Revision as of 18:57, 11 January 2008

EEB 297

Instructors

Course Objectives

This seminar provides an up-close-and-personal experience with the broad range of current research in Ecology and Evolutionary Biology (EEB). It offers the opportunity to think critically and develop thoughts within a structured yet informal setting. Once per week we read and discuss background literature and attend the presentation of the EEB Department Seminar series. In many cases we will have the opportunity to meet with the researcher.

Weekly Schedule (on Thursday of every week)

2:30pm - Convene in the Bamford Room (TLS 171b). Discussion leader presents background to paper and seminar speaker, and leads discussion about the research objectives and methods of the paper.

3:00pm - Seminar speaker arrives. Students engage the speaker about his/her research or academic background.

3:30pm - Seminar speaker departs. Students and instructors conduct wrap-up discussion.

3:45pm - Brief break before seminar.

4:00pm - Students attend EEB Department Seminar (typically in BPB 130).

Student Responsibilities

Each week students are expected to read the assigned primary literature article, authored by that week’s seminar speaker. Prior to arriving to class, students write a one-paragraph summary of that week’s paper. Students are also responsible for bringing four questions to class, two for the paper discussion and two for the seminar speaker. In addition, each student leads the discussion of one or two papers over the semester. The student leading the discussion is responsible for providing a more thorough outline of the paper and initiating and guiding the discussion.

Grading