SCHEDULED MEETING TIME:

Tuesday - 12:25P - 1:05P in LF 143

PERSONNEL:

INSTRUCTOR: Dr. Kent E. Edmonds (associate Professor of Biology)

Office: Life Sciences 308 (LF 308), Lab LF 303

Phone: 941-2376 (office) 

Office Hours: M, W 9:00A - 11:00A, Tu 11:00A - 12:00P

By appointment or anytime you see me in my office.

E-mail: kedmonds@ius.edu

COURSE DESCRIPTION:  Individual presentation of topics in the biological sciences.

LEARNING OUTCOMES: By the end of the course, I will be pleased if you

    - Demonstrate the ability to use your knowledge and the scientific literature to understand a specific topic

    - Exhibited strong oral communication skills and presented a high quality presentation

    - Critically evaluated the scientific literature in both your presentation and that of your peers

    - Functioned productively in this interactive situation

ATTENDANCE:

Students are expected (and required) to attend.  Please always talk with me if, for any reason, you cannot attend class, are late to class, or must leave class early.

GRADING:

Grading in this course will be determined by evaluations from faculty, peers, and self (10%), the quality of your presentation (50%), preparedness in leading your discussion and in contributing to other discussions (10%), asking of questions at other presentations and discussions (10%), timeliness in meeting deadlines (10%), and attendance (10%).  I will keep track of your involvement in the course so please be prepared to contribute at all presentations, not just your presentation.

TOPIC:

Choose a topic within the context of reproduction and discuss with Dr. Edmonds before final approval.

Obtain references (~ 10, but as many as needed) on the topic, read them, and choose 1(long) or 2 (short) papers for the entire class to read ONE WEEK prior to your presentation and class discussion.  The number of internet references should be minimized.

Your Powerpoint presentation (~ 20-25 minutes in length) will occur at the beginning of class, followed by additional discussion of the topic afterwards and student questions.  Be prepared with additional background and questions to address in a discussion that you couldn’t (or didn’t have time) to address in you presentation.

Prepare an abstract, list of references.  Seminar notices should be prepared and posted so that faculty and others, if they are able, can attend your presentation.

TIMELINE FOR MEETING DEADLINES:

Meet with Dr. Edmonds several weeks before presentation to discuss format of presentation.  You may want to have an outline of the presentation in preparation for our meeting.

Handout paper(s) for class to read - Due Tuesday preceding your oral presentation

Please provide two copies of the paper to me on Monday at the latest so I can give it to the students on Tuesday.

Rehearse Presentation in front of Dr. Edmonds only - Several days before final presentation at an agreed upon time (preferably Thursday or Friday.)   Your presentation must be as thoroughly prepared as possible for this rehearsal.  The purpose of this is for me to give constructive comments that you can use to improve yourself in the days preceding the final presentation.

Prepare "eye-catching" flier with abstract and post at strategic places in building (entrances to building, stairwell doors, etc) - Due Thursday preceding presentation

Prepare abstract and list of references and make copies for class and some additional one for other members of the audience - Due Tuesday of presentation week

Distribute abstract and references and perform presentation for class - Tuesday of presentation week

Cell Phones:  Please turn off before the start of class.  If they must be on for any reason, then please communicate that with me.