CELL 787-02 Seminars in Cell and Molecular Biology

Spring 2010

Wed. 2-4pm and Fri. 3-4, Boggs rm. 239

Course Director: Dr. Garic GrisbaumOffice Hours: By appointment

4011 Percival Stern Hall

865-5582

Course Description: This course has been designed to promote oral communication, listening skills, professionalism, research skills, presentation skills, and critical analysis of various Medical, Dental, and Research related topics. It is intended to improve the students overall understanding of the various topics presented and discussed in class and Departmental Seminars. The primary goal of the course is to expose these future health care professionals to material that will increase their understanding of various topics, while also allowing them to become more familiar with topics they choose to research and present to their fellow classmates. It will also give each student the confidence and experience needed to strive in oral presentations while in their future professional school.

Course Objectives: To acquire a fundamental understanding of various diseases processes at the cell and molecular level. Students will have the opportunity for self-discovery of knowledge by working with other course participants in researching and preparing their oral presentations. Each presentation will involve discussion and questions from the audience, which will allow students the ability to develop listening and reasoning skills. Emphasis will be placed on active participation on the part of the students and the instructor will serve as a guide and facilitator.

Specific Learning Objectives:

Students will be able to

  1. Generate, evaluate, and organize material for an effective oral power-point presentation
  2. Deliver an effective oral presentation in a professional manner.
  3. Speak clearly and project voice sufficiently, employing the appropriate verbal and nonverbal strategies
  4. Utilize visual aids effectively
  5. Lead and participate effectively in group discussions
  6. Apply active listening skills in interpersonal settings
  7. Clearly communicate and defend each position or conclusion by evaluating the validity of information and ideas, providing evidence and support, and arguing against any competing claims, if they arise
  8. Approach learning and inquiry with open-mindedness.
  9. Successfully work as a team member by working collaboratively and working through “difficult” situations
  10. Communicate effectively as part of a team and learn time management skills
  11. Successfully prepare and present a well designed power-point presentation, while being comfortable and confident in doing so

Grading/Notes:

50% Presentation: Students may not use other topics or presentations given in another class . A requirement of this class is each student will pair up with another student and give a 20 minute presentation, with 10 minutes given for questions and answers, for this semester and this will count for total of 50% of your grade for the seminar course. Please come by my office, 4011 Percival Stern, and sign up your group and topic no later than Friday, February 12th. Topic’s and dates are on a first come first served basis and we do not want more than 3 presentations given on a Wed. and no more than 2 presentations on Fri. You are also required to email all classmates, on or before that same date February 12th, and cc me your group topic so that there are not numerous presentations on the same topic, failure to do so will negatively affect your grade. You may not use any presentations or topics used in another class or this will negatively affect your grade. The dates for these presentations can be found on the Semester Schedule and will be filled in the 2-4pm hours on Wed. and the 3-4pm hours on Fri. The dates for presentations for this semester are: March 17th, 19th, 24th, and 26th, - April 7th, 9th, 14th, and 16th. For those students not doing service learning, meaning the Dental and Research students, you are only required to attend the class when presentations are being given; otherwise Dr. Inglis will inform you about class time and when you will be meeting as a group. It is the Departments hope that each of you will be able to pick a topic for your presentation which can vary from a case presentation, a disease process, or other things that you might be interested in presenting. Those students doing research will present individually on their research projects. It is important that each research student get with the faculty member, overseeing their research, and get as much background information to read in order to understand the purpose of their project and to assist them in their presentation. This will help the student to understand this information and be able to explain the reason for conducting their project, including their results. Also, it may be a good idea for the dental students to combine into 2 groups and pick a dental related topic. Each member of the group will be assessed individually and your grade will be determined by the attending Faculty members on: 1. Quality of your presentation (Clearly audible, voice well modulated, well paced) 2. Visual Aids (Clear, well presented, appropriate, supportive of presentation) 3. Structure and Organization (Well prepared and organized; Case clearly and persuasively made) 4. Knowledge and Understanding (Relevant, clear; scientific principles clearly explained. Responds well to questions) 5. Professionalism 6. Turning in a completed presentation 2 days before your scheduled presentation, via email to Dr. Grisbaum 7. Emailing your fellow students and cc Dr. Grisbaum your group topic 8, as well as, signing up on the sheet outside of Dr. Grisbaum’s door. 9. Everyone in the group must present information at the Cell and Molecular level on the topic or their individual grade will suffer. Remember that our Department is called Cell and Molecular Biology and we would like each student in the group to emphasize their topic at the cell and molecular level, first and foremost. All students must know the information that they are presenting well enough not to have to look at the screen to present their talk. You should use the slides only to jog your memory, explain diagrams, figures, pathways, etc., and for your audience to be able to follow your talk. If you read directly from the screen you will not receive a grade higher than a B +. If you have any questions please see Dr. Grisbaum on an individual basis, and he will explain what is required of you in these presentations. The students that are making their presentations that day must wear appropriate attire (ladies-a dress, dress slacks, blouse/men-slacks, nice shirt and tie). Each individual should know their material well enough (i.e. recite talk without looking at the power point at the front of the class) that they could present the material while making good eye contact with the audience. This will help each student become more confident in public speaking, as well as, mastery of the information that they will present. The above mentioned presentations must be done on power-point and the presentation, including bibliography, must be saved on the department computer, in the master student study room on the 4th floor of Stern Hall, as soon as you finish your presentation that day or your grade will suffer.

25% Attendance/sign-in at Departmental Seminars: The department will be hosting a number of speakers for this coming semester and each of you must attend these seminars. Ms. Marnie Mercado will be sending out emails telling you the specifics about the seminars, but usually they are given on Friday afternoons at 4pm. All of you should get in the habit of checking your emails for these seminars and the Departmental website. If for any reason you are late to the seminar, please see Dr. Inglis or Dr. Grisbaum after the seminar speaker is done with his or her presentation to sign in, if the sign in sheet is still not in circulation. This will be done to give our guest speaker the utmost respect and courtesy while he or she is giving their talk. (If any of you are late to the seminar, absent, or do not turn in a critique, it will be reflected in this portion of your grade). As of now there are 7 seminars scheduled for Fridays, so check out the seminar schedule online.

25% Attendance/sign-in and Participation at all student presentations: At the start of each scheduled presentation day, Dr. Grisbaum will hand out a sign-in sheet and each student should make sure to sign it. All students are required to sit in front of the Faculty members in attendance that day and there will be no computer use or doing anything other than listening to the scheduled presentation that day or it will negatively affect your grade. You are also required to participate in the discussion phase of each presentation which will count in this portion of your grade. The above mentioned presentations are the required talks that you will be making this semester. Again, if any student is late, please see Dr. Grisbaum after the presentations are completed for the sign-in sheet, if it is not in circulation. This will be done to promote professionalism and common courtesy for your fellow graduate student

Honor Code: Students are expected to adhere to the Honor Code of Tulane University and the School of Science and Engineering. Any violations of the Honor Code will be referred to the Honor Board to be sanctioned according to the Universities guidelines.