GEOG 597G Syllabus - Summer 2023

GEOG 597G: Challenges in Global Geospatial Analytics

This syllabus is divided into several sections. You can read it sequentially by scrolling down the length of the document or by clicking on any of the links below to “jump” to a specific section. That being said, it is essential that you read the entire document as well as material covered in the Orientation. Together these serve the role of our course "contract."

• Instructors
• Course Overview
• Course Objectives
• Required Course Materials
• Assignments and Grading
• Course Schedule
• Course Policies

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Instructors

Fritz Kessler
416 Earth and Engineering Sciences Building
University Park, PA 16082

Beth King
438 Earth and Engineering Sciences Building
University Park, PA 16082

Phone: (The country code for the United States is 1.)

• Fritz Kessler: (814) 863-1508
• Beth King: (814) 865-9164

E-mail: Please use course e-mail system (see the Inbox in Canvas).

Availability: Students are welcome to contact the instructors via e-mail at any time. We will usually respond within 24 hours (Saturdays and Sundays may vary). While e-mail correspondence will generally cover the majority of questions and comments that arise, you are welcome to contact us by phone as well. The numbers listed above are our office phones. You are welcome to call between 9:00 a.m. and 4:00 p.m. (Eastern Standard Time). After 4:00 p.m., however, you will likely have to leave a message with your number and we will return your call.

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Course Overview

This class will be taught as an embedded course focused on data analytics and professional practice in Geographic Information Systems. Penn State students will participate in a collaborative data challenge project to engage with graduate students on a global-scale geospatial analysis problem. Penn State students will develop solutions to analyze spatio-temporal patterns in COVID-19 data. Penn State students will have the opportunity to present their work and develop new connections with EU geospatial professionals via a site visit to a European mapping agency. Students will work in teams to tackle this global-scale data set, and use GeoAnalytics to arrive at a solution to visualize patterns over space and time.

What will be expected of you?

This course follows a blended learning environment. The first two weeks of the course feature Penn State students traveling to European countries to spend time in an immersive environment collaborating with students at a European University. Also included during these weeks will be travels to a mapping agency in the EU. Following this two-week travel abroad. Penn State students will return to their respective homes and further develop the capstone deliverable in both written and video format for the remainder of the class.

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Course Objectives

At the successful completion of this course, you should be able to:

• Collaboratively develop a workable solution to a geospatial problem
• Work with a large geospatial database
• Integrate powerful visualization and computational tools (such as GeoAnalytics) to help provide a solution
• Synchronously and asynchronously collaborate with peers to provide feedback and listen to critiques
• Formally present a solution to a large-scale geospatial problem

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Required Course Materials

You will need to check out the course discussions regularly. That's where students and instructors share comments, pose questions, and suggest answers. We strongly encourage you to get in the habit of logging in to the course every day to check in on the class. With only occasional exceptions, we check Canvas six days a week (Monday through Friday and once on the weekend). You can be sure that we will read, but not necessarily respond to, every single message. We have worked hard to make this the most effective and convenient educational experience possible. How much and how well you learn is ultimately up to you. You will succeed if you are diligent about keeping up with the class schedule, and if you take advantage of opportunities to communicate with us, as well as with your fellow students. For a more detailed look at what will be covered in each lesson, as well as due dates for our assignments and activities, please refer to the calendar and modules in Canvas.

In order to take this course, you need to have the required course materials and an active Penn State Access Account User ID. 

Specific requirements for this course differ somewhat from the other GEOG courses. In consideration of the fact that this course involves travel to foreign countries, you will need the following:

1. Ability to travel to a foreign country for a period of two weeks.

2. A current passport.

Assistance with textbooks

Penn State honors and values the socioeconomic diversity of our students. If you require assistance with the costs of textbooks for this course, please visit the Office of Student Care and Advocacy at 120 Boucke Building or call 814-863-4926.

For additional needs, related to socioeconomic status, please visit Project Cahir.

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Assignments and Grading

Students earn grades that reflect the extent to which they achieve the learning objectives listed above. Opportunities to demonstrate learning include the following activities:

GEOG 597G Grading Breakdown

Activity	Percentage
Class participation (course discussions)	10%
Submitting weekly group project updates and draft proposal assignments	30%
Engagement in peer-to-peer reviews	10%
Presentation and submission of group project proposal draft	20%
Presentation and submission of final group project proposal	30%

Letter grades will be based on the following percentages:

Letter Grades and Corresponding Percentages

Letter Grade	Percentage
A	90 - 100%
A-	87.5 - 89.9%
B+	85 - 87.4%
B	80 - 84.9%
B-	77.5 - 79.9%
C+	75 - 77.4%
C	70 - 74.9%
D	60 - 69.9%
F	<60%
X	Unsatisfactory (student did not participate)

Percentages refer to the proportion of all possible points earned by the student.

Please keep a copy of your work. We cannot assume responsibility for lost items.

Project evaluation criteria include:

• Quality: Quality criteria will be posted in the Deliverables section of each project.
• Completeness: All required elements should be present with every submission. Project reports should be properly linked to your Penn State personal home page.
• Timeliness: Project reports must be published by the assigned due date. Contact the instructors if you need extra time. Refer to the course calendar in Canvas for the exact schedule. Please make every effort to submit your deliverables on time.

Late Grading Policy

This class is a dynamic group environment. As such, late submission of materials and reports will only hinder the overall performance and success of the group. A late penalty of 10% per day until the assignment has been submitted will be applied to all group members.

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Course Policies