Towards the latter half of the course (starting March 16th), you will design a (hypothetical) research project utilizing the Paleobiology Database to test a hypothesis related to one of the biodiversification, dispersal, or extinction events covered in the class. Students can also cover topics not covered in the class with my approval.
You will write up the proposal following the Geological Society of America graduate research grant guidelines. The GSA website provides several excellent tips on how to construct a good proposal. You can also examine examples of successful research grants on the course website.
You will not have to actually carry out the proposed research project, but your proposal will be evaluated based on its scientific accuracy, clarity, and feasibility. The grading rubric and further details will be disseminated once we begin the grant-writing process.
Those of you also taking GEOSCIENCE 376 with can build your proposal around the Spring Break Trip.
| Important Dates | Descriptions |
|---|---|
| March 16 | We will review the grant proposal instructions and grading rubric in class. |
| March 28 | You will turn in your finalized topic and hypothesis. |
| April 04 | You will come to the lab period with your grant proposal rough drafts. You will break into groups and constructively critique your peer's proposals. |
| April 11 | You will turn in your first rough draft. This draft will be worth 30 points. |
| April 25 | I will return comments and grades on your first draft. |
| May 06 | You will hand in your final proposal drafts. |
Both your rough and final drafts should be submitted to your GitHub repository as a PDF document.
| Name | Proposal Description |
|---|---|
| Kusnerik Propposal | Paleontology of the Jurassic Western Interior. |
| Kusnerik Figure | Kusnerik example figure. |
| Marshall Proposal | Large-scale taphonomy in the Phosphoria Formation. |
| Marshall Figure | Marshall example figure. |
| McMullen Proposal | Controls on the stratigraphic distribution of non-marine fossils. |
| McMullen Figure | McMullen example figure. |
| Wychech Proposal | Using foraminifera to reconstruct ancient sea surface conditions. |
| Wychech Figure | Wychech example figure. |