Term paper and White Paper
Term paper and White Paper
(Term paper and White Paper)
Question description
Term paper Write a review paper on one of the current research topics related to microbial physiology.Topic selection and white paperis due by Sept 20, and the paper is due by Dec 1.Both white paper and term paper need to be prepared in MS word (.doc or .docx) . You have to provide 1- page white paper of your term paper outline along with minimum 3 references (full-text scientific research papers in PDF format) covering your term paper topic selection(Due: Sept 20).
· Contents of the paper: Discuss a focused “hot topic”, with sufficient discussion of background information to allow anyone taking the class to understand the significance. Research approaches and future directions should also be briefly discussed. The length of the paper is minimum 8 pages of double spaced text (font size no bigger than 12). You can provide figures. Write with your classmates as the targeted readers. You should not “reuse” a topic used for other courses.
· Sources and their use: In recent years there has been a tendency to rely more heavily on web pages as sources. Students are warned that plagiarizing any source is a serious violation of academic standards—credit and use your sources properly. **Note: I allow the use of some figures downloaded from the web, but you should cite the reference or give the website. Figure legends should be your own with succinct and clear information.
· Style: Papers will be judged on their organization and the clarity of writing. Papers that have numerous misspellings or grammatical errors will be rated poorly and this rating will seriously impact the grade. Proofread carefully. Use spelling checkers. Have others read the paper both for clarity and content. The paper should follow a review paper writing style with citation systems of either Citation-Sequence or Name-Year.
· Categories of term paper topics you can choose from;
o Life in extreme environment; molecular basis of extremophiles such as;
§ Acidophiles
§ Alkaliphiles
§ Hyperthermophiles
§ Psychrophiles
§ Xerophiles
§ Halophiles
§ And other extremophiles
o Why oxygen is toxic to anaerobic respirators
o Molecular basis of radio-tolerant microorganisms
o ANAMMOX and global nitrogen cycle
o Biodegradation of aromatic hydrocarbons
o Bacterial synthesis of biodegradable plastics
Student may further develop and use a specific sub-topic from each category.
Peer-review You will upload your working draft of term paper by Nov. 20 and start to receive comments and suggestions from your classmates. You will incorporate those suggestions and recommendations in your finalized term paper. To receive full credit, i) you have to upload your draft by Nov. 20, ii) read and provide feedback on minimum 3 drafts of your classmates (due by Nov. 28), and iii) update your draft based on your classmates’ comments and suggestions.
