This assessment takes the form of a 2000-word essay that answers the questions presented in your selected essay question. The essay is to be submitted no later than 8am Tuesday October 25th.
You will be marked based on the criteria outlined below. Please refer to the marking rubric as well to guide you.
Content
Below are directions to help you with the scientific content of your essay.
Introduction – The function of the Introduction is to serve as a ‘map’ of the essay, outlining to your reader the main argument and points which you develop in your essay. Most introductions begin with an orientation in the form of a brief general statement that leads the reader into the topic showing how the specific topic relates to bigger issues or to the discipline field. This is followed by your thesis statement, which is your concise response to the essay question, then an outline of the argument presented in the essay. You may find it useful to think of an essay’s introduction as funnel shaped moving from the general to the specific.
How does the medical problem occur – This will be the first section after the introduction. In it you should explain how the medical issue happens and how prevalent it is. This is information that is gathered from reading the literature and should be presented in a way that would be understandable to one of your fellow students. The information presented her should be in a more general (less detailed) form.
Discuss the physics underlying the problem – The next section you should discuss the physics underlying the medical problem or functioning of the organ. This requires you to be able to relate the physics underlying the physiology or pathophysiology of the situation. This section, along with the next, will most likely be the largest of the essay.
Note that for Question 5 on postpartum depression you will explain the physiology here … see next section.
Explanation of physiology – In this section you are required to explain the physiology underlying the problem. In some respects, it is an explanation of the pathophysiology. This should continue on from the previous paragraph as there should be some integration between the physics and physiology. Don’t worry if there is some mixing between the paragraphs. As long as the information is there, I am happy.
Note for Question 5 you discuss the “dopamine-theory” here.
How do you treat – In this section you should look at the various treatments available for the medical problem. Is there a cure? What are some of the side effects of treatments. How successful are they? Explain why the treatments work (physiology underlying their action)
Conclusion – The function of the essay’s Conclusion is to restate the main argument. It reminds the reader of the strengths of the argument: that is, it reiterates the most important evidence supporting the argument. Make sure, however, that your conclusion is not simply a repetitive summary as this reduces the impact of the argument you have developed in your essay. The conclusion provides a forum for you to persuasively and succinctly restate your thesis given the reader has now been presented with all the information about the topic. The conclusion should match the introduction in terms of the ideas presented and the argument put forward. Finally, the conclusion is not the place in your essay to introduce new information or new ideas: these should be in the body of your essay.
