Since 1985, when the University of Michigan School for Environment and Sustainability (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 sustainability 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.

Master's Capstone Options
Master's Thesis Course

Student research + Impact

Best Practices for Reducing Human-Wildlife Conflict
Reducing Human-Wildlife Conflict
Doctoral student Alexander Killion
Humans and wildlife often detrimentally affect each other in landscapes that they share together. Finding ways to create co-benefits on shared landscapes has the potential to advance sustainable development goals.
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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.
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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.
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Featured Projects