Senior Seminar BIOL 484

List of MSUM searchable databases of primary literature

Senior Seminar - Spring 2007:
pdf for Coral Reef Paper - 
pdf for Heartworm Paper - 
pdf for Carb/High Fat/Diabetes Paper - 
pdf for Dolphin Paper - Crystal Arnold - 
pdf for Carb Controversy Paper - 
pdf for Prairie Dog Paper - 
pdf for Carnivore Reproduction - 
pdf for Bird Flu -  
pdf for Prairie Dog - Slobodchikoff Paper - 
pdf for Avian Flu and Brain - part 2 - 

Senior Seminar - Fall 2007 M & W:
sdarticle.pdf designing greenways for birds.pdf 
sdarticle.pdf flying squirrel space use.pdf 
sdarticle.pdf load bearing dog hip.pdf 
sdarticle.pdf fish manure.pdf 
sdarticle.pdf dog handler behavior.pdf 
sdarticle.pdf deer social rand and food.pdf
sdarticle.pdf anti papillomavirus.pdf 
sdarticle.pdf tadpole chemical cues.pdf 
sdarticle.pdf crying neural.pdf 
sdarticle.pdf was Atkins right.pdf 
sdarticle.pdf predation risks teal.pdf 

Senior Seminar - Fall 2007 T & Th:
sdarticle.pdf low carbs summary paper.pdf 
sdarticle.pdf flying squirrel space use.pdf 
sdarticle.pdf muscle mitochondria.pdf 
sdarticle.pdf crying neural.pdf 
sdarticle.pdf fish manure.pdf 
sdarticle.pdf feline leukemia.pdf 
sdarticle.pdf dog handler behavior.pdf 
sdarticle.pdf load bearing dog hip.pdf 
sdarticle.pdf designing greenways for birds.pdf 
sdarticlemigrainepregnancy.pdf 
sdarticle.pdf cns lymphoma.pdf 
sdarticle.pdf deer social rand and food.pdf

Senior Seminar - Spring 2008 M & W: 
sdarticle.pdf heifers and Neospora.pdf 
pdf for Prairie Dog Paper 
sdarticle.pdf horse learning.pdf 
sdarticle.pdf crying neural.pdf   
sdarticle.pdf dog handler behavior.pdf 
sdarticle.pdf breast cancer 1.pdf  
sdarticlemigrainepregnancy.pdf  
sdarticle.pdf tadpole chemical cues.pdf 
sdarticle swift fox mating systems.pdf   
sdarticle.pdf was Atkins right.pdf
pdf for Carb Controversy Paper (Mobbs)
sdarticle low carb high fat diabetes (Yunsheng).pdf 
Bipolar Disorder.pdf  
sdarticle.pdf designing greenways for birds.pdf 
sdarticle.pdf deer social rank and food.pdf 

Senior Seminar - Spring 2008 T & Th:   
sdarticle mitochondria pdf.pdf 
sdarticlemigrainepregnancy.pdf 
sdarticle-spiders.pdf 
sdarticle.pdf dog handler behavior.pdf 
sdarticle low carb high fat diabetes (Yunsheng).pdf 
sdarticle bank voles ultrasonic cries.pdf  
sdarticle.pdf fish manure.pdf :
 killifish paper01c0a848661cc90117d6f3dfd4&0.pdf  
sdarticle.pdf horse learning.pdf
sdarticle swift fox mating systems.pdf 
pdf for Dolphin Paper
sdarticle prairie dogs.removal (Bartz) pdf
sdarticle.pdf soil water transpiration.pdf 
sdarticle bat eared fox paternal presence.pdf  
sdarticle.pdf was Atkins right.pdf   
pdf for Carb Controversy Paper (Mobbs) 
Gray wolves Yellowstone NP 01c0a84872facb1181f2b2f30&0.pdf   
sdarticle.pdf feline leukemia.pdf

NEW PAPERS (as of 28 Aug 2008):
sdarticle.pdfweanlinghandling.pdf
sdarticle.pdffoalneonatalhandling.pdf
sdarticle.pdfobeseyouth.pdf

SENIOR SEMINAR - FALL 2008 M & W:
NOTE:  here are 2 new papers by Dr. Wisenden that someone might want to pick instead of the one he/she already chose;  or you can choose one of these papers if you don't yet have a paper:
2007 mudminnw AS EBF.pdf
2008 Sound the Alarm EBF.pdf

sdarticle swift fox mating systems.pdf - 3 Sept (W) - Jenny  Neuberger
sdarticlemigrainepregnancy.pdf - 8 Sept (M) - Erica Herfindahl
sdarticle.pdf heifers and Neospora.pdf - 10 Sept (W) - Melissa Goddard
Gray wolves Yellowstone NP 01c0a84872facb1181f2b2f30&0.pdf  - 15 Sept (M) - Liz Roeber 
sdarticle bat eared fox paternal presence.pdf  - 17 Sept (W) - Barb Michel 
sdarticle.pdffoalneonatalhandling.pdf - 22 Sept (M) - Sarah Toward

NOTE: 2 papers on 24 Sept:
sdarticle low carb high fat diabetes (Yunsheng).pdf  - 24 Sept (W) - Derik Brugger
pdf for Carb Controversy Paper - 24 Sept (W) - Whitney Sorensen

sdarticle.pdf dog handler behavior.pdf   - 29 Sept (M) - Roza Yunusova (Note new paper as of 24 Sept)
sdarticle.pdfobeseyouth.pdf - 1 Oct (W) - Andrew Randall
 Bipolar Disorder.pdf 6 Oct (M) - Wade Myszka - TBA
pdf for Dolphin Paper - 8 Oct (W) - Kent Williams
13 Oct (M) - NO CLASS

NOTE:   2 papers on 15 Oct:
joint stiffness and gait pattern evaluation in children with down synrome.pdf - 15 Oct (W) - Janna Stueness
pdf for Coral Reef Paper - 15 Oct (W) - Alex Stalboerger

 2008 Sound the Alarm EBF.pdf - 20 Oct (M) -Danfee Gibson

MAJOR PRESENTATION FOR M-W:

22 Oct (W) - Jenny N.
27 Oct (M) - Erica H.
29 Oct (W) - Melissa G.
3 Nov (M) - Liz R.
5 Nov (W) - Barb M.
10 Nov M) - Derik B.
12 Nov (W) - Whitney S.
17 Nov (M) - Roza Y.
19 Nov (W) - Sarah T.
24 Nov (M) - Andy R.   AND   Wade M.
26 Nov (W) - NO CLASS - THANKSGIVING BREAK
1 Dec (M) - Kent W.  AND  Janna S.
3 Dec (W) - Alex S.
8 Dec (M) - Danfee G.
10 Dec (W) - NO CLASS - STUDY DAY

SENIOR SEMINAR - FALL 2008 T & Th:
NOTE:  here are 2 new papers by Dr. Wisenden that someone might want to pick instead of the one he/she already chose;  or you can choose one of these papers if you don't yet have a paper:
2007 mudminnw AS EBF.pdf
2008 Sound the Alarm EBF.pdf

sdarticle.pdf was Atkins right.pdf - 2 Sept (T) - Sarah Rebenitsch
Bipolar Disorder.pdf  - 4 Sept (Th) - Seyi Amele
sdarticle.pdf load bearing dog hip.pdf - 9 Sept (T) - Amanda Stai
sdarticle.pdf predation risks teal.pdf - 11 Sept (Th) - Tony Stumbo
pdf for Dolphin Paper - 16 Sept (T) - Becca Hermann
IntrauterineProgrammingPart 1.3.1.1.pdf  - 18 Sept (Th) - Evelyn Fuentes (NOTE - this is the NEW Paper)
sdarticle.pdf soil water transpiration.pdf - 23 Sept (T) - Amanda Schlenker
sdarticle.pdf dog handler behavior.pdf - 25 Sept (Th) - Jen Huynh
sdarticle.pdf tadpole chemical cues.pdf - 30 Sept (T) - Amanda Haugstad
2007 mudminnw AS EBF.pdf - 2 Oct (Th) -Joana Mensah-Woode (NOTE PAPER CHANGE as of 9 Sept 2008)

MAJOR PRESENTATION FOR T-TH:

    Students - are the following dates ok?  We could let Sarah R. and Seyi jump down to the next week and have no  class on 7 and 9 Oct instead.  Let me know in class.

7 Oct (T) - Sarah R.
9 Oct (Th) - Seyi A.
14 Oct (T) - NO CLASS 
16 Oct (Th) - NO CLASS 
21 Oct (T) - Tony S.
23 Oct (Th) - Amanda Stai
28 Oct (T) - NO CLASS
30 Oct (Th) - Evelyn F.
4 Nov (T) - Amanda Schlenker
6 Nov (Th) - Jen H.
11 Nov (T) - NO CLASS (Donna gone)
13 Nov (Th) - NO CLASS (Donna gone)
18 Nov (T) - NO CLASS
20 Nov (Th) - Joanna M.W.
25 Nov (T) - CHANGE OF SCHEDULE - NO CLASS (Amanda H. - I moved you down to 9 Dec, is this OK?)
27 Nov (Th) - NO CLASS _ THANKSGIVING BREAK
2 Dec (T) - NO CLASS
4 Dec (Th) - Becca H.
9 Dec (T) - Amanda H.  (would this work??)
11 Dec (Th) - NO CLASS - EXAMS BEGIN

FALL 2008            BIOL 484 – SENIOR SEMINAR SYLLABUS

Course Description:  

Oral presentation by students and staff based on critical evaluation of scientific literature and/or independent research.

Instructors:
Dr. David Rodenbaugh                      Dr. Brian Wisenden                     Dr. Donna Bruns Stockrahm
477-5008                                         477-5001                                    477-2576
rodenb@mnstate.edu                        wisenden@mnstate.edu                stockram@mnstate.edu  
HA 407W                                         HA 407R                                    HA 407S
(Rotating Basis)                                 (Rotating Basis)                            (Fall  2008 Instructor) 

Class meets at 12:30-1:20pm.  See printed syllabus for office hours.

There is no required text for this course. The course objectives are two:
1. To gain skills in accessing and critically evaluating the primary literature
2. To gain skills, through direct experience, in communicating science as an informal discussion group and as a formal seminar presentation.
    a. Gain skills in accessing the primary literature
    b. Critically evaluate primary literature
    c. Formulate questions during a discussion
    d. Gain an appreciation for the nature of scientific enquiry
    e. Gain public speaking skills

Expectations:

1. Attend class. Giving a presentation is a learning experience and a valuable skill that will help you in whatever career your future holds for you. Equally valuable is the ability to listen critically, to evaluate a presentation and formulate and ask probing questions. This is critical thinking – another hugely valuable skill that applies to any career path. Much of what this course offers is acquired as an audience member. Therefore, attendance is mandatory and part of the calculus of the “Pass” grade. Two unexcused absences will be tolerated. After that, the grade is an automatic fail.

2. Participate in discussions as animatedly as your personality and the law will allow.

3. Lead a paper discussion of a paper in the primary literature.

4. Present a “major” presentation – a synthesis of 4 or 5 related papers from the primary literature, and prepare a written abstract to be distributed at your talk.

5. Provide constructive feedback to the speaker of major presentations.

Grading rubric:

There are 100 points. A total of 60 points is needed to pass the course.

Attendance is mandatory and not part of the point system

15 points = Participation in class. Each person should contribute to the discussion each day. The proportion of days for which each person takes part in conversation (asks a question, weighs in with a comment, etc) will be the proportion of 15 points earned for participation.

15 points = Submitting questions to D2L. Each student must submit 2 questions for each minor presentation. One question should relate to either the introduction or the methods of the paper being discussed. The second question should relate to the results or the discussion of the paper being discussed. Submit the questions on D2L at least 24 hours before the presentation so that the facilitator has a chance to read, research and prepare answers to the questions. The grade for questions will be assessed as the proportion of the number of questions that were submitted as a ratio of the number of questions that should have been submitted.

20 points = Minor presentation. Each student will lead a paper discussion of an assigned paper. These papers will be posted as pdf’s on Dr. Stockrahm's web page.

50 points = Major presentation. 30 points will be for the presentation itself, 20 points will be for the process of preparing for the presentation. Details on this rubric are forthcoming.

Guide to paper discussions:

• Read the article. Read it again, flag areas that still don’t seem clear. Ask a faculty from that specialty to clarify jargon, concepts.
• Sketch out the main skeleton of the article:
  • What was the main question?
  • How did they test it?
  • What did they find?
  • What does it mean? What is the larger significance of their findings?
• During the discussion, avoid re-reading the paper verbatim, or sections of it (except the occasional statement) because presumably everyone has read it. Instead, paraphrase the article using your own words, highlighting the main points and areas that you were particularly impressed by and areas that you thought didn’t make sense or were just plain wrong (from your perspective).
• Try to think of at least 2 questions you had about the study, either a fault in the logic of the arguments and reasoning, or a question about methodology that is not clearly described. Be aware that scientists write for other scientists and often assume a certain amount of background in the reader.
• Listen carefully. There are bound to be aspects of the paper that missed you on the first read, and people from different viewpoints read a manuscript differently and may have a different interpretation of the paper than you did.

 Major presentation:

The major presentation is done by each individual in the course. You are required to work with a faculty member as you prepare your talk. You will not be allowed to present your talk unless your faculty advisor has signed off on it verifying that you have met with them during preparation of the talk and rehearsed the talk with your advisor.

The talk is a 35-40 minute PowerPoint presentation on 4 or 5 related papers from the primary literature. These papers should be chosen carefully so that they link together to tell a larger story. The presentation should be organized as follows: 

1. General introduction. An overview of the whole talk to introduce the audience to the phenomenon being presented. The major presentations are often attended by students from introductory biology (Cell, Organismal);  therefore, you should be careful to explain terminology for a general audience.

2. Paper 1. Provide the title, authors, and source of the paper (journal, date, volume, pages). Then proceed to describe the specific question(s) addressed in this paper, the methods used, the results (include figures and tables as much as possible), and interpretation of the findings.

3. Paper 2.

4. Paper 3.

5. Paper 4.

6. Paper 5.

7. General conclusion. These are the wrap-up over-all conclusions of the whole presentation. The format of the talk can be summarized thusly: tell them what you’re going to say, say it, them tell them what you just told them. The conclusion is important because it allows you to highlight the main take-home message of your presentation.

 General advice for the major presentation:

1. Rehearse your talk with your advisor at least once and rehearse some more with friends/family so that you are comfortable and confident with the content and timing of your talk.

2. Avoid too much text. A common error is to write the talk in prose on the PowerPoint slides. Stick to bullet lists with minimal verbage. Better still, use no words on the slide and instead post an image and talk through the contents while the audience looks at a picture of what you are talking about.
3. Avoid busy background templates with swirling lines and dark and light areas. No color of text can contrast well with a background that varies from light to dark. 

4. Generally, light text on a dark background is easier to see than dark text on a light background.

5. Dress neatly and comfortably.

6. Face the audience and make eye contact during the presentation. A common error is to spend much of the talk facing the screen.

7. Try to control repetitive body movement (rocking, fidgeting) and excessive “umms”.

Academic honesty: All students are expected to be honest in all their work for this class.  In the event of joint projects, all students working on the project are expected to contribute equally to the final product.  See MSUM Student Handbook address: http://www.mnstate.edu/shandbook/POLICY/index.htm.

Students with disabilities: Students with disabilities who believe they may need an accommodation in this class are encouraged to contact Greg Toutges, Coordinator of Disability Services at 477-5859 (voice) or 1-800-627-3529 (MRS/TTY), CMU 114 as soon as possible to ensure that accommodations are implemented in a timely fashion.

Attendance policy:  Students are expected to attend all seminars (see above).  See MSUM Student Handbook address above.