The Independent Research Project is a demanding but rewarding opportunity for you to investigate a real environmental problem. You will gain experience in designing and executing independent research, and in presenting research results effectively in oral and written form. .

All APES projects are expected to:

• identify a testable question or problem

• design a protocol for gathering relevant information

• generate or locate the information specified in the protocol

• analyze the information and derive an objective conclusion

• present your results in a written thesis and as an oral report

You can find a wide range of problems appropriate for study at http://socrates.berkeley.edu/~es196/ This is a college level course that spans two full semesters, but the topics may trigger your ideas and will give you an idea of the range of things you might want to consider.

Main Categories into which your project might fall:

Ecology: competition, predator-prey interactions, etc.stream (or other habitat quality and restoration, effects of introduced species, edge effects, human activity and biodiversity in some particular place, etc., grazing impacts

Chemistry: water quality, soil chemistry, air pollution, acid rain, etc.

Geology: soil and agricultural practices

Technology

Pollution Effects

Human values and the environment

Environmental education

Public Policy: e.g. investigate impacts of some environmental decision or law,

Environmental Economics

Sustainability