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Discussion Paper - (300 points.)
Research and write (using MS
Word) on the topic "The Computer in the Sciences: <A subtopic>."
The computer processes data affecting nearly every facet of our life.
It provides information at our fingertips, global communications,
simulations, transactions, security, and more. The computer, the
Internet, and related technology has played, and will continue to play,
an important part in our future. Research the impact computers have had
in in a particular area of the Sciences. Reference and cite your
sources to support all your included material. This includes anything
you present as fact or opinion that is not considered "common
knowledge."
For this paper "The Computer" is a composite of technology including
the Internet, as well as microprocessor chips, individual personal
computers, servers, and mainframes used to control infrastructure. The
"Sub-topic" of your choice should focus on and be limited to an area of
the topic that provides enough material for you to write this
assignment. You are to narrow your focus enough to effectively cover
the topic within the assigned number of pages. The content of this
paper will also be used for your second speech.
You
are expected to research and detail a specific application or process
of computer technology in the sciences. This will NOT be a
how-to-use-... paper. I am looking for your explaination based on
reseach of a narrow area of computer use that you will then present to
the class in your final speech.
Some possible general areas to
consider for your sub-topic may include:
- Medical Research or
Diagnostics
- Modeling and Simulations
- Artificial Intelligence
- Space Exploration
- CSI/Forensics
- Gnome Research or Tracking
- Datamining
- Accounting Processes made
possibe with computers
- Archtectural CAD/CAM
developments
- Etc.
Keep in mind that there are
many ways to approach this topic. This makes it possible to tailor the
sub-topic to focus on your discipline or area of interest when writing
this paper.
NOTE:
Plagiarism will not be tolerated. Any appearance of plagiarism will
result in a deduction of points at a minimum up to failure of the
assignment. Failure of this assignment will result in failure of the
course. Cite all your sources.
"According to my American
Heritage Dictionary of the English Language, the verb to plagiarize
means 'to steal and use (the ideas or writing of another) as one's
own.' When writing a paper you cannot simply take and use the words of
the author (i.e., lift them from the book into your paper) without
citing your source. If you use exactly the same words you must enclose
them in quotation marks and cite the page number. If you take the ideas
of an author, do not directly quote them, but paraphrase (i.e., change
the wording a bit but keep the idea) you must still give a reference to
the page or pages from which you have taken the material. If you fail
to do this you are, very simply, cheating." - used with the permission
of Dr. Sam Oppenheim, 1999.
The paper must include:
a cover page, contain three pages in the body (using a 12 point font),
and have at least four references on a separate reference page for a
total of five pages. Two or more references must be from the Internet
and two or more references must be from printed sources. For a
reference to be valid and counted toward this assignment, an in-text
citation must be present in the body of your paper. APA style is to
be used for citations and references. Consult printed or online
sources for correct formatting for each.
The paper must use:
1" margins (all around), double-spacing, only one font throughout, two
page breaks where appropriate, two titles (one on the first body page
and one on the reference page), a header (containing your last name and
inserted page numbering) on all but the cover page (the first body page
will number as page two), and Word styles applied as specified below.
Create ALL styles listed below.
The style name will be your initials in caps (first and last -- i.e.,
as shown below with YI as your initials followed by the remaining
portion of the style name) followed by the name shown below with the
formatting as described. Please note that the description will vary
somewhat by the version of MS Word that you are using. The application
of EACH style in your document is required unless its typical use is
shown as optional. The last two styles are to be applied if your paper
contains a long quotation or list of bulleted items.
|
Style Name
|
Description
|
Typical Use
|
| YI Normal |
Normal + Font:
<fontname if changed from Normal>, <fontsize if changed>,
Indent: First 0.5", Line spacing double |
body of
document |
| YI Centered |
YI Normal + Indent: First
0" Centered |
titles -
first body page & reference page. |
| YI Cover |
YI Centered + Position:
Horizontal: Center, Relative To: Margin, Vertical: Center, Relative To:
Margin, No wrapping |
cover page |
| YI Header |
YI Normal + Indent: First
0" Flush Right |
header |
| YI References |
YI Normal + Indent:
Hanging 0.5" |
reference page |
| YI Block Text |
YI Normal + Indent: Left
0.5" First 0" Right 0.5", Space after 12 pt |
40+ word
quote - optional |
| YI Bullet List |
YI Normal + Indent: Left
0.5" Hanging 0.25", Bulleted, Tabs: 0.25" right flush |
listed items
- optional |
The use of MS Word-type styles
is required to provide a consistent look to your finished document.
Styles for headers, indents, Italics, body, etc. are to be used for all
distinguishable elements and repeated for all similar elements. We will
cover their creation, modification, and use in class.
Grading will be primarily on following the directions given, the
formatting of the document, and the use of the software involved to
complete the task. Spelling, punctuation, and grammar count.
This assignment is to be submitted as an attachment in email by due
date. Save as a MS Word document with the name being "<your initials
- first, middle & last>_paper", all lower case (e.g., mjm_paper.doc
-- with the underscore as shown).
Email, as an attachment, the assignment to the instructor
(mmartin@cs.csustan.edu). CC yourself. Email "Subject" must be "ClassID
Paper" with no quotes (e.g., CS4000-1 Paper -- capitalized and
spaced as shown using your ClassID).
A printout of the document must be turned in no later than the end of
the following class period. Print the hard copy on a laser or inkjet
printer (not dot matrix) and turn in to the instructor in class.
Resources:
Publication Manual of the American Psychological Association
- for additional details regarding APA style. This book is available in
the bookstore and the library and APA guides are available on the
Internet.
University Writing Center - located in L112 (667-3465) -
provide proofreading, grammar assistance, APA style help, etc. for all
your papers.
Grading Form used will be:
Total Points (300)
Deductions:
Late :
Attachment (30 per class
period)
Printout (15 per class period)
E-mail subject (10)
Saved name (5)
Non-assigned topic (60)
Margins (10)
Word styles:
All styles missing (120)
YI Normal (2-10)
Name (2)
Description(5)
Missing (10)
Application Error (5)
Not Applied (10)
YI Centered (2-10)
Name (2)
Description(5)
Missing (10)
Application Error (5)
Not Applied (10)
YI Cover (2-10)
Name (2)
Description(5)
Missing (10)
Application Error (5)
Not Applied (10)
YI Header (2-10)
Name (2)
Description(5)
Missing (10)
Application Error (5)
Not Applied (10)
YI References (2-10)
Name (2)
Description(5)
Missing (10)
Application Error (5)
Not Applied (10)
YI Block Text (2-10)
Name (2)
Description(5)
Missing (10)
Optional - Application
Error (5)
Optional - Not Applied (10)
YI Bullet List (2-10)
Name (2)
Description(5)
Missing (10)
Optional - Application
Error (5)
Optional - Not Applied (10)
Header:
Missing (10)
On first page (5)
Content (5)
Font:
Single (5)
One size (5)
Missing Titles (5 ea. - two
required)
Missing page break (5 ea. - two required)
Number or type of pages (10 ea. - five required)
Missing reference or w/o in-text citation(10 ea. - four required)
APA style not followed (1-20)
Spelling errors (5 ea.)
Punctuation errors (2 ea.)
Grammar errors (2 ea.)
Additional points deduction as
determined by the instructor.
Note: Assignment will not be graded unless I receive both
the hard copy and the email attachment.
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