Please Turn off your cell phone when you come to class.

Reading

Course Grade

Plagiarism:

Documented breach of academic integrity will result in failure on the piece of work. Repeated offenses will result in course failure.
 

Students with Disabilities:

Writing Assignment

The paper must be about some aspect of surface water resources which interests you.  This year I will accept either a library research paper, or a paper that reports on field research you performed this fall. (No reports on summer research will be accepted.  Clear the project with the instructor.)  Dr. Custer is working on a project related to ground-water-surface-water interaction.  If you would like to work on data collection for that project and report your results, see your instructor.   Some  example topics and example projects have been provided at the hotlinked site. If you would like to explore a different topic please do so.  If you are uncertain about possible topics you might begin by searching Knighton's book or looking at Custer, 2001 section  and the readings for ideas.  The instructor will review your topic selection a few weeks into the course.   The paper must be 6 pages long double spaced 12 point (not including figures and tables). The six page limit is slightly flexible, but this assignment does not ask for an abstract and does not ask for a 10 page paper. The paper should take a position (persuasive paper). Support for your position must be based on data from your approved research, or from journal articles. If you do library research at least five (preferably more) journal articles are expected. Good journals include the Journal of the American Water Resources Association, Water Resources Research, Journal of Hydrology, Earth Surface Processes and Landforms, Geomorphology, and Geological Society of America Bulletin. Magazines, and popular scientific articles such as those in New Scientist, Discover and even Scientific American do not qualify as journal articles. Typically, the most difficult part of the paper is the selection of the topic. Feel free to share your topic with your instructor as frequently as necessary. Paper-topic check points have been provided during the early part of the semester to help you get an early and efficient start.

The paper will be graded based upon the following criteria:
1. Paper is about surface water (20%). If in doubt ask.
2. Paper is based on the scientific journal articles (not books) and shows sound library research (20%).
3. Position is clear (05%)
4. Position is well supported with data and evidence from the literature (20%)
5. Paper is well written (35%)

Note: If you are unsure about writing a library research paper, you may take ESCI 301 Earth Science Writing. This course explores library research, formating, and general scientific writing. You may write the paper for ESCI 432 and use the same paper for ESCI 301. ESCI 301 is a one credit course. No discussion of writing will occur in ESCI 432 because this senior level course assumes you know how to write a paper in the correct format.
 

Disagreements regarding grading: If, after looking at the key, you believe any written product has been miss scored, you may submit your test and a brief written defense of why you believe your work has been miss marked.

Late Papers:  Because of grading problems created by late papers, there is a  10% penalty for each day late including holidays and week ends.

Plagiarism:  The penalty for academic dishonesty is failure on the piece of work.  Repeated offences may result in failure in the course.
                     Turn off and stash your cell phone during all exams – anyone caught with their cell phone out and on during an exam will
                     receive an automatic failing grade on the exam (out and on = F).

Absences:  Attendance is not taken in class, but you are responsible for lecture and text material.  Class notes should be obtained from a fellow student if a lecture is missed.  The professor does not copy notes.  If you are ill or have a family emergency and will miss an examination if at all possible, please call the instructor BEFORE the absence so arrangements can be made to make up the test.  At least leave voice mail at 994 6906 or e-mail at uessc@montana.edu stating what has happened.