Laws, William

English

University of Montana

University of MontanaScholarWorks at University of MontanaSyllabi Course Syllabi9-2014CHMY 302E.01: Chemistry Literature andScience WritingWilliam LawsUniversity of Montana - Missoula, bill.laws@umontana.eduLet us know how access to this document benefits you.Follow this and additional works at: https://scholarworks.umt.edu/syllabiThis Syllabus is brought to you for free and open access by the Course Syllabi at ScholarWorks at University of Montana. It has been accepted forinclusion in Syllabi by an authorized administrator of ScholarWorks at University of Montana. For more information, please contactscholarworks@mso.umt.edu.Recommended CitationLaws, William, "CHMY 302E.01: Chemistry Literature and Science Writing" (2014). Syllabi. 1341.https://scholarworks.umt.edu/syllabi/1341CHMY302E: Ethics, Science Writing, and Chemistry Literature Fall, 2014InstructorWilliam R. Laws, Chem304, 243-4107, bill.laws@umontana.eduOffice HoursOpen door MWF or schedule a specific timeCourse GoalsThis course provides instruction and experience in effective communication and ethical practice in science. Topics to be covered include:• the three main western ethics theories• the role of ethics in science• the presentation of scientific information in different formats to different audiences• the effective use of library and internet databasesCourse Textbooks1. Michael J. Sandel, “Justice: What’s the Right Thing To Do?”, Farrar, Straus, and Giroux, New York, 2010.2. “The ACS Style Guide. Effective Communication of Scientific Information” , 3rd ed., Coghill and Garson, eds., American Chemical Society, 2006.Course Materials1. Assignment details and in-class materials will be handed out in class and posted on Moodle.2. Online lectures at www.justiceharvard.org by Michael J. Sandel, Dept, of Government, Harvard University, viewed out of class may help you participate in the discussions on ethics.Course ContentA. Reading: You will be expected to read assigned portions of the two textbooks and othermaterial before the class. This information will complement the lecture topics, discussions, and writing assignments.B. In class: Class time will be split into three basic categories:1. The three standard western traditions in ethics will be presented, discussed, and compared. The insights gained will be applied to the role of ethics in science.2. To help with the out-of-class assignments (see below), time will be spent on:a. composition, word use, formatting, etc.b. peer reviews of the out-of-class writing assignmentsc. library and database used. two writing assignments: one on ethics and another on chemistry; topics to be announced in class3. Invited experts will provide:a. information, ideas, and guidelines for two writing assignmentsb. overviews of writing research grants and publishing scientific articles1C. Out of class: There are five writing assignments.A1 text editingA2 write a guide for a first-year general chemistry student on how to use a laboratory instrument A3 write resumes and cover letters for two different job descriptions A4 study a well-known case of an ethics violation in science; write a summary of the case and existing critiques, and include your concerns with respect to the ethics A5 this has two parts: a) write a persuasion article, detailing the science and applying ethics to your arguments, concerning a current public issue involving chemistry; and b) write this article for the general publicAn excellent scientific article requires writing a series of drafts. Therefore, the following procedure will be used for each assignment:• First, you will submit a draft (e.g., A2.d1) for peer review; you will edit the draft of a classmate.• Second, based on the edited first draft, you will submit a second draft (e.g., A2.d2) for review by Dr. Laws.• For A4 and A5, you will include a third draft (e.g., A4.d3) in the portfolio using the edited second draft.D. Portfolio: The portfolio (specifications to be given early in the semester) will consist of:• all drafts of all out-of-class assignments• all editing evaluation forms• both in-class writing assignments• an evaluation of the course with respect to your enhanced understanding of ethics, improved writing abilities, and acquired knowledge in obtaining scientific informationWriting Criteria1. Details such as audience and minimum length will be given with each assignment.2. Unless stated otherwise, submit drafts for all out-of-class assignments printed:a. double-spaced and one inch margins in Times New Roman 12-pt or Arial 11-pt fontsb. pages numbered bottom centerc. with the first page having a top, right-side header consisting of your name and the assignment and draft number (e.g., John Doe, A3.d2)3. Use paperclips - do not staple, punch binder holes, etc.4. Drafts handed in late will not receive full credit.5. Remember that all drafts for all assignments will be required for your portfolio. It is advised to keep a complete electronic record of all drafts of each assignment.The Writing CenterTutors can assist you, free of charge, with your writing assignments. Make an appointment and access resources at www.umt.edu/writinqcenter. Drop-in tutoring is available during library hours.2Attendance1. Make every effort to attend all classes. As stated below, your final grade will be determined in part by your participation in:a. the discussions of the ethics conceptsb. the writing and library workshopsc. the peer reviewsd. the in-class writing assignments2. Missing classes will affect your ability to:a. include ethics in two writing assignmentsb. improve your writing skills3. Contact Dr. Laws prior to missing a class or immediately after an illness.Evaluation1. Your grade will be based on your in-class work (50%) and the final portfolio (50%).2. Each student will meet with Dr. Laws to discuss their progress in the course. The meeting will be by appointment during the week of October 14.3. The in-class evaluation will relate to:a. your participation in the discussions on ethicsb. your effort and ability as a peer reviewerc. your participation in the writing and library workshopsd. your interactions with the invited experts4. The portfolio will be judged by:a. your ability to improve each draft of each assignmentb. your improvement in all scientific writing skills over the entire semesterc. the quality of the science and incorporation of ethics in A4.d3 and A5.d3DisabilityThe University of Montana assures equal access to instruction through collaboration between students with disabilities, instructors, and Disability Services for Students. If you think you may have a disability adversely affecting your academic performance, and you have not already registered with Disability Services, please contact Disability Services in Lommasson Center 154 or call 406.243.2243. Dr. Laws will work with you and Disability Services to provide an appropriate modification.Legal NoticeThis syllabus is not a contract; it is an initial outline of course policies, requirements, and schedule. Changes may be made during the semester at the discretion of Dr. Laws.Academic MisconductAll students must practice academic honesty. Academic misconduct is subject to an academic penalty by the course instructor and a disciplinary sanction by the University. All students must be familiar with the Student Conduct Code at http://life.umt.edu/vpsa/studentconduct.php.3ScheduleAssignmentsWeek Date Topic Preparation Given DueT Aug. 261. introduction to class2. grammar, punctuation, etc.1R Aug. 281. G. McCaffrey: using the WritingCenter2. editing workshop1. ACS: pp. vii-viii, 27-58, 105-128, 135-1622. bring ACSA10T Sept. 2 1. peer review of A12. technical writing and wording1. ACS: pp. 203-227, 233- 246, 255-276, 287-3272. bring ACSA1.d1R Sept. 4introduction to ethics:utilitarianism, deontology, and virtue ethics1. see A and B below2. Sandel, chap. 1A23T Sept. 9 utilitarianism Sandel, chap. 2 A1.d2R Sept. 11 utilitarianism Sandel, chap. 24T Sept. 16 J. Burham of Career Services: resumes, cover lettersA3R Sept. 18 deontology Sandel, chap. 5T Sept. 23 deontology Sandel, chap. 55R Sept. 25 peer reviews of A2 and A3 bring ACSA2.d1A3.d16T Sept. 30 virtue ethics Sandel, chap. 8 A4R Oct. 2 virtue ethics Sandel, chap. 8 A2.d27T Oct. 7 comparing the traditional ethics concerns see C belowA3.d2R Oct. 9 ethics in science see D and E below8T Oct. 141. ethics summary2. in-class writing assignment B1: topic on ethics TBA1. class meets in Chem1072. review ethics reading and class discussions3. bring Sandel and notesB1 B1R Oct. 16 N. White: presenting science for the public readerT Oct. 21 peer review of A4 bring ACS A5 A4.d19R Oct. 23 basics of a peer-reviewed scientific journal article read journal article10T Oct. 28 B. Brown: searching science databases and processing results class meets in MLSLCA4.d2R Oct. 30 B. Brown: searching science databases and processing results class meets in MLSLC11T Nov. 4 Election Day no classR Nov. 6 SciFinder class meets in MLSLC4T Nov. 11 Veteran’s Day - no class12R Nov. 13 S. Ross: publishing in a scientific journal ACS: pp. 3-26, 71-7613T Nov. 18 peer review of A5 bring ACS A5.d1R Nov. 20 J. Kyle: patents ACS: pp. 77-8614T Nov. 25 B. Bowler: grant writing A5.d2R Nov. 27 Thanksgiving - no class15T Dec. 2in-class writing assignment B2: chemistry topic TBA1. class meets in Chem1072. bring ACSB2 B2R Dec. 4 TBAfinal F Dec 12 portfolio due by 1:00 pmA. Read “Overcoming Philoso-phobia: A Short Introduction to Ethics for the Science Debates” at: http://www.umt.edu/ethics/Debatinq%20Science%20Proqram/Short%20courses/Philosophobia/default.phpB. Read sections 1 and 2, including the case study and questions, from “Free Research Ethics Online Course” at:http://www.umt.edu/ethics/courses/researchethics/default.phpC. The three ethics traditions that have been covered will be discussed and contrasted with respect to each other. Therefore, prepare notes on the positive and negative points of each theory.D. Read “What is Ethics in Research & Why is it Important?” at:http://www.niehs.nih.gov/research/resources/bioethics/whatis/E. Go to the site below and be prepared to discuss the following cases in terms of the three ethics traditions covered and the provided options: Category 1, conflicting criteria; Category 2, prevaricating postdoc; Category 3, dangerous doc; and Category 4, between bribery and gratuity.http://www.acs.orq/content/acs/en/about/qovernance/committees/ethics/ethics-case-studies.htmlInvited ExpertsDr. Bruce E. Bowler, Dept, of Chemistry and BiochemistryGrant writing: stylistic, substantive, and ethics in the preparation and review of grant proposalsDr. Barry N. Brown, Mansfield LibraryReference management, citation indexes, and comprehensive science literature searchesJean Kyle, Esq., School of LawProtection of intellectual property, rights conveyed by a patent, the criteria of patentability, the process of obtaining a patent, and the ethics of intellectual property protection and useDr. J.B. Alexander (Sandy) Ross, Dept, of Chemistry and Biochemistry, Dean of the Graduate School,and Executive Editor for Analytical Biochemistry Scientific publishing, authors, journals, readership, submission, reviewers, editors, future of scientific journals, and ethics in publishingDr. Nadia White, School of JournalismPresentation of scientific ideas, accomplishments, and goals to the public reader, and ethical practice in scientific journalism5

CHMY 302E.01: Chemistry Literature and Science Writing

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CHMY 302E.01: Chemistry Literature and Science Writing

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