Biology 300, Research in Biological Sciences

Fall, 2000

Dr. Kristina Schierenbeck

Holt 118; 898-6410: kschierenbeck@csuchico.edu

Office hours: M,W 8:30 - 11:00

http://www.csuchico.edu/~kschiere

Course Objectives:

Orientation to CSUC Biology Graduate Program

Introduction to faculty research areas

Strategies used in molecular, cellular, organismic and ecological research and facilities available in Holt Hall.

Develop a masters thesis proposal.

Texts:

Graduate Student Handbook - Dept of Biology

Handbook of Biological Investigation. 1995. Fifth Edition. H. W. Ambrose, III and Katharine P. Ambrose. Hunter Textbooks, Inc.

Good web pages:

http://www.sinc.sunysb.edu/stu/pjeffrie/Survivinggradschool.html

http://www.gradview.com/articles/surviving.html

http://lsvl.la.asu.edu/plantbiology/text/handbook.htm

http://www.wm.edu/csrv/career/stualum/graddir/gcontent.html

http://www.cs.indiana.edu/docproject/grad.stuff.html

http://www.graduate.umaryland.edu/r_lib.html

http://www.library.uiuc.edu/Bix/subjguides/training.htm

Supplies:

Overhead transparencies; Bound journal; Access to Power Point or similar presentation program

Attendance

Your presence and participation at each class meeting adds to the value of this class for all of us, and therefore, you are required to attend all sessions.

Grading:

50% Journal & Writing assignments

30% Oral reports and discussion

20% Thesis Proposal (written/oral)

Journal Records: Entry following each period. (*It will be essential to set up the journal sections before your recording information!)

1. Organize class notes into meaningful order (most important information).

2. For each faculty guest include: background, research, list of possible questions and hypotheses, and one page description of a possible master's project.

3. List of departmental facilities by room.

4. List of strategies used in all areas of biology.

5. Table of contents by page and topic

Sect 1 - General Information Sect 2 - Faculty; Sect 3 - Dept. Facilities and Strategies.

6. Due November 28.

Mini-Thesis Proposals: Working with a partner, you will design a Master's level research project you might undertake with the faculty who visit our class. You and your partner should plan to meet with the faculty member and discuss possible projects and library references. Plan a presentation to the class (presented by both you and your partner) which includes a title, background, the problem/question, hypothesis, overview of the basic experimental design, how the results will be presented and analyzed, and significance. Make extensive use of overheads, and keep in mind that you are talking to a general biology audience. Allow time for the class to discuss modifications that may improve the proposal. You will have 30 minutes (that's THIRTY, not fifteen, not twenty, for presentation and questions. Do not work on a proposal which will be with your future major professor. ** Please note! All presentations should be of professional quality, whether projected via slides or overheads.

Important Dates for the Mini-Thesis Proposal:

August 29 - Titles due

September 5 - Outline due

September 12 - Draft due

September 12-26 - Oral presentations of proposals

October 17 - Final due

Major-Thesis Proposal: Some of you have a defined thesis project you have been working on for some time, whereas, others have no idea what your project will be. No matter where you fall on this continuum, it will help you focus on your research if you organize your project into a research proposal. Include a title, background, the problem/question, hypotheses, specific aims with basic methodology for each aim, literature cited (at least 20 scientific references), a time line for completion of each aim, a budget, and a page which includes your thesis committee and courses you intend to take. You will have 30 (T-H-I-R-T-Y) minutes to present your proposal to the class. There will 4 deadlines for this assignment:

Important Dates for the Major-Thesis Proposal: 

September 7 - Topic due

October 10 - Outline (title, background, question, hypothesis, method). Twenty scientific references - one page typed. Only TWO books, the rest scientific journal articles from the primary literature, NOT magazine articles, not newspaper articles, not review articles.

October 31 - First rough draft due

November 2 - December 5 - Oral presentations of proposals

Note: This assignment should provide you with a document which you and your major professor can use as a foundation to design your actual master's thesis research project. Your proposal must ultimately meet approval of your major professor and committee before you formally begin your research project.

 Course Schedule:

Date		Topic
August	22	Orientation; Course objectives; Graduate school expectations; Qualifying exam; Choosing a thesis. Look over past Master's Theses; Pairing for mini-thesis proposals, mini-thesis titles due August 29
August	24	Library facilities and strategies (Colleen Power) - MLB226 Library of Congress; On-line catalogue; Reference section; Bound indices; Computer search; Books and Periodicals; Current periodicals
August	29	Use of the Internet in Biology - PHSC 128 Mini-thesis titles due  Each student to have THREE questions from the web about graduate school that came up as a direct result from the recommended web pages. Discuss in class, to be turned in August 31.
August	31	Scientific writing; writing a literature cited section; sign up for mini-proposals; work on mini-proposals Turn in internet questions from August 29
September	5	Faculty Guests (2) Assignment: Work on mini-proposals Mini-proposal outline due - Key words used; references in proper lit. cited format (use proper journal abbreviations, if at all. Typed. Note: Journal Abbreviations: Biosis (ind. QH301, B375); Chem Abstr. (Ind., QD, A514)
September	7	Faculty Guests (3) Work on mini-proposals Topic for major proposals due (relatively narrow)
September	12	Presentation of mini-proposals (3) Mini-proposal draft due
September	14	Presentation of mini-proposals (3)
September	19	Presentation of mini-proposals (3)
September	21	Presentation of mini-proposals (3)
September	26	Presentation of mini-proposals (3)
September	28	Faculty Guests (2)
October	3	Faculty Guests (2)
October	5	Major proposal - Formats for written and oral Sign-ups: Major Proposals Strategies and facilities in biological sciences - Molecular biology
October	10	Faculty Guests (2) Outline of Major Proposal Due
October	12	Faculty Guests (2)
October	17	Faculty Guests (2) Mini-proposal final due
October	19	Vertebrate Museum - Dr. Barnett CSUC Herbarium Facilities - Dr. Schierenbeck Greenhouse Facilities - Tim Devine
October	24	Plant physiology equipment - Dr. Pushnik Field design and statistical considerations - Dr. Wood
October	26	Biology Stockroom and Toxic waste - Bob McNulty Microbiology culture room - Dena Yoder Thesis Writing - Cris Laverne
October	31	Major thesis proposals (2) Major proposal -First draft due
November	2	Eagle Lake Field Station - Jay Bogiatto Major thesis proposals (2)
November	9	Major thesis proposals (2)
November	14	Major thesis proposals (2)
November	16	Major thesis proposals (2)
		THANKSGIVING WEEK BREAK
November	28	Major thesis proposals (2) Journals Due
November	30	Major thesis proposals (2)
December	2	Graduate Qualifying Exam (Saturday, 8 AM - 1 PM) - Holt 339
December	5	Major thesis proposals (2)
December	15	First and Final Drafts of Thesis Proposals Due

List of Potential Faculty Guests

Michael Abruzzo - molecular cytogenetics

Sam Beattie - nutritional biochemistry

Jeff Bell - developmental genetics, population genetics and evolution

Jonathan Day - neurobiology

Richard Demaree - electron microscopy, parasitology

Larry Hanne - procaryotic molecular biology, bioremediation

Roger Lederer - avian ecology

John Mahoney - immunology, cell physiology, bacterial pathogenesis, and free radical biology

Michael Marchetti - Freshwater ecology

Beverly Marcum - developmental biology

Michelle Namen - community nutrition

Patricia Parker - bacterial genetics

James Pushnik - plant molecular biology

Robert Schlising - evolutionary ecology

Kristina Schierenbeck - plant evolution, systematics

Katie Silliman - biochemistry and nutrition

Robert Thomas - comparative animal physiology

Cynthia Wolf f- diabetes and sports nutrition

David Wood - ecological succession