Master’s Thesis
The master’s thesis is an opportunity to synthesize skills and knowledge acquired through courses. You work with a thesis director to analyze and address significant environmental management issues concerning air, water, climate, sustainability, and ecosystems and produce a document of publishable quality.
Every effort is made to support your research interests, but faculty guidance is not available for all possible projects; therefore revision or a change of thesis topic may be necessary.
Getting started on your thesis
The first step in the thesis process is to complete the proseminar, ENVR E-200. You enroll in this course after you have completed all other coursework including the ecology requirement, passed the test of critical reading and writing skills, and have met the statistics requirement. Prior to registration, download the steps to complete before attending the first ENVR E-200 or S-200 class session.
Once you have completed ENVR E-200, consult George Buckley to refine your topic and research proposal. Two to 4 in-person meetings with George Buckley are required, and it typically takes 3–6 months and several drafts to finalize a thesis proposal. Distance education students must be prepared to be in Cambridge during this process. If this is not possible, we strongly recommend that you choose the capstone option to complete your master’s degree successfully.
Mr. Buckley will also help in the selection of potential thesis directors whose research and teaching interests coincide with your proposal. You are not permitted to approach faculty about directing your thesis without an approved research proposal and Mr. Buckley’s explicit permission. Failure to follow this guideline could result in disciplinary action.
Complete the following steps once the environmental management committee, your thesis director, and George Buckley have approved your revised proposal:
- Submit your approved research proposal to Stephen Blinn.
- Register after receiving a letter of authorization from the Dean of Continuing Education. Tuition for the thesis is $1,950.
The thesis takes 9 to 12 months to complete and requires binding to be catalogued in the Harvard University Library system and archived in Grossman Library. Note the thesis deadlines for graduation in November, March, and May.
George Buckley ordinarily holds thesis writing workshops each semester. While not required, you are strongly encouraged to attend the on-campus sessions to garner support from faculty and fellow candidates regarding research methods and writing strategies.
When to register
You may register for the thesis throughout the year. To receive credit for the thesis in the fall term, register by November 29; to receive credit in the spring term, register by April 25. If you register after the April deadline, you will be registered in the summer term and may pay a higher tuition.
Examples of thesis topics
- Concentrations of Nicotine in Low-Income Housing: Associations with Smoking Behavior and Housing Characteristics
- Socio-Economic Impact Assessment of the Chad-Cameroon Pipeline Project
- Bamboo Flooring: What Is Required to Make It a Sustainable Building Product?
- Decades of Exposure to Jet Propulsion-4: A Critical Examination of the Fuel Spill-12 Groundwater Plume Using a Risk Assessment Model
- Protecting Great Ape Taxa: Building a Legal Framework for a Culturally Significant Species
Searchable thesis database
Students have access to the extensive thesis collection at Grossman Library. They may search an online database of theses and proposals and view the material at the library. For more information call the library at (617) 495-4163.