ENVS Senior Capstone Options

The senior capstone experience in ENVS is intended to integrate student course work, skills, and experience across the interdisciplinary exposure of the ENVS curriculum and provide an in-depth learning engagement. It should be appropriate to the student's chosen concentration area within ENVS and to the academic expectations of 200-level work at University of Vermont. The capstone option should aim to meet these goals of in-depth integrated learning:
  • Integrate ideas and information from various sources and diverse perspectives
  • Analyze the elements of an idea, experience, or theory
  • Synthesize and organize ideas, information, or experience
  • Critically assess the value of information
  • Apply theories to practical problems or new situations

Students may choose one of three options to fulfill the nine 200-level credits required to conclude their major. The capstone must be: the equivalent of 9 credits of 200-level work; individually approved by ENVS faculty; and appropriate to the student's background and capabilities.

For a printable version of the capstone summaries,
download the Senior Capstone Options Description Sheet.


Senior Thesis/Project

The senior thesis/project is a concentrated in-depth hands-on interdisciplinary research study, project, or creative arts project in the area of the student's concentration. Required course ENVS 201 Research Methods prepares the student to conduct research and write the proposal for their thesis/project. Upon approval of the proposal, which must receive a minimum grade of B, the student then enrolls in six credits of ENVS 202 Senior Thesis/Project, work with a minimum of two advisors/evaluators: one must be an ENVS full-time faculty member. Completion of the thesis/project is encouraged within one year of finishing ENVS 201. The six 202 credits may be divided between the fall or spring semesters as they best fit into the student's schedule, not necessarily when the work is being done.

Please review and use the following:

For more information contact Kit Anderson, ENVS 202 Thesis/Project Coordinator.


Senior Internship Capstone

The senior internship capstone option is intended for ENVS seniors who would like to apply their interdisciplinary environmental skills, knowledge and experience in an organizational setting. The senior internship experience is developed by the student in collaboration with the sponsoring organization and with assistance from ENVS staff and faculty. The senior internship capstone should be a challenging advanced level engagement, requiring skills and knowledge developed through a student's concentration and related 200-level internship course.

If you're considering the Senior Internship Capstone option, take some time to brainstorm with this worksheet: The Senior Capstone Internship: Thinking Strategically About Your Choices, and then meet with an ENVS advisor.

Please review and use the following:

For additional information contact Amy Seidl, ENVS 202 Internship Coordinator.


Advanced Course Sequence

The advanced course sequence capstone is the advanced course-based integration of interdisciplinary environmental skills and knowledge. This option requires enrollment in three additional environmentally relevant 200-level courses from concentration lists which between them: (a) are interdisciplinary, (b) build on previous academic foundations, and (c) require extensive in-depth group or individual research/ project activity.

An approved Capstone Course Proposal should be carefully written after consultation with an ENVS advisor, and then submitted to Stephanie Kaza, Environmental Program Director, for approval.

Due dates for Advanced Course Capstone Proposal

  • For May graduation — proposal is due Dec 1st.
  • For December graduation — proposal is due May 1st

Please review and use the following:

For more information contact Stephanie Kaza, ENVS 202 Capstone Course Sequence Coordinator.