Project for EOS 754

Spring 2007

You are required to complete a research project individually for analyzing data related to Earth sciences with methods covered in the class (but not limited to those). Suggested topics will be presented during the course. You are welcome to choose your own research topic.

The project is due in three parts:

Part I: An outline of your project plan, which should include a science problem (your hypothesis), data set(s), analysis methods, tools or programming language, and expected results. The outline is due on April 9, 2008. No change on your research topic is allowed after the submission of the outline.

Part II: A presentation of your project at the exam day, May 7, 2008. The time slot for individual work is XX minutes. There will be X minutes for Q/A for each presentation. On the presentation day, a laptop PC with Internet connection and a projector will be provided. You are welcome to take your own computer to the class room.

Part III: A final report of your project including motivation, data selected and sources, analysis methods, results, and your conclusion. The report format should be similar to a conference paper, and please include a reference list. The report is due by the exam day, May 7, 2008. A soft package of the report along with your data and programs should be submitted at the same day or before the noon of the following day. The minimum requirement of the soft version is that the instructor can repeat what you reported based on your programs and data (assuming the instructor has access to the software and/or the environment) in the package. If you choose to use email for the soft version, please email to yang@yang.gmu.edu.

Grading: Outline: 3%; Presentation: 10%; Report 27% (Workload: 9%; Science: 9%; Report Writing: 9%).

Notes on the project:

1. The project can be related to your own research. However, if you plan to submit a report or had submitted one to another class on the same topic, you should contact the instructor first and clearly tell the distinction between the two reports. Failure to do so might result in a failure grade.

2. The instructor may submit your report to the TurnItIn.com plagiarism-detection service, in compliance with GMU policy, Provost approval, and the GMU Honor Code.