As announced in class, there will be an optional term paper in
this course. Should you decide to write a term paper, it will
count as 15% of your final grade, and the final exam will be 25%.
If you do not write a term paper, the final will be 40% of your
total grade. The grades for the term papers and the final exam
will be scaled so that they have the same average, so that you
will not be penalized either way. The term paper is an option
for people who feel they can write a paper better than they can
take a final.
An important point is that this is a science course, and
the term paper must have significant science content. If you wish,
you can choose some scientist and, along with some biography,
present his or her contribution to science in the historical context.
However, it must be clear that you appreciate the scientific value
of the work, at least to some degree. It could also be appropriate
to discuss the impact of the work on society, but this would be
in addition to a clear presentation of the essential scientific
advance. Of course, you do not need to choose one scientist, you
could look at a single topic instead, or even a civilization.
It's just that your paper must have significant science content.
The paper should be typed, about six pages long (in 12 point font).
All sources must be acknowledged, and there should be at least
two sources besides my web notes and the books required
for the course.
I will also consider a web document, with links, etc.,
provided it meets all the other criteria outlined here.
The paper should be well thought out, and well written so that
it is easy to read---grammar and spelling errors should be avoided.
And please, no boring padding material---there are plenty of interesting
topics out there!
If you decide to write a term paper, you must give me (or e-mail) a one sheet outline by November 12, so that I can discuss it with you and ok it. If you do not have the outline in by then, you will lose the option to write a term paper. The completed paper must be handed in by the last day of class, December 5.