Critical Reading of the Primary Scientific Literature
GRSC 8020
3 hours. Repeatable for maximum 6 hours credit.
Critical Reading of the Primary Scientific Literature
Course Description
Designed to teach entering graduate students how to deconstruct
and understand primary scientific literature at a level of
awareness needed for becoming successful graduate students and
professional scientists, and in a manner that fosters critical
thinking skills. Topics emphasize both foundational and
emerging topics across the breadth of research in the
Integrated Life Sciences (ILS) program.
Athena Title
Crit Read of Primary Sci Lit
Prerequisite
Permission of department
Semester Course Offered
Offered fall
Grading System
S/U (Satisfactory/Unsatisfactory)
Student learning Outcomes
The primary literature is the primary medium of scientific communication. The ability to effectively access the literature in diverse fields within Life Sciences is essential for the ability to pursue research projects in whatever direction they may lead. First-year ILS graduate students will be introduced to the primary research literature through the in-depth analysis of papers selected from across the breadth of the ILS program. This analysis will include discussions of all aspects of the selected papers both in student-only groups and in class groups led by faculty members, as well as student-led discussions and presentations and weekly writing assignments. The successful student will be able to read the primary scientific literature and be able to summarize and convey their analysis to a small group, both in writing and orally.
Topical Outline
Students will read and discuss papers in multiple areas of research within the scope of the ILS program, as determined by the participating departmental and interdisciplinary research groups within ILS.
Research in the ILS-affiliated departments and institute-based graduate programs includes (but is not limited to) the following areas: Biochemistry, molecular biology, genetics, genomics, bioinformatics, cellular biology, immunology and infectious diseases, neuroscience, plant biology, evolutionary biology, microbiology, pharmacology, and environmental and ecosystem studies. Each week, the students will investigate papers that may encompass one or more of these areas. Papers are selected to both provide grounding in key concepts in each field, as well as to provide an introduction to the breadth and diversity of the scientific literature, and to highlight emerging concepts and topics of research. The primary goal of the course is to develop skills in critical reading of the primary literature.
This course will be taught in the fall semester in sections of 10-15 students. Each section is taught by two instructors, usually from two different departments within the ILS program. Instructors are paired with the goal of providing diversity in research areas and complementary approaches to scientific research. Instructional materials will be primary articles and review articles taken from the scientific literature.
This topical outline is the general plan for the course; the exact order and specific papers assigned for each lecture will be announced to the class in advance by the instructor.
