Chapter questions and answers: To learn any subject well is to actively probe its logic with questions. Each week, each student will prepare and submit two (2) questions based on the material in the textbook chapter for that week and the discussions that have occurred in class. Since there are 8 chapters, this means that each student is responsible for 16 questions in total.
Group work including reading/presenting scientific literature from a period of over 50 years
Tutorial presentations and research paper summaries: interpretation and presentation of information in scientific papers including writing summaries of the research papers; peer review (class developed assessment sheet) of oral presentations.
Journals: Each student will keep a personal journal of their experiences both in and outside the classroom. The journal will be a tool for discover and learning: about virology, about the scientific method and about themselves. There is a profound difference between recording the results of an experiment, event or experience and thinking about the implications of those observations. There is a difference between what we observe of an event and how we feel (perceive) the event and its relationship to current knowledge. Writing can help with the development of concepts, based on what we observe. The journals will help students explore the development of their own thoughts leading to new concepts, based on recording observations, questions and revelations. Such a journal provides a bridge between the class and a students' daily experience and decision-making. The goal is to help students get examples of what it would be like to apply critical thinking to significant life situations.
Midterm Exam: short answer questions, based on questions submitted by students on the first have of the course.
Final Exam: take home exam, based on questions submitted by students and prepared by faculty.
Expectations:
During the courses, students will be encouraged to develop expertise in the following areas:
Read - Think - Write - Talk
- students will read the material in each chapter before coming to class
- classroom discussions and writing about textbook chapters substitute for lectures
- student preparation of questions based on the textbook
Personal Journals - writing to record:
- encourage the development of the powers of:
- observation - recording of significant situations or events
- critical thinking/personal responses to readings/events
- responses to situations or events:
- to classes/assignments
- to text readings
- to course material and life in general
- events in the public domain relevant to virology
- Analysis and implications of your responses to situations and what you have learned from them.
Virology and the scientific method:
- from what is observed, develop hypothesis/pose a question
- assemble materials and design experimental protocols to test the hypothesis/answer question
- carry out experiments and record results
- analyze results/formulate conclusions
- discuss the results in the context of current level of knowledge