Thesis Archives Search
This search engine will let you explore the over 1800 theses written in Honors at The University of Maine since the Program’s inception in 1935. You may search our thesis archives based on any of the fields listed above. If the thesis is available at the Reynolds Library (Thomson Honors Center) or Fogler Library (Special Collections), the information will appear below the bibliographic data. At last count, we had about 1800 theses in the Reynolds Library.
Search Results
A Benefit-Cost Analysis of Community Solar for Low to Moderate Income Residents of Mount Desert Island, Maine
Author:
Abigayle
Hargreaves
Major: Ecology and Environmental Sciences Graduation Year: 2020 Thesis Advisor: Sharon Klein
Description of Publication:
As we continue to feel the effects of climate change there is an increasing demand for clean energy to reduce the impact that the energy sector has on greenhouse gas emissions. An organization, A Climate To Thrive (ACTT), on Mount Desert Island (MDI) in Maine has made it their mission to make MDI energy independent by 2030 and are interested in the application of a community solar farm (CSF) as a means to help their low-tomoderate income (LMI) population transition to the use of solar power and reduce their energy burden. This study explores four scenarios, in conjunction with several financing mechanisms, to determine which CSF management scenario and financing techniques would be most accommodating of LMI needs that could otherwise inhibit this group from participating in renewable energy projects. These needs largely include a lack of financial flexibility, the inability to qualify for loans or tax credits, and the need to accommodate their homeownership status, which tends to be renters. To obtain these results a benefitcost analysis (BCA) was done that showed the system owner and subscriber NPV, ROI, and Payback Periods. These results showed that, overall, the most accommodating scenario for LMI subscribers would be a lease-to-own scenario. This option provides flexible financing for both the system owner and subscriber and has great potential to be a worthwhile investment for both parties.
Location of Publication:
URL to Thesis: https://digitalcommons.library.umaine.edu/honors/601/
Major: Ecology and Environmental Sciences Graduation Year: 2020 Thesis Advisor: Sharon Klein
Description of Publication:
As we continue to feel the effects of climate change there is an increasing demand for clean energy to reduce the impact that the energy sector has on greenhouse gas emissions. An organization, A Climate To Thrive (ACTT), on Mount Desert Island (MDI) in Maine has made it their mission to make MDI energy independent by 2030 and are interested in the application of a community solar farm (CSF) as a means to help their low-tomoderate income (LMI) population transition to the use of solar power and reduce their energy burden. This study explores four scenarios, in conjunction with several financing mechanisms, to determine which CSF management scenario and financing techniques would be most accommodating of LMI needs that could otherwise inhibit this group from participating in renewable energy projects. These needs largely include a lack of financial flexibility, the inability to qualify for loans or tax credits, and the need to accommodate their homeownership status, which tends to be renters. To obtain these results a benefitcost analysis (BCA) was done that showed the system owner and subscriber NPV, ROI, and Payback Periods. These results showed that, overall, the most accommodating scenario for LMI subscribers would be a lease-to-own scenario. This option provides flexible financing for both the system owner and subscriber and has great potential to be a worthwhile investment for both parties.
Location of Publication:
URL to Thesis: https://digitalcommons.library.umaine.edu/honors/601/
A Bio-Social Analysis of Cooperation and Competition: Individual and Group Perspectives
A Biogeographical Assessment of Arctic Marine Fungi
Author:
Bentley
Simpson
Major: Marine Sciences Graduation Year: 2020 Thesis Advisor: Lee Karp-Boss & Laurie Connell
Description of Publication:
Marine fungi play a crucial role in recycling nutrients and channeling energy to higher trophic levels in the world oceans. Despite their critical role, their distributions and community composition, particularly in the Arctic, are largely unknown. This study reveals depth-related trends of abundance, diversity, and community composition of Arctic marine fungi through analysis of data obtained in the Tara Oceans expedition. With samples from surface (0-50 m), deep chlorophyll max (50-200 m), and mesopelagic (200-1000 m) depths, relative abundance, operational taxonomic unit (OTU) richness, and diversity were found to increase as a function of depth. Basidiomycota and Ascomycota were found to to be the most dominant OTUs in Arctic water samples. This study provides potential causes for depth-related trends and yields insight into the biogeographic distribution of Arctic marine fungi.
Location of Publication:
URL to Thesis: https://digitalcommons.library.umaine.edu/honors/624/
Major: Marine Sciences Graduation Year: 2020 Thesis Advisor: Lee Karp-Boss & Laurie Connell
Description of Publication:
Marine fungi play a crucial role in recycling nutrients and channeling energy to higher trophic levels in the world oceans. Despite their critical role, their distributions and community composition, particularly in the Arctic, are largely unknown. This study reveals depth-related trends of abundance, diversity, and community composition of Arctic marine fungi through analysis of data obtained in the Tara Oceans expedition. With samples from surface (0-50 m), deep chlorophyll max (50-200 m), and mesopelagic (200-1000 m) depths, relative abundance, operational taxonomic unit (OTU) richness, and diversity were found to increase as a function of depth. Basidiomycota and Ascomycota were found to to be the most dominant OTUs in Arctic water samples. This study provides potential causes for depth-related trends and yields insight into the biogeographic distribution of Arctic marine fungi.
Location of Publication:
URL to Thesis: https://digitalcommons.library.umaine.edu/honors/624/
A CASE STUDY OF HOW SYSTEMS FOR INNOVATION CAN IMPACT MUNICIPAL ECONOMIC DEVELOPMENT
A Case Study of Revolution
A CHARACTERIZATION OF POULTRY FLOCKS AND POULTRY PRODUCERS IN MAINE
Author:
Alice
Gluchanicz
Major: Animal and Veterinary Sciences Graduation Year: 2018 Thesis Advisor: Anne Lichtenwalner
Description of Publication:
This study sought to characterize backyard poultry flocks and poultry producers’ knowledge of poultry husbandry in Maine. A survey on poultry flock characterization, management, and health was sent to poultry producers living in Maine. Based on the survey, most backyard poultry flocks contained 7-20 birds. Chickens were the predominant poultry species in Maine. Flocks were used primarily for egg production and companionship. Management practices varied greatly among producers, indicating a need for more flock management education. Mites and coccidiosis were the most commonly reported causes of illness by producers, but several diseases affected poultry in Maine. Producers cited the internet as their main source of information but wanted more poultry publications and workshops. They expressed an interest in a wide range of poultry topics, mostly diseases.
Location of Publication:
URL to Thesis: https://digitalcommons.library.umaine.edu/honors/332
Major: Animal and Veterinary Sciences Graduation Year: 2018 Thesis Advisor: Anne Lichtenwalner
Description of Publication:
This study sought to characterize backyard poultry flocks and poultry producers’ knowledge of poultry husbandry in Maine. A survey on poultry flock characterization, management, and health was sent to poultry producers living in Maine. Based on the survey, most backyard poultry flocks contained 7-20 birds. Chickens were the predominant poultry species in Maine. Flocks were used primarily for egg production and companionship. Management practices varied greatly among producers, indicating a need for more flock management education. Mites and coccidiosis were the most commonly reported causes of illness by producers, but several diseases affected poultry in Maine. Producers cited the internet as their main source of information but wanted more poultry publications and workshops. They expressed an interest in a wide range of poultry topics, mostly diseases.
Location of Publication:
URL to Thesis: https://digitalcommons.library.umaine.edu/honors/332
A Collection of Compositions for Diverse Instruments
Author:
Linda
Louise
Gilbert
Name Change: Davenport
Major: Education Graduation Year: 1973 Thesis Advisor:
Description of Publication:
Location of Publication: fogler
URL to Thesis: Listed as BOOK in URSUS
Name Change: Davenport
Major: Education Graduation Year: 1973 Thesis Advisor:
Description of Publication:
Location of Publication: fogler
URL to Thesis: Listed as BOOK in URSUS