topic

Extra Credit Writing Assignment Due date listed on syllabus

Submitted via email (PDF or .DOC/.DOCX) & uploaded to Canvas for anti-plagiarism screening.

late papers not accepted

→ Papers submitted in an incorrect format will NOT be graded.

Choose a topic in any area of interest in biology. Your topic should focus on a specific area of investigation (e.g., the mechanism of malaria infection, how the disease progresses and current treatments), NOT a broad topic (e.g., cancer).

Past topics have included:

• fashion designer interested in animal's patterns mimicry

(An investigation of the bright-color patterns of animal camouflage)

• architect interested in the shapes of bees' hives

(How bees' hives may influence architectural designs)

• automotive studies major looking at future fuels derived from algae

(Looking to the future: a survey of companies making algae fuels to fill our gas tanks)

• expectant mother studying the good and bad of childhood vaccines

(Examining the risks and benefits of standard early childhood vaccines)

Sections included in your paper

Preapproval of your topic & title

Submit, via email, title of paper and a brief (3 sentence) description of what you will investigate.

Introduction (some of this may be written before you begin your investigation)

explain the topic with relevant background information

what you already know about the topic

why is it interesting to you?

what are you are interested in learning?

Review (summary of sources read)

write as if you are summarizing the sources for others' benefit

you may include interesting facts that make the topic interesting to you but keep this a review

for most topics, include a discussion of current research and/or recent important discoveries

Discussion (of papers or books read during your research)

what did you learn?

what surprised you?

how does this impact your future study?

anything disappoint you?

how might you contribute to research or work in this field?

Bibliography You may use APA, Harvard, Chicago, MLA, whichever format you are comfortable with as long as you are consistent

-Proofreading. Papers with more than a few (ie., >3) grammatical mistakes or spelling errors will not receive full credit.

-Use of NVCC academic databases and/or librarians featuring academic articles. Google-only sources are not allowed; popular magazines and newspapers should be used sparingly. Consult librarians for assistance.

Choose a topic you are interested in, while there is no minimum length, most students need approximately 5 double-spaced pages (Times, 12 pt. type). Longer papers welcome.

Cover sheet not required, extensive “block” quotes are frowned upon, the paper must be your own work and not submitted for any prior class at any institution.

Rev. 02.20