BIO2289 Spring 2012

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Course Information

Instructor: Dr. Elizabeth Jockusch
Contact information: office BioPharm 305B, phone 486-4452, e-mail elizabeth.jockusch [at] uconn.edu
Meeting time: Wednesdays, 4-4:50 pm
Meeting place: BPB 131

Objectives

The main goals of this course are to give you an overview of research opportunities available to undergraduates and to help prepare you to obtain a research position. This will be achieved through the following means:

  • Weekly presentations by faculty about on-going research in the three biology departments (EEB, MCB, PNB) on campus
  • Identification of off-campus summer research opportunities
  • Guidance in writing a C.V.
  • Attendance at research presentations by advanced undergraduates


Assignments and Grading

Notebook and participation (100 pts)

I expect everyone to be actively involved in engaging with the speakers--these sessions will be more fun and informative if you take advantage of the opportunities to ask questions! Maintain a notebook about the presentations. These notebooks will be handed in after class on Feb. 8 so that I can give you feedback on whether you are meeting expectations and again at the end of the semester for a grade (based on informativeness and completeness).

Curriculum vitae (15 pts)

In academics, it's customary to submit a C.V., rather than a resume, when applying for positions. C.V. due March 21. I'll also give you recommendations for ways to revise it.

Off-campus summer research opportunities (15 pts)

There are virtually limitless summer research opportunities aimed at undergraduates. These are offered in many settings (from companies, to universities, to museums and field stations), on many continents. Identify a minimum of five such opportunities that are appealing to you. Aim to find diverse types. Submit a summary of these opportunities by March 21.

  • What/where is the experience?
  • What are the qualifications--do you meet them? If not, what would you have to do to meet them next summer?
  • Are you paid?
  • What's the application process?
  • Why does this program appeal to you?
  • Include a link to the program description.

Undergraduate research presentations (20 pts)

The final step to doing science is communicating it. The typical result is a publication in the peer-reviewed literature, but a preliminary stage in communicating results is often a meeting presentation. At UConn, undergraduate biology students present their research in two main forums, the Frontiers in Undergraduate Research Poster Exhibition (to be held April 13-14) and the Biology Honors Symposium (not yet scheduled, but usually the last day of classes). Spend at least an hour at one of these, and provide a summary of a minimum of four posters or talks. Summaries are due April 18 (for Frontiers) or TBD (for Biology Honors Symposium)

Presentation Schedule

Date Presenter Topic Web page
Jan. 18 Dr. Elizabeth Jockusch Course overview Jockusch lab
Jan. 25 Dr. Kurt Schwenk, EEB TBA Schwenk lab
Feb. 1 Dr. Ted Taigen, EEB Responsible Conduct of Research (or when science goes bad) Examples
Feb. 8 Dr. Spencer Nyholm, MCB animal-bacteria symbiosis Nyholm lab
Feb. 15 Dr. Gwen Pearson, OUR UConn Undergraduate Research Support OUR home page
Feb. 22 Dr. Tasso Tzingounis, PNB TBA Tzingounis lab
Feb. 29 Dr. Barbara Mellone, MCB TBA Mellone lab
Mar. 7 Dr. Andy Moiseff, PNB TBA Moiseff lab
Mar. 21 Dr. David Goldhamer, MCB TBA Goldhamer lab
Mar. 28 TBA
Apr. 4 Dr. Robin Chazdon, EEB TBA Chazdon lab
Apr. 11 Dr. Joanne Conover, PNB TBA Conover lab
Apr. 18 Dr. Chris Simon, EEB Cicada evolution Simon lab
Apr. 25 Dr. Rahul Kanadia, PNB TBA Kanadia lab