Environmental Design
Kristian Kelley
William Heywood
About this opportunity
Bachelor of Science in Environmental Design (BSED) program at The Design School provides a solid foundation of knowledge and skillsets that integrate social and natural sciences to understand complex social and ecological systems dynamics and tackle pressing challenges such as climate change, resilience, and sustainability in urban and community development with design thinking and solutions. Any Barrett student who is considering majoring or minoring in Environmental Design should contact the lead FHA.
Thesis
A thesis/creative project includes a literature review relevant to the thesis topic, a discussion of research methods, case studies, bibliography, illustrations, as well as text and graphics to present the design application of the research as a creative project. A research oriented thesis may include empirical research study in lieu of design application with clear research questions and field data collection, data analysis, results, discussion, and conclusions. Barrett requires a two-person thesis committee: The thesis director must be a continuing faculty member at ASU with a terminal degree; the second committee member can be anyone with sufficient expertise in the thesis topic.
Academic Preparation
In the Environmental Design program, you have two options for an honors thesis/creative project. For both options, you begin by exploring ideas for your thesis/creative project in EDS 492: Honors Thesis/Creative Project Proposal that you take during the Fall semester of your Senior Year with the Environmental Design (ED) Honors Advisor. The ED Honors Advisor will guide you in developing a thesis topic and preparing for the Spring semester. During the Fall, you can conduct preliminary research, such as a literature review and/or expert interviews, on your chosen topic, in consultation with the ED Honors Advisor, you then determine which of the following two options is best suited for you.
Recommended Timeline
The earlier you start planning your thesis the more prepared you will be. In general, it is recommended no later than in the senior Fall semester to start forming your research inquiries and seeking your thesis advisor(s), and consulting the Environmental Design Honors Advisor in the Fall. If you are interested in doing field research, consider starting the research study in the Summer prior to the senior Fall semester. By the beginning of the Spring, a solid proposal of your thesis should be formulated with your thesis advisor(s).
Other Honors Opportunities
Honors Contracts are available on the case-by-case basis. The Environmental Design program offers internship and research opportunities in The Design School, please contact the Program Head of Landscape Architecture, Urban Design, and Environmental Design for more information.