Spring 2008 . Essay question
Using a process of your choice (eg, sensory perception), compare and contrast the anatomical and physiological adaptations of a number of animal types to their environments, ie how do different animals deal with particular environmental problems. Alternatively you may wish to examine the molecular aspects of physiology in some detailed way.
For example, The osmoregulatory adaptations of aquatic animals to the transition between the sea and freshwater.
Or, The use of tropical plant accessory compounds as neurological agents.
You will need to include information from a number of diverse sources such as text books and physiological journals (there are a number available in the library or online.) You should describe and illustrate the environmental problems and the A/P structures that enable the animals to survive. Use interlibrary loan and the Internet to find additional sources. However, remember that there is a lot of rubbish on the Internet so be sceptical as to the claims of sites. In general, when getting information from the web, you must consider the source. I want you to include a photocopy of the front page of every paper, book chapter or Internet site that you cite. These must be present to ensure you receive credit for the bibliography section of the paper.
Discuss your choice of topic with me before you invest too much effort into the paper to ensure that your ideas are on the right track. I reserve the right to require a change in topic.
You will email me a short outline of your proposed paper topic by the start of spring break. A 10% penalty will be assessed against students who fail to produce this outline.
Essay should be approximately 3000 words in length in the main text, with appendices as you see fit. These should contain additional information (either textual or graphical) that supports your arguments but is not needed in the main text. If you put material into an appendix, you must then refer to it in the body of the text.
The papers are due by April 1st. In other words, you have about 11 weeks to get this completed. No extensions will be given. The papers will be graded according to the outline given below. Any questions, ask early, ask often!
You will be required to present your paper to the class during the last week of the semester using Powerpoint. This will comprise a 15 minute talk with Powerpoint slides and will be a part of your grade.
I will keep the essays for my records.
Paper. 100 points available
Introduction (15 points)
Body of paper (40 points)
Conclusions (5 points)
References/quality of literature search (15 points)
Appendices (5 points)
Quality marks for excellence of talk (20 points)