Assumptions
Because students who enroll in CHEM-647 Biochemical Evolution are graduate students, continuing education students with bachelors degrees, or senior undergraduates who often aspire to go to graduate school, I assume that all are serious about learning and capable of doing well. I also assume that because the course is not specifically required, all students are enrolled by choice and have some interest in the subject matter. While the specifics below were developed for the term paper project may not apply in detail to case study problems written in place of a term paper, the same principles apply.
An "A" Paper
Content: An original synthesis of information which thoughtfully reviews and reflects on experimental results from the primary literature. The "voice" of the writer must be evident. Typically such paper will be a well written single-spaced text of 10 to 15 pages, include appropriate original figures integrated with the text, and cite at least 20 relevant and up-to-date research articles in addition to prominent review articles. An awareness of the unsolved problems must be evident.
Organization: The title should be informative but not too long. An abstract or table of contents, though optional, may be helpful for the reader. That should be followed by an introduction (usually less than two pages) that presents the relevance or importance of the topic. The text should be organized into appropriately identified subsections followed by a summary and the cited references. The theme of the paper should be apparent and be developed in a logical way.
Presentation: The paper should be laid out neatly with the organization evident and displaying the care of the writer. Pages should be numbered. Typographical errors, misspellings, and grammatical errors should be avoided. Figures, preferably original work, should be neatly done and appropriately placed in the text. All references need to be listed in a standard style of a biochemical journal such as Biochemistry or The Journal of Biological Chemistry. The paper must be turned in on time.
Distinguishing Features of a "B" Paper.
Papers that may be beautifully written and well-organized often fail to get an "A" because they are reports and summaries of the conclusions of others published in secondary sources, e.g. review articles and books. Such paper frequently display little appreciation for the experiments and results that underlie the conclusions. In other words the "voice" is not that of the writer. Such a paper does not constitute an "original synthesis." While poor presentation and organization may also preclude an "A," it is the lack of depth of personal inquiry that frequently makes the difference between an "A" and a "B."
How to get a "C."
In graduate-level courses, a "C" represents unsatisfactory work. Papers that expose significant gaps in understanding, communicate poorly, show a lack of effort in researching and presenting the topic, or simply paraphrase the work of others cannot receive a grade higher than a "C." Good or excellent papers inexcusably handed in a week or more late may also get a "C."
"D's" and "F's"
Any "B" paper that is inexcusably more than a week late will receive a "D." Papers not turned in or those that are demonstrably plagiarized receive an "F." As defined by the University of Delaware's Policy on Academic Honesty and Dishonesty:
"Plagiarism is the inclusion of someone else's words, ideas, or data as one's own work. When a student submits work for credit that includes the words, idea, or data of others, the source of that information must be acknowledged through complete, accurate, and specific references, and, if verbatim statements are included, through quotation marks as well. By placing his/her name on work submitted for credit, the student certifies the originality of all work not otherwise identified by appropriate acknowledgments."For further discussion and examples, see the original document.
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