Class Procedures: Biology 425 is a course designed to introduce students to methods of thinking critically about conceptual hypotheses and the data that address them in a focused area. Each week the class will read an article, either a review or a primary scientific paper, and discuss it. Discussion will be lead by a member of the class. The goal of discussions are twofold: 1) to ensure understanding of hypotheses and how they were evaluated by asking questions and attempting answers, and 2) to learn how an existing study can lead to new hypotheses or ideas that need testing.

Grading.- Discussion is the focus of this course. Hence grades will be based on three components.

1.      How well you lead the discussion (100 pts). The discussion leader should give a summary of the paper and the ideas it addresses, and then solicit questions/discussion from the class. Good discussion leaders also mediate and guide the discussion.

2.      Attendance (100 pts). Given the goals of the class, attending and being prepared is critical. I will allow two excused absences without penalty, but additional absences will have an effect on the grade. If students are having difficulty attending, please talk to the instructor as alternative assignments may be possible.

3.      Participation (100 pts). To ensure that all students are prepared to participate, each week everyone will turn in a 1 paragraph summary of the reading and 4 questions they had about the material. Students who actually ask these questions in class or offer answers to other students’ questions will score extra points.