Life Science 2AO3: Research Methodologies in the Life Sciences

Fall 2010

INSTRUCTORS: MS LORI GOFF, office hours TBA, email: lgoff@mcmaster.ca

MS ALISON COWIE, office hours TBA, email: cowieal@mcmaster.ca

LECTURES:
Thursday and Friday, 8:30am to 9:20am in MDCL 1305

COURSE DESCRIPTION:
What is science? What is the scientific method? How is science conducted? Does this process
work? In this course we will examine the history of science and how researchers conduct science
today. We will be using the field of stem cell research to frame our examination of the scientific
process.

COURSE AIMS:
Engage in scientific discourse.
Confront preconceptions and draw conclusions based upon scientific research
Critically analyze published data
Thoughtfully and civilly engage in evidence-based arguments
Examine career fields within the Life Sciences

COURSE OBJECTIVES:
By the end of this course students should be able to:
Critically read research papers
Present and describe research data and interpretations in an oral and written format
Analyse and interpret experimental results

FORMAT:
This course consists of two one-hour lectures and one two-hour tutorial each week. In the tutorial,
lecture material, new material, and assignments will be addressed. Therefore, the tutorials represent
an integral part of the course work and are mandatory. Within the tutorial, grades will be assigned for
participation, presentations and written reports.

This course uses Avenue to Learn to post the course outline, assignments, and other notices. Go to
http://avenue.mcmaster.ca to find out how to log-on to the course’s platform..

TEXTBOOK:
We will make reference to the following textbook in lecture and tutorial:

Gillen, C.M. 2007. Reading Primary Literature. San Francisco: Pearson Benjamin Cummings.
Hogan, K.A. 2009. Stem Cells and Cloning. San Francisco: Pearson Benjamin Cummings.
Jones, A., R.Reed, and J.Weyer. 2007. Practical Skills in Biology, 4th Edition.. San Francisco: Pearson
Benjamin Cummings.

Other readings will be provided on Avenue to Learn.

COURSE EVALUATION:

Test 1:
Part 1 (October 14) – MC test in class that evaluates knowledge-based skills and concepts (15%)
Part 2 (October 15) – Written answers component on Avenue, graded by grading TAs (10%)

Test 2:
Part 1 (November 25) – MC test in class that evaluates knowledge-based skills and concepts (15%)
Part 2 (November 26) – Written answers component on Avenue, graded by grading TAs (10%)

Term Paper: Essay on components of the stem cell niche, completed individually, includes peer
reviews and TA evaluation (20%)

Presentation: Group presentation completed in tutorial, includes peer evaluation and handout (15%)

Tutorials: Grading of participation in class and quizzes (15%)

SCHEDULE OF LECTURE MATERIAL:

Week Date Lecture Content Tutorials Assessment Value

th
1 Sept 9 , 10th Introduction : what is science? No tutorials this week
th th
2 Sept 13 – 17 History of science Black box
Scientific method
th
3 Sept 20 - 24th Studies of Regeneration Experimental design

th st
4 Sept 27 – Oct 1 Discovery and properties of Salamander Tales
stem cells
th th
5 Oct 4 – 8 Defining the stem cell niche Journal reading Choose presentation team
and topic
th th
6 Oct 11 – 15 TEST 1 in class and on line No tutorials this week 25%

th nd
7 Oct 18 – 22 Planaria as a model system Journal reading Choose essay topic

th th
8 Oct 25 – 29 Telomeres: guest lecturer Writing, editing and peer reviews
st th
9 Nov 1 – 5 Apoptosis, regulating cell death: Presentations
guest lecturer
15%
th th
10 Nov 8 – 12 Current stem cell research: Presentations
guest lecturer
th th
11 Nov 15 – 19 Careers in Life Science: guest Peer reviews
lecturer
nd th
12 Nov 22 – 26 TEST 2 in class and on line Careers 25%

th rd
13 Nov 29 – Dec 3 No class this week No tutorials this week Final essay due 20%
December 2 at 4 pm

CHANGES TO THE COURSE OUTLINE:

At certain points in the course it may make good sense to modify the schedule outlined. The
instructor reserves the right to modify elements of the course and will notify students accordingly (in
class and post any changes on Avenue). Posted changes take precedence over this course outline.
MISSED TESTS AND ASSIGNMENTS:
If you miss either Test, an approved note from the associate dean’s office is required to schedule
a make up midterm. You must contact the instructors to schedule make-up test within 7 days of
the missed test.
Discretionary Dean’s notes will not be accepted.
You must write a make up test. If you miss writing a make up test on the scheduled date (TBA), a
second approved dean’s note is required (not a discretionary note). In that case another make
up quiz date will arranged.
Students that fail to write a make up test will receive a grade of zero for the missed test
All tutorials are mandatory. If you miss a tutorial, your grade will be adjusted appropriately. If
you miss two or more tutorials, you must complete a makeup assignment
If you are unable to attend you final oral presentation, you will be asked to present at an
alternate time for the Instructor or Head TA
Late essays will be penalized 10% per late day.

ACADEMIC DISHONESTY:
You are expected to exhibit honesty and use ethical behaviour in all aspects of the learning process.
Academic credentials you earn are rooted in principles of honesty and academic integrity.

Academic dishonesty is to knowingly act or fail to act in a way that results or could result in unearned
academic credit or advantage. This behaviour can result in serious consequences, e.g. the grade of
zero on an assignment, loss of credit with a notation on the transcript (notation reads: “Grade of F
assigned for academic dishonesty”), and/or suspension or expulsion from the university.

It is your responsibility to understand what constitutes academic dishonesty. For information on the
various types of academic dishonesty please refer to the Academic Integrity Policy, located at
http://www.mcmaster.ca/academicintegrity

The following illustrates only three forms of academic dishonesty:

1. Plagiarism, e.g. the submission of work that is not one’s own or for which other credit has
been obtained.
2. Improper collaboration in group work,. While we encourage you to work with your peers in
solving problems on your assignments, copying of answers is not acceptable. Your final work
must be your own.
3. Copying or using unauthorized aids in tests and examinations.

Grades obtained in LS2A03 will be converted according to the following scheme, which is the one in
general use at McMaster University.
90 – 100% A+ 12
85 – 89% A 11
80 – 84% A- 10
77 – 79% B+ 9
73 – 76% B 8
70 – 72% B- 7
67 – 69% C+ 6
63 – 66% C 5
60 – 62% C- 4
57 – 59% D+ 3
53 – 56% D 2
50 – 52% D- 1
0 – 49% F 0
When the final marks are obtained, ALL borderline cases will be reviewed and, where warranted,
adjustments may be made in the final mark.