CHEM 4084: Senior Seminar
Spring 2016
Friday, 12:00-12:50pm; TLC 2134
Instructor: Dr. Megumi Fujita
Office: TLC 2122, Phone: 678 839-6024, email: mfujita@westga.edu)
Office Hours: M9-1, TWF9-11
Course description
This is a capstone course for senior chemistry majors who are expected to write a senior
thesis based on their faculty-directed research projects AND to graduate within a year (Spring
2016, Summer 2016, or Fall 2016)*. The focus of the class is to integrate your chemistry learning
in a societal context, prepare yourself for job application, to polish skills on information retrieval,
analyzing scientific articles, develop oral presentation(s), and write a senior thesis using proper
scientific writing format and quality. You will take an Exit Exam to test your integrated knowledge
of chemistry.
*Note: if you are not graduating this semester, you will receive a grade of Incomplete (I). You will
complete the Introduction of your senior thesis during the semester. In the following semester, you
will complete the rest of the senior thesis and give a presentation to the department at the end of
the next semester to change the grade.
Learning Outcomes:
1. Reflect on your learning of chemistry and integrate it in a larger or societal context
2. Research important chemistry research advances
3. Research career options (industry, graduate schools etc)
4. Write a resume and mock applications for a real chemistry job; practice interview
5. Practice oral communication skills through presentations and discussions
6. Deepen your understanding of your senior thesis project through literature search and
writing the Introduction
7. Write a quality senior thesis with appropriate scientific writing format and quality
8. Communicate your senior thesis project orally through a senior thesis presentation
Grading: Your grade (S/U) will be based on attendance, in-class participation and completion of
the assignments listed above.
Tentative Schedule (Subject to change)
Jan 15
Jan 22
Jan 29*
Feb 5
Feb 12*
Feb 19
Theme
Syllabus, overview
Resume, Cover Letter, Interview skills (Career Services)
Discussion: chemistry and the real world
Discussion: Significant research accomplishments in chemistry
Jobs and Internship Search Strategies (Career Services)
Feb 26
Oral presentation: Sharing topic search outcomes
Literature search for your senior thesis research; orally
describe what your research is about; search for the meaning of
your research in a larger context
Scientific writing; Your research and thesis writing plan
Mar 4
Mar 11
Mar 18
Mar 25
April 1
April 8
Discussion: chemistry jobs and graduate schools
Scientific writing: styles and formats
(no class; spring break)
TBD
Exit Exam 1 (Or do both portions at 12:00-2:00pm)
Exit Exam 2 (Or TBD)
April 15
Practice thesis presentation (Emily, Alex)
April 22
Thesis presentation to the Chemistry Department (Emily,
Alex)
Senior thesis deadline (with CHEM4083 Form signed by your
supervisor)
April 29
Homework
Resume
topic search; prepare oral
presentation
Cover letter for a real
chemistry position
Journal posting
Collect literature for your senior
thesis Introduction); outline of
Thesis Introduction
Thesis
Introduction
with
references
Journal posting
Thesis Introduction revision*
Thesis Experimental Section*
Thesis Discussions outline*
Prepare senior thesis oral
presentation
Revise
oral
presentation;
finalize senior thesis
*Discuss your work with your research supervisor; show your written work to your supervisor and get feedback.