msc environmental science thesis topics

Research Topics & Ideas: Environment

100+ Environmental Science Research Topics & Ideas

Finding and choosing a strong research topic is the critical first step when it comes to crafting a high-quality dissertation, thesis or research project. Here, we’ll explore a variety research ideas and topic thought-starters related to various environmental science disciplines, including ecology, oceanography, hydrology, geology, soil science, environmental chemistry, environmental economics, and environmental ethics.

NB – This is just the start…

The topic ideation and evaluation process has multiple steps . In this post, we’ll kickstart the process by sharing some research topic ideas within the environmental sciences. This is the starting point though. To develop a well-defined research topic, you’ll need to identify a clear and convincing research gap , along with a well-justified plan of action to fill that gap.

If you’re new to the oftentimes perplexing world of research, or if this is your first time undertaking a formal academic research project, be sure to check out our free dissertation mini-course. Also be sure to also sign up for our free webinar that explores how to develop a high-quality research topic from scratch.

Overview: Environmental Topics

• Ecology /ecological science
• Atmospheric science
• Oceanography
• Soil science
• Environmental chemistry
• Environmental economics
• Environmental ethics
• Examples  of dissertations and theses

Topics & Ideas: Ecological Science

• The impact of land-use change on species diversity and ecosystem functioning in agricultural landscapes
• The role of disturbances such as fire and drought in shaping arid ecosystems
• The impact of climate change on the distribution of migratory marine species
• Investigating the role of mutualistic plant-insect relationships in maintaining ecosystem stability
• The effects of invasive plant species on ecosystem structure and function
• The impact of habitat fragmentation caused by road construction on species diversity and population dynamics in the tropics
• The role of ecosystem services in urban areas and their economic value to a developing nation
• The effectiveness of different grassland restoration techniques in degraded ecosystems
• The impact of land-use change through agriculture and urbanisation on soil microbial communities in a temperate environment
• The role of microbial diversity in ecosystem health and nutrient cycling in an African savannah

Topics & Ideas: Atmospheric Science

• The impact of climate change on atmospheric circulation patterns above tropical rainforests
• The role of atmospheric aerosols in cloud formation and precipitation above cities with high pollution levels
• The impact of agricultural land-use change on global atmospheric composition
• Investigating the role of atmospheric convection in severe weather events in the tropics
• The impact of urbanisation on regional and global atmospheric ozone levels
• The impact of sea surface temperature on atmospheric circulation and tropical cyclones
• The impact of solar flares on the Earth’s atmospheric composition
• The impact of climate change on atmospheric turbulence and air transportation safety
• The impact of stratospheric ozone depletion on atmospheric circulation and climate change
• The role of atmospheric rivers in global water supply and sea-ice formation

Topics & Ideas: Oceanography

• The impact of ocean acidification on kelp forests and biogeochemical cycles
• The role of ocean currents in distributing heat and regulating desert rain
• The impact of carbon monoxide pollution on ocean chemistry and biogeochemical cycles
• Investigating the role of ocean mixing in regulating coastal climates
• The impact of sea level rise on the resource availability of low-income coastal communities
• The impact of ocean warming on the distribution and migration patterns of marine mammals
• The impact of ocean deoxygenation on biogeochemical cycles in the arctic
• The role of ocean-atmosphere interactions in regulating rainfall in arid regions
• The impact of ocean eddies on global ocean circulation and plankton distribution
• The role of ocean-ice interactions in regulating the Earth’s climate and sea level

Tops & Ideas: Hydrology

• The impact of agricultural land-use change on water resources and hydrologic cycles in temperate regions
• The impact of agricultural groundwater availability on irrigation practices in the global south
• The impact of rising sea-surface temperatures on global precipitation patterns and water availability
• Investigating the role of wetlands in regulating water resources for riparian forests
• The impact of tropical ranches on river and stream ecosystems and water quality
• The impact of urbanisation on regional and local hydrologic cycles and water resources for agriculture
• The role of snow cover and mountain hydrology in regulating regional agricultural water resources
• The impact of drought on food security in arid and semi-arid regions
• The role of groundwater recharge in sustaining water resources in arid and semi-arid environments
• The impact of sea level rise on coastal hydrology and the quality of water resources

Topics & Ideas: Geology

• The impact of tectonic activity on the East African rift valley
• The role of mineral deposits in shaping ancient human societies
• The impact of sea-level rise on coastal geomorphology and shoreline evolution
• Investigating the role of erosion in shaping the landscape and impacting desertification
• The impact of mining on soil stability and landslide potential
• The impact of volcanic activity on incoming solar radiation and climate
• The role of geothermal energy in decarbonising the energy mix of megacities
• The impact of Earth’s magnetic field on geological processes and solar wind
• The impact of plate tectonics on the evolution of mammals
• The role of the distribution of mineral resources in shaping human societies and economies, with emphasis on sustainability

Topics & Ideas: Soil Science

• The impact of dam building on soil quality and fertility
• The role of soil organic matter in regulating nutrient cycles in agricultural land
• The impact of climate change on soil erosion and soil organic carbon storage in peatlands
• Investigating the role of above-below-ground interactions in nutrient cycling and soil health
• The impact of deforestation on soil degradation and soil fertility
• The role of soil texture and structure in regulating water and nutrient availability in boreal forests
• The impact of sustainable land management practices on soil health and soil organic matter
• The impact of wetland modification on soil structure and function
• The role of soil-atmosphere exchange and carbon sequestration in regulating regional and global climate
• The impact of salinization on soil health and crop productivity in coastal communities

Topics & Ideas: Environmental Chemistry

• The impact of cobalt mining on water quality and the fate of contaminants in the environment
• The role of atmospheric chemistry in shaping air quality and climate change
• The impact of soil chemistry on nutrient availability and plant growth in wheat monoculture
• Investigating the fate and transport of heavy metal contaminants in the environment
• The impact of climate change on biochemical cycling in tropical rainforests
• The impact of various types of land-use change on biochemical cycling
• The role of soil microbes in mediating contaminant degradation in the environment
• The impact of chemical and oil spills on freshwater and soil chemistry
• The role of atmospheric nitrogen deposition in shaping water and soil chemistry
• The impact of over-irrigation on the cycling and fate of persistent organic pollutants in the environment

Topics & Ideas: Environmental Economics

• The impact of climate change on the economies of developing nations
• The role of market-based mechanisms in promoting sustainable use of forest resources
• The impact of environmental regulations on economic growth and competitiveness
• Investigating the economic benefits and costs of ecosystem services for African countries
• The impact of renewable energy policies on regional and global energy markets
• The role of water markets in promoting sustainable water use in southern Africa
• The impact of land-use change in rural areas on regional and global economies
• The impact of environmental disasters on local and national economies
• The role of green technologies and innovation in shaping the zero-carbon transition and the knock-on effects for local economies
• The impact of environmental and natural resource policies on income distribution and poverty of rural communities

Topics & Ideas: Environmental Ethics

• The ethical foundations of environmentalism and the environmental movement regarding renewable energy
• The role of values and ethics in shaping environmental policy and decision-making in the mining industry
• The impact of cultural and religious beliefs on environmental attitudes and behaviours in first world countries
• Investigating the ethics of biodiversity conservation and the protection of endangered species in palm oil plantations
• The ethical implications of sea-level rise for future generations and vulnerable coastal populations
• The role of ethical considerations in shaping sustainable use of natural forest resources
• The impact of environmental justice on marginalized communities and environmental policies in Asia
• The ethical implications of environmental risks and decision-making under uncertainty
• The role of ethics in shaping the transition to a low-carbon, sustainable future for the construction industry
• The impact of environmental values on consumer behaviour and the marketplace: a case study of the ‘bring your own shopping bag’ policy

Examples: Real Dissertation & Thesis Topics

While the ideas we’ve presented above are a decent starting point for finding a research topic, they are fairly generic and non-specific. So, it helps to look at actual dissertations and theses to see how this all comes together.

Below, we’ve included a selection of research projects from various environmental science-related degree programs to help refine your thinking. These are actual dissertations and theses, written as part of Master’s and PhD-level programs, so they can provide some useful insight as to what a research topic looks like in practice.

• The physiology of microorganisms in enhanced biological phosphorous removal (Saunders, 2014)
• The influence of the coastal front on heavy rainfall events along the east coast (Henson, 2019)
• Forage production and diversification for climate-smart tropical and temperate silvopastures (Dibala, 2019)
• Advancing spectral induced polarization for near surface geophysical characterization (Wang, 2021)
• Assessment of Chromophoric Dissolved Organic Matter and Thamnocephalus platyurus as Tools to Monitor Cyanobacterial Bloom Development and Toxicity (Hipsher, 2019)
• Evaluating the Removal of Microcystin Variants with Powdered Activated Carbon (Juang, 2020)
• The effect of hydrological restoration on nutrient concentrations, macroinvertebrate communities, and amphibian populations in Lake Erie coastal wetlands (Berg, 2019)
• Utilizing hydrologic soil grouping to estimate corn nitrogen rate recommendations (Bean, 2019)
• Fungal Function in House Dust and Dust from the International Space Station (Bope, 2021)
• Assessing Vulnerability and the Potential for Ecosystem-based Adaptation (EbA) in Sudan’s Blue Nile Basin (Mohamed, 2022)
• A Microbial Water Quality Analysis of the Recreational Zones in the Los Angeles River of Elysian Valley, CA (Nguyen, 2019)
• Dry Season Water Quality Study on Three Recreational Sites in the San Gabriel Mountains (Vallejo, 2019)
• Wastewater Treatment Plan for Unix Packaging Adjustment of the Potential Hydrogen (PH) Evaluation of Enzymatic Activity After the Addition of Cycle Disgestase Enzyme (Miessi, 2020)
• Laying the Genetic Foundation for the Conservation of Longhorn Fairy Shrimp (Kyle, 2021).

Looking at these titles, you can probably pick up that the research topics here are quite specific and narrowly-focused , compared to the generic ones presented earlier. To create a top-notch research topic, you will need to be precise and target a specific context with specific variables of interest . In other words, you’ll need to identify a clear, well-justified research gap.

Need more help?

If you’re still feeling a bit unsure about how to find a research topic for your environmental science dissertation or research project, be sure to check out our private coaching services below, as well as our Research Topic Kickstarter .

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Home > CNS > ECO > Environmental Conservation Masters Theses Collection

Environmental Conservation Masters Theses Collection

Theses from 2024 2024.

Effects of Habitat, Density, and Climate on Moose and Winter Tick Ecology in the northeastern U.S. , Juliana Berube, Environmental Conservation

Adaptive Silviculture for Wildlife: Supporting Forest Biodiversity Through Climate Adaptation , Jahiya Clark, Environmental Conservation

Comparing Likelihood of Tree Failure Assessments Using Different Assessment Techniques , Ari Okun, Environmental Conservation

Use of Unoccupied Aerial Vehicle (Drones) Based Remote Sensing to Model Platform Topography and Identify Human-made Earthen Barriers in Salt Marshes , Joshua J. Ward, Environmental Conservation

Theses from 2023 2023

Modeling the Effects of Forest Management Practices on Ecohydrologic Processes in the Antalya River Watershed of Turkey , Hilal Arslan, Environmental Conservation

HYDRO-SOCIAL TERRITORIES AND OIL PALM PLANTATIONS: INDIGENOUS PEOPLE, AGRIBUSINESS, AND SAFE WATER ACCESS UNDER POWER RELATIONS IN KAIS, WEST PAPUA, INDONESIA , Briantama Asmara, Environmental Conservation

Evaluation of Acoustic Telemetry Array Performance and Fine- Scale and Broad-Scale Spatial Movement Patterns for Coral Reef Species in Culebra, Puerto Rico , Roxann Cormier, Environmental Conservation

Improving Energy Efficiency of School Buildings with Solar-Assisted Cooling for the Maldives , Ahmed Fathhee, Environmental Conservation

Pine Barrens Wildlife Management: Exploring the Impact of a Stressor and Active Management on Two Taxa at Camp Edwards , Andrew B. Gordon Jr, Environmental Conservation

Factors Affecting the Distribution of Malayan Sun Bear in Htamanthi Wildlife Sanctuary, Northern Myanmar , Min Hein Htike, Environmental Conservation

A Multi-Regional Assessment of Eastern Whip-poor-will (Antrostomus vociferus) Occupancy in Managed and Unmanaged Forests Using Autonomous Recording Units , Jeffery T. Larkin, Environmental Conservation

Climate Change Attitudes of United States Family Forest Owners and their Influence on Forest Management Practices , Logan Miller, Environmental Conservation

The Relative Effects of Functional Diversity and Structural Complexity on Carbon Dynamics in Late-Successional, Northeastern Mixed Hardwood Forests , Samantha Myers, Environmental Conservation

Factors influencing the occurrence and spread of aquatic invasive species in watershed systems , Hazel M. Ortiz, Environmental Conservation

PARTICIPATORY WETLAND GOVERNANCE IN RAMSAR – ASSESSING LEVEL OF PARTICIPATION IN INDIA , Seema Ravandale, Environmental Conservation

A REVIEW AND ANALYSIS OF THE LINKED DECISIONS IN THE CONFISCATION OF ILLEGALLY TRADED TURTLES , Desiree Smith, Environmental Conservation

Effect of Alliaria petiolata management on post-eradication seed bank dynamics , Chloe Thompson, Environmental Conservation

Bog Turtle (Glyptemys muhlenbergii) Population Dynamics and Response to Habitat Management in Massachusetts , Julia Vineyard, Environmental Conservation

Theses from 2022 2022

Assessment of the Economic and Ecosystem Service Contributions of USDA Forest Service Landowner Assistance Programs in the Conterminous United States , Jacqueline S. Dias, Environmental Conservation

Exploring Urban Forestry Non-Governmental Organizations in the Temperate Forest Region of the United States , Alexander J. Elton, Environmental Conservation

Songbird-mediated Insect Pest Control in Low Intensity New England Agriculture , Samuel J. Mayne, Environmental Conservation

Perception and Value Assessment of Ecosystem Services in Rural and Urban Regions in Ecuador , Roberto S. Navarrete Arias, Environmental Conservation

Identifying New Invasives In The Face Of Climate Change: A Focus On Sleeper Populations , Ayodelé C. O'Uhuru, Environmental Conservation

A Tipping Point in the Ecuadorian Amazon Rainforest: Current and Future Land-Use and Climate Change Trends , Alula Shields, Environmental Conservation

Dynamics of Water Supply and Demand in the Bandama River Watershed of Cote d'Ivoire , Sarah Alima Traore, Environmental Conservation

Theses from 2021 2021

Applying Ecological Theory to Amphibian Populations to Determine if Wood Frogs (Lithobates sylvaticus) are Ideal and Free when Selecting Breeding Habitat , Taylor M. Braunagel, Environmental Conservation

Assessing the Impacts to Society Associated with the Use of Alternative Ammunition for Hunting on National Wildlife Refuges , Christopher Cahill, Environmental Conservation

Evaluation of Environmental Factors Influencing American Marten Distribution and Density in New Hampshire , Donovan Drummey, Environmental Conservation

Can Volunteers Learn to Prune Trees? , Ryan W. Fawcett, Environmental Conservation

The Efficacy of Habitat Conservation Assistance Programs for Family Forest Owners in Vermont , Margaret E. Harrington, Environmental Conservation

The Role of Vegetative Cover in Enhancing Resilience to Climate Change and Improving Public Health , Anastasia D. Ivanova, Environmental Conservation

Assessing the Structure and Function of Utility Forests in Massachusetts , Ryan Suttle, Environmental Conservation

Factors Influencing Stopover and Movement of Migratory Songbirds within the Silvio O. Conte National Fish and Wildlife Refuge , Jessica Tatten, Environmental Conservation

Patterns and mechanisms of intraspecific trait variation across thermal gradients in a marine gastropod , Andrew R. Villeneuve, Environmental Conservation

Theses from 2020 2020

Habitat Associations of Priority Bird Species and Conservation Value on Small, Diversified Farms in New England , Isabel Brofsky, Environmental Conservation

Autonomous Recording Units as an Alternative Method for Monitoring Songbirds , Lindsay Clough, Environmental Conservation

Impact of Predators on Hemlock Woolly Adelgid (Hemiptera: Adelgidae) in the Eastern and Western United States , Ryan Crandall, Environmental Conservation

New England’s Underutilized Seafood Species: Defining And Exploring Marketplace Potential In A Changing Climate , Amanda Davis, Environmental Conservation

Improving Growth and Survival of Cultured Yellow Lampmussel (Lampsilis cariosa) for Restoring Populations , Virginia Martell, Environmental Conservation

From Intentional Awareness to Environmental Action: The Relationship Between Mindfulness and Pro-Environmental Behaviors , Nischal Neupane, Environmental Conservation

The Ecological Value of Spruce Plantations in Massachusetts , Calvin Ritter, Environmental Conservation

In-vitro Propagation and Fish Assessments to Inform Restoration of Dwarf Wedgemussel (Alasmidonta Heterodon) , Jennifer Ryan, Environmental Conservation

Theses from 2019 2019

Hydrologic Structure and Function of Vernal Pools in South Deerfield, Massachusetts , Charlotte Axthelm, Environmental Conservation

Ecological and Economic Implications of Establishing Quercus spp. in the Urban Environment , Tierney Bocsi, Environmental Conservation

Garlic Mustard (Alliaria petiolata) Management Effectiveness and Plant Community Response , Erin Coates-Connor, Environmental Conservation

Defining and Addressing Interconnected Goals in Groundwater Management Planning Across the USA , Allison Gage, Environmental Conservation

Root-Driven Weathering Impacts on Mineral-Organic Associations Over Pedogenic Time Scales , Mariela Garcia Arredondo, Environmental Conservation

Using Visual Media to Empower Citizen Scientists: A Case Study of the Outsmart App , Megan E. Kierstead, Environmental Conservation

Urban Biodiversity Experience and Exposure: Intervention and Inequality at the Local and Global Scale , Evan Kuras, Environmental Conservation

Arboriculture Safety Around The World , Jamie Lim, Environmental Conservation

Ecological Considerations and Application of Urban Tree Selection in Massachusetts , Ashley McElhinney, Environmental Conservation

The Women's Action: Participation through Resistance , Michael Roberts, Environmental Conservation

Eastern Whip-poor-will Habitat Associations in Fort Drum, NY , Kimberly Spiller, Environmental Conservation

The Role of International River Basin Organizations in Facilitating Science Use in Policy , Kelsey Wentling, Environmental Conservation

An Examination of Tern Diet in a Changing Gulf of Maine , Keenan Yakola, Environmental Conservation

Theses from 2018 2018

Mapping Sandbars in the Connecticut River Watershed through Aerial Images for Floodplain Conservation , Bogumila Backiel, Environmental Conservation

You Must Estimate Before You Indicate: Design and Model-Based Methods for Evaluating Utility of a Candidate Forest Indicator Species , Jillian Fleming, Environmental Conservation

Performance of Floristic Quality Assessment in Massachusetts Forested Wetlands , Carolyn Gorss, Environmental Conservation

The Impact of Intraspecific Density on Garlic Mustard Sinigrin Concentration , Mercedes Harris, Environmental Conservation

Plants, Parasites, and Pollinators: The Effects of Medicinal Pollens on a Common Gut Parasite in Bumble Bees , George LoCascio, Environmental Conservation

Human and Climate Change Influences on Black (Diceros bicornis) and White (Ceratotherium simum) Rhinos in Southern Africa , Hlelolwenkhosi S. Mamba, Environmental Conservation

Watershed-Scale Modeling for Water Resource Sustainability in the Tuul River Basin of Mongolia , Javzansuren Norvanchig, Environmental Conservation

Impacts of Small, Surface-Release Dams on Stream Temperature and Dissolved Oxygen in Massachusetts , Peter Zaidel, Environmental Conservation

Theses from 2017 2017

Accounting For Biotic Variability In Streams With Low Levels of Impervious Cover: The Role of Reach- and Watershed-Scale Factors , Catherine Bentsen, Environmental Conservation

Juvenile River Herring in Freshwater Lakes: Sampling Approaches for Evaluating Growth and Survival , Matthew T. Devine, Environmental Conservation

DIRECT AND INDIRECT EFFECTS OF CLIMATE ON BIRD ABUNDANCE ALONG ELEVATION GRADIENTS IN THE NORTHERN APPALACHIANS , Timothy Duclos, Environmental Conservation

EVALUATION OF THE RECREATIONAL CATCH-AND-RELEASE FISHERY FOR GOLDEN DORADO SALMINUS BRASILIENSIS IN SALTA, ARGENTINA: IMPLICATIONS FOR CONSERVATION AND MANAGEMENT , Tyler Gagne, Environmental Conservation

Botswana’s Elephant-Back Safari Industry – Stress-Response in Working African Elephants and Analysis of their Post-Release Movements , Tanya Lama, Environmental Conservation

Factors Influencing Shrubland Bird and Native Bee Communities in Forest Openings , H. Patrick Roberts, Environmental Conservation

A Mixed-methods Study on Female Landowner Estate Planning Objectives , rebekah zimmerer, Environmental Conservation

Theses from 2016 2016

Factors Influencing Household Outdoor Residential Water Use Decisions in Suburban Boston (USA) , Emily E. Argo, Environmental Conservation

Understory Plant Community Structure in Forests Invaded by Garlic Mustard (Alliaria petiolata) , Jason Aylward, Environmental Conservation

Factors Affecting Habitat Quality for Wintering Wood Thrushes in a Coffee Growing Region in Honduras , Brett A. Bailey, Environmental Conservation

Invasive Species Occurrence Frequency is not a Suitable Proxy for Abundance in the Northeast , Tyler J. Cross, Environmental Conservation

Population Genetic Analysis of Atlantic Horseshoe Crabs (Limulus polyphemus) in Coastal Massachusetts. , Katherine T. Johnson, Environmental Conservation

Modeling Historical and Future Range of Variability Scenarios in the Yuba River Watershed, Tahoe National Forest, California , Maritza Mallek, Environmental Conservation

The Life History Characteristics, Growth, and Mortality of Juvenile Alewife, Alosa pseudoharengus, in Coastal Massachusetts , Julianne Rosset, Environmental Conservation

Specific Phosphate Sorption Mechanisms of Unaltered and Altered Biochar , Kathryn D. Szerlag, Environmental Conservation

Trophic Relationships Among Caribou Calf Predators in Newfoundland , Chris Zieminski, Environmental Conservation

Theses from 2015 2015

Ant (Hymenoptera: Formicidae) Assemblages in Three New York Pine Barrens and the Impacts of Hiking Trails , Grace W. Barber, Environmental Conservation

Niche-Based Modeling of Japanese Stiltgrass (Microstegium vimineum) Using Presence-Only Information , Nathan Bush, Environmental Conservation

Assessing Mammal and Bird Biodiversity and Habitat Occupancy of Tiger Prey in the Hukaung Valley of Northern Myanmar , Hla Naing, Environmental Conservation

Generating Best Management Practices for Avian Conservation in a Land-Sparing Agriculture System, and the Habitat-Specific Survival of a Priority Migrant , Jeffrey D. Ritterson, Environmental Conservation

Experimental Test of Genetic Rescue in Isolated Populations of Brook Trout , Zachary L. Robinson, Environmental Conservation

UNDERSTANDING STAKEHOLDERS PERCEPTION TOWARDS HUMAN-WILDLIFE INTERACTION AND CONFLICT IN A TIGER LANDSCAPE-COMPLEX OF INDIA , Ronak T. Sripal, Environmental Conservation

Impacts of Land Cover and Climate Change on Water Resources in Suasco River Watershed , Ammara Talib, Environmental Conservation

Theses from 2014 2014

A Comparison of American, Canadian, and European Home Energy Performance in Heating Dominated – Moist Climates Based on Building Codes , Stephanie M. Berkland, Environmental Conservation

Spatio-Temporal Factors Affecting Human-Black Bear Interactions in Great Smoky Mountains National Park , Nathan Buckhout, Environmental Conservation

Estimating the Effective Number of Breeders of Brook Trout, Salvelinus fontinalis, Over Multiple Generations in Two Stream Systems , Matthew R. Cembrola, Environmental Conservation

An Assessment of Environmental Dna as a Tool to Detect Fish Species in Headwater Streams , Stephen F. Jane, Environmental Conservation

Assessing Wild Canid Distribution Using Camera Traps in the Pioneer Valley of Western Massachusetts , Eric G. LeFlore, Environmental Conservation

Quantifying the Effect of Passive Solar Design in Traditional New England Architecture , Peter Levy, Environmental Conservation

Ecology and Conservation of Endangered Species in Sumatra: Smaller Cats and the Sumatran Rhinoceros (Dicerorhinus Sumatrensis) As Case Studies , Wulan Pusparini, Environmental Conservation

The Cumulative Impacts of Climate Change and Land Use Change on Water Quantity and Quality in the Narragansett Bay Watershed , Evan R. Ross, Environmental Conservation

Patterns in Trash: Factors that Drive Municipal Solid Waste Recycling , Jared Starr, Environmental Conservation

Theses from 2013 2013

Greening the Building Code: an Analysis of Large Project Review Under Boston Zoning Code Articles 37 and 80 , Sandy J. Beauregard, Environmental Conservation

Vernal Pool Vegetation and Soil Patterns Along Hydrologic Gradients in Western Massachusetts , Kasie Collins, Environmental Conservation

Implementation of Aquaponics in Education: An Assessment of Challenges, Solutions and Success , Emily Rose Hart, Environmental Conservation

Aquatic Barrier Prioritization in New England Under Climate Change Scenarios Using Fish Habitat Quantity, Thermal Habitat Quality, Aquatic Organism Passage, and Infrastructure Sustainability , Alexandra C. Jospe, Environmental Conservation

The Energy Benefits of Trees: Investigating Shading, Microclimate and Wind Shielding Effects in Worcester and Springfield, Massachusetts , Emma L. Morzuch, Environmental Conservation

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Theses and Dissertations

Home / Research & Extension / Theses and Dissertations

This is a list of the most recent theses and dissertations from ECO students. These lists are automatically created through the UMass Scholarworks  system. To have your publication included, submit it to Scholarworks.

Master’s Theses – Environmental Conservation:

Late-successional forests provide a unique opportunity to explore adaptive management approaches […]

Acoustic telemetry is an important tool when studying the spatial ecology of marine animals. First, […]

Sleeper populations are established populations of a non-native species whose population growth is […]

Land use/land cover (LULC) plays a vital role in the provision of ecosystem services. Changing […]

Water is a fundamental human right supporting life, health, and livelihoods. Yet water-related […]

More…

• Forest Resources (before ECO grad program)
• Wildlife & Fisheries (before ECO grad program)

Dissertations – Environmental Conservation:

Wind energy facilitates have expanded significantly in the United States over the last few decades […]

This dissertation research focuses on the population ecology of the northern diamondback terrapin […]

Interoperability and Integration of the Building Information Modeling (BIM) and Building Energy […]

The brook floater (Alasmidonta varicosa) is a freshwater mussel (Order: Unionida) native to […]

This dissertation research focuses on the ecology of the Arctic ground squirrel (Urocitellus […]

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MSc in Environmental Science

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Examples of MSc theses

In the list below you can read the descriptions of 11 very different theses, authored by students at the MSc Programme in Environmental Science. You are welcome to contact the author if you have further questions regarding a specific thesis.

Chronic toxicity of silver nanoparticles to Daphnia magna under different feeding conditions

Author : Aiga Mackevica

Supervisor : Anders Baun, DTU Environment.

Ecotoxicity of nanoparticles has been an emerging issue in recent years, which is why it is necessary to evaluate the effects of nanoparticle exposure to the aquatic environment. In this study, we performed series of 21-day chronic tests with Daphnia magna exposed to silver nanoparticles to obtain information on growth and reproductive effects. The results were used for modelling to find possible modes of action of silver nanoparticle toxicity.

Determination of Steroid Hormones in Polar Bear Hair (Ursus maritimus) - a Methodology Study

Author: Johan Weisser

Supervisors: Bjarne Styrishave, Erland Björklund & Martin Hansen; Department of Pharmacy, Faculty of Health and Medical Sciences, University of Copenhagen.

The aim of this thesis was to develop an analytical methodology to determine steroid hormones in hair, for the purpose of using hair as a biomarker to study endocrine imbalance in polar bears ( Ursus maritimus ). Hair was chosen because steroids are incorporated into the hair shaft while growing and thereby gives a prolonged steroid profile which reflect blood steroid concentration in that given time period. An extraction and clean up method was developed. For analyte determination both gas chromatography (GC) and liquid chromatography (LC) was tested followed by tandem mass spectrometry (MS/MS). It was possible to detect progestagens, androgens and estrogens using GC-MS/MS whereas LC-MS/MS is a better analytical technic for detecting corticosteroids. Hair steroid profiling may be used to assess stress in polar bears in response to pollution and climate changes.

Effects of Carbon Nanotubes on the Female Reproductive Axis: Interference with the female reproductive cycle. A Study in Mice.

Author: Hanna Lilith Katarina Johansson

Supervisor: Karin Sørig Hougaard; National Research Centre for the Working Environment & University of Copenhagen

Very little is known on the effects of nanoparticles on reproductive function. Inhalation of nanoparticles induces inflammation in the lung – and inflammation interferes with the female reproductive axis. In this study, we investigated the effect of airway exposure to multi walled CNTs (MWCNTs) on the estrous cycle of female mice. The results showed that female reproduction may be susceptible to acute exposure to nanoparticles.

Fluorochemicals and antiandrogenic effects – an in vitro study of per- and polyfluorinated chemicals on steroidogenesis and androgen receptor activation

Programs and courses

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Master of Science Environmental Sustainability

The Institute of the Environment offers a master’s level Collaborative Program in Environmental Sustainability and an interdisciplinary Master of Science (MSc) in Environmental Sustainability. The MSc is aimed at providing future professionals and scholars with the skills and capacities needed to develop effective regulatory and policy solutions to today’s complex, multi-dimensional environmental problems. Students will gain foundational knowledge relevant to environmental sustainability from science, law, economics and policy; learn a set of methodological skills for synthesizing and integrating knowledge from these disciplines; and apply this knowledge and these integration skills to today’s most pressing environmental challenges.

Two options are available: the MSc with thesis and the MSc with research paper. The MSc with research paper option can be completed in 12 months of full-time study, and the MSc with thesis option can be completed in 24 months of full-time study. Students in the MSc with research paper option may enroll for an additional term of full-time study if needed to fulfill the program requirements.

The Institute of the Environment, in collaboration with the University of Ottawa’s CO-OP office, offers a CO-OP option to a limited number of students. We offer a co-op stream to a limited number of students who will request this option in their admission file. The co-op option gives selected students the opportunity to acquire practical work experience by completing two paid one-term work placements.

The compulsory courses for the program are currently offered in English. They will be offered in French in the future. In accordance with the regulations of the University of Ottawa, examinations, assignments, and the research paper or thesis may be written in the official language of the student’s choice (either English or French).

The program is governed by the general regulations  in effect for graduate studies. 

For the most accurate and up to date information on application deadlines, language tests and other admission requirements, please visit the  specific requirements  webpage.

Admission is limited to the number of places available in the program in a given year, and is on a competitive basis. The basic admission requirement is an honours bachelor’s degree or equivalent from a relevant discipline with a minimum average of B+ (75%), calculated in accordance with graduate studies guidelines. Examples of relevant disciplines include environmental studies, geography, economics, environmental science, political science, international development, environmental engineering, and law. Candidates with honours bachelor’s degrees from disciplines other than these may also be considered. The program is rigorous and requires strong academic skills, discipline and a professional work-ethic.

CO-OP Option

The Institute of the Environment offers a co-op stream to a limited number of students who will request this option in their admission file. The co-op option gives selected students the opportunity to acquire practical work experience by completing two paid one-term work placements.

Requirements for this program have been modified. Please consult the  2022-2023 calendars  for the previous requirements.

Master's with Research Paper

The program requirements include 31.5 course units as follows:

It is possible to take the elective course credits outside of the EVD program (for instance, in geography, political studies, biology, globalization and international development). Consult the department for the list of elective courses and for the regulations governing the selection of these courses.

Students must begin to formulate their research paper topic and choose their supervisor at the beginning of the program. The supervisor of the research paper must be an affiliate of the Institute of the Environment and the student's choice must be approved by the Program Director.

Master's with Thesis

The program requirements include 19.5 course units as follows:

Students who choose to complete both EVD 5109 and EVD 5123  do not need to complete the 3 elective course units. A student may take the elective course units in other disciplines (for instance, in geography, political science, biology, globalization and international development). Consult the department for the list of elective courses and for the regulations governing the selection of these courses.

Students must begin to formulate their thesis topic and choose their supervisor at the beginning of the program. The thesis supervisor must be an affiliate of the Institute of the Environment and the student's choice must be approved by the Program Director. The choice of thesis topic and supervisor must be registered no later than the end of the second term.

CO-OP students must enroll full time and complete two work terms: EVD 6001 and  EVD 6002 .  

Each work term is graded P/F (pass/fail), based on the employer’s report and on the written report completed by the student (the student report should be 30 pages in length, including appendices). The report is evaluated by the professor in charge of the graduate CO-OP option in Environmental Sustainability.

The units awarded for CO-OP work terms may not be used to obtain equivalences for other courses. In other words, the CO-OP units are additional to the minimum requirements of the degree.

To remain in the CO-OP option, students must:

• maintain full-time status;
• maintain a 7.0 cumulative grade point average;
• obtain a satisfactory grade (P) for each CO-OP work term.

Minimum Standards

The passing grade in all courses is C+. Students who fail two courses or the same course twice, or the thesis research proposal, or whose research progress is deemed unsatisfactory, must withdraw from the program.

Duration of the Program

Full-time students are expected to fulfill all requirements of the thesis option within two years and the research paper option within one year. Students in the research paper option may take an additional term to complete their research paper, if needed. The maximum time permitted for all students is four years from the date of initial enrollment in the program.

Research Fields & Facilities

Located in the heart of Canada’s capital, a few steps away from Parliament Hill, the University of Ottawa is among Canada’s top 10 research universities.

Professors affiliated with the Institute of the Environment conduct research on a variety of sustainability and environmental issues, including market instruments for environmental protection, community-based resource management, climate policy, the control of toxics as well as biodiversity loss and species at risk.

Our students can also collaborate with the Smart Prosperity Institute (SPI), a national research network and policy think tank based at the University of Ottawa's Institute of the Environment. SPI deliver world-class research and work with public and private partners - all to advance practical policies and market solutions for a stronger, cleaner economy.

With cutting-edge research, our graduate students, researchers and educators strongly influence national and international priorities.

EVD 5100 Seminar in Environmental Sustainability (3 units)

Overview of environmental sustainability issues using climate change as an example. Application of integrated analyses based on concepts in science, law, economics and policy to devise policy solutions. The debate about the scientific evidence for climate change and international efforts to negotiate an agreement. The economic, political and social dimensions of climate change and measures taken both nationally and internationally to mitigate its effects.

Course Component: Seminar

EVD 5101 Economics of Environmental Law and Policy (3 units)

Environmental issues and the environmental policy framework from an economics perspective. Review of the underlying theory in relation to economic concepts such as efficiency, market failure, externalities, cost-benefit, and valuation. Overview of macroeconomic topics such as economic growth and green accounting, and their relation to law and policy. Application of these theoretical concepts to various environmental challenges, from climate change and energy regulation to managing ecosystem services and conserving biodiversity. Policy options for managing environmental challenges, from traditional “command and control” regulation to economic instruments such as environmental taxation, and cap and trade programs. Evaluation of the environmental, social, and economic effectiveness of the various policy options, and integration of economic theory into environmental policy development.

Course Component: Lecture

EVD 5109 Applied Environmental Sustainability (3 units)

Uses an environmental sustainability case study, such as climate change, to learn how to synthesize information about a problem from multiple disciplinary perspectives, to critically evaluate such information using rigorous methodological approaches, and to design and evaluate policy or regulatory solutions.

EVD 5111 Capstone Seminar in Environmental Sustainability (3 units)

Involves partnering with organization(s) working on a sustainability issue. Students work in interdisciplinary teams to identify the scientific, economic, legal and social dimensions of a particular environmental problem, evaluate a set of candidate solutions, and recommend an approach.

EVD 5113 Foundations of Environmental Policy (3 units)

Study of the key political and administrative factors affecting the formulation and implementation of environmental policy, including democratic institutions, various methods for citizen and stakeholder engagement and their influence on the decision-making process in government, public opinion and the framing of policy problems, values and the use of scientific evidence in policy-making, lobbying and the role of interest representation, federalism and multi-level environmental governance, and the international governance of environmental problems. Case studies will place Canada in a comparative context and explore the importance of political factors across areas of environmental policy.

EVD 5114 Professional Skills for Environmental Sustainability (1.5 unit)

Oral and written communications skills, including presenting to parliamentary committees, preparing memos to cabinet, writing editorials, doing media interviews, and producing interdisciplinary public policy reports. Project and process management skills, including multi-stakeholder processes.

EVD 5121 Foundations of Environmental Science (3 units)

Provides students with a thematic understanding of the current state of environmental science. Major themes include: the set of environmental issues that are currently of major concern in Canada and abroad; the range of scientific approaches currently employed to understand and predict the effects of human activities on ecosystems; the nature of environmental science evidence; and how environmental sustainability is characterized from the perspective of environmental science.

EVD 5122 Foundations of Environmental Economics (3 units)

Key elements of economics including formal models and their underlying assumptions as they relate to the development of sustainability policy. Covers concepts such as public goods, market failure, non-market valuation, incentives, welfare economics, regulation, the equity-efficiency trade-off and market-based instruments. The course explains how fundamental economic concepts, particularly their advantages and limitations, are used to analyze issues at the interface of the economy and the environment. Examines renewable (e.g., fisheries, forests) and non-renewable (e.g., oil, gas, minerals) resource management and other topics (e.g., climate change, ozone depletion, cap and trade) in applied environmental economics. Explores the institutions and trade-offs that individuals and governments face in the context of sustainability policy.

EVD 5123 Evidence Synthesis and Evaluation (3 units)

Reviews different understandings of what constitutes research, both as it pertains to the production of evidence and to the evaluation of existing evidence relating to policy, to regulatory and statutory interventions and to identifying evidence gaps. Students learn research methodologies to design research so as to maximize its evidentiary value (given existing constraints); they will also learn to synthesize and assess the evidentiary value of existing research.

EVD 5124 Foundations of Environmental Law (3 units)

Foundations of environmental law, including theory of sustainability, constitutional division of powers, approaches to regulation of environmental issues, including examples of legal frameworks for different environmental problems, and access to justice.

EVD 5500 Séminaire en durabilité de l'environnement (3 crédits)

Survol des enjeux en durabilité de l'environnement en se servant du changement climatique comme exemple. Application d'analyses intégrant des concepts en sciences, en droit, en science économique et en études politiques. Le débat au sujet de la preuve scientifique du changement climatique et les efforts sur le plan international pour négocier une entente. Les dimensions économiques, sociales et politiques du changement climatique et les mesures à ce jour pour atténuer ses effets, au niveau international et au niveau national.

Volet : Séminaire

EVD 5501 Approche économique et le droit de l'environnement (3 crédits)

Les enjeux environnementaux et le système de réglementation du point de vue de la science économique. Étude de la théorie qui sous-tend certains concepts économiques, tels l'efficacité, la défaillance du marché, les externalités et la valuation. Survol des concepts macroéconomiques, tels la croissance économique et la comptabilité environnementale. Application de ces concepts théoriques aux défis environnementaux tels le changement climatique, la réglementation de l'énergie, la gestion des services écologiques et la conservation de la biodiversité. Les divers outils de réglementation pour la gestion des défis liés à l'environnement, incluant la réglementation traditionnelle de type « commande et contrôle », les moyens économiques tels que la taxation environnementale et les systèmes de droits d'échanges. Évaluation de l'efficacité environnementale, sociale et économique des diverses approches, et intégration de la théorie économique dans le développement de la réglementation environnementale.

Volet : Cours magistral

EVD 5509 Développement durable appliqué (3 crédits)

Étude de cas en développement durable (changements climatiques, par exemple) pour apprendre à synthétiser l'information sur un problème à partir de plusieurs perspectives disciplinaires, pour évaluer l'information selon un schéma critique, en faisant usage de méthodes rigoureuses, et pour concevoir et évaluer des politiques ou règlements.

EVD 5511 Séminaire d'intégration sur le développement durable (3 crédits)

Partenariat avec des organisations travaillant en développement durable. Les étudiants forment des équipes multidisciplinaires pour étudier les dimensions scientifiques, économiques, juridiques et sociales d'un problème environnemental particulier, pour évaluer un éventail de solutions possibles et pour recommander les mesures à prendre.

EVD 5513 Rudiments des politiques environnementales (3 crédits)

Étude des principaux facteurs politiques et administratifs influençant la formulation et la mise en oeuvre des politiques environnementales, y compris les institutions démocratiques, les méthodes de participation des citoyens et des parties prenantes et leur influence sur les processus décisionnels des gouvernements, l'opinion publique et la définition des problèmes, le rôle des valeurs et de la science dans la formulation des politiques, le lobbying et la représentation des intérêts, le fédéralisme et la gouvernance multi-niveaux des enjeux environnementaux, et la politique internationale de l'environnement. Des études de cas situeront le Canada dans une perspective comparée et exploreront l'importance de ces facteurs politiques dans divers secteurs des politiques environnementales.

EVD 5514 Compétences professionnelles pour le développement durable (1.5 crédit)

Compétences orales et écrites en communication, notamment les présentations aux comités parlementaires, la préparation de mémoires au cabinet, la rédaction d'éditoriaux, les entrevues médiatiques et la production de rapports multidisciplinaires sur les politiques publiques. Gestion de projet et de processus faisant intervenir de nombreux joueurs.

EVD 5521 Rudiments des sciences de l'environnement (3 crédits)

Donne aux étudiants une compréhension thématique de l'état actuel des sciences environnementales. Principaux thèmes : éventail des enjeux environnementaux d'importance au Canada et à l'étranger; les démarches scientifiques déployées pour comprendre et prédire les conséquences des activités humaines pour les écosystèmes; la nature des preuves apportées par les sciences de l'environnement; la perspective des sciences de l'environnement sur le développement durable.

EVD 5522 Rudiments de l'économie de l'environnement (3 crédits)

Principaux éléments de l'économie, y compris les modèles économiques officiels et les présuppositions afférentes à l'élaboration de politiques de développement durable. Étude de divers concepts : patrimoine commun; échec des marchés; non évaluation des valeurs courantes; mesures incitatives; économie du bien-être; réglementation; équilibre entre équité et efficience; instruments reposant sur les mécanismes de marché. On examinera plus en détail les concepts fondamentaux de l'économie et leurs avantages et inconvénients pour l'examen des enjeux au carrefour de l'économie et de l'environnement. Étude de la gestion des ressources renouvelables (pêches, forêts, etc.) et non renouvelables (pétrole, gaz, minerai, etc.) et d'autres sujets en économie de l'environnement appliquée (ex. changements climatiques, destruction de la couche d'ozone, programmes de plafonnement et d'échange). Étude des institutions et programmes de compensation auxquels sont confrontés les individus et les gouvernements dans le contexte des politiques de développement durable.

EVD 5523 Synthèse et évaluation de données probantes (3 crédits)

La recherche vise soit à produire des données probantes, soit à évaluer les données probantes existantes en ce qu'elles ont trait à des interventions politiques, réglementaires et étatiques, y compris les lacunes en la matière. Ainsi, les étudiants acquièrent les compétences nécessaires qui leur permettent de concevoir un programme de recherche de façon à en optimiser la valeur probante (en fonction des contraintes existantes) et de synthétiser les résultats de recherches existantes et d'évaluer leur valeur probante.

EVD 5524 Rudiments du droit de l'environnement (3 crédits)

Rudiments du droit de l'environnement, y compris la théorie du développement durable, la division constitutionnelle des pouvoirs, les démarches visant à réglementer les questions environnementales, avec exemples de cadres légaux pour différents problèmes environnementaux et accès à la justice.

EVD 6001 Stage coop I / Co-Op Work Term I (6 crédits / 6 units)

Expérience en milieu de travail. Évalué P (réussite) / F (échec) par un professeur du programme selon les résultats du rapport écrit et l'évaluation du superviseur de stage. Préalable : permission du responsable des études supérieures. / Experience in a workplace setting. Evaluated P (Pass) / F (Fail) by a professor in the program based on the written report and the evaluation of the internship supervisor.

Volet / Course Component: Stage / Work Term

EVD 6002 Stage coop II / Co-Op Work II (6 crédits / 6 units)

EVD 6112 Selected Topics in Environmental Sustainability (3 units)

In-depth examination of a question or topic linked to new trends or research areas in environmental sustainability.

EVD 6512 Thèmes choisis en durabilité de l'environnement (3 crédits)

Analyse approfondie d'une problématique ou d'une question liée aux nouvelles tendances en recherche ou aux nouveaux thèmes de recherche en durabilité de l'environnement.

EVD 6912 Thèmes choisis en durabilité de l'environnement / Selected Topics in Environmental Sustainability (3 crédits / 3 units)

Analyse approfondie d'une problématique ou d'une question liée aux nouvelles tendances en recherche ou aux nouveaux thèmes de recherche en durabilité de l'environnement. / In-depth examination of a question or topic linked to new trends or research areas in environmental sustainability.

Volet / Course Component: Cours magistral / Lecture

Préalable : connaissance passive de l'anglais. / Prerequisite: passive knowledge of French

EVD 6932 Lectures dirigées en durabilité de l'environnement / Directed Readings in Environmental Sustainability (3 crédits / 3 units)

Cours individuel ayant pour objectif d'approfondir les connaissances de l'étudiant dans un domaine particulier ou de lui permettre de se familiariser avec un nouveau domaine. Le sujet est déterminé et développé en consultation avec le professeur responsable et en conformité avec les directives de l'Institut de l'environnement. Le travail remis dans ce cours doit être différent de ce qui a pu être soumis dans d'autres cours, y compris le projet de recherche, la thèse ou le mémoire. On permet un maximum d'un cours de lectures dirigées par étudiant et la permission n'est accordée que dans des circonstances exceptionnelles. / Individual course aimed at deepening a student's knowledge of a particular area or at gaining knowledge of a new area. The topic is selected and developed in consultation with the supervising professor in accordance with institute guidelines. The work submitted for this course must be different from that submitted for other courses, including the research proposal, the thesis or the research paper. Maximum of one directed readings course per student, and permission is granted only under exceptional circumstances.

Volet / Course Component: Recherche / Research

Préalable: Connaissance passive de l'anglais. / Prerequisite: Passive knowledge of French.

EVD 6999 Mémoire / Research Paper (6 crédits / 6 units)

EVD 7997 Projet de thèse / Thesis Proposal

EVD 8100 Theory and Practice in Environmental Sustainability (3 units)

Characterization of environmental sustainability from the perspective of economics, political science, environmental science, and law. Demonstration of how often-divergent perspectives and values of stakeholders from various backgrounds frame both sustainability problems themselves, and acceptable solutions.

EVD 8500 Théorie et pratique en durabilité environnementale (3 crédits)

La caractérisation de la durabilité environnementale du point de vue de la science économique, de la science politique, de la science environnementale et du droit. Démonstration de comment les perspectives et les valeurs divergentes des parties prenantes de divers horizons définissent à la fois les problèmes et les solutions acceptables en durabilité.

EVD 8901 Conception de recherche et méthodologie pour la recherche en durabilité de l’environnement / Research Design and Methods for Environmental Sustainability (3 crédits / 3 units)

Vue d'ensemble des méthodes de recherche employées dans les quatre domaines principaux de la durabilité (science de l'environnement, droit, politique et économie). À l'aide d'études de cas, examen des types d'inférences causales que l'on peut ou ne peut pas tirer d'un plan de recherche, les menaces à la déduction valable et les plans de recherche pouvant atténuer ces menaces. Accent particulier sera mis sur la relation entre les conceptions de recherche et la force de l'inférence causale. / Overview of research methods employed in the four main subject areas underlying sustainability (environmental science, law, policy and economics). Through case studies, examination of the kinds of causal inferences one can and cannot draw from a research design, threats to valid inference, and research designs that can mitigate those threats. Particular emphasis placed on the relationship between research designs and strength of causal inference.

Volet / Course Component: Séminaire / Seminar

EVD 9997 Examen d'entrée / Qualifying Examination

Examen d'entrée / Qualifying Examination

EVD 9998 Projet de thèse / PhD Thesis Proposal

Projet de thèse / PhD Thesis Proposal

Undergraduate Studies

For more information about undergraduate studies at the University of Ottawa, please refer to your faculty .

Graduate and Postdoctoral Studies

For more information about graduate studies at the University of Ottawa, please refer to your academic unit .

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Master Thesis

M.sc.-thesis: coronation of higher academic education, thesis guidelines and application documents.

• Administrative Guidelines : Administrative matters to start writing a thesis  (Choosing a supervisor, registration,  deadline , etc)
• Guide on how to write a Master Thesis : How to prepare for a master thesis what are the steps to write one (necessary skills, selecting a topic, looking for literature, grading, etc)
• Master Thesis registration form  
• Master Thesis cover page template  

Funding opportunities

The university provides various sources of grants for Master thesis research. 

• Funding options for internships

Previous thesis topics

• List of Master Theses MEG 2007-2020  

Possible Thesis Topics

Michael Pregernig (Sustainability Governance)

• Knowledge politics for sustainability ” – with different possible case studies looking at the way how various types of knowledge are created, tested and deployed in:
• different sectors, incl. biodiversity, food, water, climate, forests, agriculture etc.;
• different politico-cultural contexts at different levels;
• different social sub-systems, incl. social movements, companies, (city) administrations etc.
• “ Environmental assessments: Comparison of institutional setups ” – with single case studies or a comparison of different assessments (e.g. IPCC, IPBES, IPES Food, IPOS etc.) … with a focus on e.g. the process of validation/review, the role of non-scientific knowledge, interface to politics and society etc.
• “ Dynamics in epistemic authority under conditions of uncertainty and ambiguity ” – with possible case studies from the field of forest management and governance *) … or any other environmental policy field
• “ Epistemic disputes as markers of change in knowledge cultures ” – with case studies focusing either on inner-scientific debates and/or on disputes in broader socio-political contexts … in the field of forest management and governance *) … or any other environmental policy field
• “ Beyond 'post-truth': Knowledge politics of populist environmental movements ” – with single case studies or a comparison of different movement types and/or in different countries
• “ Challenges of long-term orientation in sustainability governance ” – with case studies e.g. focusing on questions like how anticipatory knowledge is produced and made policy-relevant, how the “future” is framed in public discourse, which actors shape debates on the future etc.
• “ Epistemic dynamics in public participation ” – with case studies focusing on a specific participation process or on a certain type of participation (e.g. citizens’ councils)
• overview of SES frameworks and their disciplinary foundations;
• overview or specific case studies on the integration of the social sciences in SES modelling ;
• systematic review on the application of a SES perspective on forests. *)
• Justice concerns discussed with regard to the German Fuel Emissions Trading Act BEHG [or a similar law, e.g. EU ETS] - A qualitative analysis based on documents from the parliamentary process. 
• Hamburg’s [or: Rotterdam’s] role in the hydrogen economy - Mapping and scrutinizing current promises and expectations.
• How to govern the phase-out of the gas distribution network in Hamburg [or: a comparable city] - An idealistic and a realistic governance pathway.
• The decarbonization of Hamburg’s heating networks. Current challenges to implementation.

Cristina Espinosa (Sustainability Governance) supervises theses that apply critical, qualitative interpretive methodologies (such as discourse analysis) and are connected to the following topics:

• Environmental citizenship and education for sustainability and peace
• Governance for alternative models of mainstream sustainable development, such as buen vivir
• Knowledge politics in environmental governance
• Rights of nature and world order
• Political representation of non-human nature in different settings, such as courts and legal processes
• SDGS and citizen science
• Science and environmental activism
• Contested natural resource governance, particulary in connection to transition minerals

Sustainable Food Economy Lab with Dr. Arnim Wiek of the Sustainable Food Economy Lab: interested students should email [email protected]

• Cooperative food businesses in sustainable food supply chains in the Upper-Rhine region ( CO-SFSC: Co-Creating Sustainable Transformations of Food Supply Chains through Cooperative Business Models and Governance )
• Sustainability training for food entrepreneurs (e.g., in vocational schools)
• Municipal instruments for the sustainable food economy in Baden-Wuerttemberg
• Comparative sustainability assessment of product supply chains in the Bio-Musterregion Freiburg
• The role of the Freiburg wholesale produce market (GMF) for the farmer’s markets in Freiburg (based on a study from Cologne)

Several chair groups at the Faculty of Environment and Natural Resources offer on their chair’s webpages thesis topics and/or instructions on how to apply for a Master thesis with them, e.g.

• Forest and Environmental Policy
• Transformation Towards Sustainable Energy Systems
• Environmental Planning and Transformation
• Industrial Ecology

Duration: 2 years (4 semesters)

Offered Since: 2005

Application Deadline: May 15

Group Size: ~35

Start of the Programme: Winter Semester (October)

Language: English

Master Programme: Environmental Governance (MEG)

Credits: 120 ECTS

Study Fees: EU-citizens: None Non-EU citizens: €1500 per semester DAAD-EPOS Scholarship recipients are exempted from study fees.

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MSc (by Dissertation) Environmental Sciences

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• Get a prospectus

Entry requirements

Fees and funding.

• What's next?

Our research covers a wide range of areas, from the genome to communities and ecosystems, allowing the opportunity for developing novel ideas and inter-disciplinary projects. We offer supervision in a wide range of environmental science topics including sustainable agriculture, pollution, aerosol science, the impact of nanoparticles on the environment, marine biology, environmental resource management and environmental microbiology.

As a research student at Essex, you'll work at the heart of our internationally acknowledged and well-connected research community. We offer world-class supervision and training opportunities, and encourage you to engage with other researchers, professionals, practitioners and research users, where possible for example using the generous funding from Proficio to attend conferences and training courses.

A PhD and MPhil are also available. Both full- and part-time study can be supported, and you can start this course in either January, April or October.

We're ranked 31st for promoting the United Nations Sustainable Development Goal on life below water (Times Higher Education Impact Rankings 2023). Learn more about the THE Impact Rankings 2023 as well as the partnership between The Centre for Environment, Fisheries and Aquaculture Science (Cefas) and the University of Essex to collaborate on training and research related to aquatic ecosystem science .

• Collaborate alongside our research groups working on important international and national problems using cutting-edge techniques
• You will be part of our collaborative Research Groups that work on important international and national problems using cutting-edge techniques, and who have strong links with a range of organisations such as Public Health England, the Environment Agency, Cefas, Defra, oil companies and Anglian Water
• The quality of our work is reflected in the large number of publications in high-profile academic journals our staff feature in

Our expert staff

Within our School of Life Sciences, you will be allocated a supervisor whose role it is to guide you through the different stages of your research degree. In some cases, you may be jointly supervised.

The support provided by your supervisor is a key feature of your research student experience and you will have regular one-to-one meetings to discuss progress on your research. Initially, your supervisor will help you develop your research topic and plan.

Twice a year, you will have a supervisory board meeting, which provides a more formal opportunity to discuss your progress and agree your plans for the next six months.

Your technical and intellectual development will be enhanced by becoming part of a Research Group, and participating in School Seminars.

Specialist facilities

Our School provides a comprehensive range of facilities for environmental science research which include:

A dedicated study room allows all our postgraduate research students to have access to a desk and a computer outside of the research laboratories. This provides a focal point for our postgraduates, facilitating reading and writing as well as good communication and a sense of community.

Your future

Our postgraduates go on to a range of careers. Many choose to continue their scientific research by taking up postdoctoral positions in the UK or overseas. Others go on to work with industry, governmental and non-governmental organisations and environmental agencies. We support your career development by a mentoring scheme and employability events.

UK entry requirements

International & eu entry requirements.

We accept a wide range of qualifications from applicants studying in the EU and other countries. Get in touch with any questions you may have about the qualifications we accept. Remember to tell us about the qualifications you have already completed or are currently taking.

Sorry, the entry requirements for the country that you have selected are not available here. Please select your country page where you'll find this information.

English language requirements

Course structure.

A research degree doesn't have a taught structure, giving you the chance to investigate your chosen topic in real depth and reach a profound understanding. In communicating that understanding, through a thesis or other means, you have a rare opportunity to generate knowledge. A research degree allows you to develop new high-level skills, enhance your professional development and build new networks. It can open doors to many careers.

We understand that deciding where and what to study is a very important decision for you. We'll make all reasonable efforts to provide you with the courses, services and facilities as described on our website and in line with your contract with us. However, if we need to make material changes, for example due to significant disruption, we'll let our applicants and students know as soon as possible.

Components are the blocks of study that make up your course. A component may have a set module which you must study, or a number of modules from which you can choose.

Each component has a status and carries a certain number of credits towards your qualification.

The modules that are available for you to choose for each component will depend on several factors, including which modules you have chosen for other components, which modules you have completed in previous years of your course, and which term the module is taught in.

Modules are the individual units of study for your course. Each module has its own set of learning outcomes and assessment criteria and also carries a certain number of credits.

In most cases you will study one module per component, but in some cases you may need to study more than one module. For example, a 30-credit component may comprise of either one 30-credit module, or two 15-credit modules, depending on the options available.

Modules may be taught at different times of the year and by a different department or school to the one your course is primarily based in. You can find this information from the module code . For example, the module code HR100-4-FY means:

COMPONENT 01: COMPULSORY

This module is for PhD students who are completing the research portions of their thesis.

View Biological Science - Research on our Module Directory

The aim of undertaking your MSD within our School of Life Sciences is to train you to become independent researchers who can critically assess research work, and who have a comprehensive understanding of at least one area of biology.

An MSD involves a minimum of one year of full-time research or two years part time followed by production of a dissertation. Students enrolled on an MSD programme can upgrade to an MPhil or PhD subject to satisfactory progress.

Dissertation

Within our School of Life Sciences, you must attend two formal supervisory board meetings each year where you submit literature reviews and research reports to the Board members prior to the meeting. At these meetings, such documents are discussed with you and your progress is assessed.

Your MSD thesis is generally completed within one to two years and has a maximum length of 30,000 words.

Home/UK fee

£4,712 per year

International fee

£20,700 per year

Fees will increase for each academic year of study.

Masters fees and funding information

Research (e.g. PhD) fees and funding information

What's next

We hold Open Days for all our applicants throughout the year. Our Colchester Campus events are a great way to find out more about studying at Essex, and give you the chance to:

• tour our campus and accommodation
• find out answers to your questions about our courses, graduate employability, student support and more
• talk to our Fees and Funding team about scholarship opportunities
• meet our students and staff

If the dates of our organised events aren’t suitable for you, feel free to get in touch by emailing [email protected] and we’ll arrange an individual campus tour for you.

2024 Open Days (Colchester Campus)

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Home > Environmental Studies > Student Theses 2001-2013

Student Theses 2001-2013

Theses/dissertations from 2017 2017.

The Disappearing Wetland Act: Climate Change, Development, and Protection , Jessica P. Doughty

Theses/Dissertations from 2013 2013

The Centrality of Ecological Design: Achieving Sustainability in an Era of Free-Market Capitalist Framework , Eddy Andrade

A Vicious CERCLA, Or The Twilight of the Superfund , Donald Borenstein

Saving the World’s Remaining Tigers: Panthera’s Work and the Role of Non-Profits in Wildlife Conservation , John Byrne

New York City’s Water Challenges: History, Politics, and Design , Jessica Crowley

Giving Back to the Community: Addressing the Environmental Literacy Gap Through Socially and Environmentally Responsible Business Practices , David Garcia

Wasting Plates: Addressing Food Waste in the United States , Sarah Geuss

Too Pig to Fail: Considering Regulatory Solutions to the Environmental Damages Caused by Industrial Hog Farms in North Carolina , Samir Hafez

Sandy and the City: The Need for Coastal Policy Reform , Jonathan Hilburg

Drilling for Arctic Oil: Is it Worth the Risk? , Emily Kain

The Pedestrianization of New York City: An Environmental History and Critique of Urban Motorization and A Look at New York City’s New Era of Planning , Anna Kobara

Hurricane Sandy: Using Environmental History, Economics, Politics and Urban Planning to Prepare For the Next One , Julia Maguire

Our Failing Food System: Productivity Versus Sustainability , Alyson Murphy

Exploring the Drivers of CSR and Creating a Sustainable Corporate Institution: Environmental Education, Politics, and Business Practices , Eric Osuna

Composting Food Waste: A Method That Can Improve Soil Quality and Reduce Greenhouse Gas Emissions , Gentiana Quni

Assessment of Impact of Socioeconomic Factors on Conservation Awareness in the Tarangire-Manyara Ecosystem , Karianne Rivera

The Sustainable Future of the Metropolis: Greening New York City Building By Building , Lizbeth Sanchez

Trash Talk: Solid Waste Disposal in New York City , Alexander Williams

Hurricane Sandy: A Chance to Identify Vulnerabilities, Learn from the Past, and Increase Future Resiliency , Julianne Yee

Theses/Dissertations from 2012 2012

Going Green at New York-Presbyterian: Hospitals As Sustainable Businesses , Samantha Allegro

A Stronger Role For the United States President in Environmental Policy , Elizabeth Anderson

Simulating Climate Risk Into Markets and Policies: A New Approach to Financial Analysis and Policy Formation , Miguel Bantigue

Environmental Education Reform: Using Experiential Learning to Influence Environmental Policy-Making By Fostering a Sense of Environmental Citizenship and Eco-Literacy , Nicol Belletiere

Internship Report: Earthjustice & the Fracking Battle in New York's Marcellus Shale , John Byrne

Coal: How We Achieved Our Dependency and Its True Cost , Kelly Caggiano

Recycling Furniture: The Ecological, Economic and Social Benefits , Michele Calabrese

Internship Report UNEP: The Effects of Climate Change in Arctic Zones , Diana Cartaya-Acosta

Environmental Racism in South Africa: A Sustainable Green Solution , Danielle Darmofal

The Bronx, Beavers and Birthrights: The Case For Urban Wildlife , Richard Day

The Economics of Biodiversity , Paige Doyle

Environmental Communications: Case Study of New York City's Double Crested Cormorant , Marisa Galdi

Not a Walk In the Park: Environmental Justice in New York City , Lindsey Grier

The Economic and Environmental Justice Implications of Hydraulic Fracturing in 21st Century North America , Katie Medved

The Bottling Craze: Exposing the Environmental Effects of Bottled Vs. Tap Water , Michele Paccagnini

How the United States Will Find a Sustainable Future Through Increased Nuclear Productivity , Ian Pruitt

Group For the East End: The Role of Childhood Environmental Education in Improving Learning Behaviors and the Health of Humans and the Environment , Brian Riley

The Role of Modern Zoos in Wildlife Conservation: From the WCS to the Wild , John Scott

Global Climate Change Vs. Global Warming: What Is the Difference "Global Climate Change" and "Global Warming"? , Nadia Seeteram

Lost in Translation: Environmental Communication Issues in Media and Politics , Carolyn Wegemann

Theses/Dissertations from 2011 2011

The Ins and Outs of Corporate Greenwashing , Jennifer Bender

A River Runs Through It: Community Access to the Bronx River in Tremont and Hunts Point , Matthew Bodnar

The Future is Green; Urban Agriculture in the Bronx , Patty Gouris

All in Our Backyard: Exploring how Environmental Discrimination Affects Health and Social Conditions in the South Bronx , Mireille Martineau

Theses/Dissertations from 2010 2010

The Bronx River Alliance: A Model Community Action Organization And an Internship in Development , John Hinck

Enrique Reef: Degradation and Protective Measures , Dana Mitchell

The Human Population Growth and its Ecological Consequences on Kenya and Tanzania , Lauren Noll

Environmental Consciousness: Human Motivation for Thinking Ecologically , Rob Pigue

Economics of Carbon Regulation: An Exploration to the Nuance of Carbon Regulation , Timothy J. Schwartz

New York Botanical Garden Internship: From Photography to Policy , Christine Willeford

Theses/Dissertations from 2009 2009

Environmental Health and Climate Change: The Case of Lyme Disease , Matthew Abad

Recycling Tendencies of Fordham University's Population , Jeremy Aiss, Vincent Ammirato, Anamarie Beluch, and Christopher Torres

The Business of Sustainability , Andrea Brady

Waste Mismanagement: Fighting Environmental Injustice in Mott Haven and Hunts Point , Elizabeth Friedrich

Environmental Internship & The Fordham Eco-Roof Proposal , Anthony Giovannone

The Putnam Railroad Corridor Restoration Project: A Comprehensive Plan for Paired Ecological Restoration and Greenway Construction , Patrick J. Hopkins Jr.

Land Use Policy and Development on Long Island , Richard Murdocco

From the Bronx into the Wild! My Adventurous Experience at the Bronx Zoo , Lauren Noll

For the Birds! , Robert Patterson

Managing Infestation of the Invasive Viburnum Leaf Beetle (Pyrrhalta viburni) at the New York Botanical Garden , Gregory Russo

Environmental History of Japan , Amy Seagroves

Theses/Dissertations from 2008 2008

A Healthy Environment is a Healthy Body , Matthew Abad

Stormwater Runoff, Combined Sewer Overflow, and Environmental Justice in the Bronx , Natalie Collao

Solving a Crisis: Water Quality & Storm Water Infrastructure in New York City , Kelsey Ripper

The New Social Movement: Environmental Justice in the Bronx , Kelsey Ripper

Environmental Justice and Street Science: A Fusion of Community Knowledge and Environmental Health Justice to Address the Asthma Epidemic in Urban Communities , Natalie Robiou

Urban Wildlife and Leopold’s Land Ethic: “The squirrels on a college campus convey the same lesson as the redwoods. . . .” , Natalie Robiou

Unpasteurized Milk and Soft Cheese Outbreaks: An Overview of Consumer Safety , Taygan Yilmaz

Theses/Dissertations from 2007 2007

The Environmental Justice Movement in the United States , Harrison Delfin

Natural River Restoration in Urban Ecology: The Bronx River , Samuel P. Loor

Theses/Dissertations from 2006 2006

The H5N1 Avian Influenza Virus: Globalization, Climate Change, and Other Anthropogenic Factors in New Emergent Diseases , Quan Luong

The Environmental Effects of War , Philip Swintek

Theses/Dissertations from 2005 2005

Identification of Genetically Modified Organisms in Foodstuffs , Anamarie Beluch

The Moral Dilemma of Genetically Modified Foods (GMOs) , Anamarie Beluch

Theses/Dissertations from 2003 2003

The History of Community Gardens in New York City: The Role of Urban Agriculture and Green Roofs in Addressing Environmental Racism , Rosamarie Ridge

Theses/Dissertations from 2002 2002

Bronx River Restoration: Report and Assessment , Teresa Crimmens

Environmental Audit of the Rose Hill Campus , Nicole Marshall, Maria Nissi, Brian Flaherty, Carl Van Ostrand, and Ian McClelland

Theses/Dissertations from 2001 2001

Bronx River Restoration: Report and Assessment , Nicole Marshall

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Theses and Dissertations (Environmental Sciences)

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• The ecological assessment of the influence of anthropogenic activities on Palala River, Limpopo, South Africa  Sibiya, Sifundile ( 2023-08 ) Water quality integrity deterioration is a severe global issue due to urbanisation, population growth, pollution and other anthropogenic activities threatening freshwater integrity. Anthropogenic activities alter freshwater ...
• The impact of licensing on selected hazardous waste disposal facilities in South Africa  Dlamini, Zinhle Teresa (Mbili) ( 2023-02 ) This research evaluates the impact of waste licensing conditions on the operations of three selected hazardous waste disposal facilities, particularly in terms of compliance with conditions of the issued waste management ...
• Factors affecting sustainable water use in South Africa : a case of Cape Town  Musariri, Yeukai ( 2023-01-31 ) Cape Town's water shortages continue unabated, with most residents resorting to unsafe water sources. The continuation of the water shortages has reached crisis level, which signals challenges in the provision of clean, ...
• Sustainability of indigenous methods of solid waste management in Sikhunyani Village, Limpopo Province, South Africa  Rabonda, Lethabo Caroline ( 2023-02-24 ) Most rural areas do not have access to basic amenities such as municipal solid waste (MSW) disposal services and use various indigenous methods of solid waste management and disposal. Most communities in developing countries ...
• Inclusion of local community farmers in the last-mile supply chain processes of luxury wildlife tourism destinations  Van den Berg, Hugo ( 2022-12-01 ) The fresh produce supply chains' content, nature, and characteristics for luxury tourism wildlife destinations in South Africa and sub-Saharan Africa are unknown. There is no synthesised document that compares the current ...
• A case study for wetland restoration towards socio-ecological appreciation of natural resources in Kwazulu-Natal (South Africa)  Acker, Cherise ( 2022-11 ) Social cognitive theory suggests that in order to bring about change in society an environment conducive to change is imperative. This theory was investigated within a socio-ecological framework using a comparative study ...
• Assessing the abundance of Cryptosporidium and Giardia spp. in borehole water close to eMbalenhle wastewater treatment plant and associated human health impacts  Makhombothi, Busisiwe Fezile ( 2023-03 ) Groundwater quality is often an overlooked aspect and due to this oversight, groundwater remains vulnerable to contamination by such sources as wastewater treatment plants (WWTPs). Even though most WWTPs in South Africa ...
• An assessment of the occurrence and removal options of microplastics in wastewater treatment processes at the City Ekurhuleni and Midvaal in South Africa  Mphaga, Tendani ( 2023-03-03 ) The main aim of the study was to investigate the occurrence and removal of microplastics in wastewater treatment processes in Ekurhuleni and Midvaal in South Africa. The amount of microplastics and chemical composition ...
• Feeding and spatial ecology of brown hyaena (hyaena brunnea) in the presence of a vulture restaurant on Mogale’s Gate Biodiversity Centre, Gauteng province, South Africa  Kruger, Caroline Vera ( 2022-01-21 ) Initial studies of brown hyaena occurred mainly in relatively large and arid systems, such as in the Namib Desert, the Kalahari region of southern Africa and savanna regions of Botswana and northern South Africa. In recent ...
• An investigation into the environmental sustainability of the South African ornamental horticultural industry  Goodwin, Cary Leigh ( 2023-01 ) The ornamental horticultural industry makes use of natural resources to grow plants and produce allied products to sell to consumers, landscapers, retail garden centres, hardware stores, supermarkets, and government, but ...
• Assessing factors that influence household fuelstacking behaviour within rural households in the Gonani village, Limpopo Province, South Africa  Sithole, Nkhensani Tiyani Precious ( 2023-02 ) Energy is crucial to human survival since it sustains all kinds of life. Traditional/dirty/solid energy sources have given way to modern/clean energy sources in the evolution of energy sources. Some experts have noted that ...
• Effect of real exchange rates on fruit exports in South Africa : a Vector Error Correction Model (VECM) approach  Maphalle, Mohakanegi Isaac ( 2022-08 ) A country’s exports occupy an important position in determining the state of national accounts. Thus, stable performance of the export sector is important for Gross Domestic Product (GDP) growth. In order to increase ...
• Evaluation of the effects of temperature intensity and duration on the sorption properties of mine tailings contaminated soils and the implication on fire-affected soils  Sebola, Khathutshelo Constance ( 2022-02 ) Soil heavy metal contamination that is caused by anthropogenic activities such as mining is a global concern and so it is necessary for a sustainable remediation strategy to be employed for the contaminated soil to be ...
• Impala (Aepyceros melampus) habitat utilisation and activity patterns in Sourish Mixed Bushveld  Mongale, Boitumelo Florina ( 2023-01 ) The habitat utilisation and daily activity patterns of Impala at Loskop Dam Nature (LDNR) Reserve were studied to provide an insight into the management of this species. We used the Braun-Blanquet and TWINSPAN methods ...
• Ecology and habitat utilization of leopard tortoise (stigmochelys pardalis) in Southern Kruger National Park  Khosa, Raymond ( 2021-10 ) This study investigated seasonal changes in habitat selection and movement patterns for Stigmochelys pardalis in the southern Kruger National Park. The aim of the study was to collect information on the ecology of S. ...
• Evaluating the role of informal waste sector in municipal solid waste management in Vhembe District Municipality, Limpopo Province, South Africa  Mathivha, Funanani Khangala Sampson ( 2023-03 ) To date, solid waste managers are still dwarfed by the growing challenge of delivering municipal solid waste management service to the public. This is because of the growing rate of waste generation resulting from ...
• Middle-class school choice: a case study of selected private Catholic schools, Johannesburg  Machard, Deborah Catherine ( 2022-08 ) Tracking the size and shape of the black middle class post the advent of democracy in 1994 is essential to determine if South Africa is becoming a more racially equal society. In this regard, exploring access to quality ...
• Creating a "smart" solid waste recycling system : the case of high rise residential apartment block  Vlastos, Argiris ( 2020-04 ) South Africa has experienced rapid urbanisation, population growth, and economic growth since 1994 and as a result, solid waste is being produced on an ever-larger scale, despite significant environmental, social and ...
• Determining the efficacy of syringa (Melia azedarach L.) extracts and garlic (Allium sativum L.) extracts in the control of tobacco spider mites (Tetranychus evansi) in tomatoes (Lycopersicum esculentum) under field conditions in Chiredzi District, in Zimbabwe  Show, Nyamhunga ( 2023-03 ) The production of tomatoes is hampered by a variety of pests and diseases despite the importance of tomatoes as a vegetable in everyday life and their economic significance in Zimbabwe. Tobacco spider mites (Tetranychus ...
• Investigating the effect of different coir substrates on the growth, yield and biochemical constituents of tomato (Solanum lycopersicum var. Esculentum)  Mogale, Jeffrey Thema ( 2022-11 ) Fruit crops depend on the quality of the substrate for improved development, yield and nutrient content. To assure higher crop quality and to answer year-round market demand, most producers employ organic substrate for ...

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Digital Commons @ USF > College of Marine Science > Theses and Dissertations

Marine Science Theses and Dissertations

Theses/dissertations from 2023 2023.

Environmental chemical analysis method optimization and application to northwest Cuban marine sediment , Thea R. Bartlett

Exploring the Impact of Eddies on Southern Ocean Biogeochemical Structure using BGC-Argo Float Observations , Nicola J. Guisewhite

Meta-Analysis of United States Seabird Populations Based on Ocean Biodiversity Information System (OBIS) Records (1965–2018) , Savannah Hartman

Stable Isotopic Investigation of the Hydrological Cycle of West-Central Florida , Toedsit Netratanawong

Examining paleoshorelines in the eastern Gulf of Mexico: Insights on sea level history and potential areas of interest for habitat management , Catalina Rubiano

Stable Isotope Analysis on Yellowfin and Blackfin Tuna Eye Lenses Reveals Life History Patterns in the Gulf of Mexico , Kylee M. Rullo

Stable Isotope Analysis of Doryteuthis (Amerigo) pealeii Eye Lenses to Determine Migratory Patterns in the Eastern Gulf of Mexico Using Statoliths for Age Determination , Hannah M. Schwaiger

Theses/Dissertations from 2022 2022

The effects of temperature and oxygen availability on aerobic performance in three coastal shark species; Squalus acanthias, Carcharhinus limbatus, and Carcharhinus leucas , Alyssa M. Andres

Continuous Effort Required to Maintain Populations of Outplanted Acropora cervicornis in the Florida Reef Tract, USA , Tiffany S. Boisvert

Elucidating the Sources Supplying Aerosol Iron, Zinc, and Cadmium to the Surface of the North Pacific Ocean with Stable Isotopes , Zach B. Bunnell

Quantifying Environmental Sensitivity of Marine Resources to Oil Well Blowouts in the Gulf of Mexico , Emily Chancellor

Zooplankton Biodiversity in the Northeast Gulf of Mexico and on the West Florida Shelf from 2005 - 2014 , Megan Ferguson

Coupling 210 Pb and 14 C to constrain carbon burial efficiency of blue carbon ecosystems , Tynisha R. Martin

Empirical and Modeled δ13C and δ15N Isoscapes in the Gulf of Mexico and their Application to Fish Eye Lens Migration Studies , Brianna Michaud

Interactions between juvenile estuary-dependent fishes and microalgal dynamics , Ian C. Williams

Theses/Dissertations from 2021 2021

Metabolic Rate, Critical Oxygen Partial Pressure, and Oxygen Supply Capacity of Farfantepenaeus duorarum at their Lower Thermal Limit , Alexandra L. Burns

From River to Sea: Improving Carbon System Measurement Methods for use in Rivers, Estuaries, and Oceans , Ellie Hudson-Heck

Riverine and Estuarine CO2-System Studies on the West Coast of Florida , Christopher S. Moore

Past Ice-Ocean Interactions on the Sabrina Coast shelf, East Antarctica: Deglacial to Recent Paleoenvironmental Insights from Marine Sediments , Kara J. Vadman

Investigating the Recent History of a Changing Planet with Innovative Isotopic Techniques and New Geologic Archives , Ryan A. Venturelli

Theses/Dissertations from 2020 2020

Testing the Efficacy of Recompression Tools to Reduce the Discard Mortality of Reef Fishes in the Gulf of Mexico , Oscar E. Ayala

Polychlorinated Biphenyls, Organochlorine Pesticides, and Polycyclic Aromatic Hydrocarbons in Snapper (Family Lutjanidae) from Cuba and the Wider Gulf of Mexico , Brigid E. Carr

A Health Evaluation of Gulf of Mexico Golden Tilefish (Lopholatilus chamaeleonticeps) and Red Snapper (Lutjanus campechanus) Following the Deepwater Horizon Oil Spill , Kristina Leigh Deak

A Process-based Approach to Evaluating the Role of Organic Ligands in Trace Metal Cycling in the Marine Environment , Travis Mellett

Investigation of Retention Versus Export of Planktonic Fish Eggs in the Northeastern Gulf of Mexico , Bich Vi Viviane Nguyen

Development of a Benthic Foraminifera Based Marine Biotic Index (Foram-AMBI) for the Gulf of Mexico: a Decision Support Tool , Bryan O'Malley

Plio-Pleistocene Antarctic Ice-Ocean Interactions in the Ross Sea , Catherine Prunella

Mechanisms of Carbon Movement and Stabilization in Mangrove Wetlands , Carey Schafer

Hepatobiliary Polycyclic Aromatic Hydrocarbons in Pelagic Fishes of the Gulf of Mexico , Madison R. Schwaab

Analytical Methods and Critical Analyses Supporting Thermodynamically Consistent Characterizations of the Marine CO 2 System , Jonathan D. Sharp

Large Thecosome Pteropods of the Northern Gulf of Mexico: Species Abundance, Spatial and Vertical Distribution With a Temporal Comparison of Shell Thickness , Sarah M. Shedler

Polycyclic Aromatic Hydrocarbon Exposure, Hepatic Accumulation, and Associated Health Impacts in Gulf of Mexico Tilefish (Lopholatilus chamaeleonticeps) , Susan M. Snyder

Investigating the Isotope Signatures of Dissolved Iron in the Southern Atlantic Ocean , Brent A. Summers

Modeling Early Life: Ontogenetic Growth and Behavior Affect Population Connectivity in Gulf of Mexico Marine Fish , Kelly Vasbinder

Isotope-Based Methods for Evaluating Fish Trophic Geographies , Julie L. Vecchio

Theses/Dissertations from 2019 2019

Use of Spectrofluorometry to Detect Petroleum Hydrocarbons in the Marine Environment , Mary Iris Abercrombie

Can Florida's Springs Coast provide a Potential Refuge for Calcifying Organisms? Evidence from Benthic Foraminifera , Kyle E. Amergian

Iron-Virus Interactions: Development and Testing of the Ferrojan Horse Hypothesis , Chelsea Bonnain

DNA Barcoding of Fish Eggs in the Gulf of Mexico , Makenzie Burrows

Ecological Responses of Seascape Heterogeneity , Dinorah H. Chacin

Species Abundance, Spatial and Vertical Distributionsof Large Heteropods (Pterotracheidae and Carinariidae)in the Northern Gulf of Mexico , Kristine A. Clark

Zooplankton Community Structure in the NE Gulf of Mexico: Impacts of Environmental Variability and the Deepwater Horizon Oil Spill , Kate M. Dubickas

Life History Through the Eyes of a Hogfish: Evidence of Trophic Growth and Differential Juvenile Habitat Use , Meaghan E. Faletti

Population Demographics of Golden Tilefish Lopholatilus chamaeleonticeps in the Gulf of Mexico , Greta J. Helmueller

Regeneration of Trace Metals During Phytoplankton Decay: An Experimental Study , Adrienne P. Hollister

Estimating Coastal Water Turbidity Using VIIRS Nighttime Measurement , Chih-Wei Huang

Untapped Potential of Gorgonian Octocorals for Detecting Environmental Change in Biscayne National Park, Florida, USA , Selena A. Kupfner Johnson

High-Resolution Investigation of Event Driven Sedimentation: Response and Evolution of the Deepwater Horizon Blowout in the Sedimentary System , Rebekka A. Larson

Variations of Sedimentary Biogenic silica in the Gulf of Mexico during the Deepwater Horizon and IXTOC-I Oil Spill. , Jong Jin Lee

Variations of Global Ocean Salinity from Multiple Gridded Argo Products , Chao Liu

Fish Communities on Natural and Artificial Reefs in the Eastern Gulf of Mexico , Elizabeth C. Viau

Reconstructing Geographic and Trophic Histories of Fish Using Bulk and Compound-Specific Stable Isotopes from Eye Lenses , Amy A. Wallace

Studies of the Long-term Change of Global Mean and Regional Sea Surface Height , Yingli Zhu

Theses/Dissertations from 2018 2018

Ecophysiology of Oxygen Supply in Cephalopods , Matthew A. Birk

Remote Estimation of Surface Water p CO 2 in the Gulf of Mexico , Shuangling Chen

Spatial Dynamics and Productivity of a Gulf of Mexico Commercial Reef Fish Fishery Following Large Scale Disturbance and Management Change , Marcy Lynn Cockrell

Quantifying the Probability of Lethal Injury to Florida Manatees Given Characteristics of Collision Events. , B. Lynn Combs

Diversity of ssDNA Phages Related to the Family Microviridae within the Ciona robusta Gut , Alexandria Creasy

Use of a Towed Camera System along the west Florida shelf: A Case Study of the Florida Middle Grounds Benthic Marine Communities , Katie S. Davis

Using Ecosystem-Based Modeling to Describe an Oil Spill and Assess the Long-Term Effects , Lindsey N. Dornberger

Extending Spectrophotometric pHT Measurements in Coastal and Estuarine Environments , Nora Katherine Douglas

Evaluating the use of larval connectivity information in fisheries models and management in the Gulf of Mexico , Michael Drexler

An Interdisciplinary Approach to Understanding Predator-Prey Relationships in a Changing Ocean: From System Design to Education , Ileana M. Freytes-Ortiz

Application of Image Recognition Technology to Foraminiferal Assemblage Analyses , Christian Helmut Gfatter

Evaluation of trace-metal and isotopic records as techniques for tracking lifetime movement patterns in fishes , Jennifer E. Granneman

The Stability of Sand Waves in a Tidally-Influenced Shipping Channel, Tampa Bay, Florida , John Willis Gray

Application of Modern Foraminiferal Assemblages to Paleoenvironmental Reconstruction: Case Studies from Coastal and Shelf Environments , Christian Haller

Integrating Towed Underwater Video with Multibeam Acoustics for Mapping Benthic Habitat and Assessing Reef Fish Communities on the West Florida Shelf , Alexander Ross Ilich

Evaluating Beach Water Quality and Dengue Fever Risk Factors by Satellite Remote Sensing and Artificial Neural Networks , Abdiel Elias Laureano-Rosario

Microbial Associations of Four Species of Algal Symbiont-Bearing Foraminifera from the Florida Reef Tract, USA , Makenna May Martin

Environmental controls on the geochemistry of Globorotalia truncatulinoides in the Gulf of Mexico: Implications for paleoceanographic reconstructions , Caitlin Elizabeth Reynolds

Dormancy in the Amphistegina gibbosa Holobiont: Ecological and Evolutionary Implications for the Foraminifera , Benjamin J. Ross

Optical Remote Sensing of Oil Spills in the Gulf of Mexico , Shaojie Sun

Spatial and Temporal Distributions of Pelagic Sargassum in the Intra-Americas Sea and Atlantic Ocean , Mengqiu Wang

Theses/Dissertations from 2017 2017

Packaging of Genetic Material by Gene Transfer Agents (GTAs) Produced by Marine Roseobacter Species and Their Effect on Stimulating Bacterial Growth , Shahd Bader Aljandal

Spatio-temporal Dynamics of Soil Composition and Accumulation Rates in Mangrove Wetlands , Joshua L. Breithaupt

Characterizing Benthic Habitats Using Multibeam Sonar and Towed Underwater Video in Two Marine Protected Areas on the West Florida Shelf, USA , Jennifer L. Brizzolara

Latitudinal Position and Trends of the Intertropical Convergence Zone (ITCZ) and its Relationship with Upwelling in the Southern Caribbean Sea and Global Climate Indices , Kaitlyn E. Colna

Calibration-free Spectrophotometric Measurements of Carbonate Saturation States in Seawater , Erin E. Cuyler

Viruses in marine animals: Discovery, detection, and characterizarion , Elizabeth Fahsbender

Quantity Trumps Quality: Bayesian Statistical Accumulation Modeling Guides Radiocarbon Measurements to Construct a Chronology in Real-time , Devon Robert Firesinger

Characterizing Gross Lesions in Corals on Fringing Reefs of Taiwan and Hainan Island, China , Adrienne George

Reef Fish Biodiversity in the Florida Keys National Marine Sanctuary , Megan E. Hepner

Investigating Marine Resources in the Gulf of Mexico at Multiple Spatial and Temporal Scales of Inquiry , Joshua Paul Kilborn

Southern Ocean Transport by Combining Satellite Altimetry and Temperature/Salinity Profile Data , Michael Kosempa

Role of viruses within metaorganisms: Ciona intestinalis as a model system , Brittany A. Leigh

Evaluating satellite and supercomputing technologies for improved coastal ecosystem assessments , Matthew James Mccarthy

Stable Isotopes in the Eye Lenses of Doryteuthis plei: Exploring Natal Origins and Migratory Patterns in the Eastern Gulf of Mexico , Brenna A. Meath

Genetic Identification and Population Characteristics of Deep-Sea Cephalopod Species in the Gulf of Mexico and Northwestern Atlantic Ocean , Amanda Sosnowski

Investigation of Sediment Ridges Using Bathymetry and Backscatter near Clearwater, Florida , Lewis Stewart

Resolving chronological and temperature constraints on Antarctic deglacial evolution through improved dating methodology , Cristina Subt

Subtropical benthos vary with reef type, depth, and grazing intensity , Kara R. Wall

Theses/Dissertations from 2016 2016

Diversity and Distribution of Diatom Endosymbionts in Amphistegina spp. (Foraminifera) Based on Molecular and Morphological Techniques , Kwasi H. Barnes

Abundance of Archaias angulatus on the West Florida Coast Indicates the Influence of Carbonate Alkalinity over Salinity , Sean Thomas Beckwith

Resource Use Overlap in a Native Grouper and Invasive Lionfish , Joseph Schmidt Curtis

Miocene Contourite Deposition (along-slope) near DeSoto Canyon, Gulf of Mexico: A Product of an Enhanced Paleo-Loop Current , Shane Christopher Dunn

Trophic Ecology and Habitat Use of Atlantic Tarpon ( Megalops atlanticus ) , Benjamin Neal Kurth

Characterization of Bacterial Diversity in Cold-Water Anthothelidae Corals , Stephanie Nichole Lawler

Whiting Events Off Southwest Florida: Remote Sensing and Field Observations , Jacqueline Long

Pollutants and Foraminiferal Assemblages in Torrecillas Lagoon: An Environmental Micropaleontology Approach , Michael Martinez-Colon

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20 Timely Thesis Topics for Environmental Science Students

The study of the environment revolves around everything that has to do with the Earth, its atmosphere, natural bodies and elements that define what we know today as our planet. Therefore, coming up with environmental thesis topics is something you can do by taking into consideration the diverse niches under the body or environmental sciences.

This article will explore the different aspects of environmental science with the aim of coming up with a list of environmental dissertation topic. So read along and do not hesitate to use any of the topic ideas discussed here as the brainchild of your thesis.

Environmental Science Thesis Topics

• An Analysis of the Western World’s Policy towards Healthy Ocean Management and Its Results
• Scrutinizing the Role of Technology in Environmental Engineering with the Aim of Improving the Environment
• Evaluating Alternative Energy Systems and the Role They Play in Managing the Earth’s Ecosystem and Minimizing Pollution
• Analyzing the Nigeria’s Niger Delta, its Environmental and Legal Issues and how Environmental Engineering Can be Used to Solve Them
• The Ecological Importance of the Amazon Forest, its Troubles and how Policies Can be Developed to Counter Them.
• The Importance of Creating Environmental Policies, protocols, and Laws to Preserve some of the Earth’s Symbolic Locations
• A Research on Public Education and the Different Techniques that can be Employed to Increase Public Awareness of Environmental Issues
• An Analysis of China’s Environmental Pollution Struggle and the Role Technology can Play in Alleviating its Problems
• An Analysis of Public Health, Animal Rights and the Need to Create Policies to Guide both Concepts
• A Research on the Greenhouse Gas Emissions in Western Nations and the Role of Human Habits in Aiding its Fluctuations
• An Analysis of Noise and Light Pollution and Their Effects on Public Health
• The Global Warming Phenomena, its Diversions, and the Studies Dedicated to Tracking Changes Attributed to Global Warming
• An Analysis of Carbon dioxide Fluxes Covering the Roles Played by Plants, Animals, and Water Bodies
• An Analysis of Water and Air Pollution and Their Impact Microorganisms
• An Analysis of Water Pollution, the Transportation of Water Pollutants and their Effects on Ocean Life Forms
• Analyzing Soil Contamination in Marshy Lands and the Importance of Computer Modeling for Understanding Their Impact
• The Impact of Soil and Water Pollution on Pond-dwelling Organisms and Their Effects on Amphibians
• Scrutinizing the National Environment Policy Act and How It Can be Implemented in the Developing World
• Making a Case for an International Environmental Protocol to Monitoring and Managing Public Health
• An Analysis of the Developing World and how the Interaction between these Societies and the Environment Affects Public Health

These are some of the timely environment thesis topics we promised you at the introductory section of this article. Here we have provided environmental health dissertation topics and other ideas which you are welcome to work with.

Posted by Mike Sung

• ← 20 Topics for Dissertation in International Relations

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List of Research Topics in Environmental Engineering

Table of contents

Water and wastewater treatment and reuse, advanced oxidation technologies, air pollution and control, soil pollution and remediation, solid and hazardous waste treatment and disposal.

• CO2 sequestration, separation, and utilization

Bioremediation

Top 60 scopus-indexed journals in environmental engineering.

Environmental Engineering is a discipline of engineering that deals with the prevention & control of water, air, and soil pollution. In this article list of Research Topics in Environmental Engineering is listed.

The active research areas in the field of environmental engineering are water and wastewater treatment and disposal; environmental chemistry; environmental microbiology; environmental impact assessment; membrane technology; advanced oxidation process; catalysis; air pollution, prevention, and control; solid and hazardous waste management.

• Performance evaluation of improved biological treatment technologies for the treatment of sewage followed by UV disinfection for reuse
• A study of co-treatment of fecal sludge and sewage in the sewage treatment plant
• Performance evaluation of treatment and reuse of greywater by wetland system
• A comprehensive study on polluted river stretches on the Ganga River in India
• Development of treatment process for water treatment using ceramic membrane filtration to produce potable water
• Performance evaluation of microbial fuel cells for the treatment of industrial wastewaters
• Disinfection of secondary treated sewage using a novel UVC-LED reactor system for reuse
• A study on emerging contaminants in Indian waters and their treatment technologies
• Performance evaluation of improved anaerobic baffle filter reactor in treating domestic wastewater
• A study on the impact of perfluorinated compounds on human health
• A study on secondary treated domestic wastewater using an advanced oxidation process
• Development of novel photocatalytic reactors for treatment of industrial wastewaters
• Treatment of textile wastewater by using zero-valent iron nanoparticles
• Development of photocatalytic reactors for hydrogen production by water splitting technique
• Treatment of industrial wastewater by wet air oxidation processes
• Development of a novel photocatalytic reactor system for degradation of persistent organic pollutants from pharmaceutical wastewater
• Decolourization of textile dye wastewaters using ozone-based technologies
• Degradation of industrial wastewaters using TiO 2 -based nanocomposites
• Development of photocatalytic membrane reactor for the treatment of industrial and domestic wastewaters
• Photocatalytic hydrogen production from sulfide wastewater using nanocomposites
• Development of photocatalytic reactor for removal of endocrine-disrupting compounds from water and wastewaters
• Photocatalytic degradation of SO x and NO x using nanocomposites
• A study on endocrine-disrupting compounds in the atmosphere – effects on human and wildlife
• A study on vehicular movements in India – Effect of CO on human and wildlife
• A study on vertical profiling of air pollution in urban and metro cities
• Performance evaluation of alternative fuel technology to reduce greenhouse gas emissions in industries
• Design, development, and performance evaluation of slotted slack-petal pot chimney over a conventional chimney
• Effect of fine particulate matter and NOx on human and wildlife
• A study on the reuse of air conditioner condensate
• A study on sulfur reduction in coal-based thermal power plants
• Degradation of persistent organic pollutants from contaminated soil using photocatalytic processes
• Treatment of textile wastewater contaminated soil by using iron nanoparticles
• Removal of petroleum hydrocarbon compounds from contaminated soil using natural-based products
• Leachability and physical stability of solidified and stabilized sludge from textile effluent
• Assessment of heavy metal toxicity in soil and their remedial measures
• Alkali pre-treatment for bio mechanization of solid waste
• Converting inert wastes into bio-amendments / bio-fertilizers – pilot projects at legacy waste dumping sites in India
• Hydrothermal carbonization of crude oil sludge for recovery of solid fuel
• Encapsulation and solidification of salt-based evaporation residues
• Use of textile and tannery sludge as fine aggregates in concrete mix
• Development of novel methods for the treatment of E-waste
• A study on the treatment of nuclear waste

CO 2 sequestration, separation, and utilization

• CO 2 gas separation from fuel and flue gas using composite membranes
• Recovery of useful products from industrial flue gases
• Development of novel composite membranes for separation of CO 2 from flue gas
• Carbonation of coal fly ash for CO 2 sequestration
• Conversion of CO 2 to useful products by novel methods
• Performance evaluation of biomedical waste facility in India
• Occurrence, fate, and risk-based remediation of antibiotics in agricultural environments
• Bio-degradation of persistent organic compounds using bacterial species  
• Bioremediation of oily sludge
• Biochar and compost-based bioremediation of crude oil contaminated soil

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Greetings and Regards My name is Reza Fadaei, I am 49 years old. I have been in Iran’s Environmental Organization for 22 years as an expert in the natural environment departments, laboratory offices, water and soil pollution control office, and waste management. I am working as the manager of the provincial general administration. PhD student in environmental sciences and engineering, Islamic Azad University, Tabriz branch, Iran. I participated in a waste management training workshop with professors from Japanese universities and the Japanese Ministry of Energy and Environment. I am very interested in the rich and ancient culture of Japan. I would very much like to continue my doctoral studies in Japan and the subject of my doctoral dissertation. to do in your country. I hope you help.

I wanted to choose the topic of my PhD thesis in the field of environmental engineering with topics related to water or wastewater. My bachelor’s and master’s degrees were applied chemistry and the subject of my master’s thesis (the effect of magnetic nanoparticles on the removal of chromium from leather industry wastewater). Please guide me and if you have a chance, help me as a second guide or consultant. I would like to have a free study opportunity in your university if possible. I am also Azeri and I expect you to help me to present a high level thesis thanks again

I want to embark on a thesis on environmental soil remediation and on ground water

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Chair of Hydrology and Water Resources Management

Master theses are primarily offered to Master students of the Environmental Engineering curriculum at D-BAUG. In individual cases, it is also possible for students from D-BAUG Civil Engineering and other departments (e.g. D-USYS) and/or universities to carry out their Master thesis at the Chair. General information about the Master thesis is provided here .

Currently offered topics

Available Master thesis topics (and completed works) are listed in the table below with short descriptions (where available) and the supervisor. Please contact the supervisor(s) for more information. We encourage students also to develop their own ideas for Master research and consult them with Prof. Burlando, Prof. Molnar, the assistant's office or other potential supervisors. E-mail addresses can be found on the People page . Master theses can also be executed together with external partners (consulting offices, administration offices, other universities) and build upon your Master project.

Master Thesis presentations are public

Upcoming Master thesis presentations (defences) are highlighted in the table below and a link or room is provided. Finishing Master students are especially welcome to attend the presentations of their colleagues.

Further information

Official documents (e.g. program regulations) can be downloaded from the websites of the study programs: Civil Engineering Environmental Engineering

You have to digitally deliver your thesis report (including the declaration of originality), the final presentation, the poster and a folder with your code / digital work. In addition, please hand in at least one (1) bound hardcopy of your report for our archive and ask your supervisors if they prefer to receive a hardcopy as well. You also have to hand in your printed poster (A0 format).

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Similarly to teaching, research at the Faculty of Spatial Development and Infrastructure Systems is actor-centered and holistic. In order to find solutions for a sustainable management of natural resources, biophysical, ecological, economic, and social questions are considered collectively, integrating various disciplines and methods into the research structure.

Based on a knowledge-generating and solution-oriented approach, we take responsibility for the advancement of society. We rely on inter- and transdisciplinary research activities. The Institute for Technology and Resources Management in the Tropics and Subtropics (ITT) plays a crucial role in this endeavor. With over 40 years of experience and a strong international network, the ITT has significantly shaped the content focus of teaching and applied research.

In alignment with "Global Citizenship"

The research agenda of the faculty is aligned with the complex challenges identified by leading research institutes and stakeholders in international cooperation, such as BMBF , BMZ , BMU , GIZ , EU , World Bank , and others. It is based on international agreements such as the Agenda 2030 and its Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) , the European Green Deal , the Rio Conventions , or the Kyoto Protocol . Thus, the research approach aligns with the concept of "Global Citizenship" and aims to actively shape societal change (Social Innovation).

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TH Köln – University of Applied Sciences’ diverse research activities are reflected by its research profile. Three research areas and nine research topics serve as an umbrella for TH Köln's different research structures, such as research institutes, competence platforms, research units and research centers. Show more

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TH Köln sees itself as a "University of Technology, Arts and Sciences". It is an internationally oriented and regionally anchored university, which fulfills a societal mission with its distinctive research capabilities and forward-looking teaching concepts: making knowledge effective for civil society, economy, culture and politics. The culture of transfer at the TH Köln takes place in mutual exchange with our partners – in the region and beyond. Show more

Introduction to the curriculum

The first part of the programme is fixed and identical for all students. This compulsory part consists of the faculty module (12 EC) and the programme module (9 EC). After this compulsory part, you will make a choice between three tracks: (1) Water Resources Engineering (WRE), (2) Resource and Waste Engineering (R&WE), or (3) Atmospheric Environment Engineering (AEE). Each track consists of a steppingstone (15 EC), followed by an A-module (9 EC) which is primarily focussed on theory and a B-module (15 EC) which is generally characterised by a more practical and empirical approach.

The second year offers even more flexibility and freedom of choice than the first year, providing possibilities to study abroad, do an internship or a multi- or interdisciplinary project in the Netherlands or abroad, follow an in-depth module (many electives to choose from) and a cross-over module (many electives to choose from) to eventually make a well-informed choice for a research topic for the thesis.

Faculty Module The first year of the MSc Environmental Engineering starts with the faculty module on Modelling, Uncertainty and Data for Engineers (MUDE). This module takes place in Q1 and Q2 and is shared with Applied Earth Sciences and Civil Engineering master students.  

In a typical week you will be introduced to new theory, practice it on your own through a series of exercises and work on real data sets and models together with teachers and classmates in a medium-sized classroom setting. At the end of each week you will apply these concepts in a project along with a group of fellow students. You will also have weekly coding assignments to build your programming skills in a way that will help you apply the methods learned in MUDE, as well as prepare you for your future MSc thesis work.

Programme overview:

Merle de Kreuk about the new MSc programme Environmental Engineering (Delta)

Programme Module Parallel to this faculty module the first two periods will include a Programme module for only Environmental Engineering students focusing on the fundamentals of Environmental Engineering, such as the transport of contaminants between water, air and soil or (bio)chemical conversion processes within the environment. Also the impact of human interference on the environment will be discussed, its translation into legislation and the ethical considerations related to decision-making. Study topics will be addressed in the light of changing needs of societies, economic considerations and the United Nations sustainable development goals .

Tracks During the rest of the year you will follow track specific courses of one of the following tracks:

• Atmospheric Environment Engineering
• Resource and Waste Engineering
• Water Resources Engineering

The second year of the MSc Environmental Engineering is designed to fully facilitate all types of individual learning paths. You can choose to participate in an inter- or multidisciplinary project to further develop the skills needed for working in a diverse team, you can do an internship to improve your professional skills, you can study abroad or choose to deepen your knowledge and follow in-depth modules. These specialisation modules can be part of the Environmental Engineering programme or other MSc programmes at TU Delft, but you could also follow modules at other universities.

Before starting your thesis, you can follow a number of ‘cross-programme modules’ in the master programmes of Environmental Engineering, Civil Engineering, and Applied Earth Sciences. This will broaden your scope, enable you to think more multidisciplinary and enhance your communication skills as a future environmental engineer. 

In general, these modules may be of two kinds: a) methodological, which are oriented around common techniques and methods or b) topical, that are oriented around common topics of interest. Download the Cross-Over Brochure here to learn more. More in-depth information about each cross-over can also be found here .

The final part of the programme will consist of Master Thesis preparations and the Master Thesis itself. Master thesis preparation consists of training in lab skills, modelling, academic writing and literature research. During your master thesis you independently undertake a research or design project regarding an environmental challenge related to the track you have chosen, guided by a supervisory committee. 

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MSc thesis topics

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