S N R E University of Michigan Master’s Project Planning Seminar Winter 2005 Introductory Session October 21, 2004

NRE Agenda Masters projects, theses, practica: OAP Director Patti MackmillerMasters projects, theses, practica: OAP Director Patti Mackmiller SNRE research: Associate Professor Don ScaviaSNRE research: Associate Professor Don Scavia Introduce staff701 - Introduce staff Master’s project purposeMaster’s project purpose Course structure and deadlinesCourse structure and deadlines Stages of activityStages of activity Integrative research seminarsIntegrative research seminars Course webpageCourse webpage Database of research ideasDatabase of research ideas Q&AQ&A

NRE Instructors 1.Donna Erickson (Raymond DeYoung) 3528 Dana Building 2.Pierre Bull Hourly course assistant, Summer/Fall GSI (tbd)

NRE NRE 701 winter term meetings Monday 5:00 to 7:00 pmMonday 5:00 to 7:00 pm Main group meeting: 1040 DanaMain group meeting: 1040 Dana Breakout rooms:Breakout rooms: –1024 Dana –1046 Dana –1064 Dana –2024 Dana Team meetings throughout the weekTeam meetings throughout the week

NRE Where did the Master’s Project idea come from? Implemented 20 years agoImplemented 20 years ago SNRE recognized that most environmental work is accomplished through multidisciplinary team effortsSNRE recognized that most environmental work is accomplished through multidisciplinary team efforts Entirely new capstone experience, first of its kind in professional environmental programsEntirely new capstone experience, first of its kind in professional environmental programs Feedback from alumni – report that MP was one of the most influential parts of grad educationFeedback from alumni – report that MP was one of the most influential parts of grad education Over 100 now completedOver 100 now completed So….Master’s are multi-disciplinary teams of students (4-9) working on an appied environmental problem for about 1.5 years.

NRE Objectives of Master’s Project Process Mastery of specific theoretical, procedural and practical skillsMastery of specific theoretical, procedural and practical skills Understanding of major steps of scientific approach or decision analysis and successful application of these steps to a specific environmental problemUnderstanding of major steps of scientific approach or decision analysis and successful application of these steps to a specific environmental problem Experience writing a technical report that disseminates research findings to appropriate audiencesExperience writing a technical report that disseminates research findings to appropriate audiences

NRE Skills in orally presenting not only results of study, but proposed work and interim findingsSkills in orally presenting not only results of study, but proposed work and interim findings Ability to organize and manage a research team with diverse disciplinary skills and professioinal goalsAbility to organize and manage a research team with diverse disciplinary skills and professioinal goals Experience collaborating with a client facing a current, sometimes urgent environmental issueExperience collaborating with a client facing a current, sometimes urgent environmental issue

NRE NRE 701 structure January / February Develop multiple topic briefsDevelop multiple topic briefs Develop prospectusesDevelop prospectuses Client identificationClient identification Advisor identificationAdvisor identification Research team identificationResearch team identification Develop proposalDevelop proposal Skill developmentSkill development –Project management –Group management March / April Client meetingsClient meetings Advisor meetingsAdvisor meetings Develop research skillsDevelop research skills Begin researchBegin research Workplan for summer/fallWorkplan for summer/fall Presentation to SNREPresentation to SNRE

NRE Stages of your proposal writing activity Your Skills Your Interests SNRE themes Initial topic 3 Fall 2004 Early 2005 Late JanuaryLate February Advisor Initial topic 2 Initial topic 1 Prospectus A Prospectus B Initial groups Idea database Research team Research Proposal Client Initial topic X Prospectus Z

NRE Winter term research activity Spring BreakMarchEarly AprilSummer / Fall + Resources Workplan Presentation Research Research C / A / R Advisor Client Research Team Research Proposal

NRE Project options Project Track Integrative SeminarMaster’s Project Client-based Course-based

NRE Integrative research seminar Produce a jointly authored document.Produce a jointly authored document. –Can be a collection of individual manuscripts. –Often published. Thorough examination of research literature, current theory and thought.Thorough examination of research literature, current theory and thought. Could involve data collection, case studies, interviews, document analysis, etc.Could involve data collection, case studies, interviews, document analysis, etc. Usually meets 3 hours/week through the fall and winter terms.Usually meets 3 hours/week through the fall and winter terms. Involves extensive work outside the seminar.Involves extensive work outside the seminar. Defined by faculty or established by students.Defined by faculty or established by students. Needs a faculty advisor. Does not need a client.Needs a faculty advisor. Does not need a client.

NRE Deciding about your opera

NRE Take an inventory GOOD AT DOING LOVE TO DO SOCIETY NEEDS DONE

NRE Course website Course materials (e.g., handouts, overheads)Course materials (e.g., handouts, overheads) Past projects (e.g., briefs, proposals, presentations)Past projects (e.g., briefs, proposals, presentations) Client databaseClient database Current projects (your writings)Current projects (your writings) Project management resourcesProject management resources –Team management –Proposal production –Final document production

QUESTIONS ?