Course Objective
Class Syllabus
Requirement
Exams
Class Policy
Research Paper
Bio 211A I Bio 340 I Bio 464 I Bio 468/568
Bio 490 I

C. CLASS SYLLABUS

Please note that this syllabus is only a guideline of the topics to be covered during the semester and that the lecture numbering does not coincide with lecture periods. Due to the exploratory nature of the class and the assignments in the course, the instructor(s) reserve the right to change, modify or emphasize specific areas of content in the syllabus to better accommodate and serve the research interests of the students currently enrolled in the class. Although there is no accompanying laboratory with this class, wherever possible, practical demonstrations of methods/techniques and protocols will be demonstrated during the lecture period by various faculty within the College. 

The initial lecture will be held in LA5-267.  For the following 4 weeks the lectures will be held in MLSC 105 Mondays and Wednesdays, 12.30-1.45 p.m. unless you are notified otherwise.  You are responsible for all announcements, assignments, handouts, etc. even if you are late or absent from class.


Lecture Topic
1:1/26 Introduction to Class; Assignments and Grading policy. 
2: 1/28 So what's your Question?  The research:  Identifying and defining the problem. 
3: 2/2 Lab Practicum I.  Science...no problem. 
4: 2/4 Lab Practicum II.  Science...so maybe I was wrong.   
5: 2/9 Lab Practicum III.  (Lab assessment: the importance of zeros, blanks, standard curves and error).
6: 2/11 The analytical measurement (Units of measurement, precision, accuracy, reproducibility, detection limits) - The answer to life is 47?
7: 2/16 Data analysis techniques: Biological data, sampling and statistical inference, probability and regression.  
8: 2/18 Basic calculations used in the life sciences: the major source of error.
9: 2/23 MID TERM 1 (Open Note Book)  
10: 2/25 Library Workshop:  Electronic Media Resources (Spidell Classroom).
11: 3/2 The Research Proposal: Research Design in Action; the components of a standard grant proposal.  (NSF/NIH Guidelines). 
12: 3/4 Scientists at Work I:  Faculty Presentation
12: 3/9 Scientists at Work II:  Faculty Presentation
13: 3/11 Scientists at Work III:  Faculty Presentation
14: 3/16 Scientists at Work IV:  Faculty Presentation
15: 3/18 Communication of Scientific Information: Grade them A - F.
16: 3/23 MID TERM 2 (Open Note Book)
17: 3/25 Ethics in Science: Compliance Issues, Animal Welfare, Human Rights and Ethics in Science:  The Research Office.
18:4/6  Analyzing your data:  Excel Workshop.
19: 4/8 Presenting your data: PowerPoint Workshop.
20: 4/13 Showcasing your data: Developing a website. 
21: 4/15 Introduction to Methods used in research - "Tools of the trade I" A case study emphasizing the importance of understanding the "Materials and Methods" section of an article - I didn't realize that this class was in Latin.
22: 4/20 "Tools of the trade II".
23: 4/22 Group Discussions and Assignment Overview.
24: 4/27-5/6 Student Oral Presentations I-IV
27: 5/11 Research Proposal Development (free time)
27: 5/13 Research Proposal Development (free time)
27:5/18 (Final Version of Research Proposal Due) Proof in the Pudding