Due: It is strongly recommended that you submit your outline after you have completed Unit 14, or earlier. 

Length: At least 1 page 

Weight: pass/fail 

Choosing a Topic
For your term paper, you are encouraged to select any topic in the field of psychopharmacology that is of special interest to you and meets with your tutor's approval. You can get ideas for topics from the textbook or other sources. If you have trouble selecting a topic, your tutor may be able to offer ideas and suggestions. In most cases, your tutor will be able to suggest relevant readings once you have selected a topic. The Athabasca University Library staff is also there to help you, and you may find useful local resources.
Here are some examples of topics to consider; however, these are only suggestions.

• Integration of a major drug category . 
• Biological and neurochemical bases of affective disorders . 
• The biological basis of addiction . 
• An examination of current illicit drugs . 
• Biological and neurochemical bases of neurodegenerative disorders .
•  An investigation of experimental

Term Paper Thesis Statement and Outline
Before you begin to write your term paper, you must submit an outline of your paper, including a thesis statement, for approval. There are two reasons for doing this. First, writing a working thesis statement and preparing an outline will help you to identify your objectives and organize them in a cohesive and thematic fashion. A good thesis statement acts as a solid basis with which to maintain focus. Second, the proposal allows your tutor to consider your management of the topic and make suggestions before you begin to write. While you may not have acquired all of your sources at this stage, it is recommended that you include the ones that you have or intend to obtain. If necessary, your tutor can help you to expand some of your points, add additional references, reorganize the outline, or develop it further. If major changes are required, or if your outline has major omissions, your tutor may ask you to submit a new outline. Your outline may be written in point form.

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Your term paper will not be accepted for grading unless your outline has been approved by your tutor, or the plans for the paper have been adequately discussed with and subsequently approved by the tutor