Fall 2017
BIOEN 4201: Bioengineering Research Thesis Writing and Communication I (2 credits)
Department: Bioengineering Designation: Required
Course Description: In this course, each student will use his or her required senior project as content which will be presented to the class and other audiences in both a written and oral format. BIOEN 4201 and 4202 meet the University's upper-division communication/writing requirement (CW) because it is writing and communication-centered. During the course of the semester, each student provides several oral presentations that are followed up with constructive feedback from the class and the instructors. The students also prepare several drafts of their senior thesis and a draft version of their research poster by the conclusion of the fall semester. The drafts will continue to be further-refined in BIOEN 4202. Please note that all student-produced course material, including videos, will be used for instructional purposes and will be made available to students in future years.
Prerequisite: Restricted to students who have taken BIOEN 4200 and have completed their research or have instructor permission.
Text (required):
1. Zeiger, Mimi. Essentials of Writing Biomedical Research Papers. 2nd Edition. McGraw-Hill, New York, 2000.
2. Alley, Michael. The Craft of Scientific Presentations: Critical Steps to Succeed and Critical Errors to Avoid. 2nd Edition. Springer, New York, 2013. (Available electronically at no cost through the Marriott Library)
Instructors:
Office Hours are by appointment only.
Susan Bock email: BPRB 108 D phone: 585-6521
Kelly Broadhead email: SMBB 3222 phone: 585-7605
Robby Bowles email: BPRB 108 G phone: 581-2915
David Grainger email: BPRB 190 D & SMBB 3227 phone: 581-3715
Heather Palmer email: SMBB 3221 phone: 585-3651
Learning Objectives:
1. Demonstrate the understanding of how to design and conduct independent research
2. Develop a publishable-quality biomedical engineeringarticle
3. Augment knowledge ofprofessional writing to increase proficiency and prepare for future careers as Biomedical Engineers
4. Become exposed and oriented to the general Biomedical Engineering discourse community
5. Gain knowledge about different presentation types
6. Expand skills necessary to develop an effective oral research presentation
7. Create and effectively use a research poster as an oral communication aid
8. Interact constructively with peers to give and receive feedback and develop stronger teamwork skills
Topics Covered:
· Students will learn an effective approach to scientific writing
-Critical analysis of research writing
-Thesis structure of introduction and discussion sections
-Use of tables and figures to effectively communicate findings
-Appropriate formatting to develop a professional looking document
· Students will provide four draft editions of thesis for review
· Students will learn skills to develop an oral presentation
-Diagnostic speech and outlining
-Outside audience speech
· Students will develop and orally present on their research using skills learned from previous speeches
· Students will learn format and content guidelines and develop a first-draft of poster
· Students will learn how to critique the scientific and/or engineering merit of a project
Class Meetings:
Date, Location, Format / -Preparation/*Due Dates / In-Class Activity / Assignments / -Materials Provided/
*Assignments Returned
Week 1:
Aug. 25
WEB 2230
Large Group / *Memorandum of Understanding due Friday by 11:59 p.m. / Introduction, Genre Knowledge Quiz,
class requirements, and Academic Reading Strategies / -Reading: Zeiger Chap. 1-4, 9;
and sample student paper / -Syllabus
-Sample Student Paper available on Canvas
Week 2:
Aug. 28-Sept 1
SMBB 2660
Small Group / -Reading: Zeiger Chap. 1-4, 9
-Read sample student paper / Reading Quiz
Tools to Analyze Writing:
-analyze student papers / -Introduction Analysis/Intro Outline assignment
-Diagnostic Speech assignment
-Introduction (Draft 1) assignment / -Faculty Paper on Canvas
Week 3:
Sept 4-8
SMBB 2660
Small Group / -Bring draft of Analysis
*Report Revision due Friday by 11:59 p.m. / The Introduction Section: Analyze faculty paper
Discuss rough draft of
Intro Analysis Assignment / -Reading: “Three Laws of Professional Communication” and “Rethinking the Design of Slides” / -3 Laws and Rethinking available on Canvas
*Report with feedback available on Canvas on Monday
Week 4: Sept.11-15
SMBB 2660
Small Group / -Reading: “3 Laws of Professional Communication” and “Rethinking the Design of Slides”
*Introduction Analysis Due on Monday by 11:59 p.m.
*Diagnostic Presentation due in class / Reading Quiz
Diagnostic Presentations and Discussion / -Resume assignment
Week 5: Sept.18-22
SMBB 2660
Small Group / *Introduction (Draft 1) due on Monday by 11:59 p.m.
*Bring resume to class / Resumes Review and Skills Lecture
Workshop Orientation
Megan Randall presenting Tuesday, Sept. 19, 12:30 to 1:30, SMBB 3250 / - Workshop and Workshop Analysis assignment
-Workshop Signup Sheet
-Reading: Half of section’s introductions / -Workshop Lineup
-Section Intros available on Canvas
*Diagnostic Presentation feedback/rubric/“grade”
Week 6:
Sept. 25-29
SMBB 2660
Small Group / -Read half of section’s introductions / Workshops on Introduction / -Reading: Other half of section’s introductions
-Introduction Revision assignment
Week 7:
Oct. 2-6
SMBB 2660
Small Group / -Read other half of section’s introductions / Workshops on Introduction / -Outside Speech (BIOEN 1010) Presentation assignment and Signup Sheet
-Scientific Presentation Signup Sheet
-Reading: Zeiger Chap. 5 and Alley book / -Outside Presentation Signup
-Presentation Consultation Signup
-Scientific Presentations Signup
Week 8:
Oct. 9-13 / *Introduction Revision due Friday by 11:59 p.m. / Fall Break (No class this week)
Week 9: Oct.16-20
WEB 2230
Large Group / -Reading: Zeiger Chap. 5 and Alley book
*Workshop Analysis due Monday by 11:59 p.m.
*Meet with Professors during Small Group / Reading Quiz
Methods Writing / -Methods assignment given—includes revision of Intro / -Receive Faculty feedback during consultation
*Intro rubric/“grade” available after on Canvas
Week 10:
Oct. 23-27
WEB 2230
Large Group / *Meet with Professors during Small Group / Past Scientific Presentations / -Scientific Presentation/Self-Critique assignment
-Outside Presentation assignment
-Reading: Zeiger Chap. 6 and 8 / -Receive Faculty feedback during consultation
*Intro rubric/“grade” available after on Canvas
Week 11:
Oct. 30-Nov 3
WEB 2230
Large Group / -Reading: Zeiger Chap. 6 and 8
*Meet with Professors during Small Group
*Presentation Consultation / Reading Quiz
Results Writing (with figures/tables)
Poster
Design / -Results assignment—includes revision of prior sections
-Poster assignment / -Receive Faculty feedback during consultation
*Intro rubric/“grade” available after on Canvas
*Outside Presentation feedback/rubric/“grade” available
Week 12:
Nov. 6-10
SMBB 2660
Small Group / -Presentation Slides
*Presentation Consultation
*Methods (Draft 2) due Monday by 11:59 p.m.
*Sci Research Presentation / Scientific Presentations (filming and feedback)
Week 13:
Nov.13-17
SMBB 2660
Small Group
Week 13 cont. / *Presentation Consultation
*Outside Speech (BIOEN 1010) Presentations given outside of class
*Scientific Research Presentation / Scientific Presentations (filming and feedback)
Scientific Presentations (filming and feedback) / -Reading: Zeiger Chap. 7 / *Presentation feedback/rubric/
grade provided
*Presentation feedback/rubric/
grade provided
Week 14: Nov.20-24 / Thanksgiving Break (No class this week)
Week 15:
Nov. 27-Dec.1
SMBB 2660
Small Group / -Reading: Zeiger Chap. 7
*Scientific Research Presentation
*Poster due Monday by 11:59 p.m.
*Meet with Professors by appointment / Reading Quiz
Discussion Analysis
Scientific Presentations (filming and feedback) / -Discussion Analysis/Discussion Outline assignment / *Presentation feedback/rubric/
grade provided
*Methods feedback/rubric/“grade” available on Canvas
Week 16: Dec.4-8
No Class.
Reading Day. L / *Results assignment w/revision (Draft 3) due Thursday by 11:59 p.m.
*Self-Critique due Thursday by 11:59 p.m.
*Meet with Professors by appointment / *Presentation feedback/rubric/
grade available
*Final Grades available when final grades post
*Results and Poster rubric/feedback/grade available the first week of spring semester
Assignment Summary and Grade Breakdown:
Skill / Grader / Due Date / Grade ValueTechnical Writing:
Quizzes
Memorandum of Understanding
Introduction Analysis
Draft I (Introduction)
Resume
Writing Workshop (Intro)
Draft I Revision (Intro)
Workshop Analysis
Faculty Consultation
Draft II( Intro, Methods)
Draft III (Add Results) / Palmer
Palmer
Palmer
Class
Palmer
Class
Section Professor
Palmer
Section Professor
Section Professor
Section Professor / See Dates in Syllabus
11:59 p.m. Aug. 25
11:59 p.m. Sept.11
11:59 p.m. Sept. 18
In class Sept. 18-22
In class Sept. 26-Oct. 6
11:59 p.m. Oct. 13
11:59 p.m. Oct. 16
Oct. 16-Nov. 6 by appointment
11:59 p.m. Nov. 6
11:59 p.m. Dec. 7 / *
*
*
*
*
*
*
*
*
*
45%
Presentations:
Diagnostic Presentation
Outside Presentation
Speaking Consultation
Speaking Self-critique
Scientific Presentation / Palmer
Palmer
Palmer
Palmer
Section Professor & Palmer / In class Sept. 12-15
Nov. 13-17
Oct. 30-Nov. 22 by appointment
11:59 p.m. Dec. 7
In class Nov. 8-Dec. 1 / *
*
*
*
45%
Poster / Section Professor / 11:59 p.m. Nov. 27 / 10%
Participation**
Mandatory Graduation meeting with Dr. MacLeod*** / Palmer
Dr. MacLeod / Weekly
Before Semester-End
(last day of classes, Dec. 7) / **
***
*Grading System:
The final assignment in each of the main categories (Technical Writing and Presentations) is worth 45% of the final grade. Each assignment leading up to the final assignment is a benchmark and either adds to, stays neutral, or takes away from the final grade. They are graded as follows:
“Check” Grading System:
ü-- (minus whole letter grade)
ü- (minus 1/3 grade)
ü (acceptable)
ü+ (plus 1/3 grade)
ü++ (plus whole letter grade).
**Participation:
Final grades will be heavily influenced by participation. Participation means attending every class, arriving on time, engaging in class discussions, and giving feedback to fellow students. Attendance (including arrival time) will be taken each class meeting. Once final grades have been calculated, your participation will either add to or take away from your final, overall grade, according to the check system.
While most students will receive a ü for average participation (“average” means coming prepared, making useful comments, and contributing to the class discussion), students who substantively contribute to the class will be rewarded with additions to their overall grade. Conversely, unsatisfactory participation (i.e. not coming prepared, not making or providing less than useful comments, or in-class use of laptops or phones for non-class-related activities) will result in an overall grade reduction of 1/3.
You have two allowable lates (i.e.>5 minutes past the official class start time, and 30 minutes late is considered an absence) and two allowable absences. Any lates or absences beyond that will incur a penalty according to the check system above. Any unexcused absence (beyond the 2 allowable absences) will subtract 1 full letter grade from your final, overall grade. Similarly, more than 2 lates will subtract 1/3 letter grade.
Only University-sanctioned, excused absences; documented medical emergencies; ADA accommodations; or documented family emergencies will be tolerated beyond the two “allowable absences”.
Use your allowable lates and/or allowable absences strategically for medical school interviews, conference attendance, or job interviews.
***Meeting with Dr. MacLeod
Each student is required to meet with Dr. MacLeod in the fall to have him discuss graduation and assist in the application process. A full letter grade will be subtracted if the meeting is not arranged and attended by the student.
Extension Policy:
Extensions may be granted under certain circumstances. Requests must be made no fewer than 3 days in advance of the assignment due date. Requests made after this time will be denied.
Penalty for Late Submissions:
· For assignments other than the final paper, final presentation, and poster, the penalty for late assignments is the loss of 1/3 grade level (from check system) per day. For example, if you were given a ü++, but turned the assignment in 3 days late, you will receive a ü for that assignment.
· For the final presentation, final paper, and poster, you will lose 1/3 grade per day late.
· Missed presentations cannot be made up without previous arrangements or documented medical emergency.
· Extensions will be discussed and negotiated. They will be granted on a case-by-case basis.
Other Items:
· Course Laptop Policy: Laptops are allowed for course-related use ONLY (e.g. note-taking and presentations that use presentation software).
· Course Cell Phone Policy: Cell phones are to remain off during class (except for special circumstances).
· U of Utah Content Disclaimer: http://www.utah.edu/disclaimer/index.html
· ADA Policy: http://www.hr.utah.edu/oeo/ada/guide/faculty
· Faculty Responsibilities: http://www.admin.utah.edu/ppmanual/8/8-12-4.html
· Accommodations Policy: http://www.admin.utah.edu/facdev/accommodations-policy.pdf
· College of Engineering Guidelines including the ADA Policy: http://www.coe.utah.edu/SemesterGuidelines.pdf
· Plagiarism and cheating: http://www.regulations.utah.edu/academics/6-400.html and http://www.coe.utah.edu/current-undergrad/policies_appeals.php
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