Individuals with disabilities who need to request accommodations should contact the Disability Services Coordinator, Student Center 255, (678) 466-5445, disabilityservices@clayton.edu.
Last update: 1/4/08
Course description:
Number and title: BIOL4222, Biology Research Practicum (CRN 26027)
Credit hours: 3.0 semester credit hour
Catalog description: Research experience for students in Biology. Practicum assignments must be approved by the student's major advisor and the Head of the Department of Natural Sciences.
Course co-requisite: None
Course prerequisite(s): BIOL1108/1108L, CHEM2412/2412L, and MATH1231
Computer Requirement: Each Clayton State University student is required to have ready access throughout the semester to a notebook computer that meets faculty-approved hardware and software requirements for the student's academic program. Students will sign a statement attesting to such access. For further information on Clayton State University's Official Notebook Computer Policy, please go to http://itpchoice.clayton.edu/policy.htm.
Computer skill prerequisites: You must be able to use Windows, Microsoft Word, Outlook Express (including attaching and retrieving files via e-mail), a Web browser (Internet Explorer preferred), and Microsoft Excel
In Class Use of Student Notebook Computers
Students may be required to use their laptop computers in this course depending on the requirements of the research project.
Course objectives
Students will
learn how search for primary literature on a topic of interest.
Students will
learn how to read and analyze peer reviewed journal articles.
Students will
learn how to collect and analyze data from their research projects.
Students will
learn how to present their data in a written and oral format.
Students will
have a good understanding of background information for their specific project
based on material from the primary literature.
Students will
learn to perform and will understand appropriate techniques specific to their
specific project.
Students will
master laboratory and/or field safety.
Students will
learn how to set up and keep a scientific notebook.
Specific for project/faculty sponsor
See faculty sponsor to obtain the specific learning objectives for your project.
Student Learning Outcomes:
General education outcomes:
The following links provide tabular descriptions of the communications outcome and the critical thinking outcome components (see BIOL1107L in the tables):
Communications outcomes components
Critical thinking outcomes components
Biology outcomes:
BIOL4222 supports outcomes 1, 2, 3, 4, and 5 of the biology major:
Outcome 1.
Knowledge of the basic principles of major fields of biology.
Outcome 2.
Mastery of a broad range of basic lab skills applicable to biology.
Outcome 3.
Knowledge of physical science, mathematics, and statistics required to support
an understanding of biology.
Outcome 4.
Ability to communicate orally and in writing in a clear, concise manner.
Outcome 5.
Ability to collect, evaluate, and interpret scientific data, and employ critical
thinking to solve problems in biological science and supporting fields.
Instructor information:
Instructors on record OR see your faculty research sponsor:
Dr. Jere Boudell
phone: (678) 466-4772
fax: (678) 466-4899
e-mail:
JereBoudell@clayton.edu
internet address:http://a-s.clayton.edu/jboudell/
Office: Arts and Sciences Building, G-105-F
Dr. Stephen Burnett
phone: (678) 466-4774
fax: (678) 466-4899
e-mail:
StephenBurnett@clayton.edu
internet address:
http://a-s.clayton.edu/burnett
Office: Arts & Sciences Building, G110-F
Dr. Michelle Furlong
phone: (678) 466-4778
fax: (678) 466-4899
e-mail:
MichelleFurlong@clayton.edu
internet address:
http://a-s.clayton.edu/furlong/FurlongHome1.htm
Office: Arts & Sciences Building, G210A
Dr. Jacqueline Jordan
phone: (678) 466-4781
fax: (678) 466-4899
e-mail:
JacquelineJordan@clayton.edu
internet address:
http://a-s.clayton.edu/jordan/default.htm
Office: Library L136
Dr. Chris Kodani
phone: (678) 466-4782
fax: (678) 466-4899
e-mail:
mailto:ChristopherKodani@clayton.edu
internet address:
http://a-s.clayton.edu/kodani/index.htm
Office: Arts & Sciences Building, G210-E
Dr. Paul (Guy) Melvin
phone: (678) 466-4789
fax: (678) 466-4899
e-mail:Paulmelvin@clayton.edu
Internet address:
http://a-s.clayton.edu/pmelvin/default.htm
Office: Arts & Sciences Building, G210-E
Dr. Barbara Musolf
Phone: (678) 466-4851
Fax: (678) 466-4899
E-mail:
barbaramusolf@clayton.edu
internet address:
http://a-s.clayton.edu/bmusolf/default.htm
Office: Arts & Science Building, Room G-110G
Dr. Francine Norflus
Phone: (678) 466-4852
Fax: (678) 466-4899
email:
FrancineNorflus@clayton.edu
internet address:http://a-s.clayton.edu/fnorflus/default.htm
Office: Arts & Science Building, Room G-110G
Class meetings: To be arranged with faculty sponsor. Faculty and student must be able to meet for a minimum amount of time weekly (typically a minimum of 6 hours weekly depending on the nature of the project; more time may be required to complete the project) or as set by the faculty sponsor. You must have faculty approval to register for the class.
Textbook information: None
Requirements:
Get approval
from a faculty sponsor to do research by filling out the
Faculty Sponsor Form.
The signed form should be turned into to your faculty
sponsor or to Dr. Michelle Furlong in G210A so that you can be registered for
the course.
Student will
attend BIOL4222 orientation meeting at the beginning of the semester; this
meeting is mandatory. You will receive information on the date by email before
the semester starts.
Student will
complete safety training including but not limited to:
Viewing a lab
safety video
Taking a lab
safety quiz
Downloading and
signing a
lab waiver form
Filling out
forms for Office of Experiential learning and return to your faculty sponsor.
Learning Agreement Form - your faculty sponsor will determine the learning
objectives for your project.
Student will
complete a literature search and write a project proposal within the
first 2 weeks of the semester. This proposal is to be presented to your
research advisor and is considered for part of your grade.
Student will
participate in field work and/or laboratory work required to complete the
project.
Student will
write either a paper in the form of a peer reviewed journal (Abstract,
Introduction, Materials and Methods, Results, and Discussion, Works Cited) OR
make a poster of the research project (same sections as paper).
Student will
present his/her work orally to the biology faculty.
The faculty present at the presentation will determine the letter grade for the
oral presentation. The time of the presentation will be arranged with the
faculty sponsor. The talks should be 10-15 minutes in length. Talks that
exceed this time limit will be penalized for grading. A PowerPoint
presentation is recommended for the talk, but the faculty sponsor has final say
on format.
Students will
keep a laboratory notebook as instructed by the faculty sponsor; the notebook
will be turned in to the faculty sponsor at the end of the term.
Students should
be prepared to work a minimum of 6 hours per week on this project for 2-3
hour blocks. Time per week and numbers of hours per block of time will vary
with the project.
Evaluation and grading: Students will be evaluated using the grading rubric that is linked below.
Complete Grading rubric (the oral portion will be assigned by various members of the Natural Science faculty after observing your presentation and the miscellaneous and the writing ability portions of the rubric will be assigned solely by your faculty sponsor).
|
Grade |
Point range |
|
A |
35-39 points |
|
B |
31-34 points |
|
C |
27-30 points |
|
D |
23-26 points |
|
F |
Below 23 points |
If a student is in danger of doing work below a 23 then he/she will be asked to be excused before the midterm and will receive a grade of W.
Course policies:
Research schedule will be set by the faculty sponsor and attendance is mandatory. Lack of attendance may result in an F or reduced score in the course.
E-mail: Important messages and announcements will be sent to you via your Clayton State University account. You must activate your account and check your e-mail regularly. If you cannot use your Clayton State University account, it is your responsibility to send an alternate e-mail account that can be added to the class list serve. You are responsible for all e-mails sent to the class list.
General policies:
Students must abide by policies in the Clayton State University Catalog, Student Handbook, and if applicable, program handbook.
Students must follow the
guidelines set forth in
Basic Undergraduate Student Responsibilities.
No disruptive behavior of any kind
will be tolerated.
Disruption of the Learning Environment
Behavior which disrupts the teaching–learning process during class activities will not tolerated. While a variety of behaviors can be disruptive in a classroom setting, more serious examples include belligerent, abusive, profane, and/or threatening behavior. A student who fails to respond to reasonable faculty direction regarding classroom behavior and/or behavior while participating in classroom activities may be dismissed from class. A student who is dismissed is entitled to due process and will be afforded such rights as soon as possible following dismissal. If found in violation, a student may be administratively withdrawn and may receive a grade of WF.
A more detailed description of examples of disruptive behavior and appeal procedures is provided at:
http://a-s.clayton.edu/DisruptiveClassroomBehavior.htm
Visitors, including children, are not allowed in the laboratory.
No smoking, other use of tobacco, eating, or drinking is permitted at any time in the laboratory.
Cheating in any form will not be tolerated; all work that you turn in must be in your own words and must be your own work. If your brainpower did not generate what you turn in, it is considered cheating. The following are examples of cheating: copying the work of another person, allowing another person to do your assignment, working in a group on a graded item, copying or closely paraphrasing referenced sources, using anything but your brainpower on an exam, etc. Cheating in any form will result in a minimum of zero on the assignment and academic misconduct forms will be filed with the Office of Judicial Affairs for any violation