NEURL-UA 301 Neural Science Honors Seminar Sample Syllabus
Text: Hailman, J.P. and Strier, K.B. Planning, Proposing, and Presenting Science Effectively. Cambridge University Press, Cambridge, 2006. Macrina, F.L. Scientific Integrity, 3rd Ed., ASM Press, Washington, 2005
Schedule:
1. Research Foundations: Experimental Design, and Scientific Epistemolology.
How to Present Research: Framing the Question and Approach.
Reading: Hailman and Strier, Ch. 1- How to Plan Research.
2. Student Oral Presentations of Research Plan.
Each student presents a 5-min research statement, offers feedback for other presenters.
3. Exploring the Mentor-Trainee Relationship.
Reading: Macrina, Ch. 1 - Methods, Manners, and the Responsible Conduct of Research
Ch. 2 - Ethics and the Scientist
4. Science Writing (also: How to Structure Your Thesis)
Reading: Hailman & Strier, Ch. 3 - How to Write a Research Report. *Journal Club article selection due.
5. Student Journal Club Presentations 1.
*1-page Journal Club link to student’s research due
6. Student Journal Club Presentations 2.
*1-page Journal Club link to student’s research due
7. Ethical Treatment of Research Subjects.
Reading: Macrina, Ch. 5 - Use of Humans in Biomedical Experiments.
Ch. 6 - Use of Animals in Biomedical Experiments.
*Paper: preliminary Introduction due.
8. Authorship and Publication Practices.
Oral Presentation Skills: Best Practices for Posters and Talks.
Reading: Macrina, Ch. 4 - Authorship and Peer Review Hailman and Strier, Ch. 4 – How to Present Research
9. Three-Minute Student Research Presentations.
10. Data Acquisition, Management, and Analysis.
Reading: Macrina, Ch. 11 - Scientific Record Keeping *Paper: preliminary Methods due.
11. Responsible Conduct of Research.
Reading: Macrina, Ch. 1 – Methods, Manners, and the Responsible Conduct of Research Ch. 2 – Ethics and the Scientist.
12. Student Research Presentations and Class Critiques 1.
Each student presents a 10-min presentation on project, offers feedback for other presenters *Paper: preliminary Results and Figures due.
13. Student Research Presentations and Class Critiques 2.
Each student presents a 10-min presentation on project, offers feedback for other presenters.
14. Survival Skills for Research-Inspired Careers
*Final paper due.
Grading:
Preliminary statement and review of research goals: 5%
Each student presents a 5-min research statement, and offers feedback for other presenters.
Journal club
Each student chooses an effective research article, and leads a presentation. Class members provide constructive feedback, and discuss the implications of the article. The presenter must manage all of this within 15 mins. Student submits one-page summary of how the article is relevant to his/her research. Individual oral presentation: 10%
Class participation: 10%
1-page written account of link to student’s research: 4%
Research oral presentation (3 mins): 10%
Each student gives a 3-min presentation of his/her laboratory research, with just one slide, and offers feedback for other presenters.
Research oral presentation (10 mins)
Each student gives a 10-min presentation of his/her laboratory research. Class members ask questions, and critique the presentation (5 mins).
Individual presentation: 20%
Class participation: 10%
Final research paper
The paper may serve as a preliminary draft of the Honors Thesis; further details in class.
Preliminary Introduction: 2%
Preliminary Methods: 2%
Preliminary Results and Figures: 2%
Final paper: 25%
TOTAL:100%