ESPM 201A:

Research Concepts and Approaches in

Environmental Science, Policy & Management

Link to Course Schedule.

Link to Colloquium Schedule.

Enrollment information: ESPM 201A. This is a required course for graduate students entering the graduate program in the Department of Environmental Sciences, Policy and Management, and must be taken the first fall semester. Sorry, ESPM grads only, no “sitting in.” ESPM grads sign up for both:

· ESPM 201A S 101 LEC. Seminar – ESPM Colloquium: Mondays from 4:00 – 5:30 pm in 101 Morgan. Course Control Number: 29694; 0 credits.

· ESPM 201A P 001 DIS. Discussion: Wednesdays from 2:00 – 4:00 pm in 213 Wheeler. Course Control Number: 29691, 3 credits.

Instructor: Elizabeth W. Boyer, 327 Hilgard Hall. Office hours Tuesdays 2-3 or by appointment. Email: boyer@nature.berkeley.edu, Phone: 510-643-6679.

Learning Objectives:

· To introduce students to the diverse ways environmental problems are researched, considering the approaches and methods of various disciplines represented among departmental faculty.

· To establish a dialogue among students from different disciplinary backgrounds.

· To encourage critical thinking through discussion and evaluation of research articles.

· To develop grant writing skills through preparation of research questions, research proposals and peer review.

Work load:

Each week students are expected to:

· Attend the ESPM Fall Colloquium Series (Mondays, 4:00 -5:30 pm).

· Participate in a discussion forum (Wednesdays, 2:00 – 4:00 pm).

· As in all classes, students are expected to follow Berkeley’s policies on student conduct & academic honesty. I expect students to be familiar with what constitutes plagiarism, and to avoid it in their writings.

Once during the semester each student will:

· Help with refreshments and clean-up.

· Act as host for a colloquium speaker and lead the follow-up discussion.

· Write a written review & oral report on a landmark paper from a field of research associated with your guiding professor.

· Write a grant proposal.

Grading:

· Participation (attendance, discussion, helping out with course needs) 20%

· Host & Discussion leader for colloquium seminar 10%

· Landmark paper review and oral presentation 10%

· Panel assignment 20%

· Grant proposal 30%

· Peer reviews of two other draft proposals 10%

Notes: Letter grades will be assigned. Students may miss 2 days (1 week, M-W) of class without penalty to your grade. Assignments are due by the beginning of class on the date due. There is no final exam for this course.