Southern Utah University

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Southern Utah University
Southern Utah University
Fall Semester 2025

Undergraduate Research in Geography/GIS (Face-to-Face)

GEOG 3990-01

Course: GEOG 3990-01
Credits: 8
Term: Fall Semester 2025
Department: GEOS
CRN: 31236

Course Description

Lab and/or field course centered on helping the student conduct meaningful and novel research. Directed research and techniques used will be discussed. This course may be repeated for variable credit. Dean/Chair and Registrar approval for grade is needed. A minimum grade of ā€œCā€ (2.0 or above) must be earned in this course before it can be counted in a Geosciences major or minor or as a prerequisite for any other course. (As Needed) [Pass/Fail]

Required Texts

There is no required textbook for this course; all the supplemental reading material and instructional videos will be available on Canvas.

Other required tools and instruments will be provided.

Learning Outcomes

Course Learning Outcomes
Students will be assessed based on how well they achieve the following learning outcomes.
  1. Formulate Research Questions: Independently identify a meaningful research problem and develop a clear, testable research question relevant to the fields of geography and/or GIScience.
  2. Design a Research Plan: Develop a comprehensive research design that includes a literature review, a theoretical framework, a clear methods, and a project timeline.
  3. Apply Research Techniques: Select and apply appropriate qualitative and/or quantitative research methods, including advanced GIS techniques for data collection, manipulation, and analysis.
  4. Manage and Analyze Data: Collect, organize, and manage diverse types of geospatial and attribute data, and apply statistical or spatial analysis to address their research question.
  5. Synthesize and Interpret Findings: Critically evaluate and interpret the results of their analysis, synthesizing their findings to draw meaningful conclusions.
  6. Communicate Research Effectively: Clearly and professionally communicate their research process, findings, and conclusions in both written form (e.g., report) and oral presentation.

Essential Learning Outcomes
Students will be assessed based on how well they achieve the following learning outcomes.
2.0 Communication: Students develop and express ideas and will be able to do so in a variety of ways, namely in writing, by speaking, visually, kinaesthetically, through design or aurally. 
3.0 Creative Thinking: Students combine or synthesize existing ideas, images, or expertise in original ways, as well as think, react, and work in an imaginative way. 
4.0 Critical Thinking: Students demonstrate disciplined processes of actively and skillfully conceptualizing, applying, analyzing, synthesizing, and/or evaluating information gathered from, or generated by, observation, experience, reflection, reasoning, or communication, as a guide to belief and action. 
8.0 Inquiry & Analysis: Inquiry - Students systematically explore issues, objects, or works through the collection and analysis of evidence that results in informed conclusions or judgments. Analysis - Students break complex topics or issues into parts to gain a better understanding of them. 
13.0 Problem Solving: Students design, evaluate, and implement strategies to answer open-ended questions or achieve a desired goal. 

Course Requirements

ASSIGNMENTS | NUMBER AVAILABLE | POINTS PER ASSIGNMENT | MAXIMUM POINTS
Research Proposal | 1 | 25 points each | 25 points
Regular Update Reports | 3 | 5 points each | 15 points
Final Report | 1 | 40 points each | 40 points
Final Presentation | 1 | 20 points each | 20 points

Course Outline


Please note that scheduled weekly meetings are important for this course for several reasons, all of which align with the objectives outlined in the Canvas document.
Primarily, they facilitate the guided instruction mentioned in the course description. Unlike a traditional lecture course, an undergraduate research class requires personalized feedback and direction. A weekly meeting provides a dedicated time for the student to discuss their unique research problem, methods, and any challenges they are facing directly with the instructor.

These meetings also help to support the independent work aspect of the course. A research project can be a complex undertaking, and regular check-ins ensure that the student stays on track, manages their timeline effectively, and continues to make progress. This structured accountability is crucial for successfully designing and executing a novel research project.

Finally, weekly meetings serve as a practical way to develop critical thinking, problem-solving, and professional communication skills. By regularly presenting their work and receiving constructive feedback, students learn to articulate their ideas and defend their research choices, which is a fundamental part of becoming a successful researcher.

Instructor's policies on late assignments and/or makeup work

LATE POLICY: Late assignments are accepted at the sole discretion of the instructor. If accepted, they may be penalized up to 10% per day and return time may be severely impacted. 
MAKEUP POLICY: Technical difficulties are not acceptable excuses for missing due dates for quizzes, tests, and tasks unless the school or regional network is down for a prolonged period. If you encounter technical difficulties when taking a test, please contact me directly. If you experience a prolonged absence from school due to illness or personal situation, please let me know.

Attendance Policy

Students are expected to regularly attend scheduled meetings, which will start promptly, so please show respect to the instructor by arriving on time. If you are ill, you may reschedule. It is the responsibility of the student to arrange with the instructor to complete missed material during excused absences (SUU Policy #6.30).

Course Fees

2-8 Credit(s) | $13.50 per credit Fee

ADA Statement

Students with medical, psychological, learning, or other disabilities desiring academic adjustments, accommodations, or auxiliary aids will need to contact the Disability Resource Center, located in Room 206F of the Sharwan Smith Center or by phone at (435) 865-8042. The Disability Resource Center determines eligibility for and authorizes the provision of services.

If your instructor requires attendance, you may need to seek an ADA accommodation to request an exception to this attendance policy. Please contact the Disability Resource Center to determine what, if any, ADA accommodations are reasonable and appropriate.

Academic Credit

According to the federal definition of a Carnegie credit hour: A credit hour of work is the equivalent of approximately 60 minutes of class time or independent study work. A minimum of 45 hours of work by each student is required for each unit of credit. Credit is earned only when course requirements are met. One (1) credit hour is equivalent to 15 contact hours of lecture, discussion, testing, evaluation, or seminar, as well as 30 hours of student homework. An equivalent amount of work is expected for laboratory work, internships, practica, studio, and other academic work leading to the awarding of credit hours. Credit granted for individual courses, labs, or studio classes ranges from 0.5 to 15 credit hours per semester.

Academic Freedom

SUU is operated for the common good of the greater community it serves. The common good depends upon the free search for truth and its free exposition. Academic Freedom is the right of faculty to study, discuss, investigate, teach, and publish. Academic Freedom is essential to these purposes and applies to both teaching and research.

Academic Freedom in the realm of teaching is fundamental for the protection of the rights of the faculty member and of you, the student, with respect to the free pursuit of learning and discovery. Faculty members possess the right to full freedom in the classroom in discussing their subjects. They may present any controversial material relevant to their courses and their intended learning outcomes, but they shall take care not to introduce into their teaching controversial materials which have no relation to the subject being taught or the intended learning outcomes for the course.

As such, students enrolled in any course at SUU may encounter topics, perspectives, and ideas that are unfamiliar or controversial, with the educational intent of providing a meaningful learning environment that fosters your growth and development. These parameters related to Academic Freedom are included in SUU Policy 6.6.

Academic Misconduct

Scholastic honesty is expected of all students. Dishonesty will not be tolerated and will be prosecuted to the fullest extent (see SUU Policy 6.33). You are expected to have read and understood the current SUU student conduct code (SUU Policy 11.2) regarding student responsibilities and rights, the intellectual property policy (SUU Policy 5.52), information about procedures, and what constitutes acceptable behavior.

Please Note: The use of websites or services that sell essays is a violation of these policies; likewise, the use of websites or services that provide answers to assignments, quizzes, or tests is also a violation of these policies. Regarding the use of Generative Artificial Intelligence (AI), you should check with your individual course instructor.

Emergency Management Statement

In case of an emergency, the University's Emergency Notification System (ENS) will be activated. Students are encouraged to maintain updated contact information using the link on the homepage of the mySUU portal. In addition, students are encouraged to familiarize themselves with the Emergency Response Protocols posted in each classroom. Detailed information about the University's emergency management plan can be found at https://www.suu.edu/emergency.

HEOA Compliance Statement

For a full set of Higher Education Opportunity Act (HEOA) compliance statements, please visit https://www.suu.edu/heoa. The sharing of copyrighted material through peer-to-peer (P2P) file sharing, except as provided under U.S. copyright law, is prohibited by law; additional information can be found at https://my.suu.edu/help/article/1096/heoa-compliance-plan.

You are also expected to comply with policies regarding intellectual property (SUU Policy 5.52) and copyright (SUU Policy 5.54).

Mandatory Reporting

University policy (SUU Policy 5.60) requires instructors to report disclosures received from students that indicate they have been subjected to sexual misconduct/harassment. The University defines sexual harassment consistent with Federal Regulations (34 C.F.R. Part 106, Subpart D) to include quid pro quo, hostile environment harassment, sexual assault, dating violence, domestic violence, and stalking. When students communicate this information to an instructor in-person, by email, or within writing assignments, the instructor will report that to the Title IX Coordinator to ensure students receive support from the Title IX Office. A reporting form is available at https://cm.maxient.com/reportingform.php?SouthernUtahUniv

Non-Discrimination Statement

SUU is committed to fostering an inclusive community of lifelong learners and believes our university's encompassing of different views, beliefs, and identities makes us stronger, more innovative, and better prepared for the global society.

SUU does not discriminate on the basis of race, religion, color, national origin, citizenship, sex (including sex discrimination and sexual harassment), sexual orientation, gender identity, age, ancestry, disability status, pregnancy, pregnancy-related conditions, genetic information, military status, veteran status, or other bases protected by applicable law in employment, treatment, admission, access to educational programs and activities, or other University benefits or services.

SUU strives to cultivate a campus environment that encourages freedom of expression from diverse viewpoints. We encourage all to dialogue within a spirit of respect, civility, and decency.

For additional information on non-discrimination, please see SUU Policy 5.27 and/or visit https://www.suu.edu/nondiscrimination.

Pregnancy

Students who are or become pregnant during this course may receive reasonable modifications to facilitate continued access and participation in the course. Pregnancy and related conditions are broadly defined to include pregnancy, childbirth, termination of pregnancy, lactation, related medical conditions, and recovery. To obtain reasonable modifications, please make a request to title9@suu.edu. To learn more visit: https://www.suu.edu/titleix/pregnancy.html.

Disclaimer Statement

Information contained in this syllabus, other than the grading, late assignments, makeup work, and attendance policies, may be subject to change with advance notice, as deemed appropriate by the instructor.