Biochemistry

BIOC 360: Special Topic: Research Perspectives in Biochemistry

Development of Scientific Ideas and the Scientific Method.
In these sessions we will examine scientific research as an intellectual and social pursuit. You should develop an awareness of the context within which we work as scientists and an appreciation of the strengths and limitations of the modern scientific method.

Presenting Science.
Most of your assessment, in both this course and others, will require you to write or otherwise clearly present scientific material. Practical advice, aimed at specific exercises, will refine the tools with which you do this.

Interpreting Scientific Literature.
Analysis and critical evaluation of journal articles is a crucial skill for practicing scientists.  You will practice getting to grips with “the literature” in a series of written exercise and small group discussions.

Faculty Research Perspectives.
This year your understanding should extend to include how we know about biochemical phenomena as well as what we know. Faculty of the Biochemistry Department will present examples from their own research of how we formulate and answer biochemical questions.

Postgraduate Mentors
During the first semester each student will be paired with a graduate student or post-doctoral fellow who will act as a mentor. In this part of the course students will experience firsthand the routines of researchers doing the fundamental work of experimental science. It is the student's responsibility to contact the mentor, understand the mentor's research project and report on it. It is the mentor's responsibility to make time available to the student (parts of three days) and to explain his or her research project