What is a Thesis?

A thesis is an individual work that is creative, scholarly, and from independent research. The research usually includes a review of literature to delineate a problem or gap in knowledge, statement of objectives, formulation of hypotheses, explanation of methods, collection and analysis of data, report of results, and discussion of conclusions. An abstract, or summary that restates the problem, objectives, methods, results, and conclusions (on a separate page following the title page), is also required. The thesis is reviewed by the student's thesis committee and must meet that committee's standards of quality and quantity. Results of a thesis should be publishable in a peer-reviewed journal.

Objectives of a Thesis

A thesis gives students the opportunity to develop their creative abilities in one or more of the following activities:• the definition and understanding of environmental issues;• the development of new knowledge, design and management strategies to address such issues;• the understanding of the structure and function of biophysical and socio-behavioral systems, and their relationship to environmental issues.