DRAFT OCEANDEPTINST 1531.36B

OCEANOGRAPHY DEPARTMENT INSTRUCTION 1531.36B

From: Chairman, Oceanography Department

Subj: MIDSHIPMAN RESEARCH COURSE POLICY

Ref: (a) ACDEANINST 1531.79 (Midshipman Research Project Courses)

(b) OCEANDEPTINST 1530.1 (Capstone Research Paper for Oceanography Majors)

Encl: (1) Research Course Project Proposal

(2) Research Oral Presentation Critique

(3) Timeline for implementing this policy

1. Purpose. To supplement reference (a) with published specific Oceanography Department policy for administration of Midshipman Research Project Courses.

2. Cancellation. This instruction cancels OCEANDEPTINST 1531.36A.

3. Background. Research project courses are offered in the Oceanography Department to provide an opportunity for independent study and research under the guidance of a faculty advisor. This instruction applies to both Independent Research Courses (SO495 in the fall and SO496 in the Spring) and Honors Independent Research Courses (SO505 in the Fall and SO506 in the Spring).

4. Policy

a. General Guidelines

(1) The program is normally restricted to first and second class midshipmen who have had more than an introductory course in the subject area being studied. With the approval of the Associate Dean for Academic Affairs, a third class midshipman with extraordinary academic preparation may enroll in a research project course.

(2) A midshipman must have a cumulative quality point rating (CQPR) of at

least 3.00 at the start of the semester in which the research project course is undertaken. A waiver of this requirement will be considered on a case-by-case situation.

(3) Research projects outside of the Oceanography major will require

clearance from both departments or institutions concerned and the Dean’s office.

(4) No more than one project per semester is permitted. However, a project

may be continued into a second semester.

(5) An independent research course may be used as a major elective.

(5) Midshipmen in the Honors program are required to take Honors

Independent Research courses SO505/6 (0-6-3).

(7) Research course (fall/spring semesters) credit hours are: SO495/6 (0-6-3)

and SO505/6 (0-6-3). No research project course shall carry fewer than three credits.

b. Faculty Involvement

(1) The Independent Research program is administered by the Oceanography

Department Research Coordinator (ODRC).

(2) Any Oceanography Department faculty member may serve as a research

advisor. Advisors may also be from USNA academic departments other than Oceanography. Involvement of other scholars as project consultants is encouraged and welcome.

c. Student Deliverables

(1) Oral Presentation. All Independent Research students are required to

make an oral presentation of the results of their work at the end of the semester to an audience which includes the Oceanography Department faculty.

(a) Students are expected to develop professional graphics to enhance

their presentations. The Multimedia Resource Center is prepared to provide assistance.

(b) The oral presentation will have a weight of 20% toward the final

grade for the course. The presentation grade will be determined by the project advisor based on critique forms completed by the faculty present. Critique format is included as enclosure (2).

practice oral presentation in order to improve the quality of the presentation.

(2) Written submissions

(a) All students will submit to their advisor the completed Research

Reports prior to the last day of classes in the semester in which academic credit is to be awarded. The advisor will forward the report to the ODRC, who will provide all reports to the Chairman for review.

(b) The report will be in either the department’s Capstone Paper

format (reference (b)) or, if the research is to be published, in the format required for publication. A poster presentation may supplement, but not substitute for, this final written report. The report will be graded by the Advisor as part of the course grade.

naval applicability of their research project in their final written report. Honor students may also be required by their advisor to prepare a scientific paper or poster of a quality compatible with presentation at professional meetings.

(d) Midshipmen, who enroll in a research course during both

semesters of an academic year, are only required to submit one final Research Project Course Report. The written deliverable for the first semester may be a conference poster presentation or a draft Research Project Course Report which leads to the final report in the next semester.

5. Action. Oceanography Department faculty will adhere to the requirements of reference (a) as well as to this instruction and advise their students accordingly. The following action will be taken:

a. Student. Prior to the start of the registration period in the semester preceding the proposed research, the student will route enclosure (1), via his advisor and the ODCR, to the Department Chair for approval.

b. Department Chair. The Department Chair will inform the ODRC and respective Advisor/s of the approval or rejection of the Research Proposal before the end of the registration period in the semester preceding the proposed research. The advisor will inform his/her students prior to the end of this Registration Period.

c. Oceanography Department Research Coordinator (ODRC).

(1) Prior to the end of the Registration Period, the ODRC will forward, via the department chair, to the Registrar and to the Research Office the names, alpha numbers, appropriate course number, research project title and name/s of faculty advisors.

(2) The ODRC will coordinate with the department scheduler and the Registrar=s office the development of schedules for the oral presentation to take place during the final exam period. The ODRC will send these schedules, and any changes to the original abstracts, via the department chairman, to the Research Office before the last full week of the semester.

(3) At the start of each semester, the ODRC will forward via the department chairman, to the Research Office, the names of the midshipmen conducting research, the names of their advisors, project titles, and project abstracts.

d. Advisor. The Advisor will ensure that two hard copies of the final project reports, signed by student and advisor/s and endorsed by Chair, plus one electronic copy, are delivered by the student to the Research Office prior to the first day of final exams in the semester in which the student is enrolled in the course.

D. J. WHITFORD

Distribution:

Oceanography Department faculty

Midshipman Research Project Course: PROJECT PROPOSAL

Midshipman Name: ________________________ Alpha #: ________

Major: _____Oceanography_________________ Company: ________

1. Title of the Proposed Project:

2. Faculty Mentor(s):

Name and Academic Rank - Department (Primary Mentor)

Name and Academic Rank – Department (Other Mentor)

Name, Position and Affiliation (Mentor outside USNA))

3. Summary of the Proposed Research:

a. Problem to be addressed:

b. Background information:

c. Describe any preparatory work undertaken by the midshipman research student:

d. Abstract and Details of the Research Proposal:

Enclosure (1)

e. Proposed grading (deliverables and percentage course grade):

· 6 week:

· 12 week:

· Final paper, due prior to last day of classes:

· Exam week oral presentation (minimum 20% course grade)

4. Research Facilities:

a. Primary facilities and equipment (type and location) to be used:

b. Available at USNA? ______ If so, where? _________

c. Available nearby? ______ If so, where? _________

d. Can be borrowed? ______ If so, where? _______________

5. Published Materials:

a. Identify the principal published paper documents you expect to use and indicate their availability. If not available through Nimitz Library, how will they be obtained?

______________________________________________________

b. Identify the principal electronic publications you expect to use and indicate their availability. If any are not freely accessible over the Internet, explain how you expect to acquire access.

______________________________________________________

6. Requirement for Access to Classified Material:

Required: _____________Not required: ____________

7. Access to Special USNA facilities: If access to special USNA facilities (e.g., the Hydromechanics Laboratory, the Technical Support Division (TSD), CADIG, etc.) is required, a letter from the operational manager of the facility must be included with this Project Proposal. This memo should indicate that the involved parties have discussed the use of the facility and that the use and support requirements of the project can be met without causing unnecessary hardship on the facility operators or equipment.

8. Estimate of Costs: Provide this information by Fiscal Year, which starts 1 October and ends 30 September. Any required startup funds needed prior to 30 September must be requested in the budget of the earlier fiscal year. When completing this section of the project proposal, be sure to review the “NOTES” section provided below.

FY-Fall semester FY-Spring semester

a. Midshipman travel: ________________ ________________

b. Midshipman per diem:______________ ________________

c. Consumable Supplies:______________ ________________

d. Equipment (over $200):_____________ ________________

e. Equipment (under $200):____________ ________________

f. Other contractual services:___________ ________________

TOTALS: _______________ ________________

GRAND TOTAL: _________ _______________

NOTES

Travel:

Possible destination:_____________________________

Probable dates: ________________________________

Purpose: ______________________________________

Equipment over $200: Describe the equipment and provide a letter of justification from the project mentor for any request for equipment over $200.00.

Expenditure of funds from department or division accounts: The budget proposal must be routed via the Department or Division Financial Officer, as appropriate.

Expenditure of reimbursable funds: The budget proposal must be routed via the Naval Academy Research Office.

Total expenditures: A letter of justification from the adviser must be included with this Project Proposal if the total estimated cost for the project exceeds $500.00.

Midshipman Signature

Independent Research Oral Presentation Critique

Student Name______________________________________________________

Please grade the presentation of this student’s research project in the following areas:

Content

Introduction (state what you’ll be talking about; 10 pts ___

frame subject within context of major)

Problem Statement (state hypothesis or problem to be 10 ___

be studied)

Technical Background (provide summary of past 10 ___

research related to your study)

Conclusion (provide a short but complete summary 10 ___

of your presentation)

Technical Content

Level of Research 15 ___

Scientific Contribution / Relevance 15 ___

Presentation and Delivery

Quality of Media 10 ___

Grammar and Voice 10 ___

Professionalism, Enthusiasm, Poise 10 ___

TOTAL (max 100 pts) ____

COMMENTS:

Enclosure (2)

TIME LINE FOR IMPLEMENTING THIS POLICY

Prior to start of registration period: research proposals due to the ODRC from midshipman

Prior to end of Registration period: Chair informs ODRC and advisors of acceptance or rejection of the research proposal. ODRC informs advisors. Advisors inform students.

During Registration period: students register for Independent Research Course.

Prior to end of Registration period: ODRC forwards to Registrar and Research Office, via department chair, names, alpha number, appropriate course number, research project title and names of advisors.

Before last full week of semester: ODRC sends oral presentation schedules for current research courses, and any changes to original abstracts, to the Research Office via the department chairman.

Prior to last day of classes: students submit final project reports to advisors.

Prior to the first day of final exams: Advisor ensures that two hard copies of the final project reports, signed by student and advisor/s and endorsed by Chair, plus one electronic copy, are delivered by the student to the Research Office.

During Final exam period: oral presentation of research project to faculty by students.

Start of semester: ODRC forwards to the Research Office, via the department chair, the names of midshipmen conducting research, names of their advisors, project titles and project abstracts.

Enclosure (3)