COURSE GOAL
To develop authentic skills in scientific inquiry and communication
necessary for the practice of biology, biochemsitry or environmental science.
OBJECTIVES
Throughout the semester, the student will work on a literature review of a topic approved by the instructor. This project will involve four presentations (a ‘progress report’, a key paper critique, a presentation of experimental design and a final presentation) and a substantial final paper with grant proposal. Addtional written work will be assigned.
Writing Projects ( both in and out of class)* |
40 |
Literature Review Topic (no points if late) |
10 |
Literature Review Preliminary Bibliography (no points
if late) |
10 |
Draft Literature Review Paper (no points if late) |
30 |
Final Literature Review Paper1 (with grant
proposal)* |
100 |
First Literature Review Presentation - Progress
Report |
20 |
Second Literature Review Presentation – Key Paper
Critique |
20 |
Presentation of Experimental Design |
20 |
Final Literature Review Presentation |
30 |
Class Participation2 |
30 |
Total: |
310 |
Date |
Topic
|
Chapter |
M Jan 24 |
Introduction to Research Methods | |
W 26 |
The Semester Literature Review & Research Proposal
Project [Writing assignment]
|
1,9 |
M 31 |
Science and the Scientific Method I, the Role of Statistics | 2,3 |
W Feb 2 |
Library Resources for Literature Reviews [Lit
Review Topics Due] |
4 |
M 7 |
Science and the Scientific Method II
|
4 |
W 9 |
Causation and Experimental Design [Writing
assignment DUE ] |
6,7 |
M 14 |
More Experimental Design | 6,7 |
W 16 |
Scientific Revolutions [Writing assignment] |
readings |
M 21 |
Scientific Revolutions |
readings |
W 23 |
Collecting Data: Laboratory and Field Notebooks
[Lit Review Preliminary Bibliographies DUE] |
8 |
M 28 |
Research Reports I | 8 |
W Mar 2 | Research Reports I | 8 |
M 7- F 11 |
NO CLASS MID TERM BREAK |
|
M 14 |
Presentation of Data I |
11,12,13 |
W16 |
Literature Review Presentation I - Progress Report |
|
M 21 |
Presentation of Data II Writing assignment III DUE | 11,12,13 |
W 23 |
Presentation of Data III |
|
M 28 |
Literature Review Presentation II – Key Paper Critique | |
W 30 |
Literature Review Presentation II – Key Paper Critique | |
M Apr 4 |
Literature Review Presentation II – Key Paper Critique Writing Review Papers (if time) | |
W 6 |
Writing Review Papers , Funding and Publication | |
M 11 |
Literature Review Presentation III – Experimental Design | |
W 13 |
Literature Review Presentation III – Experimental
Design [Draft Lit Review Paper DUE] |
|
M 18 |
Funding and Publication, Proposals and Budgets
|
|
W 20 |
Editing and Revising Manuscripts [Lit Papers Returned] | 5 |
Friday Apr. 22 |
University Projects Day– Attend All Science Talks / Posters | |
M 25 |
Preparation for Oral Presentations and Final Drafts
(Project's Day Report DUE) |
|
W 27 |
Preparation for Oral Presentations and Final Drafts | |
May 2 |
Literature Review Presentations | |
May 3 (Tues) |
Literature Review Presentations [Final Lit Review
Papers and Grant Proposal DUE] |