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Professional
Skills
Course of Dr Kirk Cammarata |
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Guidelines for ACS Speakers(posters)
Texas A&M University - Corpus Christi
SYLLABUS
BIOLOGY 2200.001 - Professional Skills
(2 Credits)
Fall 2003
Class Meetings: Mondays 7:00 - 8:40 PM CS 114
Instructor: Dr. Kirk Cammarata
Office: ST 317
Lab: NRC 3227
Phone: 825-2468 (Office)
825-2145 (Lab)
906-2401 (Home, till 11:00 PM only)
E-mail: Kirk.Cammarata@mail.tamucc.edu
Office Hours: [Subject to change pending advance notice]
M 11:00 - 1:00
T 3:00 - 4:00
R 10:00 - 11:00
F 11:00- 12:00
Please note that you are welcome to come by my office or lab at anytime, though you may wish to call first. I will be glad to help you if I am not busy. I am likely to be in lab on Tuesday and Thursday mornings.
Required Texts: Davis, Martha (1997) Scientific Papers and Presentations. Academic Press, San Diego, CA. 296 pp. ISBN 0-12-206370-8
Knisely, Karin (2002) A Student Handbook for Writing in Biology. Sinauer Assoc., Sunderland, MA. 205 pp. ISBN 0-71-676646-9
Rosenburg, A.D. and Hizer, D. (1996) The Resume Handbook. Adams Media, Holbrook, MA. ISBN 1-55850-616-0
Non-Required Reference Text: Day, R.A. (1998). How to Write and Publish a
Scientific Paper, 5th ed., Oryx Press, Phoenix, AZ. ISBN 1-57356-164-9
Additional Resources: The Instructor may make additional learning resources (books, reserve articles, software) available at the library or office. You may use these with proper sign-out procedure.
Levine, C. (1989). Taking Sides: Clashing Views on Controversial Bioethical Issues, 3rd ed., Dushkin Publishing Group Inc., Guilford, CT.
Day, R.A. (1995). Scientific English, 2nd ed., Oryx Press, Phoenix, AZ.
Woodford, F.P., editor, (1968). Scientific Writing for Graduate Students, Council of Biology Editors, Inc., Bethesda, MD.
Career Center
Bell Library
Computer Services
Pre-Health Professions Advising Office
Course Description: Presentation and discussion of selected topics related to the professional skills of practicing scientists including literature searches, reviews, paper presentation, professional opportunities and job requirements. The course also covers types and anatomy of scientific literature, and unique aspects of scientific communications.
Course Overview and Objectives: The course will allow students to explore career options in the biological sciences. Training will be provided in the professional skills of scientists to assist students in realizing their career goals. An emphasis will be placed on reading, understanding, critiquing, presenting and writing scientific literature. Upon completion of this course, the student will have:
1. Explored career interests and characteristics through the Career Center
2. Obtained information on biology-related careers
3. Prepared a professional resume
4. Trained in and performed literature searches at the Bell Library
5. Perform professional activities such as literature analysis, visual aid
development, and organization of visual/oral presentations
6. Studied and critiqued Posters on scientific subjects
7. Written a research paper, including abstract and bibliography, on an approved
topic
8. Practiced analysis and critiquing of scientific presentations
9. Presented an oral research paper to the class using PowerPoint
Evaluation: Your final grade will be based on the percentage you earn out of the total possible points. Individual extra credit is not possible, but extra points may be built into assignments. Statistical manipulations, if used (at the Instructor=s discretion), will be performed only once, at the end of the semester. A 10-point grading scale will be used:
A = 90 - 100 %
B = 80 - 89.9 %
C = 70 - 79.9 %
D = 60 - 69.9 %
F = 0 - 59.9 %
Components of Course Grade (Tentative)
Topic Category % Grade Weighting Example Activities
1. Career Exploration and Development 15 % Career ExplorationResume Building
2. Scientific Literature and Comprehension 10 % Classification, Anatomy and
Dissection of Scientific Literature
3. Library Research Skills 10 % Library ResearchLiterature Citation Skills
4. Scientific Presentations 30 % Poster PresentationsAudiovisual TechniquesOral
PresentationsPeer Evaluation
5. Other Assignments 15 % Scientific Writing: Review Paper
6. Final Exam 20 % Comprehensive
ADDITIONAL STIPULATIONS TO THE FINAL GRADE:
1. ATTENDANCE IS REQUIRED. 2 unexcused absences permitted before grade deductions. Thereafter, a penalty of 2 letter grade per each additional absence. Note that you will lose points for any absence if an in-class assignment was done that day.
2. Late Assignment Penalty: 10 % assignment grade value deduction per calendar day late.
The time schedule may require adjustment. Should this be the case, the
assignments and weighting may change slightly. Additional assignments may or may
not be provided at the Instructor=s discretion. Such assignments might include
homeworks, group projects, reading assignments, quizzes, etc. An assignment may
be due during the last week of class (Study Week). Every attempt will be made to
follow the time and evaluation schedules shown here. It is the student=s duty to
attend each class session and be aware of all assignments, deadlines, changes,
etc.
Other Course Requirements:
1. All students must subscribe to the class and Opportunities listservs. You may ask questions of interest to other students on the class listserv, eg. clarification of an assignment, as well as receive important class announcements.
To subscribe, send an e-mail to Proskills-list-request@sci.tamucc.edu. Make sure that your e-mail address appears in the From: heading, and that the word subscribe is typed in the subject line. You will receive a subscription acknowledgement confirming that you have done everything correctly. To post messages to the listserv, send to proskills-list@sci.tamucc.edu. Because of security concerns, you must post messages from the computer account that was used to subscribe to the listserv. At the end of class, please send an e-mail to Proskills-list-request@sci.tamucc.edu With unsubscribe in the subject heading. Please use this service to ask questions about class materials, dates, assignments, etc.
You are also required to subscribe to the Opportunities Listserv using the
same procedure: opportunities-list-request@sci.tamucc.edu
This service provides notification of scholarships, research opportunities and
science-related job opportunities.
Explanation of Assignments:
The Final Exam (Monday Dec 15, 7:00 - 9:30 PM) is comprehensive and will comprise various types of questions, including multiple choice, matching, short answer, labeling, fill-in the blank and interpretation to assess critical thinking skills.
Outside reading will be assigned and provided on reserve at the library. Homeworks may be assigned in class from the text or from handouts. You are encouraged to get together and work as a group. However, any assignments must be turned in individually and be written in your own words, NOT COPIED from someone else. Substantially identical answers will be considered plagiarism. All assignments and examination answers must be legible to the Instructor. Illegible answers will receive A0".
Topic Category Components of Course Grade (Tentative) Pts
6 Final Exam = 200
4 Power Point Presentation = 150
4 Poster Assignments = 75
4 Peer Review of Presentations = 50
5 Research Review Paper = 75
3 Literature Search and Bibliographies = 100
5 Title and Abstract = 50
1 Career Exploration = 25
1 Career Characteristics = 50
1 Resume Building = 75
2 Other Written Assignments and Critiques = 100
4, 5 Class Participation = 50
Anticipated Total = 1000
The centerpiece of the course is a literature research and presentation
project comprising a variety of assignments guiding students through different
types of scientific communication. Each student will undertake a semester-long
literature research project on an approved topic of their choosing.
Bibliographies will be prepared from various stages of a literature search,
followed by an oral presentation of one particular publication, made using Power
Point audiovisual aid. The overall research will be prepared in written form as
a scientific mini-review article. The presentations entail summary and synthesis
of information, data presentation, discussion, and suggestions for future
directions. Individual assignments will be turned in periodically through the
semester, with the written review turned in at the end of the semester. The
instructor must pre-approve your topic. Peer evaluation and class participation
are required as an example of interactive scientific discourse.
Assignment Description
1. Scientific Communications Examine scientific publications of various types,
including popular press, peer-review, primary literature, etc. Discuss and
characterize in class. Find and turn in a copy of a primary article.
2. Titles and Abstracts Compare titles and abstract styles, Write titles and abstracts for beheaded papers
3. Career Research Students will go to the Career Center (UC 304) and use the "Choices Program" to inventory their skills set and to explore those beneficial to particular careers. A copy of the Printout of the Choices program analysis performed by the career center will be turned in. Each student will list their top 3 career choices, and then do a 1-2 page written report on the career of the second choice. Information can be obtained from the Career Center and the Library, and might include projected availability of jobs, geographic location of jobs, salary range, job description and skills, etc.
4. Resume Preparation Prepare and submit a professional Resume following established format
5. Bibliography Progress to date of bibliography from literature search will be turned in with classification of resource type as a preliminary bibliography. Later, a more complete, annotated bibliography will be submitted.
6. Poster Assignments Examine sample research posters and present a critique of two.
7. Power Point Presentation The literature research project which will culminate with a 15 minute oral presentation to class using 8 - 12 Power Point slides (excluding Title slide) for audiovisual support. The presentation must run 10 - 12 minutes in length plus 2 - 4 minutes for questions from peers.
8. Peer Evaluation Students will evaluate the Power Point presentations of their peers. These evaluations will factor into the grade for those assignments (typically 2/3 faculty evaluation + 1/3 peer evaluation). Evaluations will include constructive criticism. Class participation includes asking cogent questions during presentations.
9. Research Review Paper A typed, 4 page, double-spaced mini-review paper will be prepared from the literature search. The paper must have, and utilize, at least 8 references, of which 5 must be primary literature and only two can be reviews.
Additional assignment details will be provided in class.
Rules:
All TAMUCC policies are in force and described in the TAMU-CC catalog (pp.
23-38, 2002-2003 edition) and in the Student Handbook.
Policy on Academic Dishonesty:
Academic dishonesty, in all its forms, including plagiarism, is not tolerated.
All written assignments must be IN YOUR OWN WORDS. Students found responsible
for violating this rule WILL be prosecuted to the fullest extent of University
Regulations (see the current TAMU-CC catalog). The following procedures will be
enforced:
$ You must be prepared to present a photo ID at all examinations
$ Different test forms may be prepared for a single examination. Follow
instructions
$ If you leave an examination roomBfor any reasonByou must hand in your test and
you will not be allowed to resume the examination. Attend to personal matters
(e.g., rest room visits) before the examination.
Attendance Policy:
Attendance is the student=s responsibility. You are responsible for the material
covered in every lecture even if it is not in the book, regardless of your
attendance. Nothing missed during an unexcused absence can be made up. An
excused absence allows us to make alternative arrangements to complete an
assignment. Only unavoidable absences are excused. Routine events (non-emergency
medical visits, parent-teacher conferences, household or auto repairs) should be
scheduled to avoid conflicts with class. Plane tickets booked to conflict with
class do NOT constitute an excusable absence. An acceptable excuse must be:
$ from an appropriate source (doctor, dentist, funeral director) who states the
nature of the event
$ In writing, on official letterhead, and signed (it will not be returned)
$ presented prior to, or within 1 week of, the absence
There are No make-up examinations or assignments: For some scheduled events,
you may arrange to turn in an assignment before, but not after, its scheduled
time.
Policy on Disruptive Behavior:
As adult university students, you are expected to act with courtesy and
common sense. Disruptive, disrespectful, or abusive language/behavior towards
anyone in class (student, staff, faculty) will not be tolerated and could result
in permanent removal from class. This includes talking in class,
insubordination, and electronic disturbances (cell phones, pagers, gameboys,
etc). Turn it off. Children are not allowed in class.
Other Expectations:
You are expected to attend all classes in a timely manner. It is expected that
you will take notes, ask/answer questions, and participate in group activities.
Learning is more than spoonfeeding, memorization and regurgitation. While
memorizing is an important first step, you should also be able to apply
knowledge by linking data and synthesizing into useful concepts.
You are responsible for your own education. Take notes in class as some new
information may be presented. Read the book, handouts and reserve material for
further detail not covered in class. If you don=t understand, then please ask,
or see the instructor after class. Don=t allow yourself to fall behind. Be
diligent and thorough on written assignments and examination answers. If you are
not sure of an answer, at least try. For many people, putting anything down on
paper clarifies their thinking and helps with recall. Also:
$ Be aware of university-imposed deadlines (ie drop dates)
$ Be aware of assignment due dates and test times, including changes
$ Work on all assigned homework problems in a timely manner. Seek tutorial help
in the TLC or from the Instructor.
$ Keep track of your progress in class.
Disabling Conditions: Any student who, because of a disabling condition
(e.g., visual, diabetes, epilepsy, dyslexia), may require special arrangements
to meet course requirements should inform your instructor as soon as possible so
that accommodations can be made. First obtain appropriate verification from the
Office of Students With Disabilities. Any student having a serious medical
condition that may flare up without warning should notify the instructor.
IMPORTANT DATES:
Aug. 30 Last day to register or add
Sept. 11 Last day to apply for December 2002 graduation
Sept. 11 12th Class Day: Last day to drop w/o record entry
Nov. 28 - 29 Thanksgiving Break
Nov. 1 Last day to drop with a "W"
Dec. 6 Last day of class
Dec. 12 Final Examination (7:00 - 9:30 PM)