SAN DIEGO STATE UNIVERSITY
College of Health and Human Services
Graduate School of Public Health
Division of Epidemiology and Biostatistics
PH 725: Seminar in Scientific Writing for Epidemiology, 3 Units
Fall 2013
Day: Tuesday
Time: 4:00-6:30 pm
Place: SSW 3630
Phone: (619) 594-3453
Mobile: (619) 619 302-2400
Instructor:
E-Mail:
Office Hours:
Office Location:
Caroline A. Macera, Ph.D.
cmacera@mail.sdsu.edu
By appointment
105 Hardy Tower
Course Description:
This course guides students through the process of developing and writing their thesis proposal (first 3 chapters
of the thesis), with particular emphasis on the literature review. Students enrolled in this course should be
prepared to generate a sound, feasible research hypothesis, perform, organize and write a literature review and
summarize their 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, review peer drafts, and provide constructive
feedback.
Learning Objectives:
After completing 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 (updated December 2012) on the Montezuma website:
http://www.montezumapublishing.com/HOME/THESISDISSERTATIONS/THESISREVIEW/Procedures/tabid
/212/Default.aspx
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 (CR/NC) will
be based on attendance and participation, and satisfactorily completing homework assignments, in-class
exercises, and final thesis proposal draft.
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.
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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
Aug 27
Course goals and objectives, assignments; finding a topic/data, Plan A vs. Plan B
Sept 3
The thesis (Plan A) or Plan B: a two semester timeline;
In-class team work on developing topics/research questions
Sept 10
Meet in Library Room LA78 Introduction to Library Searches: Marilyn Hall
Due: Research question and public health significance
Sept 17
Organizing the Process, Literature Review summary Tables
In-class teams work on literature review organization
Sept 24
Meet in Library Room LA76 Advanced Library Searches: Marilyn Hall
Oct 1
Organizing Chapter 1: Introduction
Oct 8
Meet in Library Room LA76 Reference Databases: Marilyn Hall
Due: Literature Review Chapter Outline
Oct 15
In-class team discussion:
Transitioning from Literature Review outline to rough draft
Due: rough draft of Introduction
Oct 22
Creating an IRB proposal – Research Office Presentation
Writing a Methods Chapter
Homework: IRB Tutorial (Due November 12)
Due: Rough draft of Literature Review
Oct 29
In-class team discussion of Methods chapter
Due: Rough draft of Methods chapter
Nov 5
In class team discussion of full proposal
Nov 12
In-class writing session—full proposal
Due: Rough draft of full proposal
Due: IRB Tutorial
Nov 19
Thanksgiving Break
Nov 26
In class writing session—full proposal
Dec 3
In class writing session—full proposal
Dec 10
Last day to turn in final proposal
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