Course Description:

• How to define, develop and refine a detailed research project, how to complete background literature searching,
• How to prepare a research proposal with a plan of investigation,
• How to identify/locate a mentor or research instructor (extramural or intramural),
• How a research project is begun and continues in experimental work.  Some students may profitably identify their mentors early in this process.
• How to compile, analyze and interpret data from experiments, how to write up research in standard scientific format (depends on field but consistent with papers published in the field), and  
• How to present research at symposium or similar meeting

Grading Policy:

50% Biweekly Assessments (Includes meeting with the research teacher, exams based on new topics, or presentations)

25% Lab Notebooks (based upon accuracy, completion, neatness, and timeliness of your work within your lab notebook)

25% Research Work (work related to the student’s independent research with their mentor scientist)

Homework Policy:

It is very important that you hand in your labs, assignments, projects etc.  I will accept them after their due date.  However, you will lose a point for every day that the assignment is overdue.  Past one week overdue, the grade will be a 0.

Course Description:

• Continuing a project towards completion of the research experimentation and evolution of project

As a result, students are expected to:

• Review and refine the project based on the progress made in URP 150; this will include gaining more experience in journal article searches and data collection. 
• Actively participate in the review of the work of peers to provide constructive feedback. 
• Gain a practical understanding of how ChatGPT, Python and/or R can be used in research.  
• Complete a significant research project including the collection, analysis and interpretation of primary experimental data.
• Use statistical analysis to provide meaningful insight on the impact of the research findings. 
• Present project in a public forum.
• Prepare a manuscript in a fashion suitable for publication in a journal appropriate to their field of inquiry.

Grading Policy:

50% Biweekly Assessments (Includes meeting with the research teacher, exams based on new topics, or presentations)

25% Lab Notebooks (based upon accuracy, completion, neatness, and timeliness of your work within your lab notebook)

25% Research Work (work related to the student’s independent research with their mentor scientist)

Homework Policy:

It is very important that you hand in your labs, assignments, projects etc.  I will accept them after their due date.  However, you will lose a point for every day that the assignment is overdue.  Past one week overdue, the grade will be a 0.

Topics Covered:

Chemistry of Life

Cell Structure and Function

Cellular Energetics

Cell Communication and Cell Cycle

Heredity

Gene Expression and Regulation

Natural Selection

Ecology

Grading Policy:

60% Major Assignments (including tests, projects, lab reports, larger assignments)

40% Minor Assignments (including homework, quizzes, worksheets, etc.)

Homework Policy:

It is very important that you hand in your labs, assignments, projects etc.  I will accept them after their due date.  However, you will lose a point for every day that the assignment is overdue.  Past one week overdue, the grade will be a 0.