Term paper guidelines Fall 2023
1. Topic
Choose a topic based on an area of microbiology of interest to you. The
topic can be a specific bacterium (e.g. E. coli O157:H7), an area of
applied microbiology (e.g. Symbiosis between bacteria and termites), a specific
technique (e.g. new methods for water testing), or any other related topic of current
interest. Submit your topic to me by MONDAY, September 11. Each
topic can only be used by one student; topics will be assigned on a
first-come/first-served basis. Click
here for a list of topics and to submit your own topic.
2. Format
Your paper should:
- Be 5 - 10 pages of text in length = approx. 1500 + words
(not counting
diagrams, bibliography)
- Be word-processed, double-spaced, 1" margins all around, using a
12-pt legible font
- Include an introduction, body, conclusion, and list of references.
- Introduction: Catch the reader's attention;
explain what you will discuss in your paper.
Relevant statistics, personal stories....
- Body: Divide this up into your main points (~ 1
page per main point as a suggestion). These main
points may include: Physical description of the
organism(s), biochemical traits, growth & life
cycle, disease symptoms, pathogenesis, treatments,
vaccines, diagnosis of disease, transmission of
disease, social/political/economic considerations,
environmental impact, personal experiences,
practical applications, and current research.
- Conclusion: Do not repeat or restate what
you wrote about; rather, indicate future directions,
if any; draw your own conclusions, reflections
- References: Use appropriate format, e.g. Johnson,
A. & Johnson, B. Detection of earwax in
chronically asleep students. Journal of Sleep
Sciences 87: 120 - 155, 2001. Don't forget
to use in-text citations of your sources. The
preferred format for these is:
....................(author, year).
Example
- Be free of spelling and grammatical mistakes.
3. Research
- Your paper must make use of at least two scientific
research articles
published within the last 4 years. The article must be from peer-reviewed scientific
journals, and a photocopy of the articles must be
included with the paper.
- You may make use of internet sources, textbooks, or
other source material provided your sources are properly
cited in your paper and included in your reference
list.
- Turn in a photocopy or printout of your
research articles
- Research your topic ahead of time:
You can use these search tools:
- Science
Direct: Online library of scientific journals
- American Society for Microbiology: Journals
- Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC)
- Morbidity and Mortality Monthly Report (MMWR)
4. Discussion of your paper with the instructor
- You will be asked to set up a meeting with me to
discuss your term paper with me. I will ask you to bring
with you a copy of your term paper resource sheet and
any research articles/references you plan to use. This
meeting must be completed before the paper is due.
- A second one-on-one meeting will be scheduled later
in the semester, at which time we will have a discussion
about your paper's content. This discussion will be
included in the final grade for the paper.
5. Integrity
Academic integrity is one of the highest-held values within the college
community. No form of academic dishonesty will be tolerated. Prior
to submitting your term paper, you must read and acknowledge
the course plagiarism policy on
Moodle. Your paper will not be accepted otherwise.
Academic dishonesty includes:
- Plagiarism
- Exact copying of another's words or data without the use of quotation
marks, whether the source is acknowledged or not
- Paraphrasing another's words or using another's ideas without
acknowledging the source
- Use of direct quotations (other than for
historical context), even if the source is acknowledged
- Falsification of data
- Fabrication of data
6. Grading
Content = 80 points (originality, effort,
thought, and ability to express and communicate the ideas put forth)
- A = superb; 80 points
- A- = excellent; 76 points
- B+ = very good; 72 points
- B = good; 68 points
- B- = fairly good; 64 points
- C = fair; 60 points
- C- = below average; 55 points
- D = poor; 50 points
- E = no paper turned in; 0 points
Format/requirements = 20 points (Margins, spelling,
grammar, organization into sections, title page, references)
Spelling/Grammar: 1/2 point deduction for every 5 errors
Format/Submission = 20 points
- 2 points: topic submitted on time
- 2 points: plagiarism policy acknowledged
- 2 points: electronic copy included
- 4 points: complete copies of 2 research articles included
- 2 points: Resource sheet turned in
- 2 points: meeting with professor completed on time
- 3 points: in-text citations complete and in correct format
- 3 points: Bibliography complete and correctly formatted
7. Important Dates
- 9/11: Topic due
- 9/25:
Resource sheet is due
- October: Meeting with professor. Bring outline, research articles
- 11/13: Written copy of paper is due
- 11/20 - 12/8: Individual final paper discussion
8. DO's and DON'Ts
for your Term paper
-
Your term paper will NOT be accepted:
-
Your term paper will be marked down significantly IF any
portions of it are plagiarized (directly
copied from someone else's work, even if referenced)
-
You MUST include with your paper:
-
A copy of the entire peer-reviewed research papers that
you referenced
-
An electronic copy, submitted via
email
9. Sample Term Paper Outline
Tetanus
A. Introduction
-
Talk about statistics; personal experience with tetanus or
case study; global impact; history
B. Body
-
Cause
-
Clostridium tetani
-
Physical traits - endosporing Gram-positive rods
-
Culture of C. tetani - strict anaerobes
-
Transmission
-
Reservoir - soil bacteria
-
Wound tetanus
-
Gastrointestinal tetanus
-
Pathogenesis: How the bacteria work
-
Colonization - anaerobic
-
Tetanus toxin
-
Symptoms of tetanus
-
Lockjaw, muscle spasms
-
Spastic paralysis
-
Treatments
-
Antibiotics
-
Supportive care
-
Prevention/Vaccines available
-
DPT
-
Diagnosis
-
Research articles
-
Diagnosis
of tetanus by PCR
-
New
needle-free vaccine
C. Conclusion: do not merely repeat content
D. References
10. Common spelling errors to avoid
-
Double-check the name of any microorganism before you
copy/paste an error throughout your paper!
-
When abbreviating microbial names (e.g.
E. coli), make sure that spell-checkers don't
automatically capitalize the species name (e.g. E. Coli)
-
When referencing sources: if more than one author, use (....et
al., year) - no period after et;
period after al
-
Citations should be placed in parentheses. If at the end of
a sentence, the period comes after the parentheses! Example:
This study showed XYZ (Smith et al., 2011).
SUNY Plattsburgh |
Department
of Biological Sciences | Medical Technology
| Cytotechnology |
My Research Interests
© 2000 - 2022 José de Ondarza - Contact jose.deondarza@plattsburgh.edu