TERM PAPER REQUIREMENTS

First off: Don't Panic! We will collect most of the data for the project as part of our in-class lab exercises.

Subject: The paper will discuss the environmental geology of the area in which the student lives. The purpose is for the student to apply the concepts discussed in the lecture and the lab to an area with which they are familiar. The subject area should be the township section (approximately one-square mile) in which the student lives. Specific requirements are listed below.

Date due: See class schedule.

Length: The paper will be graded based on content, so the primary requirement is that the points listed in the outline are all covered. (This should result in a paper at least 8 to 10 pages, double-spaced.)

Resources:

• This web page: Environmental Research
• family (interview grandma! sample interview)
• local officials (fire chief, water department, mayor, etc.)
• library local history room
• newspapers
• YOU: look around for what we have discussed

Outline: The paper should follow this outline and, at a minimum, cover the following points. Listed items should be discussed (even if only to say they are not a concern); 'etc.' indicates that additional items may be appropriate.

1. Introduction
   • Location of study area - county, township, range, and section how to use the coordinate systems
   • Description of study area - past and present land use, overall topography, etc.
   • Should include a map of the area
   • Description of surface and bedrock geology (This can also be included in the Natural Resources scection)
   • General overview of findings - a paragraph summarizing 6 (see below).
2. Natural Resources - must include a discussion of:
   • water resources (where your water comes from)
   • nearest mineral and/or energy resource (if several mineral and energy resources are extracted nearby, you should discuss them) - should include the nearest mined resource
3. Natural Hazards - must include a discussion of:
   • flooding - should include a flood hazard map showing nearest flood hazard zone
   • landslides - should include a map or photos of the nearest steep slope
   • earthquakes
   • radon gas
   These are all hazards in our area. Include a discussion of where each is a hazard near you and how each hazard is currently being dealt with.
4. Human-Induced Hazards - must include a discussion of:
   • nearby LUST
   • nearby enviromapper (USEPA) sites (see the Resources page for links) - should inlcude a map
   • where your waste water and trash go
   • closest mine, surface or underground - should include a map of undermined areas if they are nearby
   Include a discussion of how each of these are currently being dealt with.
5. Plans for Future Use - must include a discussion of:
   • what they are (if any)
   • what they should be (based on what you know)
   • may also include a planning/zoning map
6. Summary - an overview of your findings and a discussion of the impact this report has had on you
7. References - You must reference all findings!!! (textbook, maps, books, local officials, etc.); they should be in alphabetical order and in one of the formats recommended in the IVCC Stylesite - APA is the style used in geology and is preferred in the report.
8. Figures/visuals - maps and diagrams are very useful for explaining points
   • the minimum requirements are listed in the sections above
   • a map (or maps) showing the study area with important features labeled
   • photos of important features

Grading: The paper is worth 100 points as indicated on the grading sheet. Grammar, punctuation, and spelling are worth 10% your grade.

Questions: If you need help, please ask me.

SPECIAL NOTES

What I'm looking for when I grade your report: The report should show me that you can apply what you learn in class to the area where you live. What do you see around you, and how does it relate to the topics we cover in class? For example: Where are the steep slopes? Is there evidence that they are moving? Is anything being done to stabilize them? You should apply this approach to each topic.

Typed: The report must be typed for ease of reading; all students have free access to the on-campus computer labs and should use computers to type their reports.

Presentation to Class: You will present the key findings to the class. Pick the three or four most interesting and important things you discovered and the implications. You may use PowerPoint. You must use visual materials from your report.

References: I do not expect you to be all knowing; the information in your reports will be the result of research and observation. When you obtain information from a source, you must reference that source!!! If you make an observation, indicate that you observed it.

Visuals: You should include pictures and maps to illustrate you findings. These visuals should be used within your report by calling out from the text to the map or picture to show the reader what you are talking about.

Conclusions: To receive full credit, you must make conclusions based on your observations. This is key to receiving maximum credit. This project is intended to allow you to apply what you learn in the class and, at the same time, show me that you understand the material and can use it to interpret the area where you live. I expect to see indications that the material you include in the report means something to you.

Please use the IVCC Writing Center and Stylesite