Senior Seminar
Fall 2009
ABIO 490 (1 credit hour)
Instructor: Dr. Derek Zelmer
Phone: 641-3472
Meeting times:
Th
F
Office: SBDG 101C
Email: derekz@usca.edu
6 pm - 7:15 pm in SBDG 108
1 pm – 2:15 pm in SBDG 327
Course description
Discussion and presentation of current topics in biology and geology by students, faculty, and visiting scientists. Emphasis
is placed on effective oral communication and critical examination of scientific information and ideas. Students will
prepare a research proposal, critique peer writing and presentations, practice giving scientific presentations, and present a
final formal presentation.
Co-requisites
Students must be concurrently enrolled in ABIO 499.
Course objectives
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 proposal,
give a formal research presentation, and critically critique the work of their peers in a constructive manner based on
scientific principles. BS students will write a proposal addressing their current research project. BA students will write a
proposal addressing a current topic in the biological or geological sciences. All students will present their work at the end
of the semester in the form of a PowerPoint presentation (BS) or a poster (BA). All students also will submit a written
description of their work (BS students will work with their research mentor on the final paper).
Students will be expected to:
1.
submit a Department of Biology and Geology research proposal;
2.
develop strategies for the effective presentation of scientific work;
3.
critically analyze scientific presentations; and
4.
attend and participate in the Department of Biology and Geology seminar series.
Student obligations: complete the MFAT exam and the Senior Exit Survey; prepare a research proposal; deliver 2
preliminary oral presentations concerning their research topic; participate in a peer evaluation process; and attend all
Thursday and Friday meetings. BS students will present the final product of their research in a formal presentation as part
of the seminar series, and will coordinate their final written report with their research mentor. BA students will present the
final product of their research as a poster presentation as part of the seminar series, and their final report will be turned in
to the seminar coordinator.
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, as evidenced by the weighting of
attendance in the overall grade (see below). 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 Thursday 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).
Grading
MFAT performance
Research proposal
Participation in peer review
In-class presentation of introduction/methods
Presentation of background paper
Final in-class presentation
Attendance (see above)
2.5%
10%
7.5%
10%
10%
10%
50%
Grading Scale
The following grading scale will be applied to the final percentage score derived from the examinations and assignments
outlined previously. Grades will not be scaled, curved, or ‘bumped’. Extra credit is not available under any circumstance.
A
B+
B
C+
C
D+
D
F
89.5% - 100%
84.5% - 89.5%
79.5% - 84.5%
74.5% - 79.5%
69.5% - 74.5%
64.5% - 69.5%
59.5% - 69.5%
0.0% - 59.5%
Academic Dishonesty
Cheating, plagiarism, and other activities that can be reasonably considered as dishonest will result in a failing grade for
the course and, possibly, forwarding of the matter to the University Judicial Committee.
Plagiarism essentially is the theft of ‘intellectual property’ through an intentional attempt to present another’s ideas or
work as your own, or through an unintentional omission of credit. If you are uncertain as to what plagiarism entails,
please discuss it with me.
Other Policies
1.
Preparation for class includes reading of assigned material.
2.
If you are having difficulty with any aspect of this course, please come and see me as soon as possible. I can be
reached in person, by phone, or by e-mail to make appointments to meet with you at more convenient times.
3.
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, 126A, B&E Building (641-3609) as soon as possible. The Office
of Disability Services will determine appropriate accommodations based on medical documentation.
Tentative Course Outline
Thursday Schedule (items in bold font are due the day they appear on the schedule)
Date
Aug. 20
Aug. 27
Sept. 3
Sept. 10
Sept. 17
Sept. 24
Oct. 1
Oct. 8
Oct. 15
Oct. 22
Oct. 29
Nov. 5
Nov. 12
Nov. 19
Nov. 26
Dec. 3
Topic/Activity
Introduction, Research Proposals
Peer review, first draft of proposal
Peer review, second draft of proposal
Final draft of proposal, overview of presentations
Presentation of introduction and objectives
Presentation of introduction and objectives
Presentation up to methods
No Classes – Fall Break
Presentation up to methods
Presentation of background paper
Presentation of background paper
Full presentation
Full presentation
Final Presentations
No Classes – Thanksgiving
Final Presentations
Friday Schedule
Date
Aug. 21
Aug. 28
Sept. 4
Sept. 11
Sept. 18
Sept. 25
Speaker
Brad Reinhart, USCAiken
Seminar Coordinator
none
TBA
Dr. William Pirkle, USCAiken
Dr. Faith Wiley, Augusta State University
Oct. 2
Dr. Alistair Dove, Georgia Aquarium
Oct. 9
Oct. 16
No Seminar – Fall Break
Dr. Chris Yeager, Savannah River National Lab Physiological Insights and Technology Development for
Photobiological Hydrogen Production by Cyanobacteria
Dr. Vincent Connors, USC Upstate
The schistosome-snail interaction: factors influencing
susceptibility and resistance in a snail vector of human
schistosomiasis.
Dr. Isaure De Buron-Connors, College of
Philometrid parasites of the southern flounder,
Charleston
Paralichthys lethostigma: two or four species?
TBA
TBA
TBA
TBA
Dr. David Hall, University of Georgia
TBA
No Seminar – Thanksgiving
499 Presentations
Oct. 23
Oct. 30
Nov. 6
Nov. 13
Nov. 20
Nov. 27
Dec. 4
Title
Laboratory Safety
Proposals
MFAT
TBA
Traces of recent and ancient sea turtle nesting
Recent research in Avian Vacuolar Myelinopathy
(AVM), a neurological disease affecting bald eagles
and waterbirds.
Husbandry, veterinary care and research efforts with
captive whale sharks, Rhincodon typus.