BIOL4222-Biology Research Practicum
Course syllabus - Fall 2008

Course description:

Number and title: BIOL4222, Biology Research Practicum  (CRN 87104, 87598, & 87599)

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 Center for Experiential Learning.  

Course co-requisite: None

Course prerequisite(s):  BIOL1108/1108L, CHEM2412/2412L, 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.

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, 4, and 5 of the biology major:

• Outcome
1.  Knowledge of 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.
• Outcome 6.  Ability to function effectively on team-oriented projects.

Instructor information:  List of Full-Time Faculty in the Department of Natural Sciences

OR see your faculty research sponsor:

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. John Campbell 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 and will be held on 
• 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.
         Student Info & 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.
• 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.  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 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
B	31-34
C	27-30
D	23-26
F	Below 23 points

If a student is in danger of doing work below a 23 then s/he 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.
• 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. 

• Disruptive Classroom Behavior¹
  
  Disruptive behavior in the classroom can negatively affect the classroom environment as well as the educational experience for students enrolled in the course. Disruptive behavior is defined as any behaviors that hamper the ability of instructors to teach or students to learn. Common examples of disruptive behaviors include, but are not limited to:
  # Eating in class
  # Monopolizing classroom discussions
  # Failing to respect the rights of other students to express their viewpoints
  # Talking when the instructor or others are speaking
  # Constant questions or interruptions which interfere with the instructor’s presentation
  # Overt inattentiveness (e.g., sleeping or reading the paper in class)
  # Creating excessive noise
  # Entering the class late or leaving early
  # Use of pagers or cell phones in the classroom
  # Inordinate or inappropriate demands for time or attention
  # Poor personal hygiene (e.g., noticeably offensive body odor)
  # Refusal to comply with faculty direction
  
  Students exhibiting these types of behaviors can expect a warning from the instructor or dismissal for the lesson in which the behavior occurs. Failure to correct such behaviors can result in dismissal from the course.
  
  More extreme examples of disruptive behavior include, but are not limited to:
  # Use of profanity or pejorative language
  # Intoxication
  # Verbal abuse of instructor or other students (e.g., taunting, badgering, intimidation)
  # Harassment of instructor or other students
  # Threats to harm oneself or others
  # Physical violence
  
  Students exhibiting these more extreme examples of disruptive behavior may be dismissed from the lesson or the entire course.
  
  Students dismissed from a lesson will leave the classroom immediately or may be subject to additional penalties. Dismissed students are responsible for any course material or assignments missed.
  
  Students dismissed from a course have the right to appeal the dismissal to the department head responsible for the course. Appeals beyond the department head may also be pursued. If no appeal is made or the appeal is unsuccessful, the student will receive a grade o WF (withdrawal – failing) regardless of the current grade in the course.
  
  Conditions attributed to physical or psychological disabilities are not considered as a legitimate excuse for disruptive behavior.
  
  1 The description of disruptive behavior and listings of examples of disruptive behavior are taken from the Web sites of James Madison University, the University of Delaware and Virginia Tech.

  Changes or additions to this syllabus, including reading, exam schedule, grading, and course policies can be made at the discretion of the instructor at any time.

   

   

Individuals with disabilities who need to request accommodations should contact the Disability Services Coordinator, Administration Building room # 23, 678-466-5445, disabilityservices@mail.clayton.edu.

Last update: December 02, 2008