• 1) Quizzes: a couple of in-class quizzes, based upon lecture/ discussion material. 25%
• 2) Assignment 1: an oral presentation in class on a recent paper, updating one of the topics we discussed in class. This will also include a short, 1 page (single-spaced) summary in the style of Science Research News or Nature News and Views. Students in the class will provide input to assign grades for the talk and summary. 25%
• 3) Assignment 2: a short grant proposal (3-4pp, single-spaced). Assume that you are one of the researchers involved in this research area, and that you are applying for continuing research support from a funding agency like NSERC. This proposal should give some background/literature review, discuss the importance of recent progress that you’ve made, and then proceed to outline a research plan (key experiments etc.) to advance our understanding of the research area. There should also be a discussion of potential problems, significance, and contributions of the proposed work (i.e. why it’s important for them to give you the money, etc.). I encourage students to talk to me (and to each other) about these assignments well ahead of deadlines. I’m also happy to give feedback on rough drafts of these assignments, before they are handed in. 25%
• 4) Class participation: students are expected to attend class and to actively contribute to their small group’s presentations, as well as to discussions of topics presented by others. 25%

NOTES:

Based on quizzes, two assignments, and class participation (percentages may be adjusted depending upon class size etc).  Student feedback is important for grading/evaluations.