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Home > Undergraduate Program : Senior Project

Senior Project

Undergraduate Research Paper

Toward the conclusion of their undergraduate studies, geography students research and write a "senior project" as part of the requirements for the BA or BS degrees. The senior project should reflect the student's best work. The project is a process of research, reflection, and writing. Download guidelines (PDF) for completing your senior project and submitting your manuscript.

To complete the senior project, juniors and seniors either register for extra credits in a geography course, enroll in the Senior Project Seminar, complete a directed study project, or take Community Service Learning with one of its companion classes. Download the Senior Project Tracking Form (PDF).

Extra credit course registration involves an agreement between the student and a geography faculty member that the faculty member will serve as the student's advisor for the project.  Students register for 2 extra credits in conjunction with any 3xxx level or higher geography course, preferably one of the courses in their focus area. They need to fill out a "student/faculty contract" form, available in the main office and from the advisor.

The Senior Project Seminar is a way to complete the senior project requirement in a setting that provides structure and guidance to students as they work on each step of their research project. Students may pursue any area of interest in this seminar. The seminar teacher generally serves as project advisor for students in the course, but students may arrange to have another faculty member be their official project advisor if they feel they need more topical guidance. Honors students register for Geog 3985V, other students register for Geog 3985W. This class is offered both fall and spring semesters.

Directed research (Geog 3994) can provide an opportunity for students to complete their senior project requirement and a chance to work one on one with a professor. Students should approach potential faculty advisors with an idea for their project and ask if they would be willing to advise. Once an agreement has been made, students and faculty need to complete a "student/faculty contract" form, available in the main office and from the advisor.

The final way students can complete their senior project requirement is by taking Geog 4700 Community Service Learning along with one of its companion courses: either Geog 3411 Geography of Health and Healthcare or Geog 4121 Latin America. Students are matched with a volunteer opportunity related to the companion course content: either at a hospital for 3411 or with the non-profit organization CLUES assisting English language learners for 4121.

View some examples of senior projects (PDF) that other Geography majors have completed.