BNFO 300 
Molecular Biology Through Discovery
Topic: Introduction to Course
Fall 2014 

Rationale

  • Consider the possibility that the goals of the course are worthwhile
  • Consider the possibility that the goals of the course are achievable
  • Consider the possibility that the route to the goals may be interesting
  • Learn how to use BioBIKE (a major tool in this course)
  • Learn how to find research articles (a major tool in life)
  • First pass at how to read research articles
  • How to distinguish a result from a conclusion

Readings and Investigations
    Web Site: Course at a Glance
            Presentation from Thursday, August 21
    Web Site: How to find articles
    Web Site: Pub Med Help
    Web Site: How to read articles
    Investigation: What is a Gene? and Companion
            Practice learning how to learn from reality rather than from a book
    Article: Schwartz MA (2008). The importance of stupidity in science. J Cell Sci 121:1771

Things to do and hand in
    20 Aug: Personal Questionnaire (if not Aug 20 then as soon thereafter as possible):
    25 Aug: Exam - What is this course? (due any time Friday)
    29 Aug: Problem Set 1 - Library
    29 Aug: Investigation - What is a Gene? and companion