Metadata
Title
Senior Thesis/Capstone
Category
general
UUID
12f9f24cb45240c0abc1d149d2eb6469
Source URL
https://espp.fas.harvard.edu/sr-thesiscapstone
Parent URL
https://espp.fas.harvard.edu/pages/academics
Crawl Time
2026-03-09T03:36:26+00:00
Rendered Raw Markdown

Senior Thesis/Capstone

Source: https://espp.fas.harvard.edu/sr-thesiscapstone Parent: https://espp.fas.harvard.edu/pages/academics

In your Senior year in ESPP, you will have the opportunity to conduct independent research under the guidance of a Harvard faculty member.  Depending on the nature and scope of your project, you may elect to write a Senior thesis (original, primary research conducted over at least 2 semesters) or a capstone (see below). Students who wish to pursue Honors in ESPP are required to write a Senior thesis.

Below you will find resources to help you prepare for writing your thesis or capstone, including steps for finding a thesis advisor, a recommended , funding opportunities, and a selection of past ESPP theses.

Class of 2026 - Please see below for important information for Senior thesis and capstone writers for Fall 2025 course registration period.
Senior Thesis Option in ESPP:
Capstone Option in ESPP:

In the capstone project, students conduct an in-depth analysis of a specific environmental issue consistent with their field of specialization. This analysis should integrate both science and policy dimensions of the problem.

Students can choose to fulfill the requirement by writing a term paper, a policy memo, a business memo, or an equivalent project. This flexibility allows students to tailor their work to reflect their interests. Students can choose to work closely with an individual faculty member, who will serve as their capstone advisor and mentor. Alternatively, students can choose to receive guidance from multiple faculty members and content specialists, facilitated by participation in ESPP 91R. Students wishing to conduct a Senior Capstone should plan to enroll in ESPP 91R, which will be offered every spring.