Class meetings: Fridays 9:00-9:50 in SLC 386. Thursday 4/15 and 4/22 6:00-9:00 PM. Saturday 4/24 9:00 AM - 4:00 PM.
Course Description: In this course students learn how to develop an effective research proposal. Elements of a good proposal and clear, concise writing are emphasized. Students are required to write and present a research proposal. Offered each spring. 1 S.H.
Instructor: Tom Nalli, 457-2467, tnalli@winona.edu Office:
PA 350 M 9-10, 11-1 T 2-4 W 11-2 Th 10-11 F 11-1 (Full schedule is posted here.)
Textbooks:
Robinson, M. S.; Stoller, F. L.; Costanza-Robinson, M.; Jones, J. K. Write Like a Chemist: A Guide and Resource; Oxford University Press: New York, 2008. (required)
The ACS Style Guide, 3rd ed.; Dodd, J. S., Ed.;
American Chemical Society: Washington, DC, 2007. (optional, on 3-h reserve at Krueger Library)
Schoenfeld, R. The Chemist’s English; VCH: Deerfield Beach, 1985. (optional, on 3-h reserve at Krueger Library)
Software: You will need a molecule
drawing program such as ChemDraw or ISIS/Draw.
Course Requirements:
Final Proposal: The main requirement of the course
is that you write a research proposal in conjunction with your research mentor. Initial drafts of the proposal will be handed in at assigned times throughout the semester with feedback from the instructor, hopefully allowing you to end up with a polished final proposal. The final proposal will be graded on the scientific content, the writing quality, and the formatting. More details will be provided later.
Poster Presentation: You will also make a poster presentation of your completed proposal.
Other Assignments or Quizzes: There will be at least two additional
homework assignments or announced quizzes that will contribute to your grade in the course.
Attendance: Attendance and participation during the scheduled class
times is required. More than three unexcused absences will result in a lowering of
the final grade by one letter grade. The Saturday meetings in April is being held in conjunction with the Chemistry Seminar course (Chem 475) and will involve presentations by Chemistry 475 students to students in both courses.
Grade Calculation |
|
Final Grade Assignment: |
| Proposal Draft 1 |
10% |
|
90 - 100 |
A |
| Proposal Draft 2 |
10% |
|
80 - 89 |
B |
| Final Proposal |
50% |
|
70 - 79 |
C |
| Poster Presentation |
10% |
|
60 - 69 |
D |
| Other Assignments |
20% |
|
<60 |
F |
|