Catalyst SeminarBSCI 279C / BSCI 279HSpring 2012Instructors:
Overview: The Catalyst Seminar has two overarching learning goals:
Students will learn about the research currently being conducted at the University of Maryland through a series of faculty seminars and informal receptions. The seminar will also provide an opportunity for students to learn skills essential for becoming successful student researchers, such as strategies for negotiating the research process, locating a faculty mentor, ethics in science, and critical analysis of research papers and proposals. Text: Pechenik, J.A. 2010. A Short Guide to Writing about Biology, 7th ed. New York: Longman. The text is *required* but I am flexible about the edition. If you choose to purchase an older version, be aware that the chapter and page numbers may not correspond perfectly to the newest version. Website: Our course's home page is accessible through ELMS. You can reach your personal area of blackboard directly by logging in to http://www.elms.umd.edu/. You can also access the syllabus and class information directly at http://www.chemlife.umd.edu/hhmi/catalyst. Class meeting time: 3:30-4:45 Monday, room 1243 Biology/Psychology Building Assignment of grades: The final grade for the course will be based upon a total of 160 possible points. Instead of having a small number of high stakes assignments, this course will have a larger number of small assignments that build over the semester. Instructions and due dates for all graded assignments are given on the Assignments webpage. Late assignments will acrue a penalty of 10% for each day past the due date. Format of written assignments: Some assignments will be submitted using the Calibrated Peer Review system, while others will be submitted in ELMS. For details on how to submit each assignment, see the Assignments page. Academic Dishonesty:
The University of Maryland, College Park has a nationally recognized Code of Academic Integrity, administered by the Student Honor Council.This Code sets standards for academic integrity at Maryland for all undergraduate and graduate students. As a student you are responsible for upholding these standards for this course. It is very important for you to be aware of the consequences of cheating, fabrication, facilitation, and plagiarism. For more information on the Code of Academic Integrity or the Student Honor Council, please visit To further exhibit your commitment to academic integrity, remember to sign the Honor Pledge on all examinations and assignments: "I pledge on my honor that I have not given or received any unauthorized assistance on this examination (assignment)." Class schedule:
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| Date | Topic | Readings and Assignments Due |
| Jan. 30 |
Why? The role of undergraduate research experiences in your professional development | |
| Feb. 6 | How? Finding the right kind of undergraduate research opportunity |
Personal Introduction (submit in CPR) Oral Introduction (in class) |
| Feb. 13 | What? The philosophy of research and the role of peer review |
Peer Review of Personal Introductions (calibration exercises and peer review in CPR)
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| Feb. 20 |
Faculty research presentations |
Read Ch. 1, Ch. 3, Ch. 6, Ch. 7, Ch. 13 |
| Feb. 27 |
HHMI Undergraduate Research Symposium 4:00 PM The Colonnade, Bioscience Research Building
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Interview two HHMI Undergraduate Research Fellows (in class)
Non-technical Summary (submit in CPR) |
| Mar. 5 | Faculty research presentations | Faculty Interest Statements #1-#3 |
| Mar. 12 | Faculty research presentations |
Ch. 6 (Revising), pp. 117-125 Non-technical Summary (calibration exercises and peer review of Non-technical Summary in CPR) |
| Mar. 19 | Spring Break - no class | |
| Mar. 26 | Faculty research presentations | |
| Apr. 2 |
Faculty research presentations |
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| Apr. 9 | Ethics in science |
Ch. 3, pp. 42-45 |
| Apr. 16 | How to write a great grant proposal The grants review process Grant review panels
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Faculty Interest Statements #7-#8
Ch. 10 (Writing Research Proposals) |
| Apr. 23 | No class | |
| Apr. 30 |
No class |
Grant review panel assignment due |
| May 7 |
No class |
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| May 14 |
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Scientific ideas assignment due |