First-year Biology Seminar

BIOL 1070

Course Description

This course introduces students in biology-related majors to researchers and research in biology as well as to the process of scientific inquiry. One of the goals of this course is to become familiar with researchers in various fields of biology, the diversity of professions in biology, and the opportunities available to those with a degree in biology. Another goal is to become more familiar with research itself, including the asking of questions, formulation of hypotheses and predictions, experimental design, interpretation of results, and the making of conclusions. The final goal of this course is for you as a biologist in training to become more proficient in the searching of and reading of the primary scientific literature and the presentation of scientific information.

Course Evaluation

Each week there are assigned readings that include both news and media stories as well as primary literature articles on the guest lecturer for the week. Over the course of the semester, you identify a scientific study that interests you and prepare the sections for a scientific poster on this study which is presented at the end of the semester. In addition, attendance at the UVM Student Research Conference is required. All readings are shared via Brightspace and no textbook is required.