BIOL 494 Outline

THE KING'S UNIVERSITY

TERM:

2020-21 Winter

COURSE NUMBER:

BIOL 494

COURSE TITLE:

Senior Independent Project

NAME OF INSTRUCTOR:

Dr Vern Peters

CREDIT WEIGHT AND WEEKLY TIME DISTRIBUTION:

credits 2(hrs lect 0 - hrs sem 1 - hrs lab 3)

COURSE DESCRIPTION:

In this course students conduct an independent project, designed in consultation with the instructor. This project may be an independent research project in the laboratories at the University, a cooperative project with a public agency, or a biological literature research project. Other ventures are possible. Before the work commences, the student is required to submit a detailed proposal. Upon completion of the project, the results must be presented in the form of a paper and a seminar.

Prerequisites: BIOL 397

REQUIRED MATERIALS:

Resources provided in BIOL 397 will provide the basis for approaches used in BIOL 494
Reserve Journal Readings will be made available on moodle
Reviewer guides from select journals

MARK DISTRIBUTION IN PERCENT:


Phase 1 – Topic Selection	5%
Phase 2 - Outline	10%
Phase 3 - Bibliography	10%
Phase 4 - Peer review of Draft 1	10%
Phase 5 - 2nd Draft of paper (prof review)	15%
Phase 6 Final paper	30%
Phase 7 Final presentation	10%
Initiative and Professionalism	10%

	100%

COURSE OBJECTIVES AND OUTCOMES:

To identify an important scientific question/topic and identify the supporting literature that frames the question.
To develop writing skills that incorporate detailed planning, feedback from peers, and clarification of the topic and supporting evidence.
To develop scientific reviewer skills that enable you to function as a collaborator and colleague on a scientific paper, and as a potential coauthor.
To position students to enter the job market or professional after degree programs with new subject matter expertise and skills.

COURSE CONDUCT:

Student participation in:

Identifying issues each class with completing project components
Resolving issues through discussion of methods/techniques from Research Methods.
Supporting peers, and creating a professional environment of mutual support, critique, and personal growth.

TOPIC OUTLINE:

Topic Selection
Bibligraphy
Paper Outline
Draft 1
Draft 2
Final Paper
Presentation Submission
Presenation at Research Days

Required texts, assignments, and grade distributions may vary from one offering of this course to the next. Please consult the course instructor for up to date details.