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.
