Junior Research
Description of 302 Research
This course involves original research at the leading edge of an important and growing area. The
answers to the questions we are asking are unknown at present. Some students may end up
co-authoring papers in scientific journals based on their research and others will go on to give
posters or presentations at scientific meetings. We don't expect that from every project or
student, but it is worth knowing that the possibility is there.
Expectations
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In general, three hours of credit equals nine hours per week in the lab. Note
that the amount of time, and when you work is flexible in many labs. It is helpful to
set some regular hours so that we can set aside that time and your supervisor will be available for
help. Students often set aside several 2-3 hour blocks of time per week, and then come in at other
times as needed. Your supervisor will discuss this during the first week of classes.
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Most labs will have lab meetings, usually more often around the time of the talks.
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Often you will write brief “weekly” reports that will help assess your
progress in meeting the goals, and will help in putting together your final paper and talk. The
submission of weekly reports will not follow a rigid deadline, but instead will be submitted after
each set of experiments. The set of experiments may sometimes take more or less than a week.
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At the end of the semester, you will give a 12 minute talk (Powerpoint) to the
department presenting your research results. You should aim to finish your key experiments at
least a week before the talks, then practice your talk several times with the lab group.
Your title must be submitted to the department at least 2 weeks prior to the talk date so that
a schedule may be prepared.
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You will write a paper (usually about 5-6 pages) describing the results of your
project. This will be in the format of a scientific paper (abstract, introduction, methods,
results/discussion, literature cited). Your supervisor may suggest a particular journal format
to follow and you may be required to write it as if submitting it for publication.
Learning Outcomes
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Understand the question - Understand what has been done in the area, what
the major ideas guiding our research are, what we are trying to achieve.
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Learn techniques applicable to the field- This includes specific techniques
that you will use and general lab or field practices. In addition to learning to perform them,
you should learn how they work and why they are useful.
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Learn to interpret data
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Learn to work through problems - In particular, be able to analyze
unexpected results or bad data and identify and address the cause if possible.
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Learn to plan research based on previous data - In other words, be
able to think about what the next logical step may be.
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Learn to present results clearly - in both written and oral formats
Scoring Guidelines:
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No evidence (0 pts): There is no evidence of achieving this goal. Either
the necessary work or information was absent, or if present, of such poor quality that it is not
clear that any attempt was made towards achieving this goal.
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Approaches goal (1 pt): The necessary information is presented in a manner
consistent with the goal, but it is unclear, partially incorrect, or implies or reflects
misunderstandings.
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Meets goal (2 pts): The information is presented with no errors or
misunderstanding implied, but does not show strong evidence of analytical ability. For example,
it may be simplistic, literal and descriptive rather than analytical, or lacking in integration,
sophistication or rigor.
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Exceeds goal (3 pts): Performs the task at the level one would expect of an
experienced researcher. The information is presented without errors or misunderstanding, in a
comprehensive and integrated fashion, and demonstrates sophisticated and rigorous analysis.
On-Campus Research
SIGN-UP PROCEDURES:
1. Read the project
descriptions carefully.
2. Discuss projects that interest you with faculty members. Get specific information about the
project, time required, what is expected of you, type of techniques used, background required...
3. Select 3 topics supervised by 3 different faculty members ranking them 1 to 3.
4. Have faculty member sign your
form. (PDF)
5. Hand in completed form to CNS 161.
6. Check the bulletin board outside the Biology Office to see where you have been assigned. Fill in
the appropriate section number (each faculty member has a different section) on your registration
form.
7. Come to meet the professors at the MANDATORY meeting, each Fall and Spring Term (check
seminar schedule for date). CNS Front Foyer. In addition to reading these
project descriptions, you may want to visit the faculty home pages.
Off-Campus Research
Students may complete the research requirement by conducting research off-campus, provided
that the student has Biology Curriculum Committee approval and that the research experience is
comparable to an on-campus research experience.
At least one month before the research is to begin, the student must:
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Submit an Application
Form for approval.
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Obtain a signed letter from the off-campus sponsor.
After research has been completed, the student must:
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Submit research report to on-campus faculty sponsor and give a research presentation. Research
reports must include an introduction (and review of relevant literature), materials and methods,
results, discussion, and reference cited.
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Petition to the Biology Curriculum Committee to waive 302 (see below)
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Make up three credits with another 3-4 credit biology course above the 200 level.
Petitions to the Biology Curriculum Committee:
Petitions to waive the 302 requirement must be received by the Curriculum Committee at the completion
of the research project. A petition to the Curriculum Committee must include the following items:
1) a formal cover letter requesting a waiver of 302;
2) a copy of the research report;
3) a letter from the off-campus research supervisor describing your role in the research and an
evaluation of your work;
4) a course waiver/substitution form (available from Registrar's Office or Biology Office) filled
out.
The Curriculum Committee reserves the right to deny acceptance of a waiver petition if it feels that
the student has not demonstrated completion of an appropriate research experience.
