Geography 360
GEOMORPHOLOGY

FALL 2006

TERM PROJECT

(10% of your final grade, due Wednesday, Dec. 6, 2006)

Here is your chance to study in a bit closer detail one of the processes or types of landforms that we’re covering in class.

I. Choose a Topic. There are several criteria for a good topic.

1) It should be a landform, feature, or process active at a particular location that you can visit in the field, spend some time observing, describing, taking measurements if you like, taking photographs if you like. This means also that you must be able to obtain access to the site. Is it on public property? Can you get permission from the landowner?

2) It should be a feature or process that you can find some descriptions of in the literature. You should be able to find at least three or four journal articles that relate directly to your topic. A good place to begin might be citations in your text, either at the end of chapters, or referenced in the text material and included at the end of the text. We have a few journals accessible in our library, including “Geomorphology” in PDF format online, “Progress in Physical Geography,” “Geology,” “Quaternary Research,” etc. Web sites are in general not good resources unless they are specifically stated to be peer reviewed.

3) It should be a feature or process that you are really curious about – have a personal motive for wanting to know more about it. Otherwise it might get to be a drag to do.

4) Check with me before committing yourself to your topic.

II. Content. This is a very loose project, in terms of choice of topic, but should include the following components:

1. Do a short literature review of your topic. Be sure to write down the complete citation of each reference you find, using proper citation format. I would prefer that you use Scientific Citation Style. You may find models of these at (new web site to come) Ask me if you have trouble with this. Also, find topographic map and air photo resources, soils maps, geologic maps, other map information that can prepare you to observe your site in the field.

2. Visit your study site. Write a field description of what you observe. Take measurements, if appropriate. Dig a small hole (want to borrow the auger?), if that is appropriate. Can you see evidence of the process(es) that created your feature; are they still active or is this a relict landform? Draw diagrams or sketch map of your feature.

3. Do a bit of analysis, comparing what you learned in the literature with what you observed in the field. How different is your field site from the classic examples presented in the literature? If different, can you hypothesize why? What methods would you use to pursue a more in-depth study of your field site if you could, and what sort of information would they provide you?

4. Write up. Your paper should be about 6 pages long (not including maps, diagrams, etc.), 12 point type, 1 inch margins, double spaced. It should be grammar- and spell-checked before you turn it in.

It should include an introductory section describing the background and literature review of your topic, perhaps why you chose this topic, and what sorts of questions you could answer for yourself by studying this topic. What did you hope to learn?
The second section should describe your study site. What is this landscape like, in terms of general description – geology, climate, soils, relief, slope, location relative to large geomorphic features such as the ocean, mountains, etc.
The third section should describe your field methods and data, and what you observed or measured in the field.
The fourth section should interpret your data and describe what you learned, including how your site or feature differed from those described in the literature, and why (if you can guess). What further work would you have done, given more time, equipment, expertise, and what might you have learned from further work.
Your paper should also include such things as maps, photos, and/or diagrams, to illustrate your work. If you do include these, assign them figure numbers and refer to them in your paper. Finally, you should include a bibliography of references cited in your paper, and, as an appendix, your transcribed field notes.

Please come and talk with me if you have any questions about study site, study questions, methods, or write up.

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