term paper

American Heritage® Dictionary of the English Language, Fourth Edition

1. n. A lengthy piece of written work required of a student on a topic drawn from the subject matter of a course of study.

Wiktionary

1. n. A substantial research paper written by a student over an academic term or semester which accounts for a large amount of a grade and makes up much of the course.

WordNet 3.0

1. n. a composition intended to indicate a student's progress during a school term