GEOG/NRM 483W - Research Design, Writing, and Presentation Methods - syllabus

Sep 13, 2026

GEOG/NRM 483W is a capstone research course for Geography and Natural Resources Management majors and a research methods option for other undergraduates and beginning graduate students. The course guides students to design an individual research project or thesis with a faculty mentor, producing a formal proposal and communicating results through scientific writing and oral, written, and graphical presentations. Learning activities emphasize applied research practices, critical review, iterative drafting, and professional-style deliverables including figures and curriculum vitae.

LanguageEnglish

CategoryPresentations

FormatPDF

Pages9

Reading Time3 min

AccessFree to download

Course Information

Instructor, Office, and Contact

Lectures and Tentative Class Time

Course Requirements

Required and Additional Readings

Prerequisites

Course Description and Goals

Course Description

Course Goals

Teaching Methods and Learning Outcomes

Teaching Methods

Learning Outcomes

Course Policies

Expectations

Participation and Professionalism

Student Conduct

GEOG/NRM 483W – RESEARCH DESIGN, WRITING, AND PRESENTATION METHODS (3 credits) | Fall 2014
SYLLABUS | | | --- | --- | | INSTRUCTOR | Dr. Chris Maio | | OFFICE | Reichardt Building, Room 368 | | OFFICE HOURS | Tuesday 10:00 am – 12:00 pm
Wednesday 2:00 pm-4:00 pm
And by appointment | | CONTACT | 907-474-5651
[cvmaio@alaska.edu](cvmaio@alaska.edu) | | LECTURES | Murie Building, Room 330
Tuesday & Thursday
Tentative Class Time: 2:00 pm-3:30 pm | BOOK Required: Elements of Style by Strunk and White (4th edition) . Other relevant readings will be assigned and distributed via Blackboard or in class. PREREQUISETS ENGL F111X; ENGL F211X OR ENGL F213X; at least one writing intensive course designated (w); at least junior standing in Geography or Natural Resources Management; or permission of instructor. COURSE DESCRIPTION This course is designed as a capstone research course for Geography and Natural Resources Management majors. It can also serve as a Research Methods course for undergraduates in other programs, or for beginning graduate students. Students will focus on designing an individual research project or thesis in coordination with a faculty mentor. The course will provide real world active learning assignments that seek to integrate the knowledge and skills gained through undergraduate course work, and will prepare you for graduate and professional level projects. This course emphasizes applying integrated knowledge toward activities that enhance professional and research career opportunities. The course is writing intensive and will focus on scientific writing, and the oral, written, and graphical presentation of data and research results. COURSE GOALS This course will provide a real world opportunity to conduct background research, complete a formal proposal, develop job or graduate school application materials, and present work. This course will provide a capstone opportunity for students to integrate their course-based knowledge with practical skills that will help in the professional or research setting. Students will gain practice in the challenges of thinking critically, dealing with the unexpected, and overcoming hurdles not typically encountered in the controlled classroom. Of most importance, this course is writing intensive and emphasizes written and oral communication skills. Students will become better writers and overall better communicators as they prepare to move into a professional or graduate setting. TEACHING METHODS This course centers around individual research projects and will emphasize all aspects of applied research from initial project design, methods, data analysis, graphics, and final presentation. Student’s written and graphical work will go through drafts and receive feedback from peers, instructor, and mentor. There is a heavy emphasis on writing and on the critical review of your own work and other students in the class. Lectures will cover basic principles of scientific research, writing, and presentation. Specific assignments provide practice in important professional skills and will teach the fundamentals ofthe written and graphical presentation of scientific research. This course is meant to mimic a professional/graduate experience, and will require a substantial investment of time, with numerous assignments and deadlines that must be met for success. LEARNING OUTCOMES 􀁸 Students will learn to develop and write a complete research proposal (including an abstract, project narrative, figures, collaborative support, etc.) . 􀁸 Students will gain practice in the scientific method via the development of sound research questions and a project design. 􀁸 Students will learn how to find, evaluate, and use the scientific literature for research. 􀁸 Students will improve the quality of their writing through assignments of varied length and purpose (abstracts, proposal, reviews, and cover letters) . 􀁸 Students will improve the quality of their wr

FAQs

Who is this course designed for?

GEOG/NRM 483W is designed as a capstone research course for Geography and Natural Resources Management majors. It can also serve as a research methods course for undergraduates in other programs or for beginning graduate students.

What are students expected to produce during the course?

Students focus on designing an individual research project or thesis and completing a formal proposal. The work emphasizes scientific writing and the oral, written, and graphical presentation of data and research results, including figures and related materials.

How is student participation graded and what happens if a student misses class?

Participation and professionalism account for 5% of the final grade, with attendance worth 2.5 points and participation in discussions and peer reviews worth 2.5 points. If an emergency prevents attendance, students are expected to email the instructor prior to the absence; otherwise points will be deducted.

Sep 13, 2026

Uploaded by Emma Mercer