Senior Senior BSC 4931          Fall 2008

Professor Laurie Richardson      OE 167

Office hours by appointment

Class:  Thursdays, 11:00 - 12:15, GC 271A

Schedule:

Aug 25       Introduction; division into mini-symposia

Sep 2          Selection of topics; discussion

Sep 9          How to research your topic - GL 280

Sep 16        List of 5 references due

Sep 23        How to write a paper

Sep 30        General outline of papers due; 5 additional

                 references due; how to give a talk

Oct 7         Powerpoint pointers; scheduling talks

Oct 14       Detailed outline of papers due;

                 abstract due

Oct 21       Presentations - Group 1

                Oral presentation grading rubric

Oct 28       Presentations - Group 2

Nov 4        Presentations - Group 3

Nov  11      University Closed

Nov 18      Presentations - Group 4 - Papers due

                 (email papers to richardl@fiu.edu)

                 Paper grading rubric

Nov 25      Presentations - Group 5

Dec 2         Career Services presentation

Dec 9         Exit exam - ETS Major Field Test in Biology

                 12:00 - 2:00

                 HLS 360 Biology Computer Lab (HLS2)

                 Exit Test Description

                      Sample Questions

Grading:  There will be 100 points total, as follows:

            General outline:     10%

            Detailed outline:    10%

            Abstract:             10%

            Talk:                   25%

            Paper:                  30%

            Attendance:            5%

            ETS exam:            10%

Grading standards: 

All papers must be provided as a Microsoft Word document.  They will be checked for plagiarism using 'Turn-it-In'.  Any paper that includes any amount of plagiarized material will be given an F, and the grade for the entire course will be an F.  No exceptions!

Plagiarism:  "The act of plagiarizing."

Plagiarize:   "To take and pass off as one's own (the ideas, writings, etc. of another)."   from Webster's Dictionary

"Florida International University is a community dedicated to generating and
imparting knowledge through excellent teaching and research, the rigorous
and respectful exchange of ideas, and community service. All students should
respect the right of others to have an equitable opportunity to learn and
honestly to demonstrate the quality of their learning. Therefore, all
students are expected to adhere to a standard of academic conduct, which
demonstrates respect for themselves, their fellow students, and the
educational mission of the University. All students are deemed by the
University to understand that if they are found responsible for academic
misconduct, they will be subject to the Academic Misconduct procedures and
sanctions, as outlined in the Student Handbook."