The objective of Senior Project (I) is to guide students through the foundational phase of a year-long independent research endeavor that addresses complex sustainability issues. This course supports students in identifying a relevant and impactful research question aligned with the principles of sustainability science and the United Nations Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs). Through close collaboration with a faculty advisor, students will critically analyze existing literature, design a methodologically sound and ethically responsible research plan, and initiate preliminary data collection or fieldwork. Emphasis is placed on developing academic writing and communication skills necessary for professional research dissemination. By the end of the course, students will be equipped with the analytical tools and interdisciplinary perspective required to explore practical solutions to sustainability challenges, fostering competencies such as critical thinking, ethical reasoning, global awareness, and systems thinking—key learning outcomes in advancing the SDGs. It lays the groundwork for the execution and finalization of the project in Senior Project (II).

Reference: Handbook of Scientific Proposal Writing, A. Yavuz Oruc, 1st Edition, CRC Press
Reference: Booth, Colomb & Williams (2016). The Craft of Research
Reference: UN SDSN: Getting Started with the SDGs (free online course)