Enabling scientific research skills in undergraduate students during a spatial modeling course

Abstract

Scientific research skills can be a valuable asset for undergraduate students pursuing spatial modeling and geographic information science courses. These skills provide students with a systematic means to think critically, solve complex geospatial problems, and contribute in meaningful ways to the scientific knowledge creation and dissemination process. In this study, targeted changes are described for an upper-division undergraduate spatial modeling course where students were guided through all the stages of the scientific research process. Students then developed geospatial solutions to real-world problems and communicated their results at a real scientific conference. Based on anonymous student feedback, the experience was perceived to be rewarding and the research skills gained to be a lifelong asset.