Biology 460: Advanced Seminar in Biology
Two hours seminar.
Credits: (2)
Prerequisites: 28 hours of Biology courses or courses outside Biology may be counted as Biology Electives
Explores various biological topics with a focus on critical and analytical reading of primary biological literature sources and developing and using scientific communication skills. May be taken more than once for credit providing the topic is different.
Detailed Description of Content of Course
The intent of this course is to vary instructors and the topics covered. Students with the appropriate prerequisites could receive credit for this course more than once. Course outline would potentially vary each time it is offered, at the discretion of the instructor. The course objectives are to teach reading and writing skills, as they pertain to primary literature sources in the biological sciences.
Detailed Description of Conduct of Course
The course will be taught in classroom discussion sessions. The course will focus on reading, understanding and critically analyzing primary biological literature, and on utilizing scientific writing as a means to publish research results.
Goals and Objectives of the Course
Students successfully completing this course should demonstrate:
-Enhanced reading and understanding of published primary literature in the biological sciences
-Improvement in their ability to analyze published research
-Improved ability to compare published research from multiple sources
-An understanding of the differences between a research review article and a primary research paper
-Enhanced use of primary sources to construct an introduction that supports a research objective
-Ability to write a research proposal
Assessment Measures
Methods of assessment will include:
-Pre-tests and post-tests for analytical reading of literature
-Analysis of writing assignments
Assessment of whether the course is achieving its goals in the curriculum will be based on observations by instructors in upper level Biology courses.
Other Course Information
Review and Approval
New Course October 25, 2007
January, 2010
April, 2011
December, 2018