Request for New Course
EASTERN MICHIGAN UNIVERSITY
DIVISION OF ACADEMIC AFFAIRS
REQUEST FOR NEW COURSE
DEPARTMENT/SCHOOL: ________CHEMISTRY_____________________COLLEGE:
ARTS AND SCIENCES
CONTACT PERSON: ________________TIMOTHY BREWER, HARRIET LINDSAY___________________________________________
CONTACT PHONE:
7-9613, 7-2124
CONTACT EMAIL: TBREWER@EMICH.EDU, HLINDSAY@EMICH.EDU
REQUESTED START DATE: TERM____FALL_________YEAR___2015________
A. Rationale/Justification for the Course
One of the learning outcomes of the students enrolled in the Master’s program in Chemistry is to demonstrate the
skills to write in a professional manner by articulating the purpose of the investigation, evaluating data and
drawing conclusions, and describing how one’s conclusions advance the particular field. A course in scientific
reading and writing will begin to develop these skills and allow students to understand and communicate about
their projects in terms of their contributions to science.
B. Course Information
1. Subject Code and Course Number:
CHEM 530
Introduction to Scientific Writing for Chemists
2. Course Title:
3. Credit Hours:
1
4. Repeatable for Credit? Yes_______
No___x___
If “Yes”, how many total credits may be earned?_______
5. Catalog Description (Limit to approximately 50 words.):
Students will develop the scientific reading and writing skills necessary for effective scientific research writing via an
iterative process of reading and evaluating literature related to their Master’s research project. This process should
complement their efforts toward writing their thesis.
6. Method of Delivery (Check all that apply.)
a. Standard (lecture/lab) x
On Campus
x
Off Campus
b. Fully Online
c. Hybrid/ Web Enhanced
7. Grading Mode:
Normal (A-E)
x
Credit/No Credit
8. Prerequisites: Courses that MUST be completed before a student can take this course. (List by Subject Code, Number and Title.)
9. Concurrent Prerequisites:
Code, Number and Title.)
Miller, New Course
Sept. 09
Courses listed in #5 that MAY also be taken at the same time as a student is taking this course. (List by Subject
New Course Form
10. Corequisites: Courses that MUST be taken at the same time as a student in taking this course.
(List by Subject Code, Number and
Title.)
11. Equivalent Courses. A student may not earn credit for both a course and its equivalent. A course will count as a repeat if an equivalent
course has already been taken. (List by Subject Code, Number and Title)
12. Course Restrictions:
a. Restriction by College. Is admission to a specific College Required?
College of Business
Yes
No
x
College of Education
Yes
No
x
b. Restriction by Major/Program. Will only students in certain majors/programs be allowed to take this course?
Yes
No
x
If “Yes”, list the majors/programs
c. Restriction by Class Level Check all those who will be allowed to take the course:
Undergraduate
Graduate
All undergraduates_______
All graduate students____
Freshperson
Certificate
Sophomore
Masters
Junior
x
Senior x
x
Specialist
Doctoral
Second Bachelor________
UG Degree Pending_____
Post-Bac. Tchr. Cert._____
Low GPA Admit_______
Note: If this is a 400-level course to be offered for graduate credit, attach Approval Form for 400-level Course for Graduate
Credit. Only “Approved for Graduate Credit” undergraduate courses may be included on graduate programs of study.
Note: Only 500-level graduate courses can be taken by undergraduate students. Undergraduate students may not register
for
600-level courses
d. Restriction by Permission. Will Departmental Permission be required?
Yes
x
No
(Note: Department permission requires the department to enter authorization for every student registering.)
13. Will the course be offered as part of the General Education Program?
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Yes
No
x
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New Course Form
If “Yes”, attach Request for Inclusion of a Course in the General Education Program: Education for Participation in the Global Community
form. Note: All new courses proposed for inclusion in this program will be reviewed by the General Education Advisory Committee. If this
course is NOT approved for inclusion in the General Education program, will it still be offered? Yes
No
C. Relationship to Existing Courses
Within the Department:
14. Will this course will be a requirement or restricted elective in any existing program(s)? Yes x
No
If “Yes”, list the programs and attach a copy of the programs that clearly shows the place the new course will have in the curriculum.
Program
Master of Science in Chemistry
Program
15. Will this course replace an existing course? Yes
No
Required
x Restricted Elective
Required
Restricted Elective
x
16. (Complete only if the answer to #15 is “Yes.”)
a. Subject Code, Number and Title of course to be replaced:
b. Will the course to be replaced be deleted?
Yes
No
17. (Complete only if the answer #16b is “Yes.”) If the replaced course is to be deleted, it is not necessary to submit a Request for
Graduate and Undergraduate Course Deletion.
a. When is the last time it will be offered?
Term
Year
b. Is the course to be deleted required by programs in other departments?
Contact the Course and Program Development Office if necessary.
Yes
No
c. If “Yes”, do the affected departments support this change?
Yes
No
If “Yes”, attach letters of support. If “No”, attach letters from the affected department explaining the lack of support, if available .
Outside the Department: The following information must be provided. Contact the Course and Program Development office for
assistance if necessary.
18. Are there similar courses offered in other University Departments?
If “Yes”, list courses by Subject Code, Number and Title
Yes
No
x
19. If similar courses exist, do the departments in which they are offered support the proposed course?
Yes
No
If “Yes”, attach letters of support from the affected departments. If “No”, attach letters from the affected department explaining the lack of
support, if available.
D. Course Requirements
20. Attach a detailed Sample Course Syllabus including:
a.
b.
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Course goals, objectives and/or student learning outcomes
Outline of the content to be covered
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New Course Form
c.
d.
e.
f.
g.
h.
Student assignments including presentations, research papers, exams, etc.
Method of evaluation
Grading scale (if a graduate course, include graduate grading scale)
Special requirements
Bibliography, supplemental reading list
Other pertinent information.
NOTE: COURSES BEING PROPOSED FOR INCLUSION IN THE EDUCATION FOR PARTICIPATION IN THE GLOBAL
COMMUNITY PROGRAM MUST USE THE SYLLABUS TEMPLATE PROVIDED BY THE GENERAL EDUCATION
ADVISORY COMMITTEE. THE TEMPLATE IS ATTACHED TO THE REQUEST FOR INCLUSION OF A COURSE IN THE
GENERAL EDUCATION PROGRAM: EDUCATION FOR PARTICIPATION IN THE GLOBAL COMMUNITY FORM.
E. Cost Analysis (Complete only if the course will require additional University resources.
Fill in Estimated Resources for the
sponsoring department(s). Attach separate estimates for other affected departments.)
Estimated Resources:
Year One
Year Two
Year Three
Faculty / Staff
$_________
$_________
$_________
SS&M
$_________
$_________
$_________
Equipment
$_________
$_________
$_________
Total
$_________
$_________
$_________
F. Action of the Department/School and College
1. Department/School
Vote of faculty: For ____17______
Against _____1_____
Abstentions ____2______
(Enter the number of votes cast in each category.)
2/17/2015
Department Head/School Director Signature
Date
2. College/Graduate School
A. College
College Dean Signature
Date
B. Graduate School (if Graduate Course)
Graduate Dean Signature
Date
G. Approval
Associate Vice-President for Academic Programming Signature
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Sept. ‘09
Date
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New Course Form
INTRODUCTION TO SCIENTIFIC WRITING
CHEM 530 - Semester 20XX
1 hr, 15 minutes, DAY SCIENCE COMPLEX XXX
1.
INSTRUCTOR INFORMATION
Dr. Harriet Lindsay - Office: SC 503C, Phone: 487-2124, e-mail: hlindsay@emich.edu
Office Hours: XX-XX and by appointment
COURSE GOAL AND LEARNING OUTCOMES
This course will allow you to learn the process of using the scientific literature to better understand and communicate
your research project. Upon successful completion of this course, you should be able to:
1. Become familiar with scientific literature relevant to your research
Explain how scientific literature is organized in chemistry and in your sub-discipline
Understand the purposes of scientific literature
2. Utilize literature sources to support research goals
Identify and articulate the purpose and significance of relevant scientific papers
Extract information from the literature and explain how it relates to your own research
3. Communicate research goals and their significance
Clearly describe your research goals
Explain the significance of your research goals and the validity of the proposed research approach in the context
of current research in the field
Effectively communicate and evaluate relevant information from peer presentations and assignments.
2.
WEBSITE
Lecture notes, assignments, rubrics, scheduling updates, and other resources may be accessed by visiting the following
website: http://people.emich.edu/hlindsay/chemistry530.html
TEXT
Anne M. Coghill (Editor), Lorrin R. Garson (Editor). The ACS Style Guide: Effective Communication of Scientific
Information. 3rd ed. American Chemical Society, 2006. (available online for download via an EMU internet
connection: http://pubs.acs.org/isbn/9780841239999)
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ASSIGNMENTS
General Information:
Because this course should help you improve your reading, evaluating, and communicating skills, revisions will
be allowed (and required!). However, the extent to which you may improve your grade through revision will
depend largely on your initial effort. While I don’t expect you to get it right the first time, I do expect you to
give your best effort and to follow directions. You will be graded accordingly.
Specific rubrics will be given for each assignment. You will be expected to follow these rubrics closely in
preparing your first draft of each assignment.
You should keep in mind that each assignment builds on the previous one. For example, you will use your
annotated bibliography entries to write your introduction (see below for assignment details).
Course learning outcomes and corresponding assignments:
(detailed instructions for each assignment will be provided during the semester)
1. Become familiar with scientific literature relevant to your research
Explain how scientific literature is organized
Assignment: Identify and classify journals in your discipline and sub-discipline:
Following a class discussion on the organization of scientific literature, the concept of scientific impact, and the types
of papers found in scientific journals, you will be expected to construct a list of journals in which you might find
articles related to your project. You will classify the journals according to their specificity and impact and you will list
the kinds of articles found in them.
Understand purposes of scientific literature
Assignment: Determining the purpose and significance of a paper:
Following a class discussion on the purposes of scientific literature and a demonstration on how to identify the purpose
and scientific impact of a particular paper, you will be expected to read and describe the purpose and scientific impact
of an assigned paper. You will present your analysis in the next class.
2. Utilize literature sources to support research goals
Identify and articulate the purpose and significance of relevant scientific papers.
Extract information from the literature and explain how it relates to your own research.
Assignment: Annotated bibliography:
Using skills learned in previous assignments, you will construct an annotated bibliography for at least five papers
deemed to be important to your research project/hypothesis. YOU MUST HAVE THESE PAPERS APPROVED BY
YOUR RESEARCH ADVISER. Each citation must be in the correct form for your sub-discipline. Each annotation
will outline the problem under investigation and a description of the significance of the paper to your sub-discipline. In
addition, you will include a detailed description of how the findings in the paper provide theoretical underpinnings for
your own research question.
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3. Communicate research goals and their significance
Clearly describe your research goals
Assignment: Informal research presentation:
The purpose of this assignment is to ensure that you can quickly articulate the important aspects of your research
project. Think of this as an informal, oral version of an abstract. You will often be asked to do this. For example,
when you are on a job interview or at a conference, someone may say to you, “Tell me about your research project.”
Could you respond in a way that would give a good impression of both you and your project?
Early in the term you will be expected to give the first draft of this assignment. It does not have to be perfect! The
primary purpose is so that I can get a general idea of your project. At the end of the semester, you will repeat the
assignment and we will review your initial presentation to see how much you’ve improved!
Explain the significance of your research goals and the validity of the proposed research approach in the context
of current research in the field
Assignment: Introduction for your Master’s thesis:
Using papers from your annotated bibliography, you will write a draft for the introduction section of your thesis.
Effectively communicate and evaluate relevant information from peer presentations and assignments.
Assignment: Quiz on informal research presentations:
Following the first iteration of the informal research proposals, a quiz will be given to assess students’ basic knowledge
of their peers’ research areas.
Assignment: Writing / asking questions for peer presentations
When you give your second presentation to the class, you will be expected to address (i.e. answer as best you can)
questions that the class formulates. As an audience member, you will be expected to craft both general and specific
questions for each speaker.
.
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New Course Form
3.
Summary of course point distribution:
GRADES
Informal research presentation
Annotated bibliography
Introduction
Participation and quizzes
Approximate Grading Scale:
90 - 100%
80 - 89%
65 - 79%
below 65%
=
=
=
=
20%
35%
35%
10%
A, AB+, B, BC+, C, CF
4.
5.
STUDENTS WITH DISABILITIES
If you have a documented disability that affects your work in this (or any other) class, the Students with Disabilities (SWD)
Office can provide support for you (http://www.emich.edu/disabilities/index.html). EMU Board of Regents Policy #8.3
requires that you first register with the SWD Office in the Student Center room 240K. Call them at 734-487-2470, or
contact me and I can call them on your behalf to make necessary arrangements to ensure your success in this course. You are
encouraged to contact SWD Office promptly, as no retroactive accommodations are possible.
ACADEMIC DISHONESTY
Academic dishonesty, including all forms of cheating and/or plagiarism, will not be tolerated in this class. Penalties for an act of
academic dishonesty may range from receiving a failing grade for a particular assignment to receiving a failing grade for the
entire course. In addition, you may be referred to the Office of Student Judicial Services for discipline that can result in either a
suspension or permanent dismissal. The Student Conduct Code contains detailed definitions of what constitutes academic
dishonesty, but if you are not sure about whether something you’re doing would be considered academic dishonesty, consult with
the instructor.
INFORMATION FOR INTERNATIONAL STUDENTS
The Student Exchange Visitor Information System (SEVIS) requires F and J students to report the following to the Office of
International Students, 229 King Hall within ten (10) days of the event:
Changes in your name, local address, major field of study, or source of funding.
Changes in your degree-completion date.
Changes in your degree-level (ex. Bachelors to Masters).
Intent to transfer to another school.
Prior permission from OIS is needed for the following:
Dropping ALL courses as well as carrying or dropping BELOW minimum credit hours.
Employment on- or off-campus.
Registering for more than one ONLINE course per term (F-visa only).
Endorsing I-20 or DS-2019 for re-entry into the USA.
Failure to report may result in the termination of your SEVIS record and even arrest and deportation. If you have
questions or concerns, contact the OIS at 487-3116, not your instructor.
6.
OTHER CLASS POLICIES
Because a significant portion of your grade will come from in-class discussions, attendance is absolutely required (and
is a component of your grade!)
8.
7.
DISCLAIMER
I reserve the right to make adjustments to this course outline at any time.
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