Florida Gulf Coast University
BSC 4933: Current Topics in Biology
Course Description, Syllabus & Schedule

Click here to see the syllabus

Click here for a word version of the critique of a Scientific Research Paper that you should do for each paper we examine.

Instructor:

Nora Egan Demers, Ph D. Comparative Immunologist

Whitaker Hall 218
Phone: 590-7211
e-mail: ndemers@fgcu.edu

Course:
BSC 4933: Current Topics in Biology
Offered by College of Arts & Sciences, Department of Biological Sciences
Pre-requisite: ISC 3120

1. Credit hours

Course Description:
Special sessions exploring the literature in Biological Sciences. Students will receive Satisfactory "S" or Unsatisfactory "U" grades for this course.
Participants in this one-credit hour seminar will have the opportunity to gain proficiency in reading and interpreting current primary literature in the biological sciences. 

Course Materials: 
There are no required texts for this course.  Readings will come from journals and from other resources.  This requires the readings be chosen early so that they can be made available to all class members quickly.

Grading, Attendance and Participation:
Students will be graded based on a pass/no pass scale based on their attendance and participation in class discussions. 
Missing more than 2 class meeting will result in a no pass grade.  Non-participation in class discussion will result in a no pass grade.  Arriving more than ten minutes late to class will count as half an absence.  More than four late arrivals will result in not passing the class. There will be no exams or term papers

Click here for a word version of the critique of a Scientific Research Paper that you should do for each paper we examine.

Assignments:  A summary of the articles or reading and questions for discussion are required- this is due at the beginning of the class period on the day of discussion of each article.  The summary and discussion questions must be typed and contain a complete citation of the article.  

A complete citation contains the following and should be provided in APA format:

If these summaries are not submitted on the day of the discussion, it may result in you earning a no pass grade.

 

Teaching Philosophy:

The course will have an informal structure with students and faculty discussing papers for presentation.  Ultimately we should gain a better understanding of current topics in Biology.  In order for the class to be successful, all participants must come to class prepared.  Papers need to be critically evaluated before class and thoughts and points for discussion must be outlined.  The faculty and students will share moderation of discussions. 

Student Learning Outcomes, Course Objectives & Assessment:

Objective	Assessment
Further student knowledge of the practice of science	Discuss current scientific literature- evaluate success by quality of discussions
Encourage scientific interaction among participants	Evaluate the amount and success of creating a non- intimidating seminar atmosphere by quality of discussions
Ability to use library resources effectively.	A collection of pertinent literature will be collected through the term (by the students)
Critical review of literature	Class discussions and written record of critical reading of chosen literature including outlines and items for discussion
Effective communication	Student moderation of class discussion, written outlines & comments

Academic Behavior Standards and Academic Dishonesty

All students are expected to demonstrate honesty in their academic pursuits. The university policies regarding issues of honesty can be found in the FGCU Student Guidebook under the Student Code of Conduct and Policies and Procedures sections.  All students are expected to study this document which outlines their responsibilities and consequences for violations of the policy.   The FGCU Student Guidebook is available online at http://studentservices.fgcu.edu/judicialaffairs/new.html

Disability Accommodations Services

Florida Gulf Coast University, in accordance with the Americans with Disabilities Act and the university’s guiding principles, will provide classroom and academic accommodations to students with documented disabilities. If you need to request an accommodation in this class due to a disability, or you suspect that your academic performance is affected by a disability, please contact the Office of Adaptive Services. The Office of Adaptive Services is located in Howard Hall 137. The phone number is 239-590-7956 or TTY 239-590-7930

Student Observance of Religious Holidays

All students at Florida Gulf Coast University have a right to expect that the University will reasonably accommodate their religious observances, practices, and beliefs.  Students, upon prior notification to their instructors, shall be excused from class or other scheduled academic activity to observe a religious holy day of their faith. Students shall be permitted a reasonable amount of time to make up the material or activities covered in their absence. Students shall not be penalized due to absence from class or other scheduled academic activity because of religious observances. Where practicable, major examinations, major assignments, and University ceremonies will not be scheduled on a major religious holy day. A student who is to be excused from class for a religious observance is not required to provide a second party certification of the reason for the absence.

Course Schedule

During week 1 we will be introduced to each other and the topic. On subsequent weeks we will do a careful critical evaulation of primary literature regarding Endocrine disruptors.