BIOLOGY 501 METHODS IN SCIENTIFIC RESEARCH

FALL 2009

CLASSES SCHEDULED IN FR-1014, 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 READING

Aug. 25 Introduction, e-mail, forms, committees, etc.; the Grad. Student Handbook

prospectus, prospectus symposium, comprehensive

exams, grants and research support (Bio./Mar. Bio. or Mar. Sci.)

Sep. 01 Computer literature searches (meet in Randall Library

“Glass” Classroom - 1^st floor) - Mr. Peter Fritzler

Sep. 08 Safety - fire, chemicals, biohazards, radioactive materials

- Ms. Deb Tew (Environmental Health and Safety)

Sep. 15 The scientific method, introduction to experimental design Chaps. 1 & 2

Sep. 22 Basic sampling theory and experimental design Chaps. 3 & 4

Sep. 29 Basic considerations for statistical analysis - Take-Home

Exam

Oct. 06 FALL BREAK

Oct. 13 Core facilities and faculty expertise

Oct. 20 The thesis and scientific paper, PowerPoint - capturing Chaps. 5-10

images & making presentations, tables and figures

Oct. 27 Learning outcomes

Nov. 03 Prospectus symposium, prelims and expectations –

Drs. Pabst & Pawlik

Nov. 10 Responsible Conduct of Research Chap. 11

http://www.uncw.edu/orssp/Responsible-Conduct.html

Nov. 17 RCR review & questions – PowerPoint Presentations

Nov. 24 THANKSGIVING BREAK

Dec. 01 PowerPoint Presentations - Literature Reviews due via e-mail attachment

Text: Valiela, Ivan (2001) Doing Science. Oxford Univ. Press, New York. 294p.

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.
• 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 also turn in a draft of the literature review section of your prospectus by the last scheduled class. Grades are calculated on a 10 point scale and will be based upon the mid-term exam (20%), completion of the CITI Responsible Conduct of Research module (evidenced by copy of the certificate of completion) (20%), a short (2-3 slide) PowerPoint presentation on your research topic (10%), and the literature review portion of your prospectus (50%).

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.