Princeton University's Top Course on Scientific Studies and Scholarly Writing: GEO/WRI 201
Princeton University is introducing a new research-based course aimed at undergraduate students in the natural sciences. The Sophomore Research Seminars, which are part of the "Human or Animal Subject Research" section, offer an exciting opportunity for students to develop original, well-motivated scientific questions, design effective field methods, and learn to communicate results effectively.
Course Overview
The Sophomore Research Seminars, unlike the previously mentioned GEO/WRI 201, do not specifically involve satellite and drone-derived aerial imagery, field trips, or original scientific research like GEO/WRI 201. Instead, the focus is on teaching students how to write an independent scientific paper, including designing, researching, writing, and presenting original research.
Student Experience
During the Sophomore Research Seminars, students, under the guidance of Adam Maloof (GEO) and Amanda Irwin Wilkins (WRI), will work on developing an original scientific question, designing effective field methods, quantitatively analyzing data, and learning to communicate results effectively. The course is demanding and fast-paced, with intensive critical feedback, but it is also lighthearted, fun, and exciting, featuring drone assignments and a road trip across Utah.
An anonymous student who took the course in the Fall of 2016 found it to be an enjoyable and valuable learning experience. During the course, the student developed a strong foundation of research skills, honed writing and critical reading skills, learned to code in MATLAB, use ArcGIS, and typeset in LaTeX, and even won the weekly flight skills competition by mastering flying a quadcopter drone.
Course Details
The Sophomore Research Seminars are being offered for the first time this Fall, with an application deadline on April 20. More information, including examples of previous research topics and student reviews, can be found on the course website.
For those interested in more research-oriented courses at Princeton, the GEO/WRI 201: Methods in Data Analysis & Scientific Writing is also being offered for the third time this Fall. This course, designed for undergraduate students in natural sciences, uses satellite and drone-derived aerial imagery to measure changing landscapes and provides an opportunity for students to conduct original scientific research.
Interested students are encouraged to consult the University's course catalog or contact the department directly for more detailed information about the specific curriculum, focus, and student experience of each course.
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