The College of the Environment Capstone Courses

Students gathering samples on a trail

Senior Capstones for 2024-25

ESCI 431 Watershed Biogeochemistry WP35 Not offered 2025-2026
ESCI 439 Conservation of Biological Diversity WP24F26TBD; PQ ESCI 225 or ESCI 325 or BIOL 325
ESCI 454 Science and Management of Contaminated Sites (SMoCS)4S26TR 2-3:50, PQ one of ESCI 333, 361, 455; or ESCI 460 or concurrent
ESCI 470 Ecological Restoration I 5F26F26 TBD
ESCI 490 Env. Risk Assess WP34S26TR 12-2; Sr Status & one 300 or 400 level toxicology course recommended
ESCI 491 Oceanography of Salish Sea 4W26TR 9-10:50, PQ: 1 from: ESCI 204, 321, 393; or MACS 303;
ESCI 493 Env. Impact Assess WP35 Not offered 2025-2026
ESCI 494 Marine Conservation WP25FSF26 TBD; S26 TR 2-3:15 pm & M 11 -2; senior status
ENVS 417 Science and Management of Contaminated Sites (SMoCS)4S26TR 2-4, instructor permission
ENVS 429 Pyrogeography4S26TR 10-11:50, senior status or instructor permission
ENVS 430 Borderlands4W26W26: WF 2-3:50, PQ 1 course from C/AM 200, 331; ENVS 303, 331 or 332, 342; ENVS/ENRG 350, ESCI 330, UEPP 343, 350; senior status
ENVS/MGMT 466 Greening Business5W26May sub MGMT 466 W26: TR 10-11:50; Bus&Sust registers first; ENVS 466 not offered 2025-2026
ENVS 491 Env. Communications 5F26TBD, PQ 1 course from C/AM 200, 331; ENVS 303, 331 or 332, 342; ENVS/ENRG 350, ESCI 330, UEPP 343, 350 
ENVS 493 Env. Impact Assess WP35 Not offered 2025-26; Sr Status, OV
UEPP 410 Agroecology4S26S26: F 12-5:50; Sr Status; OV
UEPP 474 Planning for Sustainable Communities4S26TR 10-11:50; PQ UEPP 261 and 360; senior status, restricted to urban planning majors and sustainable design minors
UEPP 493 Env. Impact Assess WP35S26S26 MW 4-6:20; senior status

Capstone Goals

To provide a real world problem identification and solution driven experience.

To provide an opportunity to work collaboratively in small groups with other students.

To provide an opportunity to work with students from different disciplines, reflecting the reality of the work world.

To integrate skills and knowledge gained from previous courses and experiences.

To practice the full complement of communication skills, including written reports and platform presentations.

Capstone Course Methods

Capstone courses should use the methods of experiential learning.

Students work in small groups and participate in the organizational and decision-making process required to accomplish tasks requiring a variety of expertise.

The learning processes should include reflection and evaluation.

Written and oral presentation of results to audiences outside the classroom.

Capstone Course Content

Tied to real-world problems

Current topics and problems

Interdisciplinary and multidisciplinary