Chemistry 127

October 25, 2004 -- latest update: 8 am Tues Nov 5

topics that have already been claimed are marked by word [TAKEN]

Assignment -- Course Paper (100 points) Due-- Monday of the last week of classes

1. General Description of the assignment

2. List of suggested topics

3. Some formal requirements

4. Sample outlines.

5. Citing information sources; plagerism (will be added to the on-line version of these notes)

1. General Description of the Assignment

You are to select a topic and have it approved by Dr. Endres. A list of topics is included, but you can also select another topic, subject to Dr. Endres' approval. (e-mail will be the most convenient approval process.) Since each topic will be unique, items will be removed from the list once they are claimed. We will attempt to keep the Web version of the list updated and may add additional suggestions.

As a rule the topics are deliberately narrow so your treatment can be fairly specific without becoming overly long. The range of subjects varies greatly, but all topics must have some chemistry content. As a rule, a paper is expected to include a chemical structure and/or a chemical equation. Some topics are easily classified-- medical, environmental, materials science or commercial products. I ask, as a matter of principle, that the topic not be the same as a paper you write for another course or on a topic in which you are already very well informed. You could, however chose another aspect of such a subject.

These are not expected to be long papers; 3-4 pages will generally be adequate. I imagine that the Internet will be the source of much of your information, but I expect you to use a variety of sources. As discussed below, you also need to make judgment on the reliability of your information sources. It is important that your paper be logically developed and is not merely a cut and paste version of what's on a few different Web sites. As discussed below, you must avoid plagiarism (deliberate and inadvertent) and you must formally cite (credit) your sources.

The style and level of the writing should be such that I could pass out copies of your report in class and your classmates would be able to understand what you wrote and would learn something new in the process. You generally need an introduction and an explanation of underlying concept as well as some relatively specific examples. I especially welcome treatments that are argumentative, provided there is a justification for the position you advocate. Good writing (clarity and grammar) is as important as scientific content and accuracy.

2. Suggested Topics (the first few include detail to suggest the range I am looking for.)