MS SDS Culminating Experience

Option 1: GEOG 570 Scholarly Paper (3 credits)

The scholarly paper consists of a semester-long research paper that demonstrates an SDS student's skills and ability to apply advanced knowledge of spatial data science principles to make a substantial contribution to research in Spatial Data Science. Students in this course work individually to design, implement, and report on a project based on the application of spatial data science knowledge and skillsets gained through the SDS curriculum. Students will also collaborate with each other to iteratively develop and refine project topics, methods, and solutions. Students are oriented at the beginning of the course with modules reviewing research methods, public presentation strategies, and scholarly communication skills. Students commence their research immediately at the beginning of the semester and meet weekly milestones through the balance of the semester, engaging in peer review to refine their work in addition to receiving guidance from their instructor.

During GEOG 570 you will complete the following:

1. Complete a literature review.
2. Refine the research question.
3. Write a formal proposal.
4. Define methodology. (This will include data you need, statistical methods you will incorporate, computer resources, etc.)
5. Write a scholarly abstract. (The abstract contains a brief summary of the article as well as a description of the objective, method, result, and conclusion of the study. Keywords (or subject words), which identify the contents of the article, are also given in the abstract. The abstract should be ~250 words.)
6. Carry out your research.
7. Work on a draft of the paper.
8. Submit draft for feedback and incorporate suggestions from advisor.
9. Submit final paper.
    

Option 2: GEOG 600 Thesis (6 credits)

The thesis represents 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 of knowledge to the field. This class builds on the research ideas that the student worked on during the SDS workshop. Enrollment in GEOG 600 assumes that the student has an existing research question or topic.

The student will be assigned a primary advisor who will be instrumental in guiding the student through and providing feedback toward a successful thesis proposal and thesis. The thesis committee shall be composed 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 to a faculty from the SDS program to become a secondary advisor can be extended. Additional advisors can be invited to become committee members. However, only two advisors are required. 

The student and the primary advisor should meet on a weekly basis throughout this session to make sure that adequate progress on developing the proposal is occurring. 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 thesis requires careful preparation, research, critical thinking, and writing on behalf of the student. These steps take time. Allow time for the unexpected.

GEOG 600A (3 credits)
The main deliverable for this session should be a thesis proposal. The proposal should outline the necessary steps, necessary data, and methodology envisioned to complete the thesis and be approved by all committee members before the student continues with GEOG 600B.

Ideally, the proposal should build on what was outlined in the SDS workshop. The scholarly proposal should identify the student's research topic, the value of researching this topic, the important literature related to the topic, necessary data, methods you will use in your research, and anticipated outcomes. The student should defend their proposal in front of the committee, who will then evaluate the scholarly merit of the proposal. Once the proposal has been approved, the student can advance to conducting the research and writing the thesis document, which is the focus of GEOG 600B.

During GEOG 600A you will complete the following:

1. Email info@gis.psu.edu to get registered for GEOG 600A.
2. Review the calendar set by the Graduate School regarding important thesis deadlines so that you are aware of them for GEOG 600B. Some of the deadlines for GEOG 600B come very early in the semester.  https://gradschool.psu.edu/completing-your-degree/thesis-and-dissertation-information/thesis-dissertation-performance-and-oral-presentation-deadlines-calendar/
3. Select a second committee member in consultation with your primary adviser. This can be a Penn State faculty member or a faculty member at another institution. 
4. Work with your committee to develop a written proposal that addresses the items above.
5. The committee needs to determine when you are ready to defend your proposal. 
6. Defend your proposal to your committee. This does not need to be a public defense.
7. Get permission from your committee to move on to GEOG 600B. 

GEOG 600B (3 credits)
The primary purpose of this session is to carry out the research that was stated in the proposal. The culminating deliverable for this session is a thesis. The student will defend their thesis in front of their committee. The oral defense will be evaluated by the committee members.

During GEOG 600B you will complete the following:

1. Email info@gis.psu.edu to get registered for GEOG 600B.
2. File your intent to graduate if you will be graduating at the successful completion of GEOG 600B.
3. Review the calendar set by the Graduate School regarding important thesis deadlines. Some of the deadlines come very early in the semester. https://gradschool.psu.edu/completing-your-degree/thesis-and-dissertation-information/thesis-dissertation-performance-and-oral-presentation-deadlines-calendar/
4. Work with your committee to complete the research that you outlined in your proposal, which will culminate in your thesis.
5. The committee needs to determine when you are ready to defend your thesis. 
6. Defend your thesis to your committee. This does not need to be a public defense.
7. Once you have passed your defense, submit your master's thesis for format review by the stated deadline.
8. Submit your final thesis and supporting materials by the stated deadline.
9. Your committee will your thesis with the Graduate School.