Southern Utah University

Course Syllabus

Southern Utah University
Southern Utah University
Spring Semester 2026

Senior Project: Independent Research II (Face-to-Face)

PSY 4940-03

Course: PSY 4940-03
Credits: 3
Term: Spring Semester 2026
Department: PSY
CRN: 13740

Course Description

Ideally suited to students wishing to pursue a graduate degree in psychology. This course allows students to conduct research for which they have received IRB approval. Students will complete their research project from design to final analyses. Though not required, it is anticipated that many students will submit their research for presentation and/or publication. Course may be repeated for up to 12 credits with a maximum of 3 credits applied toward a Psychology degree. (Adapted from Sierra Warner, PhD)

Required Texts

The required text is the current Publication Manual of the American Psychological Association (APA Manual 7th Ed.). I will provide a PDF copy of that book for your access via Canvas. You are also welcome to purchase a print copy on Amazon, another site, or through the bookstore (Amazon link: https://a.co/d/hhArjGL).

Many assignments, announcements, and messages for this course will be provided online and therefore reliable computer and Internet access is required. If you have any concerns about the technical requirements of this course, please contact me because I can help discuss ways we can work around technical issues.

TECHNICAL REQUIREMENTSTECHNICAL REQUIREMENTS
Computer Operating SystemSouthern Utah University uses Canvas which requires Windows 7 or higher for a PC and Mac OSX 10.8 or higher on a Mac. Please contact Canvas Support for more information:
Canvas Support
Hours: Monday – Friday, 8 a.m. – 5 p.m.
Phone: 435-865-8555
Email: canvas@suu.edu
Online: help.suu.edu/canvas
Internet AccessCanvas works on a variety of browsers and even has a mobile app. For more information, please contact Canvas Support.
SoftwareBasic word processing software is required, and you will need to be able to save documents in a PDF format. You will also need presentation software (e.g., Powerpoint, Prezi).

Learning Outcomes

Learning outcomes will be determined by the student and instructor on an individual basis.

Course Requirements

ASSIGNMENTS

Over the course of the semester, you will complete an individual research project culminating in dissemination via a paper and/or conference poster/talk. Specifics will be determined on an individual basis.

14 Weekly meetings200 points
IRB submission100 points
Data collection200 points
Data analysis200 points
Research dissemination300 points

After I calculate your final numerical grade based on the system above, I will convert it to a letter grade based on the chart below:

900-1000 pointsA
800-899 pointsB
700-799 pointsC
600-699 pointsD
0-599 pointsF

Course Outline

Example Course Schedule
DATETOPICASSIGNMENTDUE
Wed. 1/7Weekly Meeting 1: Syllabus and Course Policies
Wed. 1/14Weekly Meeting 2IRB Submission1/14 @ 11:59 PM
Wed. 1/21Weekly Meeting 3
Wed. 1/28Weekly Meeting 4
Wed. 2/4Weekly Meeting 5
Wed. 2/11Weekly Meeting 6
Wed. 2/18Weekly Meeting 7
Wed. 2/25Weekly Meeting 8
Wed. 3/4Weekly Meeting 9Data Collection3/4 @ 11:59 PM
Wed. 3/11SPRING BREAK
Wed. 3/18Weekly Meeting 10Data Analysis3/18 @ 11:59 PM
Wed. 3/25Weekly Meeting 11Presentation Practice3/25 @ 11:59 PM
Wed. 4/1Weekly Meeting 12Research Dissemination4/1 @ 11:59 PM
Wed. 4/8Weekly Meeting 13
Wed. 4/15Weekly Meeting 14: Final Evaluation

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

All assignments are due by 11:59pm on the date indicated on the schedule and Canvas.

All assignments may be completed ahead of schedule but may NOT be completed after the due date. This means that you may complete all coursework as far in advance as you wish, however the deadlines are in place to prevent students from waiting until the last minute to complete work. The deadlines are the LAST DAY you can complete the assignment.

Course Communication

Please email me at or send me a message on Canvas any time you have questions regarding the course. I will also send class announcements via Canvas and email. Finally, I will make comments on your assignments via Canvas.

Generative LLM/AI Statement: I will not penalize you if you choose to utilize a generative large language model (LLM) system (commonly called Generative AI; e.g., ChatGPT) to help you complete your written assignments – though I warn you about the pitfalls and shortcomings associated with utilizing such systems. I will grade your assignments rigorously, and I have noticed that assignments submitted with Generative LLM/AI systems – like ChatGPT – usually perform poorly.

Attendance Policy

Meetings will be scheduled across the semester. It is expected that you will attend these meetings prepared and on time. If you need to reschedule a meeting, please contact me directly. 

Course Fees

$4 program fee.

Course Information

PSY-4940-03
Independent Research 2
Spring 2026

The SUU Psychology Department values our students irrespective of race, age, gender, sexual orientation, culture, religion, nationality, capabilities, or disabilities. Our faculty and staff are committed to the intellectual, physical, and emotional health of all members of the campus community. Should anyone experience problems or issues with depression, anxiety, grief, discrimination, alienation or marginalization, helplessness or hopelessness, or thoughts of suicide, we implore you to seek us out. Our commitment is to listen, and help you find the resources you need.

Our university is a community of faculty, students, and staff that enjoys an expectation of cooperation, professionalism, and civility during the conduct of all forms of university business, including the conduct of student–student and student–faculty interactions in and out of the classroom. Further, the classroom is a setting in which an exchange of ideas and creative thinking should be encouraged and where intellectual growth and development are fostered. Students who disrupt this classroom mission by rude, sarcastic, threatening, abusive or obscene language, and/or behavior will be subject to appropriate sanctions according to university policy. Likewise, faculty members are expected to maintain the highest standards of professionalism in all interactions with all constituents of the university.

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.