SENIOR THESIS

Spring, 2009

 

THE SENIOR THESIS

                  

  PURPOSE AND GOALS

 

     The purpose of this class is to prepare biology majors and others for the fundamental scientific ritual of professional communication.  This involves understanding the goals and procedures of science and of the scientific method.  The goal for each student is to execute a research project with potential publishable value and produce an acceptable, publishable scientific communication in the format of a chosen scientific journal.

 

 

                                                            CLASS SCHEDULE

 

Jan.   8 ‑ Orientation‑‑what is expected.

 

Jan.  15 ‑ Project Presentations                             Preliminary Proposal due

                                            

Jan.  22 ‑ The Abstract                                          Fin. Prop. & Pre. Abs. due

                                            

Jan.  29 ‑ Progress Reports                                   "Final" abstract due

                                            

Feb.   5 ‑ The Introduction                                      Preliminary introduction due

                                            

Feb.  12 ‑ Progress Reports                                   Final Intro. due

                                            

Feb.  19 ‑ Materials and Methods                           Preliminary mat & met due

                                              

Feb.  26 ‑ Progress reports                                    Final mat & met due

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Mar.   5 ‑ Results and Discussion                           Preliminary results/discus. due

                                             

Mar.  12 – Spring Break                                         Final Results/discus. due

                                            

Mar.  19 ‑ Summary and Conclusions                     Preliminary sum./conclu. due   

                                            

Mar   26 - Progress Reports                                   Final…sum./conclu.due    

                                                      

Apr.   2 ‑ Curriculum Vitae                                      Preliminary bibliography due

                                            

Apr.  9 ‑ Practice Symposium                               Curriculum Vitae /first copy of paper

 

Apr.  16 - Research Symposium/Final paper due

 

 

                                            

EXPECTATIONS

    

Attendance and participation will be expected.  A committment to excellence and to critical thinking and a positive attitude toward acquiring new knowledge on the part of each student are anticipated.

 

 

GRADING

 

     Grading will be based upon the satisfactory completion of each assignment including oral presentations on time.  Grading will be by cumulative subjective evaluation of each assignment by established criteria (see below).  Following instructions, and regular consultation with advisors and instructors are highly recommended.  A final research paper in fully publishable form for a chosen target journal will be due no later than April 20.  All assignments will be done on a word processor. 

 

 

║A full grade penalty will be exacted for each day late, each assignment     ║

║"That is a good excuse, allright, but I have to treat everyone the same"     ║

 

Grading:

Attendance (present in seat at 12:00)                               15 points (one per class). 

Class presentations  (preparation, posture, presentation) 15 points. (two per pres.)

Class assignments  (met expect., originality, crit. thinking)        15 points  (one  per assign.)

Research Symposium  (preparation, posture, presentation)        20 points

Final Paper  (scope, execution, completion, clarity of expression,

  format, composition)                         35  points

 

Class grade:

90 - 100 points                A

80 - 89 points                  B

70 - 79 points                  C

60 - 69 points                  D

below 60 points               F