01:447:414 Thesis Writing and Communication in Genetics
- Semester Offered: Fall
- Credits: 1.5
- Course URL: Canvas
- Core Curriculum: WCr
Prerequisites
Concurrent registration in 447:408, Honors in Genetics Research. By special permission number only. Please see the Genetics Dept. SPN website for information.
Course Description
Assists students with writing their honors thesis in the form of a lengthy published research article. Students will review examples of published research articles use them as a guide to write the following sections of their thesis: Title, Abstract, Introduction, Materials and Methods and Literature Cited. The Results and Discussion sections of their thesis will be completed in the next course in the sequence. Emphasis will be placed on helping students understand and develop the core question/hypothesis of their thesis, as well as finding relevant research articles and reviews in the published literature to support their underlying premise. Students will also make an oral report of their work in the format of an interview, similar to an interview as part of an application to medical school, graduate school, or for a job in academia, industry, or government. This is the first part of a two-semester sequence (414-415). For seniors completing Departmental Honors; by Special Permission only.
The course is being offered in-person. Although this course will be given in-person, there is always the possibility of a class cancellation because of inclement weather (e.g., snow) or other issues (e.g., COVID outbreak). In this case, lectures and discussions during class will transition to being synchronous and live using Zoom. If this should occur, the Meeting ID, Passcode, and URL for accessing the class on Zoom will be available as an announcement on the course Canvas site and sent to students’ email. It is incumbent on the student to check their email and the Canvas course site announcements before each class to determine if a class will be held via Zoom as an alternative.
Course Syllabus
Learning Goals
This course has been certified as satisfying the following learning goals of the Department of Genetics and the SAS Core Curriculum Goals: Writing and Communication, Revision (WCr)
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Use genetics information and ideas to critically analyze published research articles in genetics.
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Design an experiment, carry out the research using the appropriate laboratory techniques and analyze and interpret their data.
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Communicate their discoveries through a written article appropriate for publication in a peer-reviewed Genetics journal, and through talks or posters appropriate for scientific meetings.
SAS Core Learning Goals:
This course satisfies the SAS requirement for:
- Communicate effectively in modes appropriate to a discipline or area of inquiry.
- Evaluate and critically assess sources and use the conventions of attribution and citation
correctly. - Analyze and synthesize information and ideas from multiple sources to generate
new insights.
Exams, Assignments, and Grading Policy
Grades will be based on attendance, participation in class, quality of oral and written presentation, and homework. Since this course requires participation and presentations, attendance is mandatory.
Course Closed?
To request an SPN, please see the Genetics Dept. SPN website for special permission.
Course Materials
Articles from the published literature available from the Library of Science and Medicine website. No clickers or other specific requirements for in-class equipment
No required textbook. Reference book in Library of Science of Medicine: Hofmann, A.H. 2014. Scientific Writing and Communication: Papers, Proposals, and Presentations. 2nd edition. Oxford University Press, NY. Paper. ISBN 978-0-19-994756-0.
Faculty
Dr. Chris Rongo, Waksman Institute/Dept. of Genetics
** All information is subject to change at the discretion of the course coordinator.
01:447:410 Research in Genetics -Writing Intensive
- Assists students with their Honors project. Emphasis will be on analysis of research data and writing the discussion. Student will be expected to complete their results and discussion sections of their thesis. Students will also prepare both a fifteen minute platform talk and a much longer talk for their thesis defense. Finally, they will prepare a poster that explains their research to the general public.
- Semester Offered: Fall, Spring
- Credits: 1.5
- Core Curriculum: WCr, WCd
Prerequisites
Concurrent registration in 447:409 (or equivalent college-based Honors Program); By special permission number only.
Course Description
Research in Genetics- Writing Intensive is intended to provide you with an opportunity to engage in original laboratory research under the direct supervision of a faculty mentor, usually in the faculty member’s research laboratory. You are expected to carry out your own research project. NOTE: this research requires a heavy commitment of time and effort and can impact your performance in coursework, especially if you have not yet managed the foundational material for the discipline. Click here to see the expectations (see page 2).
The Department of Genetics requires a minimum of 6 credits of Independent Scholarship taken with a single advisor over two semesters (except for the Genetic Counseling Rotation, which may be performed under more than one advisor). The Research in Genetics - Writing Intensive course, 447:410 (Fall/Spring), is one option to complete this requirement.
Course Syllabi
Course Satisfies Genetics Departmental Learning Goals
- Integrate the material from multiple courses and research. That is, to think holistically and to see the whole as well as the parts.
- At the end of four years, all our students will be able to design an experiment, carry out the research using the appropriate laboratory techniques and analyze and interpret their data. They will also be able to communicate their discoveries through a written article appropriate for publication in a peer-reviewed Genetics journal, and through talks or posters appropriate for scientific meetings.
Course Satisfies SAS Core Learning Goals:
Writing and Communication, Revision (WCr)
Exams, Assignments, and Grading Policy
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Description |
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85% |
Research mentor's evaluation of your work. At the end of the semester, the department will send your research mentor a grading rubric through Qualtrics to provide his/her grade for your time in the lab and for your Semester Research Paper (see Research Mentor's Grade assignment for more details). |
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15% |
Completing other course requirements (ON TIME!) · Points will be taking off for submitting late assignments. It is your responsibility to know when each is due. I have set Canvas to take an automatic 15% reduction for each 24 hours the assignment is late (i.e., 25 hours = 30%). There are 4 assignments for this course- review the details for each on the Canvas course site. · 7% course grade: Submitting Detailed Proposal Form · 2% course grade: SURVEY: Current Independent Scholarship project and mentor information · 2% course grade: SURVEY: Additional research/independent scholarship credits · 4% course grade: Submitting your Semester Research Paper to this Canvas site |
Course Materials
No required textbook
Course Closed?
Registration is by SPN only. This course is only for Genetics majors. Please contact
Faculty
Dr. Gary Heiman
** All information is subject to change at the discretion of the course coordinator.
01:447:415 Thesis Writing and Communication in Genetics
- Semester Offered: Spring
- Credits: 1.5
- Course URL: Canvas
- Core Curriculum: WCd
Prerequisites
Concurrent registration in 447:409 (or equivalent college-based Honors Program); By special permission number only.
Course Description
Assists senior Genetics majors with their honors project. Emphasis will be on analysis and communication of research findings. Students will be expected to complete their results and discussion sections of their thesis, as well as finalize the overall thesis in preparation for defense. Students will also prepare both a ten-minute platform talk and a much longer talk for their thesis defense. Finally, they will prepare a poster that explains their research.
The course is being offered in-person. Although this course will be given in-person, there is always the possibility of a class cancellation because of inclement weather (e.g., snow) or other issues (e.g., COVID outbreak). In this case, lectures and discussions during class will transition to being synchronous and live using Zoom. The recurring “join meeting” Meeting ID, Passcode, and URL for accessing the class on Zoom will be available as an announcement on the course Canvas site and sent to students’ email. It is incumbent on the student to check their email and the Canvas course site announcements before each class to determine if a class will be held via Zoom as an alternative.
Course Satisfies Genetics Departmental Learning Goals
1. Effectively incorporate critiques from peers and faculty in their revision of written and oral communication.
2. Effectively describe their research, using relevant discipline-specific terminology with precision, accuracy & purpose.
3. Accurately and effectively present advanced scientific concepts through oral presentations and poster formats.
Course Satisfies SAS Core Learning Goals:
Writing and Communication, Revision (WCr)
Exams, Assignments, and Grading Policy
Grades will be based on attendance, participation in class, quality of oral and written presentation, and homework. Since this course requires participation
and presentations, attendance is mandatory.
Course Materials
No required textbook. Clickers are not required.
Course Closed?
Registration is by SPN only. This course is only for Genetics majors. Please contact the Genetics Department undergraduate office for an SPN.
Faculty
Dr. Chris Rongo
** All information is subject to change at the discretion of the course coordinator.
01:447:216 Analysis of Scientific Literature
- Semester Offered: Spring
- Credits: 3
- Course URL: Canvas
Prerequisites
General Biology (01:119:115-116-117 or 01:119:101-102) or equivalent. Highly recommended: 01:694:215
Course Description
Two exams (each worth 25% of the final grade) will be given. Exams will be open book. Class attendance/participation contributes 10% to the final grade. Homework assignments and notes kept in a notebook will contribute 40% to the final grade. Notebooks will be collected and graded twice during the semester.
Course Syllabus
Course Satisfies Departmental Learning Goals
- Knowledge specific goals: Know the terms, concepts and theories in genetics. While reading assigned papers, students will be introduced to terms, concepts and theories in genetics and molecular biology.
- Use genetic information and ideas to critically analyze published research articles in genetics. Students will participate in group discussion on each assigned paper.
Exams, Assignments, and Grading Policy
Two exams (each worth 25% of the final grade) will be given. Class participation/homework/notebooks will make up 50% of the final grade.
Course Materials
Several papers from primary literature will be chosen at the beginning of the semester.
Course Closed?
If this course is closed, please use the following link to add your name to the course wait list: Wait List Sign Up. If you have any questions, please contact the Division of Life Sciences-Office of Undergraduate Instruction at 848-445-2075 or visit our office at Nelson Labs B112, Busch Campus.
Faculty
Dr. D. Glodowski
** All information is subject to change at the discretion of the course coordinator.
01:447:484 Behavioral and Neural Genetics
- Semester Offered: Spring
- Credits: 3
- Course URL: Canvas
Prerequisites
Genetics 01:447:380 or Genetic Analysis I 01:447:384 and General Biology Lab 01:119:117
Methods of molecular biology are highly recommended. Statistics is also highly recommended.
Course Description
Using molecular and mouse genetics (genetically modified mice) in research on behavior, memory and neuron function with an emphasis on the contemporary methods and new discoveries in neuroscience.
The class will be held in person.
Course Syllabus
Spring 2024 Syllabus (Spring 2025 will be updated soon)
Course Learning Goals
- To understand the molecular and cellular mechanisms controlling learning, memory and behavior. To understand how these mechanisms can go wrong in mental disorders, and how mouse models can help to understand these disorders, such as depression, postpartum depression, drug addiction, post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD), autism, Alzheimer’s and others.
- To understand how the balance between nature (genes) and nurture (environment and epigenetics) shapes behavior of animals and humans.
- To be able to read and discuss peer-reviewed original research neuroscience articles published in scientific journals.
Exams, Assignments, and Grading Policy
To understand the molecular and cellular mechanisms controlling learning, memory and behavior. To understand how these mechanisms can go wrong in mental disorders, and how mouse models can help to understand these disorders, such as depression, postpartum depression, drug addiction, post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD), autism, Alzheimer’s and others. To understand how the balance between nature (genes) and nurture (environment and epigenetics) shapes behavior of animals and humans. To be able to read and discuss peer-reviewed original research neuroscience articles published in scientific journals.
Course Materials
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Principles of Neural Science, by Kandel, et al. Sixth Edition (2021), (ISBN 9781259642234) – recommended.
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Original research articles posted on Canvas website material - Required.
Course Closed?
There is no wait list for this course. Please continue to monitor WebReg for openings. Please contact the Genetics Undergraduate Office (
Faculty
Gleb P. Shumyatsky
Life Sciences Building 322, Busch Campus
** All information is subject to change at the discretion of the course coordinator.
