Topic Assignments

Emerging Diseases Project

Honors Biology
 
Emerging diseases are new diseases that have arisen in the past few decades or known diseases that are occurring in increasing numbers and spreading geographically.  
 
In this project, you will investigate one of these diseases in depth.  You will write a research paper individually then along with other class members, develop a public health policy for your group's disease.  This web site includes information about this project and sources to help you in your research. 
 
Phase 1: Select and then research a specific topic
Phase 2: Write a research paper with a focus on either epidemiological, medical,l or biological aspects of your disease.
Phase 3:  Develop a public health policy with your group during class
 
Timeline and Due Dates
  • May 23rd - Review list of Emerging Diseases. Submit your disease and paper preference on Friday.
  • May 25th - Turn in your paper preference
  • May 30th -  Disease and papers assigned. 
  • June 11th - Rough Draft DUE in hard copy at the start of class
  • June 15th - Final Draft DUE

Required Resources
You must have 5 resources. Of those 5 resources you must have at least one of the following:
  • an article from the library database (either through Global Issues in Context or Gale - see links to the right)
  • a primary resource - in science, this would be first hand research from a medical or epidemiological journal
  • a current news or magazine article (published within the last 2 years)
 
You are also required to use one of the following websites as a resource for your paper. 
Resources for formatting citations can be found here.
Examples of research.
Possible Diseases
  • Zika Virus
  • Measles
  • Ebola
  • Malaria
  • Yellow Fever
  • Avian Influenza 
  • Cholera
  • Lassa virus
  • Marburg Virus
  • MERS-CoV
  • Chikungunya
  • Plague
Research Focus:
Epidemiological - researching the incidence, distribution, and possible control of diseases and other factors relating to health.

Biological – researching the nature of the pathogen from morphological structure and genetic components of the disease.

Medical – ​researching the signs, symptoms, and treatments for disease.
Global issues in Context - MackinVIA lets you access this database. Login is: shorewood, password is:thunderbirds.  This is not an individual resource but a collection of resources that might work for your project.  Available to Shorewood students because our library pays for a subscription.  

Gale Virtual Library - Access through the King County Library System.  Here is the link to the page with the database for science and technology: 
From the main page - click on the Gale Virtual Library link and then you will be asked to enter your library card and password (probably the last 4 digits of your phone number).  Then click in your disease into the search box. 
General Outline for all papers:
  • Introduction paragraph (overview of your disease and thesis about your focus) - 5-7 sentences
  • Body of the paper - 3-5 paragraphs to explain your answers to the guiding questions for your topic
  • Conclusion - remind the reader of what you discussed and then tie it all together, see the guide for your topic for additional questions to answer. 5-7 sentences.
 
General Paper Requirements:
    Your paper must :
  • double-spaced, excluding the bibliography (recommended 3-5 pages)
  • 12 point Times, Times New Roman, or Arial font
  • 1 inch margins
  • be written in your own voice and follow Shorewood Academic Honesty guidelines.
  • be well-written, using standard writing conventions and presenting information in an organized, logical manner.
  • include a bibliography - MLA format - with at least 5 sources (See Required Resources)
  • contain parenthetical notation (this means that when you include evidence from your research, you write, in parentheses, where that information came from). 

Grading:

3 points
Overview: Brief discussion of the disease. What is the pathogen? How many people are at risk? How is the disease transmitted? When was the disease first a worldwide problem? Are their treatments/vaccines available? Which agencies are working on treatment/education/eradication?
12 points
Body paragraphs: 3 paragraphs minimum. Information about questions to answer are on the specific guides. 
3 points
Conclusion: summary paragraph. There is a specific focus for this paragraph that is outlined in the guide for your topic.
1 point
Transitions: Paragraph flows easily from one paragraph to the next. Transitions are varied. Paper is easy to read.
2 points
Conventions: Correct grammar, spelling, and punctuation.  Paragraphs are used to organize info. Writing is clear and logical.
2 point
Formatting: double-spaced, 12 point Times, Times New Roman, or Arial font, 1 inch margins
2 points
In-text citations: All statistics and direct research is cited within the body of your paper.  Textual quotations from other author are rare and appropriate. Include parenthetical notations that reference your resources – (anytime you cite a statistic,a study, or specific detail)
2 points
Bibliography: At least five resources are listed and typed in MLA format.  Required sources are included. 
3 points
On-Time: 10% of your grade will be whether or not your assignment is turned in on time. Your grade will be reduced by an additional 3 points for each school day that it is late.
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