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Topic and length The "5-3-15" guide lines are in effect for all submitted project papers. This means that the submitted paper must be 5-pages in length (text and figures/tables, but not including references), contain 3 figures or tables (counted as part of the 5 pages), and a minimum of 15 references related to the topic you have chosen. None of these references can be web-page citations. At least 10 citations must come from original, relevant scientific literature and not from very good science books. I want you to get into the literature. The completed paper is to be turned in online as a PDF file.
Text of paper The text must be an an analysis, synthesis, summary, or review of the as described for the individual assignment. Please confirm with Jim Ehleringer or one of the TAs by e-mail if you have any questions.
FiguresFigures should be constructed using a drawing program (e.g., ILLUSTRATOR, CANVAS). All figures must be imported into your document as a JPEG file (no exceptions). Each figure must contain a brief figure legend describing the contents of the figure. Scanning figures and then importing them as JPEG files is OK, but please make sure that they are readable once the paper is in PDF format. Scanned images must be less than 1 MB each.
ReferencesAll reference must be presented in a consistent format. You may use any citation format you prefer, except that each reference citation must include the entire author list, year of publication, full article title, full name of the scientific journal, journal volume, and journal page numbers.
PDF formatAll papers are to be submitted in electronic form as PDF files. If you do not have access to ADOBE ACROBAT to produce your final document, then copies of this software are available in Biology's BioMicroLab and probably other places on campus as well. Please recall that we provide opportunities for everyone to learn how to create PDF documents if they were not already familiar with this process.
Grading You are required to submit your paper as a PDF document. Other formats will not be accepted. During the class, we will have an opportunity to learn how to prepare a PDF document if you are not already familiar with this standard format. The advantage of a PDF document is that it is readable on virtually all computer platforms (e.g., WINDOWS, MAC, LINUX, UNIX, etc.).
Papers will be graded on (a) originality, intellectual content, and quality, (b) 5-3-15 rule, (c) the extent to which the paper represents a synthesis of available literature, and (d) whether or not you followed requirements by turning in a PDF document instead of a hard-copy-only or a word processing document.
Writing basics The TAs have compiled a series of basics to consider when writing your papers. Click here to jump to that page.
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