EEOB 299.01
Undergraduate Research: The X Project
2 cl, 5 lab: 4 cr. hrs.

Instructor:	David L. Stetson.1
260 Jennings Hall
614 292-5307
	
	The X project is an on-going research project investigating the evolution, genetics, physiology, and morphology of sexual differentiation in Xenopus laevis. Students enrolled in this course will be the “principal investigators” in this research; they will be asking the questions, formulating the hypotheses, designing the experiments, collecting and analyzing the data, and reporting the results. The course will consist of a two-hour weekly meeting/lecture and a five-hour/week laboratory experience. Students are encouraged strongly to be involved in this project for more than one quarter. This course provides, therefore, opportunities for students to be intimately involved in cutting-edge research and to develop laboratory skills; expertise in the use of research literature; presentation skills; and teaching, mentoring, and other social skills.
In addition to attending the lecture and laboratory component of the course, students must be certified in laboratory safety, radiation safety, and animal use. These responsibilities will be met using on-line resources or by attending training sessions scheduled during the lectures. Students also will maintain a laboratory notebook/journal and a time-record of their activities in the course. Students will be asked to include specific, short, reflective writing assignments in their journals.
Grading will be based on completion of the required training (60%; 20% for safety training, 20% for animal use training, and 20% for radiation safety training), the quality of the laboratory notebook/journal (20%), and a final examination covering safety and laboratory skills (20%). Only whole-letter grades will be awarded; ‘A’ = 90-100%, ‘B’ = 80-89.9%, etc.
Prerequisite: none
Five credit hours of EEOB 299.01 and EEOB 699.01 may count toward a major in the biological sciences. EEOB 299.01 may not be repeated.

STUDENTS WITH DISABILITIES

If you are registered with the Office of Disability Services, the staff will do everything in its power to support your efforts in and out of class. You are encouraged to talk with Dr. Stetson at your convenience, in private, to discuss issues of concern.

ACADEMIC INTEGRITY (ACADEMIC MISCONDUCT)

Academic integrity is essential to maintaining an environment that fosters excellence in teaching, research, and other educational and scholarly activities.  Thus, The Ohio State University and the Committee on Academic Misconduct (COAM) expect that all students have read and understand the University’s Code of Student Conduct, and that all students will complete all academic and scholarly assignments with fairness and honesty.  Students must recognize that failure to follow the rules and guidelines established in the University’s Code of Student Conduct and this syllabus may constitute “Academic Misconduct.”

The Ohio State University’s Code of Student Conduct (Section 3335-23-04) defines academic misconduct as: “Any activity that tends to compromise the academic integrity of the University, or subvert the educational process.”  Examples of academic misconduct include (but are not limited to) plagiarism, collusion (unauthorized collaboration), copying the work of another student, and possession of unauthorized materials during an examination.  Ignorance of the University’s Code of Student Conduct is never considered an “excuse” for academic misconduct, so I recommend that you review the Code of Student Conduct and, specifically, the sections dealing with academic misconduct.

If I suspect that a student has committed academic misconduct in this course, I am obligated by University Rules to report my suspicions to the Committee on Academic Misconduct.  If COAM determines that you have violated the University’s Code of Student Conduct (i.e., committed academic misconduct), the sanctions for the misconduct could include a failing grade in this course and suspension or dismissal from the University.

If you have any questions about the above policy or what constitutes academic misconduct in this course, please contact me.

Other sources of information on academic misconduct (integrity) to which you can refer include:

The Committee on Academic Misconduct web pages (oaa.osu.edu/coam/home.html)

Ten Suggestions for Preserving Academic Integrity
(oaa.osu.edu/coam/ten-suggestions.html)

Eight Cardinal Rules of Academic Integrity (www.northwestern.edu/uacc/8cards.html)