BIOL 297 RESEARCH DEVELOPMENT
(This course is also a required component of Biol 299)
Spring 2002
Meeting Times:
MW 9:00-9:50
Instructor: Dr. Frances E. Weaver
Office: 438
Phone: 4519
Email: weaver@pop1.science.widener.edu
Office Hours:
MWF 2:00-2:50, T 10:00-10:50
Course web site: http://www.science.widener.edu/~weaver/bio297.htm
COURSE OBJECTIVES
This course is designed to familiarize the student with the fundamentals of scientific research: the philosophy
of science and scientific revolutions, literature review and bibliographic searching techniques, the design and
implementation of a research project and presentation of scientific material. As science is as much about
communication as inquiry, each student will make oral presentations and submit several writing projects.
Note: Since this not a “techniques course”, laboratory methodologies will not be taught.
COURSE REQUIREMENTS
Throughout the semester, the student will work on a literature review of a topic approved by the instructor.
This project will involve four presentations (a ‘progress report’, a key paper critique, a presentation of
experimental design and a final presentation) and a substantial final paper with grant proposal. Another
project will involve a paper on scientific revolutions.
BOOKS
There is one required text:
McMillan, Victoria E. 1997. Writing Papers in the Biological Sciences. Bedford Books. Boston (M).
GRADING
Semester Total
40
10
10
30
100
20
20
20
30
30
Scientific Revolutions Paper*
Literature Review Topic (no points if late)
Literature Review Preliminary Bibliography (no points if late)
Draft Literature Review Paper (no points if late)
Final Literature Review Paper1 (with grant proposal)*
First Literature Review Presentation - Progress Report
Second Literature Review Presentation – Critique
Presentation of Experimental Design
Final Literature Review Presentation
Class Participation2
Total:
310
1
an interim draft may be required
2
including attendance and Project's Day report
*loses 10% of its value for each day late
The grades for the semester will follow the  90% = A,  80% = B,  70% = C,  60% = D, and < 60% = F.
In addition, a plus/minus grades will be used for the final grade. Please note that academic honesty is
expected at all times. The Science Division strictly enforces the University’s policy on cheating and other
forms of academic fraud. The student handbook contains a detailed section on the definitions and
consequences of academic fraud (Section F of the chapter on Academic Policy) Attendance is required. Four
or more unexcused absences during the semester will result a drop in the final grade by one letter grade.
Additional multiples of four unexcused absences will result in further letter grade drops. Details of the
Science Division grievance procedure can be obtained in the Science Division Office.
BIOL 297/299 RESEARCH DEVELOPMENT
SPRING 2002
Date
Jan 14
16
21
23
28
30
Feb 4
6
11
13
18
M
W
M
W
M
W
M
W
M
W
M
20
25
27
Mar 4-6
11
13
18
20
25
27
Apr 1
3
8
10
15
17
19
22
W
M
W
24
29
May 1
W
M
W
M
W
M
W
M
W
M
W
M
W
M
W
F
M
Topic
Reading
Introduction to Research Methods (please send me your email address)
The Semester Literature Review & Research Proposal Project
M1
Science and the Scientific Method I, the Role of Statistics (may repeat F 1/24)
Library Resources for Literature Reviews [Lit Review Topics Due] (meet in KH406)
Science and the Scientific Method II
Causation and Experimental Design
More Experimental Design
Scientific Revolutions I
Kuhn and Gould
Scientific Revolutions II
Handouts &
Scientific Revolutions III
Reserve Readings
Collecting Data: Laboratory and Field Notebooks
M2
[Lit Review Preliminary Bibliographies DUE]
Research Reports I
M4, M6
Research Reports II
M4
Literature Review Presentation I - Progress Report
NO CLASS MID TERM BREAK
Presentation of Data I [Scientific Revolutions Paper DUE]
M3
Presentation of Data II
M3
Literature Review Presentation II – Key Paper Critique
Literature Review Presentation II – Key Paper Critique
Writing Review Papers
M5
Project Day
NO CLASS SPRING HOLIDAY
Literature Review Presentation III – Experimental Design
Literature Review Presentation III – Experimental Design
Funding and Publication [Draft Lit Review Paper DUE]
Proposals and Budgets
Editing and Revising Manuscripts [Lit Papers Returned]
M7-8
University Projects Day– Attend All Science Talks / Posters
Preparation for Oral Presentations and Final Drafts
(Project's Day Report DUE)
M 8,10
Preparation for Oral Presentations and Final Drafts
Literature Review Presentations
Literature Review Presentations [Final Lit Review Papers and Grant Proposal DUE]