Biology I-Principles of Biology

SCI 251E Biology I-Principles of Biology

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Instruction for writing a review paper as a substitute for pre-approved class absence

For a necessary and pre-approved absence from class, a hand written review paper (≥600 words) may be used to substitute the “class participation” (1 point/pt) and the “in-class quiz” (2 pts) if they are submitted in person no later than the beginning of the next class you attend, along with the following two documents: (1) The instructor’s pre-approval email (print it out). [For student athletes: Sport event document, and print it out.] (2) A notice certifying that the absence is necessary (for example, a copy of doctor’s note, a letter from your parents – if it is an email, print it out). [No need for student athletes.]

The review paper should be on a biology-related article or news report that you read from an

official media (such as a professional journal, a scientific magazine, a newspaper, or a trustable official website) of the week before the missed class.

In the review paper you should: 1) provide the full citation [See the bottom of this instruction for citation style] of the article if

it is published in a journal or magazine; or if it is a news report published in a newspaper or on a website, not only provide its full citation but also find out the original source (a scientific article? an interview on a biologist? etc.) based on which the news report was written,

2) summarize the main topic/story that is covered in the article/news report, and 3) use what you have learnt from this class to comment on the article/news report. To fully gain the 3 pts of the missed class, the review paper should meet the following criteria:

i) It is hand written in a clean and clear style. (0.5 pts) ii) It is of no less than 600 words and with good writing skills (spelling, grammar, etc.) (0.5

pts) iii) It summarizes the main biological topic(s)/story covered in the article/news report. (1 pt) iv) It contains your own comments/reflections on the article/news report. (0.5 pts) v) It provides the full citation of the article (as well as the original source of it if it is a news

report published in a newspaper or on a website.) (0.5 pts) Citation Style: We will use the “name-year” citation style of “Council of Science Editors. Style

Manual Committee. 2014. Scientific Style and Format: The CSE Manual for Authors, Editors, and Publishers. 8th edition. Chicago and London: The University of Chicago Press. 722p,” which can be found from: http://www.scientificstyleandformat.org/Tools/SSF-Citation-Quick-Guide.html]:

Click “SCIENTIFIC STYLE AND FORMAT CITATION QUICK GUIDE” at the left column and click “NAME-YEAR” under “Scientific Style and Format Citation Quick Guide.”