Outlines: You are requested to tell me your choice of topic by Oct. 15 and to provide me with a 1 page outline of your paper by Nov. 12. Outlines are the logical and natural step between doing a lot of reading and thinking, and sitting down to write a research paper. An outline should explicitly state the topic being researched and the specific question(s) being addressed. It should also list in point form the subtopics that will be covered to answer the question(s) being asked. A good outline is a roadmap to your paper; it saves you from getting lost or sidetracked during the writing.

Project presentations will be done in the last two weeks of class. Presentations should use some visual aids to show graphs or diagrams, highlight key points, terms, concepts, etc., and generally help guide the listener through your talk. Powerpoint presentations are recommended but not required.

Papers are due on the Monday of exam week. Papers:

1/ should be 10+ pages long (double-spaced)

2/ should have a minimum of seven references to texts and primary literature

3/ must be written in your own words

4/ must cite and reference articles where appropriate, but make no more than occasional use of direct quotations from such articles.

It is very important that you paraphrase all information from all sources, as plagiarism is usually easy to identify, especially from WEB sources, and will be dealt with according to the Honor code. Proper science writing permits only occasional use of direct quotations, specifically when the writer wishes to retain the particular emphasis or eloquence of the original author. I will not tolerate direct quotes as a short cut to paraphrasing. When paraphrasing information from other sources, you must properly cite and reference the articles used. Citing an article means listing the author(s) and year in parentheses, e.g., (Jones and Bentley, 2001), at the end of a sentence or group of sentences that paraphrases that author(s)' work. Referencing an article means listing it alphabetically in a reference list at the end of the paper; all articles must be listed using a single format that is already used by a developmental biology journal; you can choose which journal to follow.

I strongly discourage the common writing strategy of editing other people's words with minor word substitutions, rearrangements, additions, and deletions. I am a much happier (and more generous) grader when the writing style is obviously the student's. The implication is that after you read something, you must think about it and try to express it in your words. The more you combine thoughts and ideas arising from different sources into your retelling of the story, the better.

The introduction of your paper should contain an outline of the contents and purpose of your essay as stated in the previously submitted outline. Since the course is in developmental biology, remember to keep the focus of your discussion on the developmental mechanisms and concepts involved in your particular topic.

To help you in your library research, check http://www.lib.jmu.edu/biology/ for links to all the biology reference databases available through LEO.

List of project topics: you are free to select your own topic, though you must have it approved by me on or before Oct. 15.

Developmental biology and medicine/dentistry