156:265 Biosciences Seminar

Also cross-listed as 002:270 and 072:342

Schedule: Fridays, 12:30 p.m., 1139 MERF

   

Instructors:
            
Christopher Benson, MD Adam Dupuy , PhD   Michael Henry, PhD   Christopher Stipp, PhD
Assistant Professor Assistant Professor   Associate Professor   Assistant Professor
Internal Medicine Anatomy & Cell Biology   Physiology & Biophysics   Biological Sciences
E 315 GH 4-370 BSB   6-510 BSB   338 BBE
319/356-7031 319/335-8090   319/335-7886   319/335-0192

Course Description:

The objective of the Biosciences Seminar is to provide a unique learning opportunity to beginning graduate students in the format of a guided journal club. Each week, 1 to 2 students will present a peer-reviewed journal publication to the rest of the class. The students will present background, data, and conclusions from the paper. Following the presentation, there will be discussion in a format designated by the instructors. During these discussions, the class will review and critique the hypotheses, data, and conclusions from each paper. The emphasis in this course is for all students to participate in the discussions.

Details

  • In the fall term, publications will be chosen by the instructors; in the spring term, students will choose their own papers (pending review and approval by Instructors).
  • Approved papers will be submitted to Biosciences program coordinator, Jodi Graff, who will post the papers on the course website.
  • Students are expected to come to class having read the paper and prepared to discuss it.
  • Presenters are encouraged to consult with instructors prior to making their presentation. At this time, presenters may seek guidance relating to the substance or style of their presentation. The instructors will alternate responsibilities for these informal meetings.
  • This course is graded pass/fail. Attendance will be taken, and students with more than two unexcused absences will fail. Instructors may, at their discretion, approve an absence provided that prior notice is given.

Presentations

Students should prepare a 20-25 minute Powerpoint presentation, which should include:

  • Background information: Why is this an interesting paper? What are the key findings that led up to it? It is expected that students will briefly review the relevant literature that precedes the paper under discussion. It is common to include in the presentation a figure from a related review or key paper. It is not expected that students conduct a massive literature search in preparation for this presentation.
  • Methods: These should be carefully explained. Again, reference to other sources is expected. (Hint: A Google search on most methods will yield a plethora of useful figures.) What are the essential controls for each method? What kind of information does each method yield?
  • Results: Presenters will go through the results in each figure, although there may only be time to present the important figures. Figures can often be taken directly from the html version of a paper and placed into a Powerpoint presentation. (Contact an instructor for help with this).
  • Discussion: What are the authors' conclusions?
  • Your opinion: Do you agree with the authors? Are there other possible interpretations of the results that have been neglected? What is the next experiment that should be performed?

University of Iowa Policies:

Procedures have been established for registering complaints about grading procedures, assignment inequalities, inappropriate course materials, inappropriate faculty conduct and academic misconduct (including plagiarism, cheating, and forgery).

These procedures are described in the University Operations Manuals or the College of Liberal Arts and Sciences Classroom Manual . Print versions can also be found in the Main Library or in the Office of the Dean, 108 Schaeffer Hall.

This course is given by the Graduate College. This means that class policies on matters such as requirements, grading, and sanctions for academic dishonesty are governed by the Graduate College. Students wishing to add or drop this course after the official deadline must receive the approval of the Dean of the Graduate College. Details of the University policy of cross enrollnment can be found by clicking here.

We would like to encourage anyone to contact the Course Director if course adaptations or accomodations are needed, if any emergency medical information should be known by the Instructors, or if special arrangements are needed in the event that the building must be evacuated. Additionally, the Office of Student Disability Services (phone: 335-1462) is available to assist you. These individuals should contact Dr. Michael Henry.

 

Biosciences Program
The University of Iowa
1178 Medical Laboratories
Iowa City, IA 52242-1181

Phone: 1-800-551-6787 or 319-335-8305
Fax: 319-335-7656
E-mail: biosciences@uiowa.edu
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