EEOB 699.01
Undergraduate Research: The X Project
1 cl, 10 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 one-hour weekly meeting/lecture and a ten-hour/week laboratory experience. Students are encouraged strongly to be involved in this project for more than one quarter. The students who continue in the project will become mentors for newer students in the project. 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 leadership skills. Honors students may choose to identify a project within the X Project to become their own honors research as they strive to graduate with distinction in the biological sciences.
In addition to attending the lecture and laboratory component of the course, students also will maintain a laboratory notebook/journal and a time-record of their activities in the course. The laboratory notebook/journal should be a complete record of the student’s activities in the laboratory and it should be a record of the student’s library research and thoughts on the work. The notebook/journal will be evaluated on accuracy and completeness. Students will be asked to include specific, short, reflective writing assignments in their journals. These assignments will be evaluated on grammar, relevance, and thoroughness.
Grading will be subjective, based on the quality of the laboratory notebook/journal (33%), the reliability of the student (33%) in the completion of responsibilities, and overall participation in and contribution to the project (33%). Only whole-letter grades will be awarded; ‘A’ = 90-100%, ‘B’ = 80-89.9%, etc.
Prerequisite: EEOB 299.01
Eight credit hours of EEOB 299.01 and EEOB 699.01 may count toward a major in the biological sciences. EEOB 699.01 may be repeated without limit.

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)