Since 1985, when SEAS became the first environmental school to offer master’s projects as a capstone option, student teams have made impacts for real-world clients throughout the region, and around the globe. The interdisciplinary teams combine expertise from every specialization at SEAS—providing collaborative engagement that prepares students for careers in the sustainable fields. Many of our alumni report that their master’s project proved to be one of their most rewarding experiences at SEAS.

All SEAS master's students complete a capstone: a traditional master’s project, thesis, or practicum. The research-based doctoral program has two primary tracks: Resource Ecology Management (natural science focus) and Resource Policy and Behavior (social science focus). 

Master's Capstone Options
Master's Thesis Course

Student research + Impact

West African big cats show no preference between national parks, hunting zones
West African big cats show no preference between national parks, hunting zones
Doctoral student Kirby Mills
West African lions are a critically endangered subpopulation, with an estimated 400 remaining and strong evidence of ongoing declines.
Learn more
GASIFIER
Energy Independence in Puerto Rico
Masters Student Julia Magee
In phase II of a project that launched after Hurricane Maria, Professor José Alfaro and students partner with a local nonprofit to bring power to a small town in Puerto Rico. The students' master's project built upon the work implemented by their former classmates the year before.
Learn more
EJ Mapping project
Environmental Justice Screening Tools
Laura Grier (MS ’19), Delia Mayor (MS ’19) and Brett Zeuner (MS ’19)
Three SEAS students took on the challenge as their master’s project—with the goal to develop a Michigan-specific screening tool that would help identify the Michigan communities that are the most vulnerable and hardest hit by pollution.
Environmental Justice Screening Tools (2812)

Featured Projects

current projects »archived projects »