Posted: January 22, 2021
Course
Description
This course will expose
students to a diverse range of research topics explored by departmental faculty
and students, as well as individuals from other institutions.
Course Goals
and Objectives
Students who successfully
complete BIOL 6988 will be provided the tools needed for continued learning in
the area of their choice by achieving the following specific objectives:
- understand the real-world application of the scientific method
- efficiently and effectively communicate scientific knowledge
- understand the fundamentals of particular biological processes
- select an area of concentration or a specific research project/mentor to complete their graduate degree
BIOL 6988 will help prepare
students for professional careers and aid them in the selection of a research
topic/mentor. As such, this course is designed to help students strive towards
the following specific goals:
- learn the fundamental concepts underlying selected biological systems
- recognize the importance of proper public dissemination of information
- learn to write effectively about biology-related topic
- learning scientific terminology
Grade
Component
A student's grade for this
course will be based upon the following items:
Attendance: This grade
component comprises 60% of a student's course grade. Excused
absences are subject to Dr. Cooper's
prerogative per University policy (see below). For each unexcused
absence, 5% of the attendance grade will be deducted from a student's score for this grade component. That is, if a student has more than two unexcused absences during the semester, that person is now vying to maintain a grade of "B". Earning a grade of "A" is not possible with three unexcused absences and is dubious with two unexcused absences.
For the definition of an "excused absence", see "Absence from Classes and Examinations" at the following URL: https://catalog.ysu.edu/undergraduate/general-information/academic-policies-procedures/grading-system/.
For the definition of an "excused absence", see "Absence from Classes and Examinations" at the following URL: https://catalog.ysu.edu/undergraduate/general-information/academic-policies-procedures/grading-system/.
Participation: This grade
component comprises 40% of a student's course grade. Each week, a student (termed a "scribe" as listed in the seminar schedule) will be assigned to summarize,
in 50 words or less, the seminar from a given date and to post that summary
on the Course Blog. In the same post following this summary, the
student will present a deep thought question related to the presentation.
Students enrolled in the course, other than the presenter, are
required to respond thoughtfully to the summary AND the question
posed. The presenter may respond at their option to any comments.
However, responses to queries from Dr. Cooper are also
required. Dr. Cooper's queries may be directed at a specific
student or to all students. Students are also free to contribute more than
one comment. The deadline to respond to comments is Thursday at 5:00 PM
prior to the following Friday's seminar.
All posts should be
carefully constructed and in good taste. Each student's participation in
this blog conversation will be subjectively scored by Dr. Cooper.
NOTE: Student responses will be scored by Dr. Cooper with regard to content, depth, and proper grammar. In addition, to be eligible for credit, student responses must be submitted by the deadline stated above. Each week's participation is worth up to 5% of towards a student's course grade.
NOTE: Student responses will be scored by Dr. Cooper with regard to content, depth, and proper grammar. In addition, to be eligible for credit, student responses must be submitted by the deadline stated above. Each week's participation is worth up to 5% of towards a student's course grade.
In addition to the above, each student will evaluate their peer's presentation in the course. Details will be forthcoming. Submission of each evaluation is worth up to 5% of towards a student's course grade.
Grading
Scale
This scale is absolute,
i.e., there is no curving!
A student's grade for this
course will be based upon the following scale:
- 90% or more, Grade of A
- 80% to 89.99% , Grade of B
- 70% to 79.99%, Grade of C
- 60% to 69.99%, Grade of D
- 59.99% or less, Grade of F
Classroom
and Laboratory Decorum
Academic Dishonesty. Students are
hereby notified that academic dishonesty, in all its forms, will be met with
severe sanctions, including the possibility of dismissal from the University. Knowing
about past, current, or impending cases of academic dishonesty and not reporting
it to me or your teaching assistant is also a culpable action.
Electronic
Communication/Data Storage Devices.
During seminar, except for participating in seminar via the WebEX plat, all cellular telephones or other electronic communication
devices must be turned off or set in the quiet/vibration mode of operation
Simply put: NO CALLS, TEXTING, OR WEB SURFING DURING SEMINAR!!!
Decorum. At all times, students are expected to
exhibit behavior appropriate. Such behavior is delimited by University
policy. Inappropriate behavior is subject to expulsion from that
day's seminar.
Email Communications
Students may contact me by using any email system they desire. However, all electronic communications initiated by me with students enrolled in this course will only be made using the University’s YSU Mass Email system. Hence, the use of the YSU email account provided to you is mandatory. Please be sure to activate your free YSU email account and check it periodically for messages from me. Students are especially encouraged to check their email messages the morning prior to class for any last minute notifications. Missing any email message from me because you did not activate you YSU email account or by your failure to check for messages on a regular basis will not form the basis of an acceptable excuse for not being aware of information critical to this course.
In accordance with University procedures, if you have a documented disability and require accommodations to obtain equal access in this course, please contact me privately to discuss your specific needs. You must be registered with the Center for Student Progress Disability Services (http://cms.ysu.edu/administrative-offices/center-student-progress/disability-services). The Center is located in Room 2082 in Kilcawley Center. An eligible student must provide a letter to me so that I can coordinate reasonable accommodations. You can reach Center for Student Progress Disability Services at the following telephone number: 330.941.1372.
Students may contact me by using any email system they desire. However, all electronic communications initiated by me with students enrolled in this course will only be made using the University’s YSU Mass Email system. Hence, the use of the YSU email account provided to you is mandatory. Please be sure to activate your free YSU email account and check it periodically for messages from me. Students are especially encouraged to check their email messages the morning prior to class for any last minute notifications. Missing any email message from me because you did not activate you YSU email account or by your failure to check for messages on a regular basis will not form the basis of an acceptable excuse for not being aware of information critical to this course.
In accordance with University procedures, if you have a documented disability and require accommodations to obtain equal access in this course, please contact me privately to discuss your specific needs. You must be registered with the Center for Student Progress Disability Services (http://cms.ysu.edu/administrative-offices/center-student-progress/disability-services). The Center is located in Room 2082 in Kilcawley Center. An eligible student must provide a letter to me so that I can coordinate reasonable accommodations. You can reach Center for Student Progress Disability Services at the following telephone number: 330.941.1372.
Your welfare is important to me more than just in the classroom or laboratory.
Students often experience stressful and difficult events as part of their normal life and educational activities. While I am more than willing to assist you address these situations, I am not a professional counselor. A better means exists to help manage personal challenges that threaten your emotional or academic well-being. YSU offers counseling services on-campus that are available to you at no cost. These services are completely confidential and in no way connected to your academic record. Students are strongly encouraged to take advantage of this valuable resource.
YSU Student Counseling Services (https://ysu.edu/student-counseling-services) is located in 2082 Kilcawley Center. The office is open Monday – Friday, 8:00 AM – 5:00 PM. Appointments can be made by calling 330.941.3737.
Additional support can be found at https://ysu.edu/student-experience-outreach-support.
Moreover, if you have a concern regarding a friend or other individual, you can file a referral at https://ysu.educoncern-referral.
Non-Discrimination Policy
Youngstown
State University does not discriminate on the basis of race, color, national
origin, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity and/or expression, disability,
age, religion or veteran/military status in its programs or activities. Please
visit the Electronic and Information Technology Accessibility web page (http://cms.ysu.edu/accessibility/electronic-information-technology-“eit”-accessibility-compliance)
for the contact
information of persons designated to handle questions about this policy.
Students are advised that they
possess certain rights under FERPA.
Moreover, YSU employees are restricted from divulging certain
information about you, including your academic record, without your explicit
permission. This restriction includes
your parents. Therefore, please explain
to your parents that I cannot entertain inquiries about you from them or others
without your explicit, written permission.
If I am contacted by someone, I must follow FERPA regulations. Additional information regarding FERPA can be
found at the following URL: http://cms.ysu.edu/administrative-offices/registrar/ferpa.
Syllabus
Acknowledgement Statement
Students are required to
submit a Syllabus Acknowledgement Statement (SAS) to me. Without the SAS,
I will not officially record any grades or scores for this course. In
essence, by submitting this statement, you signify that you have accessed and
reviewed the blog syllabus as well as agree to abide by all of its requirements
and policies. Submit the SAS to me by following the instructions given
below exactly as indicated.
Using your YSU email
account, send the following message to Dr. Cooper at crcooper01@ysu.edu:
Subject Line [must be used exactly as noted here]:
BIOL 6988 Syllabus Acknowledgement - Spring 2021
Message: [must use this wording - copy and paste]
I hereby
acknowledge that I have accessed and read each of the links/documents on web
page corresponding to BIOL 6988 in which I am enrolled.
In addition,
with this email message, I agree with the following statements:
- I fully understand the policies set forth in this syllabus.
- I acknowledge and understand that my failure to abide by these policies may have significant academic consequences for which I am solely responsible.
- I acknowledge and agree that the content described by this syllabus can be changed at the discretion of the course instructor in order to meet the course objectives.
- My signature does not in any manner signify the waiver of any rights granted to me by the policies, rules, and regulations of Youngstown State University.
