| BNFO 300 |
Topic: Semester Research Project |
Fall 2019
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Rationale
Just as it is insane to learn music by stopping up your ears and memorizing key signatures, it is equally insane to learn science without doing science. While the entire course is built around doing science, the most complete realization of that goal will be through the semester project, which comes in two forms. Most of you will create a research proposal, a justification and outline of an experiment that can move human knowledge forward concerning how something works at the molecular level. Some who are particularly motivated towards communication may choose an alternative, more difficult path, translating a research article into accessible language. These options are explained further here. Either option entails forging a relationship with someone in the research community who will serve as your mentor. Readings and Descriptions Description: How to find and interact with a mentor for the proposal There are effective ways and some common but very ineffective ways. Description: How to create a focused bibliography Listing of methods in an article to translate (how to do it) Examples: #1 and #2 Description: Summary of an experiment from a research article -- Why and how The summary is like a mini research proposal. The goals and format are the same. Description: How to critique the work of others You'll be critiquing the summaries of your colleagues. Description: Research proposal outline (how to do it) Here's an example Article translation site map (how to do it) Here's an example Description: Research proposal outline (how to do it) Here's an example Article translation site map (how to do it) Here's an example Description: (Article translation) How to create a website and contents (templates) Here's an example of a completed translation Description: How to give a presentation (7 minutes max) Similar message as a presentation (courtesy of Kristen Wade) Here's an example and here's another (I didn't say good example) (neither one fits the description of what's needed for the panel, but perhaps you might find some use in them) Description: How to prepare for a panel. You'll be presenting your work to a panel and serving on a panel to assess the work of others. Things to do and hand in Find a mentor 30 Aug: Submit name of a candidate mentor plus a pertinent research article (part of Problem Set 1) 2 Sep: Thoughts on finding a mentor 6 Sep: Obtain agreement from VCU faculty member to serve as mentor Intermediate steps
Final steps
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