1. Group Projects 2007 - 08 Pre-Project Kickoff

2. Objectives of Group Projects zThe objective is three fold: gaining knowledge about a particular subject working with a client to deal with an environmental issue the process of working as a team and project management zYou gain experience: zApplying knowledge and tools. zDeveloping analytical capacity. zDealing with challenging issues rigorously and comprehensively. zWorking in an interdisciplinary team. zWorking to deadlines. zManaging, people, money, and time. zWorking with clients. zPreparing and presenting professional reports.

3. Why Propose? zYou have a research question that you want to work on and that fits the criteria for a Group project zYou want to interact with someone or some organization. zYou want the experience of writing a proposal. zYou want to have greater control over your group project destiny. -Student proposers of accepted project are guaranteed spot on project. -No more than two guaranteed spots per project. zYou want to work on a project in specific area.

4. Preparing a Proposal Thoroughly Review Request for Proposals (RFP) and sample proposal on-line. Identify a clear research question. Write out paragraph or two describing your idea. Send to John Melack and request a meeting to discuss and explore. He will help you hone the idea and suggest a faculty sponsor and,if necessary, a client. See what proposals other students are working on to ensure that there are not duplicative efforts or too many proposals being worked on in a particular area.

5. What Makes A Good Proposal? zStudents are interested. zFaculty are interested and have some expertise in the area of exploration. zDoable in terms of time, labor force, and known funding. zClearly defined, interesting question that is of reasonable scope. zQuestion requires multidisciplinary exploration. zCurrent state of knowledge and the value of further exploration well articulated. zClearly stated objectives zData needs identified and data are attainable. zMethodological approaches described. zInterested external clients.

6. Good Proposals zA proposal may be good but still not selected! zWe may have too many proposals given the number of students. zWe may have too many in an particular area of specialization. zWe may not have an appropriate faculty member to advise it.

7. zStudents and Faculty will have the opportunity to view prospective proposals via an internal Bren web link. It will remain active until January 30th, 2008. zIn order for the Group Project Coordinator to post prospective proposals, students must email corlei@bren.ucsb.edu the following information before January 30th, 2008: z1) Name of Proposer (s) 2) Title (descriptive of the environmental science and management problem to be solved) 3) Bren Faculty Sponsor who has participated in the development of the proposal (if applicable) 4) Proposed Project (5-6 sentence synopsis) 5) Prospective Client

8. Advice (cont) Read the literature to become knowledgeable about prior work and methodologies. Prepare draft of proposal following guidelines. Have friend review it and edit it. Make revisions. Send draft to faculty sponsor to review (with at least week turn- around). 7

9. Advice (cont) Make revisions. Send draft to external clients. Set up meeting or phone call to discuss. Make revisions. Send final draft to faculty. Make final revisions. Submit. NEED TO GET GOING NOW!

10. $$$ zEach group gets $1,300 plus up to $200 for printing costs (automatically deducted). zIf you require additional money from the client be sure this is made explicit and that you and the client understand the University’s procedures for dealing with extramural funds. Talk with John Melack, and he can direct you, as appropriate. z

11. The Pre-Project Process z Fall Quarter zStart preparing project proposal (if you wish). zWinter Quarter zComplete project proposals and submit by deadline (end of Jan). zProjects selected by committee (end Feb). zStudents convey their preferences (early March). zFinal assignments conveyed to students (mid March). zGroup Project Kickoff (mid March)

12. Group Project Information Link http://www.bren.ucsb.edu/research/group_projects.asp