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Research Seminar

BTC #556

Class Syllabus

Instructor:  Dr.  Alexandra VanKley

Office:  SRC, Build. C                      Phone: 468-6930     

E-mail: avankley@sfasu.edu

Office hours: schedule

Textbook: none

Recommended literature and cites:

Robert R. H. Anholt "Dazzle 'Em With Style : The Art of Oral Scientific Presentation"

http://encarta.msn.com/sidebar_701538486/Research_Paper_Oral_Presentation.html

Course description/goal

Graduate level course for 1 credit hour for fall and spring. The Graduate Student Research Seminar is a weekly activity of Biotechnology program SFASU in which faculty, graduate students and visiting speakers participate. The seminar is a practice stage for communication among the students about their research. Topic for the seminar is usually student’s thesis topic. The seminar should consist of a review of the relevant literature/background, include a discussion of the methods used/planned and results obtained. During last 5-10 minutes student can be asked some questions from faculty and graduate students and receive some feedback on presentation and results.

The goal of this course is to provide students with following opportunities:

1) Initiate communication about research topics among and between graduate students within the Biotechnology program
2) Practice critical thinking among the graduate students.
3) Give students opportunity to practice the art of presentation and receive some feedback and learn some useful techniques.

4) Receive comments and guidance from faculty and fellow students regarding their research and presentations of scientific data.

Presentation Topics: 

Students will present her/his current research efforts to other students and faculty. (Please discuss with your supervisor to clarify about the data you can share).

You must choose a day of your presentation from the schedule within first two weeks of the semester. Your PowerPoint presentation file will be posted on the web (optional) one week before your presentation date (for privacy reasons a password will be set to access the files). Notification of title must be made two weeks minimum in advance to Dr. Van Kley and this is the responsibility of the presenter.

Student participating in discussions and asking questions during the discussion after the presentation will be given bonus points.

 Presentations: 

Presentations will be given every Thursday as scheduled. Expect a discussion after your presentation. You must provide the rest of us with the outlines for the talk. Your talk should include graphics to support your ideas and concepts.  You will use PowerPoint and document camera for the overhead transparencies (if needed).

 Grading:

Your final grade in this course is determined in the following manner:

                                    Presentation, Participation

Absence:

You must be present during all the presentations. Consult the SFASU General Bulletin for the excused absence policy.

Dressing code:

Professional dress style is required for a presenter.  Appropriate professional attire includes suits, dress pants, (women: skirts, dresses, blouses), button-up long sleeves shirts with collars (men: dress slacks; khaki, ties) with appropriate shined business shoes. All attire should be neat, clean and pressed). Hair should be cleaned and combed, tasteful makeup. Were a belt for trousers.

Presentation check list:

            Organization

            Theoretical content

            Data Presentation

            Conclusions and synthesis of key points

            Volume and clarity of speech, rate of delivery

            Visual aids

            Attitude and enthusiasm

            Timing of presentation ( not shorter than 20 minutes and no

                                            longer than 60 min)

            Response to questions

or grade sheet from BTC563

Will help:

Strongly encourage to provide a handout of the presentation.