SAN DIEGO STATE UNIVERSITY
College of Health and Human Services
Graduate School of Public Health
Division of Epidemiology and Biostatistics
PH700A: Seminar in Scientific Writing for Epidemiology, 3 Units
Fall 2010
Day: Thursday
Time: 1:00-3:30 pm
Place: HH 212
Phone: (619) 594-3453
Assistant: Susan Eskridge
Instructor:
E-Mail:
Office Hours:
Office Location:
E-mail:
Caroline A. Macera, Ph.D.
cmacera@mail.sdsu.edu
By appointment
105 Hardy Tower
seskridge@att.net
Course Description:
This course guides students through the process of developing and writing their thesis proposal. Students
enrolled in this course should be prepared to generate a sound, feasible research hypothesis, perform, organize
and write a literature review and summarize proposed methodology. Course topics include idea development
and organization, finding useful data sources, principles of scientific writing and revising, plagiarism, and
citation management. Students are expected to attend and participate in class discussions and reviews of peer
theses and provide constructive feedback.
Learning Objectives:
In this course, students will be able to:
 Generate an appropriate research hypothesis
 Become a competent consumer of the SDSU library
 Perform, organize and write a comprehensive literature review
 Write a scientifically sound thesis proposal
Prerequisites: None
Required Texts:
-SDSU Dissertation & Thesis Manual: Policies, Procedures, and Format (DTM January 2005)
Recommended Reading:
A Manual for Writers of Research Papers, Theses and Dissertations, 7th edition, by Kate L. Turabian
The Literature Review, A Step-by-Step Guide for Students by Diana Ridley, SAGE Publications 2008
Blackboard:
During the semester, course-related materials such as announcements and handouts will be posted on
Blackboard. Please check regularly for new materials.
Evaluation Procedures:
Students must meet all of the learning objectives to successfully complete this course. Grading will be based on
attendance and participation (30%), completion of homework assignments and in-class exercises (30%), final
thesis proposal (40%).
Standards:
A=Superior performance (90-100%); B=Adequate performance (80-89%); C=Less than adequate (6079%); D=Fail (below 60%)
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Course Syllabus Subject to Change:
Every effort will be made to follow the syllabus content and schedule. If circumstances dictate, there may be
modifications made during the semester and every effort will be made to notify students in a timely manner.
Course Policies:
San Diego State University is dedicated to a safe, supportive and nondiscriminatory environment. It is the
responsibility of all students to familiarize themselves with University policies regarding nondiscrimination,
misconduct and academic honesty.
Statement on Nondiscrimination Policy:
San Diego State University complies with the requirements of Title VI and Title VII of the Civil Rights Act of
1964, as well as other applicable federal and state laws prohibiting discrimination. No person shall, on the basis
of race, color, or national origin be excluded from participation in, be denied the benefits of, or be otherwise
subjected to discrimination in any program of the California State University. SDSU does not discriminate on
the basis of disability in admission or access to, or treatment or employment in, its programs and activities.
Students should direct inquires concerning San Diego State University’s compliance with all relevant disability
laws to the Direct of Student Disability Services (SDS), Calpulli Center, Room 3101, San Diego State
University, San Diego, CA 92128 or call 619059406473 (TDD:619-59402929). SDSU does not discriminate
on the basis of sex, gender, or sexual orientation in the educational programs or activities it conducts. More
detail on SDSU’s Nondiscrimination Policy can be found the SDSU General Catalog, University Policies.
Student Conduct and Grievances
SDSU is committed to maintaining a safe and healthy living and learning environment for students, faculty and
staff. Sections 41301, Standards for Student Conduct, and Sections 41302-41304 of SDSU Policies regarding
student conduct should be review. If a student believes that a professor’s treatment is grossly unfair or that a
professor’s behavior is clearly unprofessional, the student may bring the complaint to the proper authorities.
See SDSU policies on Student Grievances.
Statement on Plagiarism and Academic Dishonesty
Academic dishonesty includes cheating, plagiarism or other forms of academic dishonesty that are intended to
gain unfair academic advantage. See section 41301 of the University policies. Plagiarism is defined as ‘formal
work publicly misrepresented as original; it is any activity wherein one person knowingly, directly and for
lucre, status, recognition, or any public gain resorts to the published or unpublished work of another in order to
represent it as one’s own. Any work, in whole or in part, taken from the Internet or other computer-base source
without referencing the source is considered plagiarism.
Americans with Disabilities Act (DA) Accommodation
The University is committed to providing reasonable academic accommodation to students with disabilities.
The Student Disability Services Office provides university academic support services and specialized assistance
to students with disabilities. Individuals with physical, perceptual, or learning disabilities as addressed by the
Americans with Disabilities Act should contact Student Disability Services for information regarding
accommodations. Please notify your instructor so that reasonable efforts can be made to accommodate you. If
you expect accommodation through the Act, contact the Student Disability Services Office
(http://www.sa.sdsu.edu/dss/dss_home.html) at (619) 594-6473.
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Class Schedule
Sept 2
Course goals and objectives, assignments; finding a topic/data, thesis proposal
Homework: Review dissertation and Thesis Manual Chapters 1-3
Homework: Research Question and public health significance (one page) (Due 9/16)
Sept 9
The thesis: a two semester timeline
In-class team work on developing topics
Sept 16
Meet in Library Room LL430 Introduction to Library Searches: Marilyn Hall
Due: Research Question and public health significance in digital drop-box
Sept 23
Organizing the Process, Literature Review summary Tables
In-class teams work on literature review organization
Sept 30
Meet in Library Room LL430 Advanced Library Searches: Marilyn Hall
Oct 7
Meet in Library Room LL430 Reference Databases: Marilyn Hall
Due: Literature Review Chapter Outline (by end of day in digital drop box)
Oct14
In-class team discussion:
Transitioning from Literature Review outline to rough draft
Oct 21
Creating an IRB proposal – Research Office Presentation
Homework: IRB Tutorial (Due Nov 18)
Team discussion of literature review rough draft (use guide in Blackboard)
Oct 28
Writing a Methods Chapter
Due: Rough draft of Literature Review (by end of day in digital drop box)
Nov 4
In-class team discussion of Methods chapter
Due: Rough draft of Methods chapter (by end of day in digital drop box)
Nov 11
Veterans day: no class
Nov 18
In class team discussion of full proposal (use guide in Blackboard)
Due: IRB Tutorial
Nov 25
Thanksgiving holiday: no class
Dec 2
In-class writing session—full proposal
Due: Rough draft of full proposal (by end of day in digital drop box)
Dec 9
In class writing session—full proposal
Dec 17
Last day to turn in final proposal (in digital drop box)
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