This 12-month course will assist the student in the preparation and initial steps towards the completion of a graduate research project by the end of second year of the graduate program. Students receive structured research training within the Core Curriculum (CDS 660) during the fall semester of the first year. END 716 is designed to apply research methodology taught in CDS 660 within an open-structured course to guide the student in the initiation and progress of their chosen research topic which will be completed during the following course END 717. It is understood that students have little experience in conducting research and assistance will be available from a research mentor.