BIOL 299 RESEARCH METHODS
 LECTURE SYLLABUS
Spring 2005
Revisions  3/21/05
Dr. Frances E. Weaver, Kirkbride 423A , 499-4519
Office hours : M, W, F 10-10:50;  T 11-11:50, Th 10-10:50 drop in or by appointment
Email: weaver@pop1.science.widener.edu or few0001@mail.widener.edu
Class Meeting Times: MW 9:00-9:50
Text: Pechnick, J. A., A Short Guide to Writing About Biology , 5th edition

COURSE GOAL

To develop authentic skills in scientific inquiry and communication
necessary for the practice of biology, biochemsitry or environmental science.

OBJECTIVES

1. Familiarize the student with the fundamentals of scientific research: the philosophy of science and scientific revolutions        
2. Familiarize the student with literature review and bibliographic searching techniques
3. Faciltiate each student's design and implementation of a research project
4. Improve skills in scientific communcation, by having each student will make oral presentations and submit several writing projects.

Note: Since this not a “techniques course”, laboratory methodologies will not be taught. This course counts as one half of the grade for Biology 299.

COURSE REQUIREMENTS

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.

GRADING
  This course counts as one half of the grade for Biol 299
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
1 an interim draft may be required
2 including attendance and Project's Day report
*each out of class writing project loses 10% of its value for each day late.

Grades for the semester will follow the 90% = A, 80% = B, 70% = C, 60% = D, and < 60% = F scheme. In addition, plus/minus grades will be used for the final grade.  Please note that academic honesty is expected at all times. The Science Division strictly enforces the University’s policy on cheating and other forms of academic fraud.  The student handbook contains a detailed section on the definitions and consequences of academic fraud (Section F of the chapter on Academic Policy. Attendance is required. Four or more unexcused absences during the semester will result a drop in the final grade by one letter grade.   Additional multiples of four unexcused absences will result in further letter grade drops.  Details of the Science Division grievance procedure can be obtained in the Science Division Office.

BIOL 299                 RESEARCH METHODS                        LECTURE SCHEDULE                SPRING 2005

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]