BIO 605: Winter 2011
Graduate Seminar in Biology
Instructor: Dr. Kathy Szick-Miranda
Office: Science I, 316
Phone: 654-6165
Email: kszick-miranda@csub.edu Web: www.csub.edu/~kszick_miranda
Office hours: M W 8:30-9:30; M 1:00-3:00; W 12:20-2:00
Course Meeting: M W 3:10-5:15pm, Sci I 313
Course Description: Student presentation and discussion focusing on current literature and
scientific research in various areas of Biology. There will be two topics covered during the
discussion portion of BIOL 605 for the Winter of 2011, epigenetics and current evolutionary
thought.
General Information/Course Format:
The format for this course is quite different from the traditional lecture format. BIOL 605 is a
graduate-level seminar course. Student success or failure in the course depends upon active
participation. Each student will give one formal (PowerPoint-based) oral presentation and one
less-formal presentation based on the film viewed in the beginning of the quarter. During the
formal presentation, non-presenting students must actively participate by asking thoughtful
questions of the presenter. Students will also contribute to the grading of the formal presentations
made by their peers. As the discussion leader for the less-formal presentation, it will be your
responsibility to provide an overview, lead the discussion and summarize your chosen paper.
Missed classes will count against the course grade. Tardiness is unprofessional, disruptive and
disrespectful to your fellow classmates – especially since this is a student presentations course.
Final Writing Assignment (Due Wednesday March 16th):
Your final writing assignment is to prepare a clear, concise overview/summary of the film topic.
Your target audience is other biology graduate students who have not yet seen the film or may
not have expertise in that particular area of biology. You should include as many of the articles
presented during this course on that particular topic (these will all be posted on the web). This
writing assignment will serve as your final exam and is due at 5pm (or sooner) on Wednesday
March 16th.
Grading: Grades will be based on the percentage of points accumulated in the course using the
scale shown below.
A = 94-100
A-= 90-93.9
B+ = 87-89.9
B = 83-86.9
B- = 80-82.9
C+ = 77-79.9
C = 73-76.9
C- = 70-72.9
D+ = 67-69.9
D = 63-66.9
D- = 60-62.9
F = 0-59.9
Summary of Activities
Point value
Oral Presentation
Peer Evaluation
Student Evaluations (5 x 11)
Discussion Presentation
Attendance/Participation
Final Exam
Total
150
50
55
50
50
100
455
Academic Policies: It is expected that your work is YOUR work. In the unexpected event of
plagiarism and/or dishonesty during exams or for the research term-paper, the student will
receive a zero on that activity and be referred to the campus administration for disciplinary
action. Please refer to the campus 2009-2011 catalog page 82.
Tentative Schedule:
Date
W-Jan 5
M-Jan 10
W- Jan 12
M- Jan 17
W- Jan 19
M- Jan 24
W- Jan 26
M- Jan 31
W-Feb 2
M- Feb 7
W- Feb 9
M- Feb 14
W- Feb 16
M- Feb 21
W-Feb 23
M- Feb 28
W- Mar 2
M- Mar 7
W- Mar 9
M- Mar 14
W- Mar 16
Topic
Course Introduction Assignment of Groups/topics/dates
Epigenetics film/discussion
Open prep day
MLK HOLIDAY
Open prep day
Open prep day- Paper approval due date
Open prep day
Open prep day
Open prep day
Epigenetics presentations/discussion
Epigenetics presentations/discussion
Epigenetics presentations/discussion
Epigenetics presentations/discussion
Presentations: 1 & 2
Presentations: 3 & 4
Presentations: 5 & 6
Presentations: 7 & 8
Presentations: 9 & 10
Presentations: 11 & 12
Open prep day
Final Exam 5:00-7:30