504 Research Papers

Students enrolled for graduate credit will submit a research paper relating their area of specialization to global change. This could be a part of a future thesis or dissertation but packaged for this course. It also could consist of a research prospectus (e.g., outline of proposed thesis or dissertation research) or research proposal (e.g., proposal to be submitted to NASA, Oak Ridge Graduate Fellowship Program, Iowa Academy of Science, Iowa Space Grant College Consortium, ISU research grants program, etc.).

For the 504 papers, emphasis is on independent research. Students who simply summarize results of others with no new data analysis, interpretation, or extension of existing research information can expect to have up to 20 points (of total of 200) deducted. Students are strongly encouraged to explore and use, where possible, global datasets available over the Internet.

The paper will be written in the standard form of a research paper (e.g., abstract, introduction, main body with appropriate headings, summary of conclusions, acknowledgments (if appropriate), and references). Referencing style will be that of leading journals closest to the discipline of the paper. Paper will be judged on originality, depth of understanding, and clarity of expression. Faculty members close to the discipline of the paper may be asked to help judge these attributes.

• Proposed title due on due date for Unit 1-12


• Outline and list of at least five references dueon due date for Unit 2-12


• Paper due on due date for Unit 3-12