The research projects are an opportunity for you to learn about an air pollution related topic in more depth and to share your knowledge with your classmates, the instructor, and the T.A. You will have a lot of leeway on the topic you choose, but you must consult with the professor and/or the T.A. about your topic prior to beginning your research to make sure the scope of the project is sufficient. You will form groups of 2 students. Please find one other group member as soon as possible. The message board is a good place to find a partner. If you are unable to find a partner, we will help you connect with each other. Each person in the group must pursue a separate and unique idea that is related to the topic. The main purpose of working in groups is to enjoy discussing your project with your partner and to create a poster together.

Start your research early to ensure success, and feel free to discuss your research with us at any point. This project forms 25% of your grade, so you should expect to spent a lot of time on it. Your grade on the project will be based on (1) a written report (which will need to be revised if you are taking this as a "W" class) worth 15% of your course grade, and (2) a poster presentation, worth 10% of your course grade, scheduled for the last week of class.

1) Each student will write his or her own paper (one paper per student). The written report must be 1200-1500 words in length (about 4-5 pages of double spaced, 12 point Times New Roman font), not counting reference list and figure and table captions. The written report is due on Wednesday, December 3, 2008 at 10:30am. Each student will hand in his or her own work.

** Note: If you are taking this class as a "W" course, your paper must be 3000-3500 words in length (about 10-12 pages of double spaced, 12 point Times New Roman font). The first draft is due on Wednesday, November 26, 2008 at 10:30am. We will provide comments to you by Monday, December 1, 2008. The paper must be revised based on our comments. The revised paper is due on the day of the final exam, Monday, December 8, 2008 at 8:30am. For more info on the "W" requirement, click here.

The written paper must be a solid piece of writing. The paper must include a title, introduction, discussion of the subject matter, and conclusion. Supplementary tables and figures are encouraged, and datasets, references and other sources of information used in the paper should be listed in sufficient detail at the end so that an interested reader would be able to locate them. You must use at least 3 separate references. At least two references must be from textbooks, other reference or scholarly books, or articles from well-recognized journals or science-oriented magazines (i.e. not a web site). You must list all your references, and any direct quotes must be indicated as such. Please be very careful about your referencing. If you copy any exact wording from one of your sources, you must cite the source in your text. If you fail to do so, you run the risk of plagiarizing. Even if you are paraphrasing in your own words something that is clearly another's idea or opinion, you must mention the source. Much of what you write should represent your own synthesis of what you've learned.

2) Each group of 2 students will prepare a poster summarizing their work (one poster per group). Each group should obtain a piece of poster board, a trifold, or poster paper approximately 4'x4' in size. Members of the group should choose a title and write an introduction and conclusion. Each person should have their name on the poster, written underneath the title. Each member of the group should then select at least 2 figures that illustrate their project (for a total of 4 figures per poster). The figure can be a photograph, a graph, a sketch, or a table. Ideally, the figures should complement one another, forming the basis for your project's "story".

The point of your poster is to communicate your project with each other. Posters will be hung on the wall during class time on Wednesday, December 3 and Thursday, December 54 2008 (about half the class will present on each day). You will take turns standing next to your poster during the poster symposium, and explain your project to anyone who pauses to look at your work. Each person will stand by their poster for about 30 minutes, and spend the rest of the time viewing their classmates' posters. Each person in the class is required to write a half page critique of at least 3 posters (NOT your own). This will be part of your participation grade. Everyone must come to class both days. Suggestions for preparing posters can be found here.

Ecosystem effects of nitrogen deposition

Megacities and pollution

Effects of using biofuel on pollution

Clean coal technologies

Fuel and fuel additives

Health effects of a particular pollutant

Effects of air pollution on reproductive health

Arctic pollution

History and effectiveness of U.S. Clean Air Act

Air pollution trends in a particular country

Acidification of the ocean from increases in carbon dioxide emissions

Monitoring pollution from space (satellites)

The role of NGOs in air pollution legislation

The implications for a hydrogen economy

Air pollution in art

Paper Requirements

Project Topic Form

Poster Requirements