For this required writing assignment, you need to write one (1) short report on a topic of physical oceanography (such as those covered in the textbook). Some suggested topics include:

For this assignment, you need to find 5 current articles (no article can be any older than January 2006) that relate to any one of the above topics. These articles must be from newspapers, journals, or the Internet (see reverse). Use this information to help you write your report. In your paper, discuss briefly the main issue or concept involved; what ideas, solutions, or input to this topic you have; and how this topic relates to you. If space permits, mention what you found to be particularly interesting in the articles. Papers must be typed. The length of the paper must be at least 3 full pages of double-spaced typed text (10- or 12-point font size) with 1-inch (or smaller) margins on all sides.

Include a title page with your name and class meeting time, date, and report topic. The text of your paper comes next. Include a bibliography page at the end that lists the exact reference for each article: author(s), title, journal name, date, and page numbers. If you have used Internet sources, list the exact URL address (that begins with "http//…") along with the date the Web site was last updated or copyrighted. Lastly, be sure to include annotated copies of the articles used. Please do not put your report in a folder—simply clip or staple the report together.

Annotated copies have the most important portions of each article highlighted with a marker pen. Remember to annotate only those parts that you find important. Good annotation includes much detailed marking of the articles as well as your own comments written in the margins. When you submit your report, please include the annotated copies of the 5 articles that you used to help you write the report.

This assignment is worth 40 points and is due by Tuesday December 2 at noon. Handing in the report early is not a problem; however, late reports will be severely marked down after the deadline (20 points for missing the deadline and 5 points per day thereafter). Note that you will not get your report back. Instead, you will get a grade report (see the example on the reverse side) by the last class meeting before the final exam. The report will be graded based on: appropriateness of topic; appropriateness of content; length; adequate and timely references; and whether the attached articles are properly and thoroughly annotated.

Use only newspaper articles, journal articles, or reliable sources from the Internet as sources of information for your report. No handouts from class can be used for any of your 5 required sources. No books can be used (not even our textbook!) for any of your 5 required sources; however, you can always use more than the 5 required sources.

You may need to go to the Scripps Institution of Oceanography Library at UCSD for information. If you need additional sources of information, see me. Also, these journals (which commonly contain oceanographic articles) are available in the Palomar College Library (and at other libraries):

I encourage you to use information found on-line from the Internet. Be sure to correctly document the entire URL address (which begins with "http://…") and the date the Web site was last updated within the bibliography page of your paper. If the site does not list when it was copyrighted or last updated (or is more than 2 years old), it cannot be used as one of your 5 sources of information. However, you can always use more than 5 references. Also, please evaluate the source of the information: "Ted and John's Surf Spot Page" may have some unique information, but it may not be as trustworthy as the US Navy’s Web site on waves (see also "Evaluating Internet Resources: A Checklist" at my Web site). Please note that a single root Web site can be used as only one reference (even though there may be many separate pages at that site).

The earlier you get started on your paper, the better! If you are unsure if your topic is appropriate (many general topics dealing with marine organisms are inappropriate), it would be a good idea to check with me first. If you have any questions about the assignment, don’t hesitate to contact me.