Course Objectives

Scientific Communication Competency

• familiarity with scientific literature
• understanding of the scientific method
• fundamentals of logic, inference and causality
• understanding of the application of science to the explanation of current events

Oral Communication Competency - 3 20 min. presentations

• Each student will make 3 20 minute presentations over the course of the semester.  For each presentation, a current event will be researched from popular press sources.  Then, using knowledge gained from coursework in Biology and from researching the current scientific literature, an explanation of the biological science issues underlying the current event will be summarized.

Written Communication Competency

• abstract and outline of each presentation will be posted on the web
• for each presentation, a hyperlinked guide to popular press articles and a scientific bibliography will be posted on the student's web page
• each student's presentation will be evaluated by their peers

Computer Communication Competency

• searching and retrieving information from electronic databases
• electronic mail functionality and etiquette
• creating and posting text and hyperlinks on your web site
• familiarity with computer presentation software