BIOLOGY 501 METHODS IN SCIENTIFIC RESEARCH

FALL 2012

CLASSES SCHEDULED IN FR-2052, TUESDAYS AT 5-7PM (unless otherwise noted)

Dr. Robert Roer - Office Hours by Appointment – James Hall (x4117, roer@uncw.edu)

All course PowerPoints are available from the course link on www.uncw.edu/people/roer

DATE TOPIC

Aug. 28 Introduction, e-mail, forms, committees, etc.; the prospectus, prospectus symposium, comprehensive exams, grants and research support

Sep. 04 Computer literature searches (meet in Randall Library 1022) - Mr. Peter Fritzler

Sep. 11 Safety - fire, chemicals, biohazards, radioactive materials - Ms. Deb Tew (Environmental Health and Safety) – read paper by 1st featured

seminar speaker (Dr. Michael Durako)

Sep. 18 Advanced database searching and the use of EndNote Web (meet in Randall Library 1022) - Mr. Peter Fritzler – discuss paper by 1st featured

seminar speaker – attend seminar (09/21)

Sep. 25 The scientific method, introduction to experimental design – read paper by 2nd featured seminar speaker (Dr. Zachary Long)

Oct. 02 Core facilities and faculty expertise (Friday and Dobo Halls)

Oct. 09 FALL BREAK

Oct. 16 Core facilities – Center for Marine Science (meet in the CMS lobby)

Oct. 23 The thesis and the scientific paper, the craft of scientific communication & making presentations – discuss paper by 2nd featured seminar speaker –

attend seminar (10/26) – read paper by 3rd featured seminar speaker (Dr. Will White)

Oct. 30 The prospectus symposium, prelims and expectations (Drs. Pabst & Pawlik); career paths in science – discuss paper by 3rd featured seminar

speaker – attend seminar (11/02)

Nov. 06 Responsible Conduct of Research

Nov. 13 Responsible Conduct of Research, http://www.uncw.edu/ors/rcr.html

Nov. 20 THANKSGIVING BREAK

Nov. 27 RCR review & questions

Dec. 04 PowerPoint Presentations – Literature Reviews due via e-mail attachment

Learning Outcomes & Expectations:

This course is NOT:

• A statistics course – you’ll probably need to take one or more, however.
• A “content” course – you’re not going to learn anything about biology, marine biology or marine science. Lots of other courses you’ll take will deal with content.

At the end of this course YOU SHOULD:

• Have gotten a good, solid start on your thesis prospectus.
• Have the library skills necessary to research your thesis topic.
• Know the minimum laboratory safety skills required to prevent injury to you and your students.
• Be aware that knowledge of statistics is important and that you need to consult with a statistician (or someone equally knowledgeable) BEFORE you commit to a research design.
• Be acquainted with the scientific method and the elements of experimental design.
• Be able to critically read, evaluate and discuss a scientific paper.
• Have an appreciation of some of the considerations of scientific writing and presentation.
• Understand and appreciate the range of issues regarding the responsible conduct of research.

Requirements and Grading: You will be expected to complete a literature search (the library staff will assist you as required). You must turn in a draft of the literature review section of your prospectus by the last scheduled class. You must also turn in a draft of a Sigma Xi Grant-in-Aid of Research Proposal (http://www.sigmaxi.org/programs/giar/appopen.shtml).

Grades are calculated on a 10 point scale and will be based upon:

• Participation in paper discussions and attendance at the seminars (5%)

• Completion of the CITI Responsible Conduct of Research module (evidenced by copy of the certificate of completion) (30%)
• Short (2-3 slide) PowerPoint presentation on your research topic (5%)
• Preparation of a Sigma Xi Grants-in-Aid of Research proposal (20%)

· Draft of the literature review portion of your prospectus (40%)

Academic Integrity: All members of UNCW’s community are expected to follow the academic Honor Code. Please read the UNCW Honor Code carefully (as covered in the UNCW Student Handbook). Academic dishonesty in any form will not be tolerated in this class.

Please be especially familiar with UNC-W’s position on plagiarism as outlined on in the UNCW Student Handbook. Plagiarism is a form of academic dishonesty in which you take someone else’s ideas and represent them as your own.

Students with Disabilities: Students with diagnosed disabilities should contact the Office of Disability Services (962-7555). Please give me a copy of the letter you receive from Office of Disability Services detailing class accommodations you may need.

Religious Observance Policy

In accordance with NC SL 2010-211, you are entitled to two excused absences for religious observances per academic year.