Spring 2016
USC-Aiken
BIOL 490 Syllabus
Senior Seminar
PROFESSOR:
OFFICE:
OFFICE HOURS:
COURSE CREDIT:
COREQUISITE:
CLASS TIME:
CONTACT:
TEXT:
Dr. C. Nathan Hancock
Room 205, Science Building
By appointment
1 Credit Hour
BIOL 499
(237 SCI BLDG) Wed 4 pm – 5:15, Fridays 1pm-2:15
803-641-3390 nathanh@usca.edu
Writing Papers in the Biological Sciences (5th edition) by Victoria E. McMillan
Please read this syllabus carefully and refer to it when you have questions about the course.
COURSE DESCRIPTION AND OBJECTIVES:
Discussion and presentation of current topics in biology and geology by students, faculty, and visiting
scientists. Emphasis is placed on effective oral and written communication and critical examination of
scientific information and ideas. Students will, critique peer writing and oral presentations, practice giving
scientific presentations, and present a final formal presentation.
Students will be introduced to current research in the fields of biology and geology through research
seminars by attending the Department of Biology and Geology Seminar Series. Students will learn how to
prepare a research report, give a formal research presentation, and critique the work of their peers in a
constructive manner based on scientific principles. Students will write a proposal outlining a potential
investigation. Students will present the results of an investigation at the end of the semester in the form
of a PowerPoint presentation.
Students will be expected to:
1.
develop strategies for oral and written presentation of scientific work;
2.
critically analyze written and oral scientific presentations;
3.
attend and participate in the Department of Biology and Geology seminar series; and
4.
prepare and present an oral presentation of research.
GRADE COMPONENTS:
Practice presentations
Peer-review of practice presentations
Seminar participation (critiques/questions)
Peer review of One Figure Reports
One Figure Report
Final oral presentation
Biology senior exit exam
10%
10%
10%
15%
25%
25%
5%
GRADING SCALE:
100-90% = A; 89-85% = B+; 84-80% = B; 79-75% = C+; 74-70% = C; 69-65% = D+; 64-60% = D; 59-0% = F.
Spring 2016
USC-Aiken
BIOL 490 Syllabus
GRADING:
The peer review will require hand written answers. Answers will only be accepted if they are clearly
legible.
Late assignments will receive an automatic reduction in score (up to 50% of the possible points).
Assignments due at the start of class are considered late 5 minutes after the indicated course time.
Assignments can be turned in early if needed.
Graded materials will be returned in a reasonable time period.
TENTATIVE SCHEDULE Fall 2013
Date
Jan 13 + 15
Jan 20-22
Jan 27 + 29
Feb 3 + 5
Feb 10 + 12
Feb 17 + 19
Feb 24 + 26
Mar 2 + 4
Mar 9 + 10
Mar 16
Mar 23 + 25
Mar 30 + Apr 1
Apr 6 + 8
Apr 13 + 15
Apr 20 + 22
Apr 27
Topic
Introduction
Discuss expectations for seminar etiquette, questions,
and critiques
Brief discussion of the final products (Presentation, One
Figure Report)
Pg 191-194 , Audience, Organization, Technique
Students provide research project titles and topics
Chapter 1, 3, 4, - Primary Literature Sources, Figures,
Components of a Research Report,
Pg 194-201 PowerPoint , Presentation
Students provide one primary literature article for their
topic.
First practice using Powerpoint: Titles and Objectives
First practice using Powerpoint: Titles and Objectives
Second practice: Titles, Objectives, Methods
Second practice: Titles, Objectives, Methods
One Figure Research Reports due by 4 PM via Turnitin
No class – Spring Break
Peer reviews of One Figure reports
Peer reviews of One Figure reports
Final practice - complete presentation
Peer Reviews are due at the beginning of class
Final practice - complete presentation
Final practice - complete presentation
Senior exit exam
One Figure Research Report Due
Seminar
Regular Friday seminar
Safety Training for ABIO
499
Regular Friday seminar
Regular Friday seminar
Regular Friday seminar
Regular Friday seminar
Regular Friday seminar
Regular Friday seminar
No seminar - Fall Break
Regular Friday seminar
Regular Friday seminar
ABIO 499 Student
Seminars
ABIO 499 Student
Seminars
USCA Research Day
USC Discovery Day
Spring 2016
USC-Aiken
BIOL 490 Syllabus
ATTENDANCE POLICY:
The objectives of the course are best served by the observation of presentations by professionals and
peers, and by the presentation of research. Thus, attendance is the most critical component of this course.
For every Friday seminar that a student misses, 10% (one letter grade) will be deducted from the overall
grade, and 5% will be deducted for missing a class. Attendance in this class is not a passive process. The
speakers we recruit travel a long distance for no compensation, and deserve your respect and attention.
To earn full points for attendance each student must ask one “good” (by the instructor’s standard)
question of one of our speakers during the course of the semester. Attendance points will be deducted
for behavior that is construed by the instructor as impolite or inattentive (including the use of cell phones
for text messaging, or having a cell phone ring during the presentation). Students also will be expected to
complete a critique of the style and content of the seminar presentation, which will be discussed during
the next class period.
CLASSROOM BEHAVOIR AND PORTABLE ELECTRONIC DEVICES:
It is the instructor’s right to remove any student who disrupts or disturbs the proceedings of the class.
In extreme cases the professor can request assistance from the University police. If the student who has
been ejected causes similar disturbances in subsequent meetings of the class, he/she may be denied
admittance to the class for the remainder of the semester and assigned a grade of “F”.
The use of any portable electronic devices, including cell phones, pagers, MP3 players, iPods, etc., during
class is not allowed for any reason unless prior approval has been given to a student from the instructor
or unless required for the course. If you are planning to have any of these devices in class, they must be
turned off and stowed away for the duration of the class period. If you use a portable electronic device
during a test, quiz, or other assessment, you are eligible to receive a failing grade on that assignment.
DISABILITY STATEMENT:
If you have a physical, psychological, and/or learning disability that might affect your performance in this
class, please contact the Office of Disability Services, B&E 134, (803) 643-6816, as soon as possible. The
Disability Services Office will determine appropriate accommodations based on medical documentation.
WRITING CENTER:
USCA provides a writing center located on room 201 of the H&SS building. If you need extra assistance
on any writing assignment for this or any other class that you are taking, please try the writing center.
HONOR CODE:
Students are expected to abide by the Academic Code of Conduct as described in the Student
Handbook. Appropriate disciplinary action will be taken if academic integrity is violated. The following
honor pledge is to be written, signed, and dated by the student on all exams and assignments turned
into the instructor.
“On my honor as a University of South Carolina at Aiken student, I have neither
given nor received any unauthorized aid on this assignment/ examination. To the
best of my knowledge, I am not in violation of academic honesty.”