Essay Instructions
SCI 105 Scientific Inquiry
Physics Department --- Mercer University --- Fall 2007

From the syllabus:  Each student will write one long paper during the course, which will be due near the end of the semester. It should be at least 2500 words, and must be on a topic approved by the instructor. A suitable topic is anything related to the main goals of the course, including the scientific method and its practice, the relation of science to society and the individual, and other more philosophical issues related to science. Biographies and descriptions of individual experiments will not be allowed. Each student must agree to a topic with the instructor, before undertaking serious work on the paper. After approval, they must hand in a draft by M 10/22 of at least 1000 words. (If a suitable draft is not handed in on time, there will be a 10% deduction from the paper grade.) The final version of the paper is due M 11/19.  The essay will be worth 20% of the individual grade.

Here are some further instructions as you prepare the final version of your essay, due Monday 11/19:

1. If you do not yet have an approved topic, or if you want to change your topic, come see me at my office. Also come see me if you want to discuss your essay draft.
2. 2500 words or more. If the essay is short, I will deduct points in direct proportion.
3. The essay is worth 14% of your total grade.
4. Please send it to me with an email as an attached file in Word (.doc) format, or as a text file, or as text in the body of the email.
5. Include at least 6 references, of which at least 2 must be books, at least 2 must be magazine or journal articles, and at least two must be independent web pages. Each of these must be relevant, and each must influence the content of your essay in some way. If you have trouble finding enough references due to the particular topic, please come see me as I might be able to help...