Outline
The MSc ESS project consists of two 3-credit elements (ESSC 697 and ESSC 698) and one zero-credit element (ESSC 700). These elements are not conventional courses; however, they are administered as such for registration and progress tracking purposes.
- ESSC 697: Project I (Proposal Writing and Defence)
- ESSC 698: Project II (Implementation and Report Writing)
- ESSC 700: Research Review and Examination
In ESSC 697, the student develops a project proposal that defines the research questions and outlines the implementation plan, data sources, and potential participants. The project proposal should also present the research methodology to be used and outline the design of the proposed solution.
Learning outcomes
Upon successful completion of this course, you should be able to
- frame scientific questions and conduct interdisciplinary research that utilizes technology to address problems.
- apply an interdisciplinary approach to address intricate issues attendant to increasing intersections of scientific disciplines.
- employ scientific numeracy and quantitative approaches when searching for solutions to Earth system issues.
Materials
The Project Handbook provides guidance to students completing the project requirements for the MSc ESS program. It outlines the stages of the thesis process and includes templates, policies, and formatting guidelines.
Students are responsible for obtaining and covering the cost of any materials required for their research. The MSc ESS program does not currently offer funding for students to conduct their projects; however, information on the Athabasca University Graduate Research Fund is available on the Research Centre's website.