NROSCI 1801-Neuroscience Writing Practicum
Meeting Times/location: Mondays, 3-3:50, Crawford Hall, Room 343.
Instructor: Patty Reagan, A206 Langley Hall, 412-624-5156, Office hours by Appointment
Text: Health Sciences Literature Review Made Easy, by Judith Garrard
ebook rental: http://www.coursesmart.com/IR/3705475/9781449616182/20
Writing Papers in the Biological Sciences, 4th Edition, McMillan, Victoria, E. (optional)
Goals: Students will be able to:
 Research a broad scientific topic.
 Use Matrix Method to record research, narrow focus, summarize findings and draw conclusions based on the scientific
evidence.
 Review peer’s work.
 Write and revise drafts for final submission to Turnitin.com
Description: This course will outline how to research and write a scientific literature review.
Requirements: Attend all classes, read chapters as assigned in the textbook, develop your paper with Matrix Method using four
folders, suggested revisions from peers, the instructor and your graduate student advisor, submit assignments on time.
Pitt writing center: http://www.english.pitt.edu/writingcenter/
Course Schedule: Fall 2011 / Term 2121
Date
August 29, 2011
September 5, 2011
September 9, 2011
September 12, 2011
September 19, 2011
September 26, 2011
October 3, 2011
October 10, 2011
October 11, 2011
October 17, 2011
October 24, 2011
October 28, 2011
October 31, 2011
November 7, 2011
November 14, 2011
November 21, 2011
November 28, 2011
December 5, 2011
Topic
Introduction/rubric/mentors/peer review
Labor Day, No classes
Assignment
(In class) introduction essay
Read Ch. 1, Choose a neuroscience topic
from the list of topics covered in the ProSeminar due 9-19 Email Reviewer/cc: me
ADD/DROP PERIOD ENDS
Meet in Langley Library
Librarian Presentation
Meet in Langley Library
Research
Turnitin.com and Reviewer forms, rubrics
for peer review, Master Matrix and Final
Draft.
Individual Appointments
3:00 Peter, 3:20 Brittany, 3:40 Walk-ins
Read Ch. 2, Create Master Folder due in
class 9/19 (or sent via email)
Read Ch. 3, Collect primary sources, enter
records in paper trail folder
Read Ch. 4, Manage Docs folder, select
docs to include in your review
Fall Break – No Classes (Mon Classes meet Tues)
Continue to abstract the research literature
Read Ch. 6, Begin writing first draft due
on CW Discussion Board 10/31
Continue working on first draft due on
CW Discussion Board 10/31
Continue working on first draft due on
CW Discussion Board 10/31
Individual Appointments
3:00 Tara, 3:20 Jason, 3:40 Walk-ins
Individual Appointments
3:00 Laurentiu, 3:20 Christopher, 3:40 W-i
Individual Appointments
3:00 Vince, 3:20 Lee, 3:40 W-i
Read Ch. 5, Abstract the research literature
MONITORED WITHDRAWAL DEADLINE
Individual Appointments
3:00 Nikita, 3:20 Joseph, 3:40 W-i
Individual Appointments
3:00 Course Evaluation
3:20 Benjamin, 3:40 Bradley
Individual Appointments
3:00 Dibya, 3:20 Kaitlin, 3:40 W-i
Individual Appointments
3:00 Aron, 3:20 James, 3:40 Walk-ins
Individual Appointments
3:00 Spencer, 3:20 –Walk-ins
Individual Appointments
December 12, 2011
First Drafts due on discussion board by
midnight. Peer Reviews due to peer and
assignment link in CW by 11/07
Peer Reviews posted to cw assignment
link and emailed to peer author
Revise First Draft, write second draft.
Master Matrix Folder to assignment link.
Second draft to reviewer by 12am cc: me
Write Third Draft submit to Turnitin.com
by midnight 12/5/11
FINAL PAPER DUE to Turnitin.com by
midnight 12/12/11
FINAL PAPER DUE
Your final grade will be calculated using your score divided by the following possible points:
50 points – Peer Review
85 points - Master Matrix Folder
165 points – Final Paper
Using the following grading scale:
97% - 100% = A+
87% - 89% = B+
94% - 96% = A
84% - 86% = B
90% - 93% = A80% - 83% = B-
77% - 79% = C+
74% - 76% = C
70% - 73% = C-
67% - 69% = D+
64% - 66% = D
60% - 63% = D-
59% - below = F
Literature Review Rubric
Grading of Assignment:
The following rubric will be used to assess your literature review. To calculate your grade, divide total points earned and by 165 (the
total points possible), resulting in a percentage.
Rubric:
Rating
15
10
5
0
Information is
gathered from at least
5 current peer
reviewed journal
articles.
Information is
gathered from 4
current peer
reviewed journal
articles.
Information is
gathered from 3
current peer
reviewed journal
articles.
Information is
gathered from 2 or
less current peer
reviewed journal
articles.
Includes specific and
informative title,
author, course and
date.
Omits one of
previous
Omits two of
previous
Omits three of
previous
Well organized,
demonstrates logical
sequencing and
structure.
Well organized,
but demonstrates
illogical
sequencing or
structure.
Weakly organized
with no logical
sequencing or
structure.
No organization,
sequencing, or
structure.
Abstract
Clearly states aim and
scope; concisely
summarizes major
points.
Aim and scope are
stated clearly,
major points are
not summarized.
Aim and scope are
not stated, major
points are
summarized.
Aim and scope are
not clearly stated,
major points are not
summarized.
Introduction
Aim and scope are
repeated and topic is
introduced, rationale
is explained.
Aim and scope are
repeated and topic
is introduced,
rationale is not
explained.
Aim and scope are
not repeated, topic
is introduced, and
rationale is
explained.
Aim and scope are
not repeated, topic is
introduced, and
rationale is not
explained.
Background/Foundation
Detailed conclusions
are reached from the
evidence offered.
Conclusions are
reached from the
evidence offered.
There is some
indication of
conclusions from
evidence offered.
No conclusions are
made from the
evidence offered.
Research Question
Research question(s)
are formed through
the literature review
and clearly stated.
Research
question(s) are
formed through
the literature
review.
Research
question(s) were
not formed but
could be formed
through review.
Research question(s)
were not formed and
are not apparent
from the literature
review.
Reference Sheet
Information is cited
properly and in MLA
format.
Information is
cited properly.
Information is
cited, but has
errors.
Information is not
cited or is cited
incorrectly.
Adheres to 10 page
minimum criteria.
Does not meet 10
page criteria by ½
page or less.
Does not meet 10
page criteria by ½
to 1 page.
Does not meet 10
page criteria by more
than 1 page.
Format
Font, spacing, and
MLA format are
correct.
Font and spacing,
font and MLA, or
spacing and MLA
are correct.
Font, spacing, or
MLA format is
correct.
Font, spacing, and
MLA format are
incorrect.
Grammar
There are 2 or less
grammatical errors.
There are 3-4
grammatical
errors.
There are 4-5
grammatical
errors.
There are 6 or more
grammatical errors.
ASSIGNMENT BASICS
Articles
Title Page
SUMMARY
Theme
PRESENTATION
Length
Score
TOTAL POINTS
Each of you is expected to use the rubric in order to evaluate a peer’s work. The Proseminar presenters will not use the rubric to evaluate your paper.
The Proseminar reviewers do not assign your grade; rather, they perform a pass/fail check on the scientific accuracy and content of your paper. In
addition, they may choose to help you narrow and refine the scope of your paper based on their knowledge of available research papers for you to
review and help you understand the background, issues and future of the topic you have chosen. Your Proseminar reviewer serves as scientific
reader and as such will pay close attention to the correctness, appropriateness and range of your content, in particular the accuracy of the facts,
particulars and logic of your scientific argument, position or suggestion for an experiment in the discussion section.
Disability Resources:
Students with disabilities who require special accommodations or other classroom modifications should notify the instructor and the
Office of Disability Resources and Services (DRS) no later than the 4th week of the term. Students may be asked to provide
documentation of their disability to determine the appropriateness of the request. DRS is located in 216 William Pitt Union and can
be contacted at 412-648-7890. For more information, please visit:
https://my.pitt.edu/portal/server.pt/community/disability_resources_and_services/615
Academic Integrity Policy:
A student has an obligation to exhibit honesty and to respect the ethical standards of the academy in carrying out his or her academic
assignments. Without limiting the application of this principle, a student may be found to have violated this obligation if he or she:
1.
Refers during an academic evaluation to materials or sources, or employs devices, not authorized by the instructor.
2.
Provides assistance during an academic evaluation to another person in a manner not authorized by the instructor.
3.
Receives assistance during an academic evaluation from another person in a manner not authorized by the instructor.
4.
Engages in unauthorized possession, buying, selling, obtaining, or using of any materials intended to be used as an instrument
of academic evaluation in advance of its administration.
5.
Acts as a substitute for another person in any academic evaluation process.
6.
Utilizes a substitute in any academic evaluation procedure.
7.
Practices any form of deceit in an academic evaluation proceeding.
8.
Depends on the aid of others in a manner expressly prohibited by the instructor, in the research, preparation, creation, writing,
performing, or publication of work to be submitted for academic credit or evaluation.
9.
Provides aid to another person, knowing such aid is expressly prohibited by the instructor, in the research, preparation,
creation, writing, performing, or publication of work to be submitted for academic credit or evaluation.
10.
Presents as one's own, for academic evaluation, the ideas, representations, or words of another person or
persons without customary and proper acknowledgment of sources.
11.
Submits the work of another person in a manner that represents the work to be one's own.
12.
Knowingly permits one's work to be submitted by another person without the instructor's authorization.
13.
Attempts to influence or change one's academic evaluation or record for reasons other than achievement or merit.
14.
Indulges, during a class, examination session, or any other academic setting, in conduct that is disruptive or disrespectful as
to infringe upon the rights of the instructor or fellow students.
15.
Fails to cooperate, if called upon, in the investigation or disposition of any allegation of dishonesty pertaining to another
student, or any other breach of a student's obligation to exhibit honesty.
For more information, please visit: http://www.as.pitt.edu/faculty/policy/integrity.html.