Term Paper Information
The
term paper will describe how some aspect of relatively common technology
works. A list of possible topics will be
provided. Other topics may be used with
instructor approval.
I
expect this paper to be well written and presented as a word-processed
manuscript appropriate for a scientific document. Consult Style Guide for Chemistry Reports (by
SA Myers) or The ACS Style Guide, 2nd edition (Janet S. Dodd, Editor)
for the appropriate style. In inorganic chemistry and this class, a
superscripted, numerical form of referencing is appropriate–so use that style.
(This is not optional!) You will
probably need diagrams to supplement your text, be sure to consult the Style Guide for appropriate format. Feel free to consult with me about any
part of the process, but I will not pre-grade papers. Also be sure to take advantage of the writing
center for help in proofreading, etc. The final paper is worth 100 pts,
and there will be related assignments worth additional points. It is over 20%
of your grade, take it seriously!!!
Term Paper Topics
All should answer the question:
How does it work?
Other topics may be acceptable with approval
Common materials
Hydrogen fuel cell
solar powered calculator battery
LCD screen
Nuclear Power Plant
Hydroelectric Power Plant
Coal Power Plant
Enriching Uranium
Isotopic dating methods
Water Treatment/Purification
drinking, lab, waste
catalytic converters
air conditioners (why freon?)
water softeners
glass, include various types like pyrex, pH, colored
steel
concrete
ceramic tiles on Space Shuttle
artificial gems (more than diamond, rubies too)
stained glass (how do they make the colors?)
Sci Fi topics
Vulcan blood (based on Cu instead of Fe and green)
vampires (there some theory this is a disease based on something wrong with the Fe-porphyrin ring in your blood)
transparent Al (remember Star Trek IV)
silicon-based life
silver bullets to kill werewolves (Ag is anti-microbal...)
Grading
Criteria for Term Papers
Thesis Statement
(10)
Clear
On
first page
Content (50)
process
follows logical order
figures
used appropriately
explanation
is complete and understandable
sufficient
background to understand topic is provided
Writing (20)
Referencing
(20) (see
below)
ideas
are connected to thesis
ideas
flow for one to the next
meets
required format–severe deviations from format will not be accepted
manuscript
style
referencing
web pages–at least two
non web pages–at least two
personal communications–extra credit, if
really added to paper
inaccurate web pages—extra credit, if
pointing out errors is relevant to paper
credibility and relevance
Proofreading
(one freebie typo per # of pages, after that, -1 per typo)