Joseph P. Ardizzi, Ph.D.
Associate Professor
Department of Biological and Allied Health Sciences
Bloomsburg University of Pennsylvania
 

WRITING IN BIOLOGY 50.290
SYLLABUS AND RELATED INFORMATION

TEXTS:

Day, R.A. 1995.  Scientific English: A Guide for Scientists and Other Professionals, Second edition, Oryx Press, Phoenix, Arizona.

Pechenik, J.A.  2007.  A Short Guide to Writing about Biology, Sixfth edition, Pearson Longman, NY.

COURSE DESCRIPTION:

    This course is an approved communications course for biology majors and will substitute for Composition 2.  This course cannot be used as a biology or group C elective.  The course provides experience in writing and other means of communication especially useful to students in a natural science.  The course includes experience in communication of information acquired by library research or classroom instruction as well as that acquired experimentally in the laboratory or field. Prerequisites: Concepts in Biology 2 (50.115) and Composition 1 (20.101).

COURSE GOALS:

    The goal of this course is to help students of biology to learn to communicate clearly and effectively.  Students must be able to obtain information by reading texts, references or journals and by listening to lectures or seminars.  They must understand how information obtained through experimentation is conveyed.  They must be able to transmit information by writing or by speaking in class or elsewhere.  Scientists and students, both, must be able to communicate complicated information to others who are less knowledgeable in specific areas.

COURSE OBJECTIVES:

 Students who have successfully completed this course will have learned to

• Gather information from primary source materials and to abstract those materials.

• Use search aids and review articles to obtain references and information concerning specialized topics in Biology.

• Write concise, well-structured essays and papers based on library research.

• Develop scientific reports of information acquired by laboratory or field research.

• Present information to others in an organized fashion by written or spoken means.

METHODS:

This course is presented in a series of:

• lectures and discussions

• textbook reading assignments

• library research assignments

• individual writing exercises

• group projects

• presentations

OUTLINE AND ASSIGNMENT SCHEDULE: (click here)

INSTRUCTIONS FOR ASSIGNMENTS: (click here)

CURRENT HOMEWORK ASSIGNMENTS: (click here)

Grading Scale:

Further Information:

• A make-up examination will be available if an examination is missed and a valid, verifiable excuse is provided for the missed examination.  Otherwise, a grade of 0 will be recorded.  For athletes, participation in a college sponsored co-curricular activity is considered a valid excuse provided that the instructor is notified when the activity is announced, not at a later date.  If weather or other problems cause the university to close or to go to a compressed class schedule, the examination will take place in the next regular full class period.  The regular class period is Tuesday and Thursday from 3:00 to 4:15 PM  The compressed schedule runs from 3:50 PM to 4:50 PM.

• Proper behavior is expected in the classroom.  Failure to conform to university standards or rules will result in a penalty applied against the final grade.  The point penalty will be determined by the instructor.  A warning will be given in the first instance; penalties will be applied for each succeeding instance.

• Assignments are to be the result of individual efforts unless the instructor explicitly grants an exception.  Collaboration in writing the assignments is considered cheating and appropriate penalties will be applied.  The use of texts and other sources in preparing the assignments is acceptable provided the sources are cited appropriately.  Failure to cite sources is plagiarism and appropriate penalties will be applied.  If unsure about a possible violation, ask the instructor before submitting the assignment.  For further information, please examine PRP 3512—Academic Integrity Policy.  All assignments not done in class are to be typed or completed with a computer unless the instructor explicitly grants an exception.

• Attendance and class participation are expected.  Lack of attendance or participation during class will affect your grade.  Unexcused absences will result in the loss of 10 points for each absence.  If there is an assignment in class, you are expected to remain until you have completed it or the class is over.  If an assignment is given as an exercise in preparation for an upcoming class, you are expected to have it prepared for that class.  Failure to do so will result in the loss of 10 points for each instance.  For information on acceptable absences, please examine PRP 3506—Class Attendance.

• In-class and take-home quizzes will be given to you; some of which will count toward your course point score.  These quizzes will let you assess your knowledge in preparation for examinations.  Failure to complete the quizzes will affect your grade.

• If assistance is needed from Accommodative Services, the instructor must be notified by the end of the first week of classes.

Site last updated 7 January 2008