Summer 2022 - HSCI 471 D100
Special Topics in Health Sciences I (3)
Class Number: 5018
Delivery Method: In Person
Overview
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Course Times + Location:
May 10 – Aug 8, 2022: Fri, 9:30 a.m.–12:20 p.m.
Burnaby
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Instructor:
Nathan Gock
ngock@sfu.ca
Office Hours: By Appointment
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Prerequisites:
Will vary according to topic.
Description
CALENDAR DESCRIPTION:
Selected topics in areas not currently offered within the undergraduate course offerings.
COURSE DETAILS:
This is a seminar class aimed at upper level undergraduate students with an interest in neurodegenerative disease research. Students in this course will read a selection of research articles from various topics in neurodegenerative disease research. In groups, students will present on these research papers, as well as discuss these papers with their colleagues. The major assignment for this course will be preparing a research proposal aimed at addressing an area of need in neurodegenerative disease research. Articles will be selected by the course instructor, with a selection from recent literature and active areas of research.
COURSE-LEVEL EDUCATIONAL GOALS:
EXPECTED OUTCOMES:
The goal of this course is to provide students with an overview of the challenges surrounding new treatments for Parkinson’s and other neurodegenerative diseases.
- Describe the general molecular underpinnings of neurodegenerative diseases.
- Identify challenges associated with developing new treatments and therapies for these diseases.
- Gain an understanding of how to read, decipher, and digest scientific literature.
- Develop a research proposal to solve a gap in the literature in neurodegenerative disease.
Grading
- Layperson Summary 10%
- Paper Critique 15%
- Group Presentations 40%
- Research Proposal 35%
NOTES:
Grading
Layperson Summary: Individually, select a group presentation (not your own) to summarize for a non-scientific audience. Imagine that you are writing this paper for a mainstream press release, meant to be disseminated to a broad audience. How can you distill this information in a way that others can easily understand? (500 words)
Paper Critique: Individually, select another group’s article and read/critique that article. Include in your critique: what is the background of the research problem? What are the researchers aiming to address? Do you think the researchers used good methods to test their hypothesis? Do you think the researchers drew the right conclusions from their results? What are future research questions that can be addressed? (500 words)
Group Presentations: In groups of 3, prepare a ~30 minute presentation on a selected research article. Have roughly 10 minutes for an activity following your presentation which will facilitate discussion of the research article with your peers.
Research Proposal: Individually, prepare a research proposal to expand on the paper you presented in your groups. What are the next series of experiments that can be performed? Has this already been tested? Do some extra background research on area of research. 2 pages (w/o references), with background, hypothesis, aims/methods.
Materials
MATERIALS + SUPPLIES:
There is no required textbook for this course. A package of course notes will be available on Canvas. Readings are listed in the course schedule in the syllabus (subject to change) and others may be assigned during the course.
Registrar Notes:
ACADEMIC INTEGRITY: YOUR WORK, YOUR SUCCESS
SFU’s Academic Integrity web site http://www.sfu.ca/students/academicintegrity.html is filled with information on what is meant by academic dishonesty, where you can find resources to help with your studies and the consequences of cheating. Check out the site for more information and videos that help explain the issues in plain English.
Each student is responsible for his or her conduct as it affects the University community. Academic dishonesty, in whatever form, is ultimately destructive of the values of the University. Furthermore, it is unfair and discouraging to the majority of students who pursue their studies honestly. Scholarly integrity is required of all members of the University. http://www.sfu.ca/policies/gazette/student/s10-01.html
TEACHING AT SFU IN SUMMER 2022
Teaching at SFU in summer 2022 will involve primarily in-person instruction. Some courses may be offered through alternative methods (remote, online, blended), and if so, this will be clearly identified in the schedule of classes.
Enrolling in a course acknowledges that you are able to attend in whatever format is required. You should not enroll in a course that is in-person if you are not able to return to campus, and should be aware that remote, online, or blended courses study may entail different modes of learning, interaction with your instructor, and ways of getting feedback on your work than may be the case for in-person classes.
Students with hidden or visible disabilities who may need class or exam accommodations, including in the context of remote learning, are advised to register with the SFU Centre for Accessible Learning (caladmin@sfu.ca or 778-782-3112) as early as possible in order to prepare for the summer 2022 term.