GEOG 596B - Individual Studies – Completion of Capstone Project and Professional Presentation

This is a sample syllabus.

This sample syllabus is a representative example of the information and materials included in this course. Information about course assignments, materials, and dates listed here is subject to change at any time. Definitive course details and materials will be available in the official course syllabus, in Canvas, when the course begins.

Overview

In GEOG 596B, students will implement the research proposal outlined in GEOG 596A in consultation with mentorship from a faculty advisor. At the end of this course, students will submit a scholarly paper summarizing the research. In addition, students will prepare and deliver a formal presentation of the results of their capstone project at a professional conference.

Objectives

Students who participate in this course will be able to:

Adhere to the Capstone Project timeline that was spelled out in GEOG 596A.
Conduct the research outlined in GEOG 596A to complete their Capstone project.
Collect needed data.
Apply chosen methods to the data.
Summarize the results of those methods.
Write a scholarly manuscript reporting on the methodology and results of the capstone project, adding tables, figures, an abstract, and references.
Present their research findings at a professional conference.

Required Materials

Typically, there are no required materials for this course. If this changes, students will find a definitive list in the course syllabus, in Canvas, when the course begins.

Prerequisites

There are no specific course requirements to take GEOG 596B, but it does require courses or previous experience in GIS and remote sensing and a conversation with your advisor.

Expectations

This is an individual studies class and, as such, has little in the way of formal online instruction. The "instructor-of-record" of this course will ensure that you're connected with your faculty advisor as you're doing your independent study and will set up the end-of-term online seminar in which you present your work to the others in the class.

Major Assignments

During the completion of your capstone project and the delivery of your professional presentation, you will be evaluated by your advisor. The advisor will complete an evaluation using the following criteria and assign a final grade that reflects your ability to complete research related to your project and present the outcomes professionally.

The overall assessment of the student's performance throughout the term.
The ability to independently implement and self-direct their research plan.
Successful completion of the capstone project and a professional presentation of research findings.
Contribution to the advancement or application of GIScience.
Receptiveness to critique.
Creative response to critique.
Continued improvement through the term.

Course Schedule

While your work schedule for the course will vary depending on what is agreed upon between you and your advisor, here is a typical course schedule.

Course Schedule
Week	Assignment
0	Upload the Capstone Project Proposal you developed in GEOG 596A. Create a meeting schedule with your advisor. It is recommended that you meet weekly. Create a timeline for completion of your research or revise/update the timeline you created in GEOG 596A.
1	Begin working on your research. Collect your data. Revisit and follow the methods you created in GEOG 596A. Use them as a "blueprint." Import and pre-process your data so you can begin your analysis. If you have results, create a draft of your maps and upload them to Canvas for your advisor to review.
2	Continue with the data collection. Begin data analysis. Create informative maps with appropriate cartographic elements for your viewers. Write a short description of the patterns present in your maps. Upload your maps and pattern descriptions to Canvas for your advisor to review.
3	Continue with the research analysis (start visualizing and explaining any patterns, results, and outputs). Continue work on final maps and other figures and figure captions. Begin creating tables (if relevant) and table headers. Upload your work to Canvas for your advisor to review.
4	Complete your results analysis. Finalizes maps, figures, and tables. Upload your work to Canvas for your advisor to review.
5	Write the results section of your Capstone Project Report. Upload your work to Canvas for your advisor to review.
6	Write the discussion section of your Capstone Project Report Upload your work to Canvas for your advisor to review.
7	Write the abstract and conclusion. Finalize your manuscript. Upload your work to Canvas for your advisor to review.
8 & 9	Develop a draft of the professional presentation. Revise and practice presentation.
10	Submit the final research paper. Present your findings at a professional conference.

Policies