Whether you’re an undergraduate looking for something to add to your resume or a grad student searching for a topic on which to write your dissertation, the decisions made by or around the University of Pittsburgh provide some excellent research-fueled topics that can offer some answers to all of us here with questions. Here are some ideas.
Energy Conservation and Posvar’s Escalators
How much energy is Pitt saving by halting the escalators in Posvar? As one of the most frequented mode of transportation in the building, we’d all like an answer to why 90% of the time they only function as stairs. The next time we’re all being forced to walk up what should be a moving escalator to our 8am, we’d like to know just how much energy Pitt is saving.
*A follow up topic*
Is the energy they save from stopping the escalators more or less than the energy they use keeping the humungous TV on at the Pete all night?
Profit Maximization with Two RiteAids
How much extra profit does RiteAid generate each month by having two stores right next to each other? You’d think that paying for two store spaces and paying for twice the number of employees in order to sell the same products would only increase costs, but RiteAid seems to defy these odds. If you can answer this question, you’re on your way to an MBA.
Time Management of Dr. Golde
How much time does Dr. Golde save each day by wearing the same outfit? By waking up each day knowing that he’ll be wearing the same pair of pants coupled with that same sweater vest, he saves the time of looking through his closet. What does he do with this extra time? Answering this question can help thousands of students on campus manage their time.
Staying on Schedule and Port Authority
How much more do Port Authority drivers stay on schedule by not stopping when a student walks into the street? By laying on the horn and maintaining speed instead of slowing down to avoid hitting the pedestrian, drivers are able to stay on schedule. How does this translate to the efficiency of the Port Authority bus system?
Environmentalism of Market Central
How many square feet of trash in the landfill is a result of days when Market decides to only use paper plates and plastic utensils? Learning just how much Market contributes to the exponentially growing mound of waste in the Allegheny County landfill is any environmental studies major’s ticket to a PH. D.
Students’ Happiness after Rum Raisin Appearances
How much does students’ happiness decrease after they leave Market when the only ice cream available at the dessert bar was rum raisin? As students approach the ice cream freezer, there’s a smile on their faces. However, once they realize that what they thought were chocolate chips are actually just raisins misleading their hopeful eyes, the smile fades and the eyes glaze over. How do we quantify this?
With Pitt’s status as a leading research university, there’s a myriad of topics to choose from. Whatever you pick, you’re sure to be guaranteed good marks for originality.
