OBJECTIVES:

This course is the capstone experience in the biology major. Adequate performance in writing assignments in this course satisfies the advanced writing requirement at ECSU. The course provides experiences in abstracting, writing, editing, revising, and critique. It also provides experience in preparing grant proposals, resumes, posters, and oral presentations. These experiences polish your career at Eastern and prepare you for some of the most important activities in the work of practicing scientists.

APPROACH:

We will begin our seminar projects by learning how to write a reasonable resume to get a biology job and how to apply to biology graduate schools. Then we will begin a personal search of literature on the topic of your choice. You will learn how to use the electronic resources in our library to find completed research on your topic of interest. You will then use that primary literature to learn how to abstract, to write op-ed pieces, and to make poster and oral presentations. You will write a grant proposal to fund a planned research project to extend this line of research. Along the way we will discuss research and gain experience communicating with other scientists. Editing, revising, and critique will become essential and well-used skills by the end of the semester. Participation in all aspects of this course will be essential to your evaluation and final grade.

TENTATIVE SCHEDULE:

Date:	Classtime Projects:	Bring to class this day:
Jan 28	Introduction. Resume Assignment. Grad School Applications. Secondary Sources in G114.
Feb 4	Peer edit of Resume. Bibliography Assignment. Paper Chase at ECSU Smith Library. Abstract Assignment.	Resume first draft
Feb 11	[Postponed due to poor class preparation: Peer edit of 2nd Draft Resume and Abstract First Draft.] Writing for Audience: Letter vis a vis Flyer. Writing an Op-Ed article from a primary source.	Bibliography first draft Resume redraft Abstract first draft and Article copy
Feb 18	Peer edit of Resume Re-draft. Peer edit of Abstract First Draft. Peer edit of OpEd Article. Assignments to be completed for next week.	Resume redraft Bibliography redraft Abstract first draft and Article copy OpEd first draft and Article copy
Feb 25	Peer Edit of OpEd Article-Second Draft. Example Presentation. Power Point Presentation Workshop in G114.	Bibliography/Resume redraft Abstract redraft OpEd Article redraft Article copy for Presentation
Mar 3	Power Point Work Session in Goddard 114 Criteria	Next Draft of: Resume, Bibliography, Abstract, OpEd as needed Primary source article for presentation to photocopy Whatever you need for working on your presentation
Mar 10	Power Point Quiz 15-minute presentations and critiques in order: Jill Achille, Melissa Eaton, Jillian McGuiness, Phil Desrosiers, Yovanni Soto, Christopher Overend	You must have read the ABSTRACTS of the first 7 papers. If you did not get your copy in class last week, it is on the door to Media 224. Prepare a question from the reading or the presentation in class to ask each pressenter. If you failed to turn in your abstract for presentation last week, then you MUST do so on this day!
Mar 17	Power Point Quiz 15-minute presentations and critiques in order: Joe Miller, Peter Rhinesmith, Willis Kelo, Rachel Whitman, Jumelle Barthelemy, Andreas Halidis Distribution of two-position papers for debate	You must have read the ABSTRACTS of the final 6 papers. If you did not get your copy in class last week, it is on the door to Media 224. Prepare a question from the reading or the presentation in class to ask each pressenter.
Mar 24	Spring Break--NO CLASS
Mar 31	Debate quiz, Debates of two-position papers, Debate Critiques,	Be "ready to rumble" on your debate team! DEAD-line for final draft of Op-Ed piece is FRIDAY!
Apr 2	Friday 2-5 PM Comprehensive Exam - Bring Pencil and Eraser - Goddard 100
Apr 7	Example Poster Designs, Poster Criteria, Points of Agreement: Senate Committee/Hospital Board Policy Decisions Role Plays	Bring clean-copy of final draft of Op Ed piece Bring your article hard-copy for poster preparation
Apr 14	Writing a Grant Proposal, Op Ed Press Release, Op Ed critique	Drafts of posters to inquire about!
Apr 21	Poster Session: Discussions and Questions	Your poster, mounted, and ready to present!
Apr 23	OP-ED FINAL CLEAN DRAFT DUE...LOSE ONE LETTER GRADE IN COURSE IF NOT COMPLETE BY THIS DATE!
Apr 28	2:00 PM Goddard 104 Course Evaluations (x3) 3:00 PM Betty Tipton Room Guest Speaker: Dirk Garner: The golden mean. Yes, attendance at this event is required and will be used in grading.
May 12	Proposal Review, Panel Consensus Decisions Personal Goals Statement Budget Allocations [Op Ed Thank You Notes (cancelled due to lack of participation)]	Your completed Grant Proposal Absolute Deadline for all materials for this course!

Foundation Report

RESOURCES:

There is no textbook that can adequately provide experience along all these lines. We shall use a range of handouts and some of the needed resources will be made available on-line at the URL above. To assist your writing projects, you will find good assistance in our departmental style-manual: J. A. Pechenik. 2004. A short guide to writing about biology. 5th ed. Addison Wesley Longman. New York. (Earlier editions OK!) and also discussion support from the book: J. A. Lee. 2000. The Scientific Endeavor. Benjamin Cummings. New York. Both are available in the bookstore. I recommend that you purchase a large three-ring binder for your notes and handouts.

GRADING AND PARTICIPATION:

Your course grade will be based on written assignments, the oral presentation, the poster, and participation in the complete range of other activities. Some of the writing will be done in-class.

Each writing assignment will be mapped out on a time grid from the date the first submission is due until the assignment has been completed. The editing cycles will be noted. Participation of student editors will be noted. Writing assignments are not completed until they meet full competence criteria. Completed assignments will be clearly marked as finished by the instructor. Failure to complete any assignment in this course prior to the last day of classes will result in a very severe penalty in your course grade.

If you are not ready to make a presentation on the date your presentation is scheduled, you will receive a severe penalty in your course grade.

As there is no replacement or make-up for missed classes, and missed classes will result severe penalties in your course grade. Being tardy for any class results in a severe penalty in your course grade.

If you are a student with a disability and believe you will need accommodations for this class, it is your responsibility to contact the Office of AccessAbility Services at (860) 465-5573. To avoid any delay in the receipt of accommodations, you should contact the Office of AccessAbility Services as soon as possible. Please understand that I cannot provide accommodations based upon disability until I have received an accommodation letter from the Office of AccessAbility Services. Your cooperation is appreciated.

This page © Ross E. Koning 1994.

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Send comments and bug reports to Ross Koning at rkoning@snet.net.