Calendar Description  

The communication of scientific discovery is fundamental to all disciplines in biology. This course will continue to develop students' ability to convey scientific information and to read the scientific literature with understanding.
 

Course Objectives and Learning Outcomes

Students are often very well versed in the mechanics of research.  This course will focus on teaching the mechanics of what to do with the results of that research.  Emphasis will first be placed on logic and parsimony – and this will guide our semester-long tour of communicating biology to others.  The main methods of communication to be discussed will be peer-reviewed scientific articles (how to review, write, and publish them), presentations to both scientists and non-scientists, and (when applicable) translating science into policy.  The final part of the semester will focus on some of the hurdles of post-graduate careers.

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Prerequisites

Prerequisite: ENGL 1100 or 1110, BIOL 2300, third-year standing in a Biology Major Corequisite: Enrolment in a third year biology course
 

Recommended Text

Recommended:

“Making Sense- A Student’s Guide to Research and Writing- Life Sciences” by Margot Northey and Patrick Von Aderkas, Oxford University Press, 2011

 

“Reading Primary Literature” by Christopher M. Gillen, Pearson Benjamin Cummings, 2007

 

Readings for the course will be provided by the instructor

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