Biol 2395 (02) 1 Cr. Biological Research: A Capstone Experience

Fall 2007

Instructor: Dr. John Campbell Meets: Tuesday 1 – 1:50 SM 247

Office: SM 254 Phone: 754-6140 Text: A Handbook of Biological Investigation

Email: john.campbell@northwestcollege.edu Ambrose, et. al, 2002 Hunter Textbooks

Office Hours: 9-9:50 MTWThF

Class Web Page: http://biology.northwestcollege.edu

Course Catalog Description: Students have the opportunity to design biological experiments and to organize, analyze and interpret data. Students write a scientific paper and orally present their results to both peers and faculty.

Learning Objectives: The student will review the basic methodology of how science develops knowledge and then be able to:

• Place completed coursework into the context of scientific method
• Ask questions that can be addressed scientifically
• be able to use print and online media to secure scientific information
• State hypotheses and make predictions from the hypothesis
• Demonstrate a knowledge of sound research design
• Understand how research design affects outcomes and interpretations
• Organize data and perform basic statistical analysis
• Collaborate with peers in scientific investigation
• Make written and oral scientific presentations, using appropriate technology

Course Outline and Schedule

Aug. 28 Introduction to the course. Overview of scientific method: science as a way of knowing. Making observations. Pattern recognition.

Sept. 4 Scientific hypotheses, correlation vs. causation (Chapter 1 & 2)

Sept. 11 Experimental design I: relevant variables, controls

Sept. 18 Experimental design II: replication, sampling, random vs. non-random sampling, effect of sample size, pseudoreplication (Chapter 3 and 6)

Sept. 25 Scientific Papers. Strategies for reading professional papers.

Oct. 2 Measurements of Central Tendency. Variation and its measurement: standard deviation and standard error using real data. Introduction to statistical packages: JMP-IN used on real data (Chapters 4 & 5)

Oct. 9 Statistical analysis: t test, correlation, regression

Oct. 16 Significance testing: using statistical tests with real data (experimental design) and interpretation of results. (Chapter 7)

Oct. 23 Choosing a research topic and review of statistics in scientific papers

Oct. 30 Peer Review of Experimental Design

Nov. 6 Data presentation: graph preparation, table preparation, graph and table interpretation.(Chapter 11 &13)

Nov. 13 No Class – Spring Advising and Registration

Nov. 20 Scientific and technical writing: how scientific papers are structured, how poster presentations are used, review professional papers for analysis of writing.

Nov. 27 Giving a presentation – speech and visual aids suggestions. PowerPoint as a presentation tool.

Dec. 4 Oral presentations

Dec. 11 Oral presentations

Dec. 18 Tuesday, 3 – 4:50 (scheduled exam time) Oral Presentations continued if needed

Exams and Grading: Your grade will be based on

• An oral presentation of your project: 100 pts.
• A written scientific paper on your project: 100 pts.
• Homework: 50 pts.
• Participation in class discussions; collaboration with others in research design: 50 pts

The following grading scale will be followed --

90-100=A 80-89=B 70-79=C 60-69=D 59 or lower=F

Absence policy:

Consistent attendance is important in this science class. You are responsible for finding out what you missed if you are gone. You are responsible for turning in assignments without undue delay. Unexcused late assignments will be normally be penalized 10% for each weekday they are late. Assignments must be turned in before scheduled absences such as college trips.

Cell Phones:

The biology classroom is a no cell phone zone. Please turn off your cell phone when in the biology classroom.

Academic Integrity: You are expected to strictly observe NWC rules regarding academic honesty: refrain from cheating on exams, properly reference published material, submit only work that is your own. See the Student Handbook for a more complete discussion of this topic.

Students with Special Needs: Students who qualify for specific accommodations under the Americans with Disabilities Act should notify the instructor in the first week of class. It is the student’s responsibility to inform the instructor of his/her needs and to provide the necessary documentation before any classroom accommodations can be made

How to contact me: If you have any questions, need help or clarifications, or need to tell me something, you may contact me in several ways (not in order of priority):

1. See me before or after class

2. Visit me during office hours

3. Visit me during non-office hours. Stop by and see if I'm in my office or set up an appointment.

4. Call me in my office. My phone # is 754-6140. If I'm not there, leave a voice mail message.

5. Email me. My email address is john.campbell@northwestcollege.edu. Emailed questions are very useful. Email allows you to ask me a question at any time, it allows you to ask a question without embarrassment, and it allows you to keep the answer that I return.