Geol paper 2500 words

Term paper

The term paper will be due at the end of the class (check the Canvas syllabus for the exact date

and time). You will upload a copy of the term paper to Canvas, where it will be checked for

plagiarism by turnitin.com. You are allowed only one submission. No late term papers will be

accepted.

Term paper topics

Your term paper will address the impacts of climate change in California. This is a broad

subject and you can cover any aspect of it that seems interesting to you. Some potential topics

include:

1) The increase in fires

2) The increase in heat waves and the impacts on human health

3) Sea level rise

4) The increase in extreme weather (ie, droughts and floods)

5) The increase in ocean temperatures and the impacts on marine life

6) Changes in ecosystems (eg, smaller forests)

7) The decrease in snowpack and impacts on water supply

8) Depletion of groundwater resources

Structure of term papers

This is a research paper, rather than an opinion piece. You should primarily be presenting

the results of scientific research rather than your own observations. Your paper will begin with

an introductory paragraph that describes your topic and explains why it is important. The paper

should end with a concluding paragraph that restates your topic and summarizes what you

found.

Requirements for papers

1. The term paper must have at least 2500 words (not including the bibliography) to meet the area R requirement. When you have finished writing your paper, do a word count

that does not include the bibliography (Word will do this automatically for you), and

write the number of words at the top of the first page. Direct quotes longer than a

sentence are not allowed. If your paper is shorter than the required length, your

maximum score will be prorated accordingly. For example, if your paper is only 2000

words, your maximum score will be 80% (ie. 2000/2500 = 0.80).

2. One page contains at least two illustrations, graphs, or charts, cited within text. 3. Use at least four references, excluding wikipedia.com and including at least one non-Web

source (online journals and news articles do not count as web sources).

4. Use internal citations (any standard format is fine). 5. Each paper must be an original for this course.

Suggestions for papers

1. I will be most impressed by (and likely to grade highly) a paper in which you demonstrate

independent thought, analysis, or activity.

2. Avoid reproducing information from course materials (see #1 for reason).

3. Rephrasing an entry from wikipedia.com will earn you a very, very low grade (#1 yet again).

4. Do not include any text from any report (either for school or work) that you have previously

written – this is considered cheating by the university.

Formatting the papers

Double-space the entire manuscript, and leave 1-inch margins on all sides of the page.

Use a 12-point font, preferably Calibri or Arial.

Citations

All sources (including interviews) should be fully referenced using a reference list keyed to

internal citations (e.g., Lee, 1995, p. 34). If you do not know how to properly format citations

and a bibliography, perform a web search with the terms “APA journal article citation.” You

must use internal citations for data, ideas, and interpretations from other sources, even

though you have rewritten them. Material covered in class can be considered common

knowledge, so you do not need a citation.

When citing a Web source, try to include all of the following:

*Specific author or source (e.g. Mary Lee, U.S. Geological Survey).

*Date information was posted on the Web (look for this site was last updated on.

*Title of the text or image (may not always be present).

*Complete URL (e.g. http//marylee/usgs/page.html).

*Date accessed by you.

Each term paper will be checked by turnitin.com for plagiarism. Each instance of plagiarism will

drop your score by 20 points. If you have 3 or more instances of plagiarism, you will receive

an F in the course and you will be reported to the Office of Student Conduct. All of the

following are considered plagiarism:

* turning in someone else's work as your own

* copying words or ideas from someone else without giving credit

* copying a sentence or sentences from a source while changing just a few words, even if you

give credit

* giving incorrect information about the source of a quotation

* copying so many words or ideas from a source that it makes up the majority of your work,

whether you give credit or not

Grading Rubric for all Written Work

All written assignments will be graded according to the rubric described below.

Content Criteria (50% of grade)

Grade

A, A- Student objectives are stated. Answers the objectives with superior examples or

evidence; unusual insights, creative and original analysis, reasoning and explanation: superior

mastery of content, including logical flow of ideas.

B+, B Student objectives are stated. Good solid response that uses excellent supporting

evidence or examples; excellent reasoning and explanations with a mastery of content with a

logical flow of ideas.

C, C- Student objective is not clearly stated. Good, solid response that meets minimum

requirement of the assignment. Reasoning and explanations are adequate. Not enough depth.

D Student objective is not distinguishable. Response is unclear and does not address

the question; response fails to support assertions with data or examples; major flaws in

reasoning; explanations are unclear; displays inadequate understanding of content.

F Response is missing or not submitted, or does not address the question.

Writing Criteria (50% of grade)

Grade

A, A- Demonstrates superior correctness and sense of personal style. Logical flow of

information is evident throughout writing. Interesting. Grammar and spelling are perfect.

B+, B Very effective organization of paragraphs and paper: interesting, varied sentences;

good grammar (usage, punctuation, spelling); does not read like a first draft or book report.

B-, C+ Reasonably effective organization of paragraphs, numerous errors in grammar or

spelling, reads like a first draft or book report.

C, C- Structurally disorganized; paragraphs lack topic sentences or are not developed

effectively; awkward sentence structure; poor grammar or spelling.

D Similar to above, but even more difficult to read.

F Unintelligible, plagiarized, or not submitted.