Brewer section:

The goal of my section is to prepare students to confidently write, format, and submit a research manuscript for publication. Much of the work in the course is focused on writing from experience, rather than from sources. Each hands-on project builds upon the skills developed in the previous project: an Observation Project leads to a Methods Project that leads to a Research Proposal and finally culminates in a whole-class Research Project. In each project, students actually conduct some research and write a paper in a format that would be suitable for submission to a peer-reviewed journal.

Healey section:

As a biologist you may work in the private or public sector; for a company, the government, or a non-governmental organization; you may be working at a science museum, a university, the capital for a member of Congress, a biotechnology company, an environmental consultancy a newspaper, or one of many non-governmental organizations (NGOs) ranging from health advocacy to conservation groups. In this writing seminar, you will learn about and practice different types of written and verbal communication and prepare for life after school. The format may be different among careers but the fundamental principles of communication are the same. You will work on four pieces of written and verbal communication representative of these careers, such as design for a new science exhibit or an ecological assessment report. Each piece involves outlines, drafts, and final versions. You will have one-on-one and small-group meetings with the instructor to give and receive feedback on your and other students' writing. Biologists employed in different careers will visit and discuss their experiences to round out the seminar.

Kunkel section:

This course fulfills 2 credits of the Junior Writing Requirement and provides a framework for practicing several of the principal forms of writing that Biologists will be called on to do during their career. Six Projects span the major modes of verbal and written communication by scientists. Ten ad hoc assignments provide smaller tasks in scientific communication. Meetings are principally held in the Biological Computer Resource Center. All projects and assignments are submitted electronically and projects can be redone once for an improved grade. The six projects include an abstract, a CV, a technical report, a popular essay, an annotated bibliography and an oral or poster symposium presentation. Students are arranged into 6 base groups which chose their own joint term topic and a personal subtopic. Students are further divided into one of six ad hoc groups to carry out some assignments. Email communication with fellow students and the instructor are required to hone communication skills. A final grade is based on the 6 projects and 10 assignments.

For other instructors, contact the instructor directly for a course description.

Fulfills biology core requirement area(s):

None

Fulfills plant requirement for biology majors?

No

Fulfills lab requirement for biology majors?

No

Fulfills general education requirement for non-biology majors?

No