BTC 575:Class Syllabus

Scientific Discovery 

Instructor:  Dr.  Alexandra VanKley

Office:  SRC, Build. C                      Phone: 468-6930     E-mail: avankley@sfasu.edu

Office hours: TBA

Course description:

            Graduate level course for 3 credit hours for fall. An overview of the major discoveries of the last and current century in biological science (molecular biology, genetics, biochemistry etc.) which made a crucial impact on the development of medical , pharmaceutical and other biological sciences in the service of  mankind. Students will study and present to the class selected Nobel Prize presentations in order to be able to see the elegance and simplicity of these ingenious experiments. Exposure to the logic and genius of these discoveries will help students plan their own scientific activities.  

Presentation Topics & Sources. 

Each student will choose and develop at least two presentations to the class. For each presentation student will select a topic representing recent critical steps in the development of biological sciences. You could use a Nobel Prize speech to base your talk on. This speech could be found on the website http://www.nobel.se/

You must clear your topic with me by the second week of classes. In addition to the Nobel Prize speech presentations must be based on references from the primary literature (Cell, Biochemistry, Physiology, Ecology, Journal of Biochemistry, Scientific Monographs, Science, Nature, TX Journal of Science, etc.) including and relating to work for which the author won the prize.  Good sources for finding recent articles include the reference publications “Current Contents” and “Biological Abstracts”.

 Presentations: 

            You will give your presentations twice during a semester.  Expect a discussion after your presentation. You must provide the rest of us with the outlines for the talk. Your talk should include graphics to support your ideas and concepts.  You may use slides, overhead transparencies, video, and/or PowerPoint (please, request additional equipment for your presentation ahead of the time). You will also take notes during other’s presentations and use them for the examinations.

Bibliography:

            A minimum of 6 references should be used in preparation for your seminar.  A minimum of 3 should come from the primary literature.  Others will include the speech and those from published books, seminar proceedings, and literature review articles. 

Grading:

            Your final grade in this course is determined in the following manner:

                                    Presentation (2)                    100 pts x 2 (see evaluation list)

                                    Participation-                       25 pts x 2

                                    Midterm exam-                      100 pts

                                    Final                                       100 pts

                                    Total Points                             450 pts
 

            You must stay for all presentations.

Evaluation list:

            I will use the following categories to determine your presentation grade.  Each category will be ranked from 1 to10.

            Organization

            Theoretical content

            Data Presented

            Conclusions and synthesis of key points

            Eye contact with audience

            Volume and clarity of speech, rate of delivery

            Visual aids

            Attitude and enthusiasm

            Timing of presentation

            Response to questions

Bibliography quality