Term Paper Specifics

  General

Term papers are required and count a significant part of the final grade. The term paper is a professional journal type paper that you will orally present as well. The paper is to be written as you would submit it to a professional society journal editor. Follow the format shown in Dr. Maul's example, "Physical Oceanography Term Paper Format" (provided previously) unless I specify a difference. The due date is specified on the Homework.htm page.

  Appropriateness

Term papers must be based primarily on renewable energy principles, energy issues, education, or advocacy.

No project will be accepted that is illegal, advocates illegal or questionable activity or advocacy, or would reflect unfavorably on Florida Tech, its faculty, staff, or students. My decision is final.

  Details

Very roughly, some 2 to 3+ pages in MS Word including all back matter and graphics might be about right for a single-person effort. A detailed paper of perhaps four carefully worded pages might also be acceptable. Too much isn't better.

Place graphics in the text with captions underneath. Tables are placed in the text with captions above the table.

You will also need some PowerPoint slides for your presentation adequate for perhaps one for each major section of the report. Make slides self-explanatory; no cryptic notes.

  Schedule

This is the schedule for the completion of the report, and is needed for the "Status Report" homework linked in the table on the homework.htm page. Include four or more "milestones" that are points of completion. Either they are complete or they are not. Ms. A. S. used "Research completed", "Full Outline", "Rough Draft", and "Final Copy"; these are good sections.

  Completion, Grading, etc.

Grading is based upon a weighted scale for the term paper, and the score counts 25% of term paper grade for your presentation (visuals, clarity, etc.) and 20% of grade for your delivery (voice, apparent knowledge and confidence, distracting mannerisms, etc.). Note that there is significant value for the presentation in total.

In short, you will be scored as though you were giving a presentation to a technical society or advocating an approach to a customer.

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MiscClass/HomeworkAssignments/termpapers.htm updated 080204