Project Objectives:

Upon completing the writing project, you will:

(1) Obtain experience in writing about genomics;

(2) Synthesize information from several sources that address your topic and your question;

(3) Build an argument to defend the answer to your topic/question.

(1) You can pick a topic of your choice, formulate a question, and use the primary literature to defend the answer to your question. This is like your typical term paper and most students will choose this option.


Submitted on time - 30 points

2 pages - 20 points (10 points per page)

Brief Introduction to your topic (1-2 paragraphs) - 30 points

includes specific question and/or thesis - 10 points

adequate information is provided to understand the motivation behind the question/thesis - 10 points

the question and/or thesis is focused on genomics - 10 points



At least one paragraph investigating your thesis - 30 points

This is where you start addressing your question and/or thesis. It is the start of the body, or main part, of your project.



A citation/reference to at least ONE lecture - 10 points

This is to make sure that the basic principles of genomics are in your paper. You can use a simple citation format, such as (Module 2, Genomic diversity).



At least one citation/reference to the primary literature - 10 points

This has to be a research article (not a review article or a mainstream news article). If you are unsure, you can ask Dr. Demuth. Many students lose points on this so be sure you have a real research paper!



Adequate grammar - 10 points

Use complete and coherent sentences. The paper needs to flow and make logical sense. Dr. Demuth must be able to understand the writing.



Unicheck score is <10% - 10 points