Commuter

 Jess W. Everett, Ph.D., P.E.        (RESUME)

    Professor, Civil & Environmental Engineering

    Professor, Experiential Engineering Education

    Director, Sustainable Facilities Center

    Director, Engineering Learning Community

    Coordinator, First-Year Engineering Clinic

  Henry M. Rowan College of Engineering

  Rowan University

  Address: Engineering Hall, 201 Mullica Hill Road, Glassboro, NJ 08071

  Office: 234 Engineering Hall

  Contact: everett@rowan.edu | 856-256-5326

CEE 25@100

SustainableLiving | Climate Change - 3 Degrees

Truth & the Internet | News Literacy Project

Spaghetti Bridge

 

HPM Long Haul cargo Bike

Rowan has many interesting student clubs, including:

 

 

Undergraduate students work on projects through the Engineering Clinic.

Current Projects

NJARNG Energy–BIM-Builder (built on NJARNG Energy–BIM Intern Program)

Rowan students and SFC staff help the NJ Army National Guard (NJARNG) populate the BUILDER SMS database for its facilities. They also create 3D models of NJARNG facilities using 3D laser scanning technology and BIM software. They implement NJARNG's education awareness program through a quarterly newsletter. They work on special projects for the NJ Department of Military and Veteran Affairs (NJDMAVA) Energy Manager. Finally, they monitor and update the NJARNG's Installation Energy and Water Plan.

Rowan students participate in this project through clinic. Participation can lead to paid internships and a paid graduate student position. Students work with NJ DMAVA staff, the Rowan BIM master's student, and Rowan Faculty (Profs Everett and Riddell).

NJDMAVA Facilities Management

Rowan students and SFC staff assist the NJ Department of Military and Veteran Affairs (NJDMAVA) as it sustainably manages its facilities in New Jersey. This includes the assessment of cloud based energy and facility management software programs, performing site visits to collect data, monitoring energy, water, and sewage flows, conducting life cycle assessments to identify the best options for equipment repair and replacement, verifying energy savings from implemented efficiency measures, and performing energy security inspections.

Rowan students participate in this project through clinic and paid internships. They work with NJ DMAVA staff and Rowan Faculty (Profs Everett and Riddell).

RU-NJDMAVA Energy Audits and Installation Status Reports

Rowan students and SFC staff inventory energy and water consumption at military facilities in NJ, e.g., Readiness Centers. Energy Audits involve modeling the energy consumption of a building and identifying opportunities to save on utility bills. Specific activities include:

  • Conducting Site Audits to measure energy and water consumption;
  • Developing Energy Consumption Models;
  • Evaluating the payback of various energy and water saving alternatives; and
  • Making recommendation to NJ DMAVA.

Rowan students participate in this project through clinic. Participation can lead to paid internships and a paid graduate student position. Students work with NJ DMAVA staff, the Rowan Energy Audit Center's master's student, and Rowan Faculty (Profs Everett, Riddell, Bauer, Haas, and Krchnavek).

SFC Staff inspect facilities to create Installation Status Reports.

PathFinder

PathFinder is an active website coded in html, asp.net, c#, JavaScript, and pathML, a PathFinder specific markup language. Content consists of images, html, xml, and mathML. Equations coded in mathML are used both for display and solving exercises. The website assembles ebooks on the fly using pathML to access content as needed. Content is stored modularly, so a given variable, equation, article, etc. is stored once but can be called up to form a part of any ebook chapter. PathFinder ebooks have randomly selected and generated exercises that are automatically graded. The website provides instantaneous feedback to both students and professors regarding performance on online exercises.

The learning sequence supported by PathFinder is:

  • Prepare for class;
  • Demonstrate preparedness by completing BEFORE exercises;
  • Attend class and participate in active learning; and
  • Demonstrate skill acquisition by completing AFTER exercises.

PathFinder ebooks incorporate online exercises to achieve the second and fourth steps. BEFORE-exercises motivate students to read chapters before class. AFTER-exercises provide students an opportunity to demonstrate what they’ve learned after materials are covered in class. Both types of exercises constitute a significant portion of a student’s grade.

PathFinder is used to deliver ebooks in Freshman Clinic I & II, CE Systems, Sustainable Civil & Environmental Engineering, And Engineering Graphics.

Past Projects

EWB

Engineers Without Borders is still going strong at Rowan, but I am not actively involved anymore. EWB is an international group of student and professional chapters that help communities in need around the world solve engineering problems. RU EWB has worked with communities in the Inia, The Dominican Republic, El Salvador, The Gambia, Thailand, Senegal, South Dakota, Honduras, etc.

Rowan students participate in this project through clinic and RU EWB events. Strong levels of participation can lead to travel to participating communities around the world and EWB conferences. Students work with a professional mentor, EWB USA staff, and Faculty (Profs. Everett, Mehta, and others).

NJARNG Energy–BIM Intern Program (built on NJDMAVA Energy & Water Interns)

Rowan students assisted the NJ Army National Guard by creating Building Information Models (BIM) of NJARNG facilities using 3D laser scanning technology and BIM software. They also implemented NJARNG's education awareness program through quarterly newsletters and presentations. Finally, they monitored and updated the NJARNG's master energy plan.

Rowan students participate in this project through clinic and paid internships. They work with NJ DMAVA staff and Rowan Faculty (Profs Everett and Riddell).

NJDMAVA Energy & Water Interns

Rowan students assisted the NJ Department of Military and Veterans Affairs' Facilities with energy & water planning by:

  • Analyzing energy and water data;
  • Developing and implementing an energy awareness & education plan with the goal of reducing costs by 20 %;
  • Describing effective case studies, e.g., on innovative solar arrays and LED lighting; and
  • Collecting data and assessing alternative solutions that help NJARNG meet federal requirements.

Example activities include:

  • Studying innovative engineering solutions, e.g., zero emission vehicle fleets, triple-net-zero buildings, etc.
  • Life Cycle Cost Analysis (LCCA) calculations for projects.
  • Preliminary analysis and conceptual designs / models for projects.
  • Finding grant, rebate, and funding opportunities for projects.
  • Benchmarking, tracking, and analyzing energy and water usage / production data.
  • Reviewing utility bills for rebates, overpayments, and tariffs.
  • Developing energy models using Building Information Modeling (BIM) software.
  • Working with RU Energy Audit Center students and GIS / Environmental interns.

Rowan students participated in this project through clinic and paid internships. They work with NJ DMAVA staff, the Rowan energy intern manager, and Faculty (Profs Everett, Riddell and Krchnavek).

Energy Audits

With funds from various entities, Rowan University inventoryed energy consumption in buildings. Energy Audits involve modeling the energy consumption of a building and identifying opportunities to save on utility bills. The cost of the audit is often recovered in energy savings in as little as one year. Energy Audits can also include an assessment of the suitability of solar power.

Bio-infiltration Basin & Rain Gardens

With funds from NJ Department of Environmental Protection, working with the Camden & Gloucester County Soil Conservation Districts, Rowan University built a bio-infiltration basin and three rain gardens demonstration sites on campus. See more information here.

RQUARIUM

With funds from NSF, Rowan University developed activities that use aquariums to teach middle, high school, and college first year students engineering concepts. This project was in partnership with the National Science Foundation.

Solar Array Design

With funds from various entities, Rowan University has developed preliminary designs for arrays with capacity ranging from 50 to 500 kW.

Wind Assessments

With funds from various entities, Rowan University assessed various locations in NJ regarding the suitability of siting wind turbines. Assessments can be done with anemometers on 30 m towers or with SODAR.

Zero Waste

Rowan University evaluated Zero Waste opportunities for the Boro of Pitman. The Zero Waste movements views discards as resources, not waste. Rowan University evaluated the town's recycling program and assessed opportunities to reduce and eliminate waste.

Wastewater Reuse

With funds from the US Environmental Protection Agency, Rowan University evaluated wastewater reuse in Gloucester County. Wastewater reuse involves using wastewater, i.e., the effluent from wastewater treatment plants, for a variety of purposes, such as irrigation, toilet flushing, cooling water, fire protection, and aquifer recharge. Wastewater reuse can increase the supply of usable water for humans. It can also be used to return streams to historical flow levels or prevent saltwater intrusion. The wastewater reuse project at Rowan University assessed potential wastewater reuse in the Northern portion of Gloucester County and evaluated a specific project involving the Pitman Golf Course, the new SJ Technology Park, and the proposed Rowan West Campus.

Watersheds

With funds from the US Environmental Protection Agency, Rowan University completed demonstration and outreach projects on Watershed Evaluation and Education focusing in NJ Watershed Management Area (WMA) 18, in close proximity to the main Glassboro and satellite Camden campuses. The first project was located in the highly urbanized Waterfront South area in the City of Camden, and centered on working with the City of Camden to identify potential nonpoint pollution sources around Newton Creek and develop a community outreach program for community residents. The outreach activities included faculty and student presentations on nonpoint source pollution, their impact on human health and the environment, and prevention options. Contamination of soil and groundwater via nonpoint source pollution were demonstrated using simple visual experiments for a non-technical audience. The second project was in the municipalities of Glassboro, Pitman and Mantua Township, and focused on the Chestnut Branch of Mantua Creek. This creek is of environmental importance because it is the headwaters for Alcyon Lake, and flows adjacent to the nearby Lipari Landfill. At one time, the Lipari Landfill was among the most contaminated sites on the EPA Superfund cleanup list. Successful remediation of the site and surrounding area has improved environmental quality, but problems such as nonpoint source pollution and litter still exist throughout the watershed. This project seeked to improve water quality in the Chestnut Branch watershed through collaborative partnerships between Rowan University, municipalities on the stream, and local K-12 schools.

BiRD

With funds from the Air Force and various other entities, Rowan University worked with Earth Sciences Inc. to develop BiRD (Biogeochemical Reductive Dechlorination). BiRD can be used to clean up sites contaminated with Trichloroethene (TCE). A food source and sulfate are introduced into the contaminated zone. Sulfate-reducing bacteria consume the organic and sulfate, generating hydrogen sulfide. Hydrogen sulfide reacts with iron mineral (present in most sediments), generating iron monosulfide and pyrite. Iron monosulfide and pyrite react with TCE, destroying it. The food source can be injected in liquid form (e.g., Sodium Lactate) or placed in trenches that intercept the groundwater (e.g., mulch). Sulfate can be introduced to the subsurface dissolved in water (e.g., Magnesium Sulfate) or placed in trenches (e.g., Calcium Sulfate).

AMIBA

With funds from the Air Force, Rowan University worked with Earth Sciences Inc. to develop AMIBA(Aqueous and mineral intrinsic bioremediation assessment). AMIBA can be used to assess past and predict future natural cleanup at site contaminated with fuels or fuels and chlorinated compounds. If natural cleanup produces acceptable results, significant money can be saved over active cleanup. AMIBA differs from other natural attenuation protocols by using both dissolved and mineral indicators.

AIT

With funds from the Combustion Byproducts Recycling Consortium/Department of Energy, Rowan University worked with the Oklahoma Conservation Corporation (OCC) on AIT, alkaline injection treatment. AIT is an innovative way to lessen the environmental impact of acid mine drainage from abandoned coal mines. In AIT, alkaline ash from coal combustion is used to neutralize mine waters in the mine, before they enter the surface environment through seeps. A demonstration project is underway at Red Oak mine, in Eastern OK.

Garden City

With funds from the National Science Foundation, Rowan University turned Sooner City--a virtual city developed at the University of Oklahoma--into Garden City. Garden City was used by Civil and Environmental Engineering students as they work on homework and projects. For example, they can go to the Garden City web site for design codes and data. This initiative provided a more realistic context for student work.

Field Experiences

With funds from the National Science Foundation, Rowan University developed field experiences for undergraduate engineers, ranging from automatic data acquisition, to sampling soil, water, and air.

REU in P2

With funds from the National Science Foundation, the College of Engineering at Rowan University sponsored a summer research experience for undergraduates (REU) in the area of Pollution Prevention.

Create

With funds from the National Science Foundation, Rowan University created a sound engineering studio used by Engineering, Physics, and Music students.

Web-based Curriculum Assistor

Using internal funds, Rowan University developed a prototype for a web-based curriculum display program that could be used by students and faculty. Students would use it to track important learning outcomes through their curriculum. For example they could see how concepts they learn in the freshman year are used in classes in the sophomore, junior, and senior years. Faculty would use the display to ensure that concepts are taught in a timely and efficient manner.

North Camden Brownfield Outreach

With funds from the Technical Outreach Service for Communities (TOSC), Rowan University developed materials that helped residents of North Camden participate in the redevelopment of abandoned industrial sites (Brownfields) in their community.

 

 

I wear many hats! We probably share some interests. Ask me about anything you find interesting!

  • Professor​, Experiential Engineering Education Department
  • Professor, Civil & Environmental Engineering Department
  • Founding Director, Sustainable Facilities Center
  • Founding Director, Engineering Learning Community
  • Coordinator, First-Year Engineering Clinic
  • Creator, PathFinder website, including content
  • Author, >70 articles. Co-authored the first paper on siting landfills using GIS (that I know of)
  • Investigator, 76 projects with $18M in funding
    • Supervised energy & water audits and 3D building models
    • Studied Living and Learning Communities
    • Remediated a coal mine with ash from a coal power plant and treated its effluent using an artificial wetland
    • Measured and enhanced microbial cleanup of fuel and solvent contaminate sites in four states
    • Explored the design of curbside recycling programs
    • Optimized waste management using mathematical models
  • Travelled to 16 foreign countries for conferences and Engineers Without Borders: Sweden, The Gambia, El Salvador, The Dominican Republic, Canada, Switzerland, Denmark, France, UK, Spain, China, Norway, Netherlands, Italy, Finland, and Germany.

In addition I:

  • Am passionate about the environment and sustainability since high school. Served on Pitman Environmental Commission and Gloucester County Soil Conversation District Board.
  • Had Rowan alum install solar panels on my NJ house in 2005. Built (myself) a rain garden and a garden shed with a green roof.
  • Biked or walked to school/work for >50 years. Ask me about my bicycles!
    • ELF, HPM Long Haul Cargo, Surly Long Haul Trucker, 90s Trek Singletrack 930, Trek Remedy 6, 50s tricycle
  • Lived in Delaware, New York, Pennsylvania, New Jersey, North Carolina, Oklahoma, Arizona, and Sweden
  • Sang and played musical instruments in public. Sadly, lack of practice has degraded my skills.
    • Instruments: Piano, Synthesizers, Appalachian Dulcimer, Hammered Dulcimer, Guitar, Bass.
    • Genres: Rock, Folk, Classical, Jazz, Church,...
  • Collected >65,000 mp3s, rendered obsolete by Pandora and Spotify!
  • Built my own furniture. Renovated five different houses. Volunteered with Habitat for Humanity.
  • Hiked, biked, paddled, skied and played numerous sports. I keep canoes in NJ, WV & NC.
  • Studied politics closely and voted Democrat my entire life.
  • Read ~30 books a year (wish it was higher) and NYT every day. Watching too much Netflix.
  • Played many board games. I have over 150.

And I'm happy to talk about any of this outside of class.

 

 

Should I follow a particular Homework Format?

Follow the Freshman Engineering Clinic I (FEC I) Homework Format.

Charts - If you are using a Chart to estimate numbers by direct reading (NOT fitting an equation then using the equation to estimate values), the Chart must be (a) large (fill a complete page), (b) drawn with care using ruler, French curve, etc., and (c) drawn on graph paper with close grid lines. You may use a computer to create a directly read chart only if it produces a Chart that can be "read" at the required level of accuracy (i.e., has enough grid lines/cm).

How should I solve typical engineering homework problems?

Use the Engineering Problem Solution Method described in FEC I. In addition:

  • Read the problem.
  • Think about it, make sure you understand (a) the system described by the problem and (b) the desired answer(s).
  • Consider possible solution methods, then solve the problem on SCRAP paper, using drawings and/or writing down appropriate equations and what is known and unknown. You may not need to obtain the final answer, but you should at least map out your solution method.
  • On "good" paper, write down the word problem (unless you include the assignment handout), then draw a neat figure (unless absolutely not needed or appropriate). Next to or underneath this figure, write down the given information. Indicate the source of any given information that is not from the problem description, e.g., data from a Table in a book, information from a website, etc. State any important assumptions.
  • Write down any equation you use first in variable/standard form (e.g., F = ma) then solve for the appropriate unknown still using just variables(e.g., a = F/m). Finally, insert numbers with units (e.g., a = 2.0 N / 100 kg) and determine the numerical answer (e.g., answer: a = 0.02 m/sq-s).
  • Variables and values should not appear out of "thin air". Variable names (or symbols) must be standard or defined in the problem. Values must come from the list of givens, an identified outside source (e.g., Table A.2 in Systems Engineering, by Jane Doe), or a calculation using an appropriate equation. Diagrams are often useful in defining variables, especially lengths.
  • When using software to solve problems (e.g., Excel or Mathematica) be sure to show your work. For example, show a table of outputs, suitably documented. An example of a documented table is given in the next item, just below.

How should I document Table or Spreadsheet Calculations?

An example is given below. Show equations and sample calculations below a printed table or spreadsheet.

When printing, do not split tables or spreadsheets over multiple pages without repeating the headings.

yi
ni
pi
ei
ci
0
11
0.135
13.5
0.47
1
30
0.271
27.1
0.32
2
27
0.271
27.1
0.00
3
20
0.180
18.0
0.21
4
7
0.090
9.0
0.45
5
3
0.036
3.6
0.10
6
2
0.012
1.2
0.53
7
0
0.003
0.3
0.34
 
∑ = 100 (n)
∑ = 1
∑ = 100
∑ = co = 2.1

pi = p (yi,r) = (ryi/yi!) e-r, e.g., for y1, p1 = p(0,2) = (20/0!) e-2 = 0.135 (The Poisson distribution is used to estimate probabilities)

ei = pi·n, e.g., for y1, e1 = 0.135·100 = 13.5.

ci = (ni - ei)2 ei-1, e.g., for y1, c1 = (n1 - e1)2 e1-1 = (11 - 13.5)2 13.5-1 = 0.47.

co is the sum of the ci column, i.e., co = 0.47 + 0.32 + 0.00 + 0.21 + 0.45 + 0.10 + 0.53 + 0.34 = 2.1

What are Prof E's grading abbreviations?

Cross-outs and Slash-outs:

  • If I cross-out (X) an answer, it indicates that the answer is wrong and (1) the method used to get it was incorrect or (2) I couldn't figure out where you made your mistake.
  • If I slash-out (/) an answer, it indicates that the method was correct, but one or more of the input values was incorrect.

CBYN - Correct by your numbers: method is correct, but answer is wrong because of incorrect inputs

CLR - Work needs to be clearer

DOC - Document work better

DST - Don't split table (between pages)

DS - Don't Split

E - Excelent

FBD - Free Body Diagram

FE - Formula Error

FHF - Follow Homework Format

G - Good

GR - Grammar problem

IA - Identify your answers

Int - Interpret

Int - Interpret

IP - Identify the problem, e.g., by number

ME - Math Error

NaS - Not a Sentence

NTR - Neater!

PN - Page Numbers

PS - Include the problem statement.

RDR - Work is out of order

RoS - Run on Sentence

RW - Rewrite (a sentence, paragraph, or section)

SP - Spelling problem

SPC - See previous comments

SFT - Spell out first time, e.g., "landfill gas (LF)" the first time, then you can use abbreviation in the rest of the document.

TFSF - Too Few Significant Figures. You learned significant figures in FEC I. There are many tutorials on the Internet.

TI - Too informal, usually applied to a paper or report.

TMSF - Too Many Significant Figures. You learned significant figures in FEC I. There are many tutorials on the Internet.

TS - Too Small

UNITS - You didn't include the units

VG - Very Good

XPLN - Come see me and explain your work

 

 

How do I use Lab or Field Notebooks?

Laboratory - Used to record information for experiments conducted in the laboratory. Use a Laboratory notebook w/ numbered pages, duplicate page sets; e.g., Boorum #09-9088.

Field - Used to record information for experiments of observations conducted in the field. USe an all-weather Field book, e.g., the "Rite in the Rain All-Weather Environmental Field Book."

Information to be recorded

EVERTYTHING! Including:

  • Name & Date
  • Team members (if working with others)
  • Weather Information (if in field)
  • Laboratory conditions (temperature, humidity) if appropriate
  • All Equipment used (make, model, serial number...)
  • Diagrams as appropriate
  • Tables of data, with plots as appropriate
  • Observations!
  • Anything else appropriate

What is a Memo?

Follow the guidance given in FEC I. Much of it is repeated here.

Memos are used to communicate relatively simple information. They can range from informal to formal. Though often less than 1 page in length, they can be longer. Memos begin with “To”, “From”, “Subject” and Date information, as shown below.

To: Professor Smith
From: Fred Q. Student
Subject: Water Filter Lab
09/15/2012

The rest of the memo is the body, consisting of a written narrative describing a request or a response to a request. A request memo is used to obtain information or to ask for a particular action to be taken. A request memo might arrange a meeting or ask for a summary of a meeting. A response memo describes the results of a particular action, e.g., the results of a meeting.

Memos may request or report on a:

  • Meeting;
  • Field trip;
  • Literature search or annotative bibliography;
  • Laboratory or field experiment;
  • Poll or survey; or
  • Product design, fabrication, or testing.

The body of a memo begins with the goal of the described request or activity. It should mirror specific request(s) that prompted the creation of the memo. Use the language of the request(s) to help the reader find each answer easily. This can be done with headings or by simply mirroring the request language.

A number of rules of thumb can be applied to memos. They do not have a cover page. As with any communication, information obtained from the work of others must be cited. Memos with citations must include a reference list at the end. Equations, figures and tables should be included, as necessary. The normal rules for equations, figures and tables are followed. Though rare, an appendix may be included to provide data or sample calculations. In an email memo, an appendix would often be sent as an attachment. The typical rules for sample calculations are followed. More information on citing, referencing, equations, figures, tables, and sample calculations is given elsewhere.

What is a letter of transmittal?

Follow the guidance given in FEC I. Much of it is repeated here.

A letter of transmittal is a short letter or email that describes an accompanying or attached longer document. A letter of transmittal should include the title of the longer document, a very brief description of its contents, and the reason for sending it. In some cases, it may be appropriate to sign the letter of transmittal.

What is the Laboratory Report Format?

Follow the guidance given in FEC I. Much of it is repeated here.

A Laboratory Report is used when more than a memo is needed.

Cover Page

Abstract

Introduction

Background

Materials and Equipment

Procedures

Results and Discussion

Conclusions

References

Appendix

What is Project Report Format?

Cover Page

  • Title
  • Authors / Affiliations
  • Date
  • Submitted to...

Abstract or Executive Summary (separate page)
An Abstract is ~250 words that introduce the issue, give a little background, and finish with some important results/conclusions. Basically, a summary. Executive Summaries are used for long report and can be several pages long. Both are a stand-alone section.

Introduction
Introduces issue addressed by Report, gives purpose of Report. Briefly outlines report.

Background
Narrative literature review giving reader enough background (science/engineering) to understand the problem and what you did.

Methods and/or Materials and/or Field Site and/or Alternatives (as appropriate, might even be more than one section)
Describe any unique methods, materials, or field sites you used.

Analysis of Alternatives or Results (as appropriate)
Narrative describing analysis of alternatives or results of experiments/observations.

Conclusions
Conclusions should be based on the results presented. Summarize and discuss the most important findings. It is usually appropriate to discuss what should be done in the future (or even what you would do if you could do the project over). Other than the future work portion of the conclusions section, nothing new should be introduces.

Acknowledgements (optional)

References
Use a reasonable format, such as the one used in FEC I. Be consistent. Use 'Author Year' Citing.

Appendices

Note: this is a general format, and can be applied to experimental research, field demonstration, conceptual design, and final design reports. Use the portions of the headings given above that are appropriate. For conceptual or final design reports, make sure you address the design steps, e.g., problem identification, problem definition (can be like a mission statement), search (how/where you obtained needed information), constraints, criteria (things you can measure to assess design success), alternatives, analysis, decision, specifications, and communication.

Important tables an Figures should be included in the body of the report. Less important Figures and Table may be included in the Appendix. All should be mentioned in the body, otherwise they must not be needed!

What is the Research Paper Format?

Cover Page

  • Title
  • Authors / Affiliations
  • Date
  • Submitted to...

Abstract [Optional for short papers]
For research papers of significant length, include an abstract of about 250 words that introduces the issue, gives a little background, and concludes with some important results/conclusions. Basically, a summary.

Introduction
Introduces issues addressed by paper, give purpose of paper. Briefly outlines paper.

One or more major sections (titles to be determined by you)
Use these sections to describe the various important topics covered by the paper.

Conclusions
Conclusions should be based on the information presented in the previous sections. Summarize and discuss the most important findings.

Acknowledgements [Optional]

References
Use a reasonable format, such as the one used in FEC I. Be consistent. Use 'Author Year' Citing.

Appendices [Optional]

How do I include Tables, Figures, and Equations in a document?

Tables and Figures should appear in a document soon after the first mention in the text (unless they are given in an appendix). If you are using a full page for each table or figure, it should appear on the page after it's first mention. When referring to a specific table or figure, the word is capitalized (e.g., "Table 1 is used to show the results of the first experiment"). At the top of all tables, write "Table", then the number of the table, then a colon, a space, and the title (e.g., "Table 1: Results of the first experiment"). The same is done for figures, except the word "Figure" is used instead of "Table" and the title appears at the bottom. Figures are graphs, plots, drawings, schematics, or pictures (everything but a table). Always be consistent. Use the same format for all tables. Tables in a document are numbered consecutively. So are figures and equations.

Equations should be indented. At the right side of the same line, number the equation, as shown in the example below.

F = m a

(1)

where F = force, N; m = mass, kg; and a = acceleration, m/s2.

Tables, Figures and Equations are each numbered consecutively (Table 1, 2, 3,...; Figure 1, 2, 3,... & Equation 1, 2, 3,...).

How do I do Citations & References?

References are used to acknowledge the work of others. You should use references whenever you site information (data, facts, concepts,...) that are not your own. Of course, quotations are always referenced. Technically, you should not use images (pictures, tables, figures) from the work of others without written permission. However, for work that will not be published (e.g., your school work) it is generally allowed, but you must include the source of the images following the reference format. Referencing consists of citations in the text and a list of references at the end.

Citations - Unless otherwise indicated, citations in the text should use 'Author Year' format, e.g., "Some soil bacteria can use PCE and TCE as analogs for naturally occurring electron acceptors facilitating reductive dechlorination (Weid et al. 1998)." or "Butler and Hayes (1999) reported abiotic reductive dechlorination of PCE and TCE by chemical grade FeS." A reference with more than two authors should be shown as in the first example, i.e., "Weidemier et al. 1998". "et al." is a Latin phrase meaning "and others".

When two or more references are used which would otherwise look the same in the 'Author Year' format, use letters to differentiate, i.e., "a", "b", etc. In the text, such citations should look like "(Weid et al. 1998a)" and "(Weid et al. 1998b)"or "Bulta and Hays (1999a)" and "Bulta and Hays (1999b)". The same letters should be included in the reference list, also appended to the publication year, as shown below.

Bulta, D. and H. Hays (1999a) Microbial ecology, Benjamin/Cummings, New York, N.Y.
Bulta, D. and H. Hays (1999b) "Fundamentals of Microbial Ecology", Bioremediation Journal, 2(5):210-234.
Weid, M., J. Font and P. Ebert (1998a) “Iron and sulfur mineral analysis methods”, Bioremediation Journal, 2(3&4):259-276.
Weid, M., F. Delta and D. Mentle (1998b) “Iron and sulfur mineral analysis results ”, Analysis Journal, 5(4):25-34.

References - Use the APA reference style used in FEC I, unless told otherwise. If you have not taken FEC I, use any reasonable reference system. Be consistent!

What is an Annotated Bibliography?

Annotated Bibliographies are often used to collect information about a new scientific or technical topic. Each entry is a short summary of the important information, related to the topic of concern, found in one reading, e.g., a book, book chapter, scholarly article, trade journal article, website, or even a personal communication. Start each entry with the full reference of the work to be annotated. Use the FEC I reference format, if possible. Follow this with a paragraph to a page of text describing the work, as appropriate. Descriptions of scholarly work will often include a description of the goal of the work, the methods used, the important results, and the major conclusions.

How do I keep a Work Log?

Sometimes students are required to keep a record of the the hours they've worked on a project, just like an engineer sometimes charges his or her hours to specific projects. Keep track of your hours in Excel, using the format mgiven below. Sum up your hours at the bottom of column 2.

Semester Fall
Year 2004
Project Site Remediation
Name Jane Q. Student
Week ofHours (decimal)Description
2/3/200410.2Read all of the reports provided by Prof. Everett and summarized the reports assigned to me
2/10/200411.0Learned the SOPs for AMIBA
2/17/20049.8Ran samples from MD Site, did AMIBA and TOC analyses. Entered data into excel spreadsheet
etc.etc.etc.

How do I Round and manage Significant Figures?

You learned rounding and significant figures in FEC I. If you did not take FEC I, there are many tutorials on the Internet.

How do I use Acronyms?

Acronyms are formed from the first letter(s) of a series of words. For example, LCA is the acronym for "life cycle assessment". Unless it is very common (e.g., "USA"), all acronyms should be defined the first time they are used. This is done as shown in the example that follows. "A life cycle assessment (LCA) is performed by...". Once so defined, the acronym can then be used in place of the original series of words for the rest of the document. In long documents, however, it may be reasonable to redefine acronyms, for example, upon first use in each chapter. This is especially true of works that may only be read in part. It is also advisable in long documents to include a List of Acronyms between the table of contents and text.