Model Paper Assignment – 200 points

Write a scientific article on a gap in our knowledge of the ecology of a specific species which may hinder our ability to effectively manage that species.

Some reasonably poor ideas:

The impact of CWD on a naïve population of white-tail deer

The impact of global warming on hatchling sex ratios in American crocodiles

The potential impact of rattlesnake roundups on Western Diamondback Populations

Controlling Eurasian collared dove population

The impact of pesticides on tadpole development and its impact on Spadefoot toads

Increasing antler development of white-tail deer on the family ranch

Predator control and the Green Parrot reintroduction

The purpose of this assignment is four-fold:  1) to teach you how conduct a focused primary literature review, 2) to have you actively engage in formulating a hypothesis, 3) to have you become familiar with the process of writing in the common scientific format, and 4) to at least remedially expose you to the role of models in evaluating complex systems.  Below you will find some helpful documents to get you started and help you along the way.  I recognize that this in no ways is a substitute for my involvement – I will be happy to provide some direction at any stage – just drop by or shoot me an email.  This will be work but fun.  THINK ABOUT A QUESTION THAT GENUINELY INTERESTS YOU.

Here's an example of one (this is the format i expect)

use these as a template for your assignment.  Word 07    or  Previous word version

Primary, or peer-reviewed literature

www.scholar.google.com (a good place to start researching your question)