Capstone Preparation (CP 6596)

Instructor: Dr. Clio Andris

Catalog Description

This course supports students as they prepare to do GIS research over the summer for their capstone project. The capstone project is mandatory for completion of the Master of Science in Geographic Information Science and Technology (MS-GIST) degree at Georgia Tech. 

Course Overview

The goal of this course is to provide students with training and fundamental knowledge about GIS research. The main objective is for each student to begin planning their capstone project, i.e., ‘scoping’ the topic through literature, data, methods, and results components. Capstone projects are completed over the summer.

Course Objectives

By completing this course you will acquire knowledge and skills in:

  1. Reciting the main sections and progression of GIS research reports
  2. Recognizing successful GIS research and types of research questions
  3. Knowing main types of GIS projects and approaches
  4. Finding data and literature
  5. Making decisions about methods and statistics
  6. Writing clearly and citing other work
  7. Using a word or LaTeX based template ¯\_(ツ)_/¯
  8. Making clear graphics and tables and referencing these appropriately

Readings (to be added spring 2023)

          Bhaduri, Budhendra, Edward Bright, Phillip Coleman, and Marie L. Urban. “LandScan USA: a high-resolution geospatial and temporal modeling approach for population distribution and dynamics.” GeoJournal 69 (2007): 103-117.

Schedule

DateTopicDue on this date
9-JanIntroduction: Meet and ShareNA
16-JanNo Class – MLK DayNA
23-JanComponents of GIS research + a brainstorming session1. Master’s thesis search and response
30-JanShare MS Thesis Findings2. Strong vs. weak RQs*
6-FebGIS Journals + Media; Reviews3. Capstone Draft Outline
13-Feb Literature, Argumentation, References4a. Lit Review I
20-FebNo Class – ‘Free Parking’NA
27-FebDescribing Data4b. Lit Review II
6-MarDescribing GIS Methods5. Data: List of data sources with urls
13-MarTemplates + Formatting6. Cookbook-type methods section
20-MarNo Class – Spring BreakNA
27-MarThe Sensitivity Test7. Descriptive and inferential statistics
3-AprVisualization + Cartography8. Your permutations
10-AprReporting Results9. Good caption/bad caption + references*
17-Apr5-minute Presentations10. Powerpoint presentation
24-AprClass LunchNA