systems. The project is conducted over the course of one semester under the supervision of a faculty member. Typically the faculty member is a Fellow of IBES, however a non-IBES faculty member can advise your capstone if they are the best fit for the type of research you are conducting. Make sure the professor confirms their advising commitment to both your concentration advisor and the IBES Academic Program Manager.
One Semester ENVS Research Project Guidelines
RESEARCH POSTER
All seniors who complete a one semester research project or two semester thesis are required to create and present a research poster for our annual event held during spring reading period. Students graduating in December must submit their poster by late November.
Approved Capstone Course
Any ENVS Senior Seminar course automatically fulfills this requirement. Additionally, students taking an approved Capstone course are not required to create and present a poster at the symposium during spring reading period. Capstone course offerings for 2024-2025 are:
Fall 2024 Semester
- ENVS 1615 - Climate Change, Human Rights, and the Policy Process
- ENVS 1820 - Chinese Environmental History
- ENVS 1825 - Commodity Natures
- ENVS 1911 - Narrating the Anthropocene
- HIST 1973Q - Enviromental Pressures of South Asia
Spring 2025 Semester
- ENVS 1805 - Ocean Governance and Policy
- ENVS 1823 - Climate Media, Discourse, and Power
- ENVS 1878 - EJ and The City
- ENVS 1879 - Environmental Amnesia: How to navigate losses in nature by looking at the pas
- ENVS 1926 - Wasted: Rethinking Chemical Environments
- STS 1700D - Gathering Hope: Stories for Earthly Survival
Students wanting to take a upper level course from another department for capstone credit must submit a Capstone Course Substitution Request Form. Students should email the completed form to their concentration advisor during the first week of shopping period of their 7th Semester (fall) or 8th semester (spring). They also need to attach the completed form and a copy of the syllabus to the course in ASK. Please note - in order for the course to qualify, it must have an environmental focus and entail a substantive final paper.