BIOLOGICAL RESEARCH: A
CAPSTONE EXPERIENCE
SPRING,
2006
Text: A Handbook of
Biological Investigation, Ambrose et al, Hunter Textbooks
Inc
Instructor: Dr.
Office: SM 153
Phone: 754-6018
Office Hours: MWF
10-10:50, Th
9:30-11:30
Course
Description: Students have the opportunity to design
biological experi
Biology Program
Outcomes: This capstone course is intended to help
you consolidate all you have done in biology courses to this point. As a biology department, we have
summarized the learning outcomes to be met by students with a specialization
within our department. Those
outcomes are:
·
Demonstrate an understanding
of the major biological principles pertinent to the field of
biology
·
Demonstrate sound scientific
reasoning and familiarity with basic scientific methodology and experimental
procedures
·
Be able to organize, analyze
and interpret data
·
Demonstrate oral and written
communication skills
Course Learning
Outcomes: These program-specific outcomes are
reflected in the specific outcomes desired for this capstone course. In the capstone course you will review
how science develops knowledge and then be able to
·
place complete coursework
into the context of scientific
·
make written and oral
scientific presentations, using appropriate technology
·
be able to use print and
online
·
ask questions that can be
addressed scientifically
·
state hypotheses and make
predictions from the hypothesis
·
demonstrate a knowledge of
sound research design
·
understand how research
design affects outco
·
organize data and perform
basic statistical analysis
·
collaborate with peers in
scientific investigation
All
of these will be evaluated in the final paper and oral presentation. So
In
addition, the student should be able to acknowledge that multiple points of view
exist in class discussions. The
student should also recognize that different interpretations of data are
legitimate outcomes of individual scientific studies.
Classroom Behavior: Students
are expected to treat all students, instructors and guests in a respectful
manner. Please refer to the Student
Handbook for specific policies and procedures.
Cell Phones: Please turn off and put away cell phones
when class begins. If you are
expecting an urgent message, please tell the instructor.
Grading
Policy:
Your grade will be based
on:
A final project which
includes
Paper: 100
points
Oral Presentation: 100
points
In-class activities and out-of-class
assignments
of varied value: 50
points
Participation: 10 points
The
grading scale is:
90-100% of total possible
points = A, 80-89% = B, 70-79% = C, 60-69% = D, 59 % or lower =
F
The
lowest percentage in each range will result in a minus and the highest in each
range a plus (e.g. 89=B+, 90=A- and so forth).
Absence
Policy:
Consistent attendance is
important. You are responsible for
finding out what you missed if you are gone and for turning in
assign
Due Dates for
Assign
Assign
Academic
Integrity:
You
are expected to strictly observe NWC rules regarding academic honesty: properly
reference published material and material from the internet, submit only work
that is your own. A grade of zero may be assigned for any violation of academic
integrity.
If
you have any questions about referencing your material, please ask. Refer to the
Academic Code of Conduct in the Student Handbook and also “Guide to Writing a
Research Paper” at the biology ho
In
the academic community, failure to cite references is a serious matter. Cite a reference not only if you use a
direct quote, but also if you summarize an idea or put it in your own
words.
Students with special
needs:
Students who qualify for
specific accommodations under the A
BIOLOGY CAPSTONE COURSE
SCHEDULE – SPRING, 2006
Jan 12
Introductions, Goals for class, Science & its
limits
Practice in making
observations
Assignment: Read Chapters 1 &
2
Jan 19
Scientific hypotheses, correlation & causation
Practice in making
hypotheses
Assignment: Read Chapters 3 &
6
Jan 26
Experimental design: variables and controls
Practice experimental
design – hand in
Feb 2 Experimental Design: sampling
strategies, sample size
Sample size exercise – hand
in
Feb 9 Scientific papers.
Assignment: Go to
library and choose a scientific paper of interest to you.
Written comments due next week
Assignment: Read Chapters 4 & 5: Description of Data: Central
Tendencies &
Dispersion
Feb 16
Central tendencies: mean,
median, mode, variance, standard deviation
Practice in Data
Description:
Hand in comments on scientific paper –
10 points. Keep this paper – you will
do
more with
it later.
Assignment: Choose a topic for your presentation -
topic due March 2
Feb 23
Statistical Analysis
Practice in statistical
analysis – hand in
Assignment: Read Chapter
7
Mar 2
Significance: what does it
mean?
Practice in stating
significance and conclusions based on significance
Hand in topic - 5
points
Assignment: For March 16, be prepared to discuss orally the scientific paper
you read
in February (so read it once again)
March 9 - SPRING BREAK
WEEK
Mar 16
Discussion of Scientific Papers – each person presents one paper
–
evaluated using rubric – 10
points
Assignment: Design your experiment - decide upon what exactly you
will
measure, describe how you will measure it, what variables you must control,
what control group you will
include, the sample size for your groups. Due Mar 30.
Mar 23
Literature research
Assignment: Find three references in the scientific
literature for your topic.
With a proper citation for each reference, write a 2-3
sentence summary of the
subject of
each document. Due March 30
Mar 30
Peer Review of Experimental
Design
10 points for designer, 5
points for reviewer
Hand in references
summaries – 5 points
Assignment: Read Chapters 11 &
13
Apr 6 Data presentation, graphing
Practice in data
presentation – hand in
Apr 13 Classes follow Monday schedule – no capstone
class today
Apr 20
Writing a Scientific Paper
Receive sample
annotated paper
Apr 27
Giving a scientific talk
May 4
Oral Presentations
1:25-2:15
May 9
Oral Presentations 3:00-4:50
May 10 Papers Due today at
latest