Capstone Project

Overview of capstone and how to officially register

Overview

The capstone experience will provide a mentored opportunity to explore a climate and health topic more deeply with a partner organization and experience an interdisciplinary approach to the characterization or management of a climate and health concern. Students should work with their thesis mentor to determine a capstone project & find a capstone advisor (if different). Please see below for examples of previous capstone projects, demonstrating the wide array of possibilities. All capstone projects must be reviewed and approved by CHanGE prior to starting work. For course credit, students must enroll in ENV H / GH / ATMOS / OCEAN 600, “Independent Study or Research” (Min 3 credits).

As part of the program, students will complete a checklist and submit to CHanGE upon completion of all courses & capstone, with signatures of approval from their capstone mentor & CHanGE. 

Certificate registration process

To officially receive any graduate certificate, students must initiate the process by requesting the certificate in MyGrad Program for Students. First, the student must be coded into the certificate (which will be completed by the certificate program manager after submission of an application and acceptance into the program). Then, students can request the certificate during their final quarter (note: students need a faculty code from their home department mentor in order to register). After this, action is taken by both CHanGE and the Graduate School to recommend and then grant the certificate. Students can view the status of their certificate request via MyGrad. For more detailed instructions, visit here.  

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What makes a good capstone?

A strong capstone project is a hands-on, applied project that addresses a real-world climate and health need. As part of the certificate application process, students propose a project idea/topic, a partner organization, a project mentor, and a general timeline to ensure successful completion. All projects must be reviewed and approved by your certificate advisor at CHanGE before work begins.

While capstone projects vary, successful projects include: 

• Meaningful engagement with stakeholders to understand their needs.
• Creation and execution of an applied project to respond to identified needs, working closely with your mentor and partner stakeholders throughout.
• Production of a comprehensive final product. This could include a focused research effort (e.g., publication, report, literature review, etc.), development of a communication tool, development of a curriculum, or other activity that is responsive to stakeholder needs.

It may also be helpful to consider the common competencies below that students tend to develop through their capstone projects: 

• Organizational needs assessment.
• Translation of stakeholder needs into priorities and action items using logic frames and other tools.
• Implementation science skills (e.g., development of outcomes, indicators, and metrics).
• Ability to search, review, and synthesize scientific and practice-based literature.
• Anticipation and negotiation of organizational barriers and constraints in climate change adaptation.
• Communication of scientific information to lay audiences.
• Preparation of scientific documents for communities, stakeholders, and/or for scientific audiences.
• Development of figures or graphics to facilitate the communication of scientific findings.

Please note that if you plan to build off current thesis or dissertation work, your certificate capstone project must be a substantial addition to your research aims and be in clear alignment with the objectives and competencies outlined above.

Also note that students are strongly encouraged to present their final product at an end-of-year CHanGE event. This is a unique opportunity for students to disseminate findings and amplify the impact of their work, receive thoughtful feedback, and provide an example to other people in the CHanGE community.

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Examples of previous capstone projects

Below, please find some examples of capstone projects previously completed by alumni of our Graduate Certificate in Climate Change and Health.