ENVST 4800 Internship/ENVST 5000 Research/ENVST 4999 Honors Thesis Requirement

Step 1 – ENVST Core Courses are required prerequisites in order to be approved and enroll in the ENVST Internship (ENVST 4800), Research (ENVST 5000) and Honors Thesis (ENVST 4999) courses. The ENVST core classes include: ENVST 2050, ENVST 2051, ENV 2100 (previously ENVST 2100), ENVST 3364, and ENVST 3365.

Step 2 – Find and secure an Internship, Research or Honors Thesis. The ENVST Program does not place students in opportunities, but see the relevant “ENVST 4800 Internship”, “ENVST 5000 Research”, and/or “ENVST 4999 Honors Thesis” tabs on this page for resources and criteria for approval.

Step 3 – Once you secure an Internship, Research, or Honors Thesis experience, you can Apply for ENVST Internship/Research/Thesis Credit. This application is required in order to get a permission code to register for the relevant course by the deadlines posted at the top of this page.

Step 4 – Once your ENVST Internship/Research/Thesis Credit Application is approved, you will be sent an add code and directions for enrollment.

For more information and resources on each option (ENVST 4800 Internship, ENVST 5000 Research and ENVST 4999 Honors Thesis), please select the appropriate tab. If you have additional questions after reviewing, please contact our ENVST Internship & Research Coordinator, Ally Marringa.

Credit Hours:

3 credits total of ENVST 4800, 5000 OR 4999 are required to fulfill the ENVST Major requirement. Below is a credit breakdown of how many hours you would be working at your internship or research experience per credit hour.

· 1 credit hour = 3 hours effort (45 total hours)

· 2 credit hours = 6 hours effort (90 total hours)

· 3 credit hours = 9 hours effort (135 total hours)

In order to enroll in this class, see the “Prerequisites for Enrollment” tab. The ENVST Internship/Research/Thesis Credit Application is required by the above posted deadlines.

Criteria for Internship Approval:

• Your internship must be environmentally-focused (internships can be broad but must be focused on an environmental issue)
• Whether paid or unpaid, your experience should provide you with the opportunity to apply theoretical and empirically based ideas from your coursework to a real-world setting
• Internships should offer the opportunity to develop marketable, professional skills
• Internships that primarily consist of physical labor, photocopying, filing, or similar work will not be considered

Resources for the Internship Search:

• Start researching potential agencies and organizations at least two months prior to planned internship semester. Watch for posted internship announcements or contact agencies of interest directly.
• The Hinckley Institute is another resource for finding an internship. They have their own deadlines and application process, but if you pursue this option and secure an environmentally-related internship through them, the same prerequisites, application and deadline applies for it to count for the ENVST major. Once secured, submit the ENVST Internship/Research/Thesis Credit Application. This is required and must be completed by the above posted deadline.
• We also recommend connecting with the U Career Success for additional help with your application materials, interview skills and assistance with the search process. They also provide a program called the Step Up Fund, which is a great way to get paid for an internship.
• Need more help getting started with application materials, support with the search and funding options? As a declared ENVST major, use the professional development tool pages in the Advising Canvas page!

In order to enroll in this class, see the “Prerequisites for Enrollment” tab. The ENVST Internship/Research/Thesis Credit Application is required by the above posted deadlines.

Criteria for Approval:

• Your research must be environmentally-focused (it does not need to be an ENVST professor, but does need to be a professor at the U whose project is environmentally-focused)
• Draft a research proposal with the help of a faculty member. We suggest formatting your proposal based on the instructions given by the Undergraduate Research Opportunities Program (UROP). Submission of a proposal to the UROP is not required.

Resources for the Research Search:

• Find a faculty mentor to join an undergraduate research project. Consider professors you’ve had in class before, or talk with your advisor about research topics you are interested in. Write an introductory email to a faculty member conducting research in an area of interest including a brief (1-2 sentences each) description about why you are interested in conducting, background of relevant coursework, questions you hope to address and/or skills you hope to gain via research. Politely inquire if any opportunities exist. 
• View ESS research topics and labs to get started with your search. 
• The Office of Undergraduate Research offers support in research exploration to proposals for funds! Their services are optional, but can be helpful and some of their resources we recommend are: 
  • The Undergraduate Research Opportunities Program (UROP). Submission of a proposal to the UROP is optional, and they hold different deadlines than ENVST 
  • Apply for the travel and/or small grants funds through the Office of Undergraduate Research to support research efforts (as needed)
  • If applicable, apply for Undergraduate Research Scholar Designation (URSD). This expectation applies only to students who have conducted two semesters of research
• The Wilkes Center also offers funding support, awards and events centered on environmentally focused research
• Need more help getting started with application materials, support with the search and funding options? As a declared ENVST major, use the professional development tool pages in the Advising Canvas page!

An Honors Thesis is required for all ENVST HBS OR HBA Honors Students, and not an option for students not admitted to the Honors College.

In order to enroll in this class, see the “Prerequisites for Enrollment” tab. The ENVST Internship/Research/Thesis Credit Application is required by the above posted deadlines.

Criteria for Approval:

• Your research must be environmentally-focused (it does not need to be an ENVST professor, but does need to be a professor at the U and your thesis topic must be focused on the environment and sustainability)

Resources for Developing an Honors Thesis:

• Meet with the Faculty Honors Advisor in ENVST, Dr. Matt Fry, to discuss your thesis topic and potential thesis faculty advisor
• Explore suggested timelines and see suggestions for developing your thesis on the Honors College Thesis Website
• View Examples of Previous Honors Theses

Why is an Internship, Research or Thesis this required?

Since the ENVST major was established, this requirement has been part of the curriculum. Over and over again we have seen proof that these experiences help our students get jobs and connections in the field, help in building resumes, and allow students to apply their academics and interests to experience outside the classroom.

What is an internship vs research vs an honors thesis?

An Internship is a temporary experience where you can work with an organization in order to learn about how that organization works, and focus on a particular project or tasks in order to gain skills in the field.

Research can take many forms – you could be in a lab looking at samples, conducting interviews to collect data from individual perspectives, or helping analyzing numerical data from surveys. Research typically focuses on a particular question or problem that the investigators want to know more about. Students typically join a research project that a faculty member is already running, and will mentor and teach you skills on research techniques.

An Honors Thesis is required of students completing an Honors Degree. It is an in-depth independent study approved by your major’s department, where you work closely with a faculty mentor throughout the semester on research a particular topic. Thesis can range depending on your interest, so for examples we recommend visiting the “ENVST 4999 Honors Thesis” tab.

Can I do an internship or research before this requirement?

Of course! The more experience you have, the better – and we want you to maximize your experiences in college! However, you will not be able to do it for the major requirement until the relevant major perquisites are completed (see course prerequisites at the “Prerequisites for Enrollment” tab on this website). You can do an internship or research without registering for credit beforehand, but if you’d like academic credit, connect with your academic advisor for options.

Can I count an internship or research experience I did previously towards this requirement?

Unfortunately we cannot count a previous experience towards this requirement, as the ENVST course needs to be taken at the same time you’re doing your internship, research, or honors thesis. However, more experience is always helpful for a stronger resume!

Can my internship or research be paid?

We’d love if you found an opportunity that is paid!

Can I count one internship or research experience towards both of my majors?

No, the University does not allow 1 internship or research project to count for multiple academic programs in the same semester. It is also considered plagiarism to count the same internship hours for 2 different courses.

Can I use an internship or research course during Learning Abroad for this requirement?

The U of U needs supervision over this requirement and we need to ensure it meets our requirement for the major, so it is not a transfer course we will accept for the major.

Can I do more than 3 credits?

Yes, students can complete up to 6 credits total, though only 3 are needed for the major. The amount of hours is determined by how many hours you are working at your internship or research. See the Credit Hours Chart on the “Prerequisites for Enrollment tab”

I’m enrolling in a course, but is it actually a course?

ENVST 4800 does have required course assignments throughout the semester to ensure your experience is going well while completing your internship hours, and for professional development. The ENVST 5000 and ENVST 4999 course grades are determined by your faculty mentor.

 

Was one of your questions not answered? Contact Ally Marringa, the ENVST Internship & Research Coordinator for your specific questions and more details.