GEOG 600B - Thesis Research

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

GEOG 600 (GEOG 600A: Thesis Proposal and GEOG 600B: Thesis Research) is one of the options for the culminating experience in the MS in Spatial Data Science (SDS). The thesis should represent an independent body of scholarly work that exemplifies the student's knowledge of the literature, prevailing assumptions about relevant data, and underlying methodologies that analyze the topic. The student's thesis is expected to make an original contribution to the field. This class builds on the research ideas that the students worked on during the SDS workshop.

The student will be assigned a primary advisor who will be instrumental in guiding the student and providing feedback toward a successful proposal and thesis. The thesis committee will consist of at least two advisors: primary and secondary. The role of the secondary advisor is to serve as a reader for the various elements of the thesis and provide constructive feedback. The primary advisor can, at their discretion, invite a secondary advisor to join the committee, or an invitation can be extended to a faculty from the SDS program to become a secondary advisor. Additional advisors can be invited to become committee members. However, only two advisors are required.

The student and the primary advisor should meet weekly throughout this session to ensure adequate progress on the thesis. Meetings with the secondary committee member (or other committee members) can occur as frequently as needed. While the student's primary advisor will be a solid resource for progress, a good master's thesis requires careful preparation, research, critical thinking, and writing on behalf of the student. These steps take time. Allow time for the unexpected.

The main deliverable for GEOG 600B is the completion of thesis research, as stated in the thesis proposal (GEOG 600A).

During GEOG 600B you will complete the following:

File your intent to graduate if you will be graduating at the successful completion of GEOG 600B.
Plan ahead by reviewing the Thesis and Dissertation Deadlines set by the Graduate School regarding important thesis deadlines for GEOG 600B. Some of the deadlines for GEOG 600B come very early in the semester.
Work with your committee to complete the research you outlined in your thesis proposal, which will culminate in your thesis.
The committee will determine when you are ready to defend your thesis.
Defend your thesis to your committee. This does not need to be a public defense.
Once you have passed your defense, submit your master's thesis for format review by the deadline.
Submit your final thesis and supporting materials by the stated deadline.

Objectives

Students who participate in this course will be able to:

Conduct research outlined in a thesis proposal.
Collect needed data for your research.
Apply chosen methods for the analysis of the data.
Summarize the results of those methods.
Write a scholarly thesis reporting on the methodology and results of research adding tables, figures, an abstract, and references.
Defend the thesis to your committee.

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

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.

Expectations

We have worked hard to make this the most effective and convenient educational experience possible. How much and how well you learn is dependent on your attitude, diligence, and willingness to ask for clarifications or help when you need them. We are here to help you succeed. Please keep up with the class schedule and take advantage of opportunities to communicate with us and with your fellow students. You can expect to spend an average of 12 – 15 hours per week on class work.

Major Assignments

During the completion and defense of your thesis proposal, you will be evaluated by your advisor. The advisor completes an evaluation using the following criteria:

The overall assessment of the student's performance throughout the term.
The ability to independently implement and self-direct their thesis research.
Successful defense and committee approval of the thesis.
Contribution to the advancement or application of Spatial Data Science.
Receptiveness to critique.
Creative response to critique.
Continued improvement through the term.

Course Schedule

Course Schedule
Week	Assignment
1	Finalize literature review and bibliography. Begin collecting data for your thesis research.
2	Continue data collection. Begin research analysis. Begin creating maps, charts, graphics, etc. for your thesis.
3	Refine your methods as needed. Begin writing about data collection. Continue research analysis. Continue creating maps, charts, graphics, etc. for your thesis.
4	Refine your methods as needed. Continue research analysis. Begin writing your methods section, explaining the methods used for analysis.
5	Write the introduction for your thesis.
6	Write the results section of your thesis. Write the conclusion for your thesis.
7	Draft complete full thesis. Obtain committee feedback.
8	Revise your thesis. Obtain committee approval to defend your thesis.
9	Defend your thesis to your committee.
10	Submit your final thesis and supporting materials by the deadline.

Policies