BIO199_S21_Session_015

Instructors:  David Weisrock, Biology and Dr. Katie Everson

BIO199_015  -  SYLLABUS
Authentic Research Experience for STEMCats
Spring 2021, 1 Credit hour
Up to 3 hours of laboratory research per week and presentation in the UK Showcase of
Undergraduate Scholars

(A) Course Specifics:
Course Instructor: Dr. Katie Everson and Dr. Dave Weisrock
Office: Thomas Hunt Morgan Rm. 204
Email: kathryn.everson@uky.edu and david.weisrock@uky.edu
Office Hours: By appointment
Components of the Course, Class Times and Location:
1. Research Sessions: Mondays 3-5 pm (Section 011) or Wednesdays 3-5 pm (Section 015)
2. Virtual Poster Presentation at UK’s Showcase of Undergraduate Scholars:
• April 27-29, 2021 (live presentations with Q&A session following)

Showcase of Undergraduate Scholars information link.
http://www.uky.edu/chellgren/undergraduate-research/showcase-undergraduate-scholars
Important Deadlines:
NOTE: STEMCats do NOT register for the Showcase of undergraduate scholars
online. For registration and abstract submission, see your Peer Mentor.
• Registration Opens: March 1, 2021
• Registration Deadline: April 1, 2021 by 11:45pm
• Documents/links included in link above:
• Previous Showcase Abstract Books
• How to Write a Research Abstract
• Presenting and Designing a Poster
• Research Template Poster
Requirements to Pass the Course: Earn 70 points or above in attendance, participation and
poster presentation.

(B) Course Description:
This course is designed to provide beginning students from the STEMCats program an
opportunity to participate in group-based research projects to gain research experience in a
Science, Technology, Engineering and Mathematics (STEM) field while working with a faculty
member or several co-instructing faculty members in UK STEM departments such as those in the
colleges of A&S, medicine, agriculture and engineering. This authentic laboratory research
experience is enriched with a group-based research poster presentation in the UK Showcase of
Undergraduate Scholars toward the end of the semester.

The sections taught by Dr. Kathryn Everson (BIO 199-011 and BIO 199-015) are titled
“Evolutionary Genetics in Madagascar’s Lemurs.” The course description for these sections is as
follows:
The island of Madagascar is a biodiversity hotspot and a natural laboratory for evolutionary
research. Of the mammals living on Madagascar today, Lemurs (Primates) were the first to
colonize the island approximately 60 million years ago. Today, 108 species of lemur are
recognized and approximately 80% of these species are threatened by habitat loss. In this class we
will work with large amounts of genetic data from lemurs to answer questions related to their
evolutionary history. Students will develop skills in bioinformatics, statistical analysis, and
scientific communication.

(C) Course Objectives:
This course is intended to:
• Introduce 1st year students to the research laboratory.
• Expose students to current methods, technologies, and protocols used in research labs.
• Educate the students about the scientific method and hypothesis testing through
experimentation.
• Provide opportunities for students to improve their team-work skills.
• Improve students’ professional skills required to succeed in a STEM field including
communication and presentation skills.
• Enhance students’ enthusiasm for STEM disciplines through providing a hands-on
experience in inquiry, authentic problem-solving, and/or discovery, integration to a
rigorous research community, and exposure to research community-based activities.

(D) Learning Outcomes:
Upon successful completion of this experience, a student should be able to:
• Work safely in a STEM research laboratory.
• Work collaboratively in a research group.
• Demonstrate the ability to perform experiments in the research lab setting.
• Analyze biological information and experimental data before pursuing a method of
problem solving.
• Apply scientific principles to solve problems in the chosen STEM field.
• Demonstrate ability to communicate/present professionally in a science-forum setting.

(E) Attendance:
You are expected to attend all laboratory research sessions of your chosen research section and
the research forum (UK Showcase of Undergraduate Scholars) which would constitute a main
component of your grade (Pass/Fail) as described in section (I) on page 3.
Your full participation is expected at all laboratory sessions and the forum, including completing
preparatory, in-class, and post-class homework assignments as periodically communicated to you
through Blackboard, e-mail, in-class announcements etc.
Students are required to arrive no later than the scheduled time for research sessions and the
forum. Make-up assignments for a missed laboratory session or the forum will only be given for

DOCUMENTED excused absences as defined by the University (Senate Rule V.2.4.2). A missed
attendance will result in a score of zero for attendance and participation points for that laboratory
research session or forum, unless an acceptable written excuse is presented to your research
advisor within one week of the missed activity and the assigned alternative assignment is
satisfactorily completed. An unexcused absence will automatically result in the loss of
participation points for the specific day or activities conducted.
For issues regarding attendance at laboratory research sessions, contact your research project
advisor. For issues regarding attendance at the research forum, contact your research project
advisor and Dr. Vincent Cassone. In case of overlap with a regularly scheduled class with the
forum occurring on April 27, 2016 3:00 – 6:00 pm, a make-up assignment will be available if you
have documentation to show an overlapping UK or BCTC class that prevents you from being
present at the forum during this time.

(F) Missed Laboratory Sessions and Forum
Make-up assignments (for missed laboratory sessions and forum) will only be given for
DOCUMENTED excused absences as defined by the University (Senate Rule V.2.4.2). A
missed attendance will result in a score of zero for attendance and participation points for that
laboratory research session or forum, unless an acceptable written excuse is presented within one
week of the missed lecture or activity and the assigned alternative assignment is satisfactorily
completed.
Note: Problems associated with parking, traffic, library services, family commitments
(including attending weddings), travel itineraries, procrastination, over-sleeping or
forgetfulness are not acceptable excuses for missing a lecture or a co-curricular activity.

(G) Reading and Assignments:
For the laboratory research sessions and forum, your research project advisor(s) may assign tasks
to complete. You are expected to complete these tasks by the deadline specified. Attendance and
participation points for the laboratory research session and forum will dependent upon completing
these tasks satisfactorily.

(H) Grading:
This research experience inherits the grading system of the parent course under which this
experience is offered. BIO 199 sections will be graded only pass/fail.
To earn a pass grade for this course, you are required to earn 70 points or above (out of 100) in
the 3 categories specified below:
(1) Timely arrival and be in attendance through the entire duration of the laboratory sessions until
the research project advisor dismisses the class.
(2) Complete participation in the activities including pre-class, in-class and post-class
assignments including homework.
(3) Presentation at the UK Showcase of Undergraduate Scholars.
For group work, complete and equal participation from each student is expected. Each student’s
attendance and participation for group work will be evaluated on an individual basis.

An unexcused absence will automatically result in the loss of participation points for the specific
day or activities conducted.
Requirements described above in section (F) on page 2 and section (H) on page 3 will apply for
grading.
Any grade-related concern needs to be brought to the notice of the instructors within one week of
initial student notification of the specific sub-grade or grade in question, and a written request
maybe required from the student to initiate a specific grade review.

(I) Disabilities/ Medical Conditions:
If you have a documented disability that requires academic accommodations, please contact your
research advisor as soon as possible. In order to receive accommodations in this course, you must
provide your research advisor with a Letter of Accommodation from the Disability Resource
Center (Room 2, Alumni Gym, 257-2754, email address jkarnes@email.uky.edu) for
coordination of campus disability services available to students with disabilities.

(J) Academic Offenses:
Falsifying attendance is a serious offence. Charges of an academic offense will be made against
any student who falsifies attendance, cheats, or commits plagiarism. Penalties for such an offense
will be assessed according to University Regulations regarding Academic Offenses. The most
severe penalties include suspension or dismissal from the University.

(K) Course Policy on Classroom Civility and Decorum:
The university, colleges and departments all have a commitment to respect the dignity of all and
to value differences among members of our academic community. There exists the role of
discussion and debate in academic discovery and the right of all to respectfully disagree from
time-to-time. Students clearly have the right to take reasoned exception and to voice opinions
contrary to those offered by the instructor and/or other students (S.R. 6.1.2). Equally, a faculty
member has the right -- and the responsibility -- to ensure that all academic discourse occurs in a
context characterized by respect and civility. Obviously, the accepted level of civility would not
include attacks of a personal nature or statements denigrating another on the basis of race, sex,
religion, sexual orientation, age, national/regional origin or other such irrelevant factors. During
group-work such civil conduct towards fellow group members as well as equal sharing of
workload and opportunities is expected. In the research laboratory environment, professional and
safe conduct with respect to persons, instruments, chemicals and other materials is expected.
Also, non-obstructive behavior to other laboratory personnel conducting research in the research
advisor’s laboratory and their research projects is expected.
Cellphones are required to be held in a mode that does not cause disturbance to other students and
class (e.g. silenced, vibration) during all class times.

(L) Group Work:
For group work, complete and equal participation from each student is expected. Each student’s
attendance and participation for group work will be evaluated on an individual basis. Civil and
respectful conduct towards fellow group members as well as equal sharing of workload and
opportunities with fellow group members is expected.

(M) Student Responsibilities:
Each student is required to honor the requirements stipulated in this syllabus, including timely
arrival, full participation in the research and other associated activities including completing preclass,
in-class and post-class assignments including homework, responsible conduct in the
laboratory environment, respectful conduct towards research advisor, group members, mentors
and other laboratory personnel. While working, the student must observe all safety and laboratory
policies.