Student Research Opportunities and Features

Students in our programs have opportunities for undergraduate student-faculty collaborative research and scholarship experiences in each of our disciplines. Through these opportunities, research experiences can be an integral part of the undergraduate student experience. 

Discover how you can expand your knowledge, sharpen your skills, and contribute to meaningful research happening in geography and anthropology.

A student in a beanie and denim jacket takes notes while examining a rock specimen in a science classroom.

Examples of Student Research

  • Kennesaw State University Symposium of Student Scholars

    Each year, students in our degree programs regularly present their research at the KSU Symposium of Student Scholars. The link below provides an archive of student research presentations in recent years. 

  • National Conference on Undergraduate Research

    Many geography, anthropology, and geographic information science students presented research at the 2019 National Conference on Undergraduate Research (NCUR), which was hosted by Kennesaw State University in April 2019. 

  • Interactive Story Map of Research

    Explore the interactive story map below to see examples of Department of Geography and Anthroplogy student research from our Geographic Information Science program. 

  • Geospatial Science Map Gallery and Featured Projects

 

Student Research in the News

The following are examples of student research highlighted in the news.

Resources and Opportunities for Student Research

  • American Anthropological Association (AAA)

    Georgia Academy of Science

    Society for American Archaeology (SAA)

    • Student Awards

    Society for Georgia Archaeology

    • Georgia Student Archaeological Research Grants

    National Science Foundation (NSF)

  • American Association of Geographers (AAG)

    • Marble-Boyle Undergraduate Achievement Awards in Geographic Science. These awards aim to recognize excellence in academic performance by undergraduate students from the United States and Canada who are putting forth a strong effort to bridge geographic science and computer science as well as to encourage other students to embark upon similar programs. 
    • AAG Undergraduate Student Affinity Group: An international community of students studying geography, offering opportunities to network and socialize, get advice on graduate study and careers, and take part in academic events. Undergraduate students from any college or university who are studying geography or closely related subjects are welcome to join.
    • AAG Specialty and Affinity Group Student Awards: Each year many AAG Specialty and Affinity Groups confer travel grants, hold paper competitions, and bestow honors and awards to their faculty and student members at the
    • AAG Annual Meeting. Notices for these competitions may appear on the relevant specialty group’s website or listserve, or on the AAG News site. 
    • Biogeography Specialty Group: Student Presentation Award. 
    • Cartography Specialty Group: Honors Student Paper Competition; Illustrated Student Paper Competition. 
    • Economic Geography Specialty Group: Best Student Paper Award Competition. 
    • Ethnic Geography Specialty Group: Student Paper Competition. 
    • Hazards, Risks, and Disasters Specialty Group: Student Paper Award. 
    • Paleoenvironmental Change Specialty Group: Student Research Award Undergraduate Category. 
    • Political Geography Specialty Group: Undergraduate Student Paper Award. 
    • Population Geography Specialty Group: Student Paper Competition. 
    • Regional Development and Planning Specialty Group: Undergraduate Paper Award. 
    • Urban Geography Specialty Group: Undergraduate Paper Award. 

    Southeastern Division of the American Association of Geographers (SEDAAG)

    Gamma Theta Upsilon International Geographical Honor Society (GTU)

    Georgia Academy of Science

    National Science Foundation (NSF)

  • Research Methods

    • Students in our degree programs have the opportunity to complete a research methods course (GEOG 2200 or ANTH 4450). GEOG 2200 is designed to prepare students for scientific research. It introduces students to a variety of spatial and environmental research concepts, approaches, methods and techniques. This course guides students through aspects of scientific research. In ANTH 4450, major theoretical ideas and methods used in anthropological research are examined with a focus on applying them in research and practice.

    Directed Applied Research

    • Students in our Geography and GIS degree programs have the option to complete a Directed Applied Research experience for course credit (GEOG 4100 or GIS 4100). This course will offer students an opportunity to investigate geographically-oriented concepts and issues by assisting in faculty-led research or scholarship. Course content and instructional methodologies will be identified by the faculty’s needs and expectations.

    Anthropology Practicum

    • Students in our Anthropology program have the option to complete an anthropology practicum course (ANTH 3397). This course is a structured field-based or on-campus research experience in a supervised setting related to anthropology. Practical experience is combined with scholarly research in the topical area of the practicum under the guidance of a faculty committee. Projects are selected in advance of the semester of the practicum. Students learn to apply research skills in a practical setting.

    Senior Seminar

    • Students in our Geography and GIS degree programs complete a senior seminar course (GEOG 4499), a required capstone course for all Geography and GISc majors. This seminar helps students apply their geographic knowledge and skills culminating in a research project. The course also includes preparation for graduate study and job opportunities in geography.

  • The Office of Undergraduate Research at Kennesaw State University promotes high-quality undergraduate student-faculty collaborative research and scholarship in all disciplines across campus.