You may replace one of the exams (including the final) with a term paper.  Below are the REQUIRED guidelines.

The final date term papers will be accepted is May 8, 2003 - No exceptions!

One paper can be written to replace 1 exam. The paper grade will be used to replace your lowest exam grade or a missing grade.  If the paper grade is lower than your exam grades, then the paper will not count.  

Paper should be 10-12 pages in length.

Papers should cover some aspect of geology that is discussed in class.  Choose a topic (it is recommended that you discuss it with one of the instructors first) that is narrow enough so it can be covered in this length paper in some depth.  The paper should include several references beyond the textbook level and demonstrate that you know more about the subject than was covered in class or in your book.  Papers must be typed.

The paper should have a title page. Use subtitles (e.g., Introduction, Background, Discussion, and Conclusions) where appropriate.  Try to be well organized.  Use an outline first, then fill in the outline. The paper will not be judged on length, but on content, writing style, organization, clarity, and care in proofing.

Do not use footnotes, but reference ideas or opinions like this:

Glaciers covered about 2/3 of Wisconsin 15,000 years ago (Mickelson, 1979). Mickelson (1979) estimates that glaciers covered 2/3 of Wisconsin about 15,000 years ago.

At the end of the paper have a list (alphabetical by author) of references cited.  Be sure to give a complete reference.  For example:

Mickelson, D. M., 1979 Title. Journal, volume, page. OR (if a book) Publisher, number of pages.

If you have any questions about this look at any issue of the Geological Society of American Bulletin in the Geology Library and use that format.

If you use figures, diagrams, etc. refer to them in the proper place in text by calling them (Fig. 1 (2, 3, etc.) or Table 1 (2, 3, etc.) They can be hand drawn or copied but if copied you must give the source (reference).

Follow this link to an example of an A paper from a past introductory geology student.  You will need the FREE Adobe Acrobat reader plug-in to view this file (739 kb - may be slow over a modem).

Spring 2003 Semester