You are required to prepare a research paper on a topic of your choosing.  Since you will obviously spend a lot of time on this assignment I encourage you to choose an issue of interest to you.  The only requirement is that it should address some sort of environmental policy or management issue.  In certain cases a project may be accepted in place of a paper if it adds to your professional development.  You will be required to submit a short paper/project proposal early in the semester when indicated on the course schedule.  Your paper proposal must include a 1 - 2 page abstract that clearly indicates the environmental problem and research questions you will examine.  It should also include a proposed outline of the paper.  It must also include a list of 10 references (in addition to websites) to government reports, books, or journal articles that will constitute the core bibliography of your research paper. 

I have high expectations for your paper.  There is no set length requirement but I expect most of the papers will be at least 20 or more double-spaced pages.  They should be well written, be professional in appearance, and be properly referenced in any acceptable style.  All papers must be professional in appearance and include a title page, abstract, use headings/subheadings, have page numbers, and include a bibliography of references consulted.  In terms of content, there is some flexibility but all research papers involve researching a topic and must clearly specify a research question and use data to answer the question.  The term data should be broadly construed.  See the assignment web page for more detail on the requirements for this assignment.

We will have our own mini-conference near the end of the semester where you will present someone else’s paper.  Therefore, you will have to provide a draft of your final paper to your assigned discussant 1 week before the mini-conference.  I expect the discussants to make a professional presentation even though it is not your paper and to use appropriate audiovisual aids (e.g., power point) where possible.  You will have 10 to 12 minutes for your presentation.  Your participation in the mini-conference and comments on the draft paper will contribute towards your participation grade in the course. 

Course grades will be calculated based on the following: A (920 – 1000), A- (900 – 919), B+ (880 – 899), B (820 – 879), B- (800 – 819), C+ (780 – 799), C (720 – 779), C- (700 – 719), D+ (680 – 699), D (620 – 679), D- (600 – 619), and F (0 – 599).  In the event that an assignment is given a letter grade, points are allocated by using the midpoint of the grade range and multiplying it the number of possible points.  For example, an A for a 5% memo would equal 95% of 50 points or 47.5 while a B+ would equal 89% of 50 points or 44.5.  There is no rounding up or down. 

All members of UNCW’s community are expected to follow the academic Honor Code. Please read the UNCW Honor Code carefully (as covered in the UNCW Student Handbook).  Academic dishonesty in any form will not be tolerated in this class.  Be advised that I have a zero tolerance policy for cheating or plagiarism.  Anyone caught cheating or plagiarizing an assignment will receive a failing grade for the course.

Tentative due dates for course assignments are listed on the attached course schedule and are subject to change based on class progress and student preferences.  You should check the course schedule and announcements pages on the course web site periodically for changes in due dates.  Students may bring forward requests for changing the dates of major assignments for class approval with a minimum of one-week advance notice to the class.  

Unless I have agreed in advance, all assignments are due at the beginning of the class period they are due.  Informing the instructor of your intention to be absent does not waive your obligation to submit the work that is due.  Late assignments lose one full letter grade per day they are late.  An incomplete will only be granted when there are serious extenuating circumstances that occur after the withdrawal period.

Students with diagnosed disabilities should contact the Office of Disability Services (962-7555).  Please give me a copy of the letter you receive from Office of Disability Services detailing class accommodations you may need.  If you require accommodation for test-taking please make sure I have the referral letter no less than three days before the test.

UNCW has recently instituted a Respect Compact to affirm our commitment to a civil community, characterized by mutual respect.  That Compact will soon be affixed to the wall of each classroom and can be accessed at: http://www.uncw.edu/stuaff/pdc/documents/SeahawkRespectCompact.pdf.  Students are expected to treat others in this class in accordance with this campus policy.

Cell phone use will not be tolerated in this class.  Turn off your cell phones prior to class.  If your phone rings, the Professor reserves the right to answer the call and/or to confiscate the phone.