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My advice on the matters for the day (as listed in the calendar):
Introduction to Course
- Truth in Research Articles: This is the main activity for Thursday. Be sure to read the scenario, taking special note of the newspaper article assigned to you, find that article, and find the research article on which the news article is based. You'll have to do some hunting for it. Then read your research article and so that you can represent it to your group when you meet on Thursday to decide what to do about Vitamin D. To remind you... The newspaper article is not the research article! A research article contain original experimental results and a description of the methods used to obtain them.
- Problem Set: How to find articles: We will spend time on Problem Set 1, Problems 4 and 7 (and maybe 5). If you have time before class to make attempts with these problems, then time spent in class will be more rewarding. If you run into difficulties, Problem Set 1. How to Find Articles may be useful to you.
Strategies of Life:
- Problem Set 1: Take a look at these problems if you like, particularly PS1.2. We'll do this in groups.
I. Basic Information
A. Your name
II. Old Business (no need to repeat anything you've said in a previous questionnaire if nothing's changed)
- Distinguishing results from conclusions
Consider the following:
1. The distinction between:
- What is true -- an immutable observation, where the question "How do you know" has an irrefutable answer
- What is merely plausible (perhaps less so tomorrow than today) -- an interpretation.
2. Distinguishing actual observations from conclusions (even if you consider them obvious).
3. Your experience with Mary Had a Little Lamb
Where are you in these matters?
- The notes on Self Assembly
Consider how comfortable you are with the following topics:
- How the interaction between water molecules determines the interaction between (hydrophobic) plastic beads
- How the interaction between water molecules determines the interaction between (hydrophilic) glass beads
- How these properties can determine the shapes of complex structures, e.g. membranes and proteins
Do you have any concerns about these matters?
- The notes on Strategies of Life
Consider how comfortable you are with the following topics:
- How the specification of self-folding structures can simplify tbe connection between DNA information and protein function
- How the relationship between monomers and biological polymers can simplify the connection between us and our food
- The relationship between the summary of these notes and a synopsis of the course
Do you have any concerns about these matters?
- The semester project
Consider the timeline and resources presented in the Semester Project topic page.
How comfortable you are with the following topics:
- The distinction between your two choices: research proposal and article translation
- The timeline of events this semester culminating in your presentation of a research proposal or article translation to a faculty panel
- Resources available to you to achieve this end.
- The central role of a faculty mentor
- How you're going to go about finding a mentor
- (if leaning towards article translation) The prospect of presenting your work in the form of a web site
Do you have any concerns about these matters?
III. The Truth in Research Articles
Considering the scenario regarding Vitamin D presented in (Approach to research articles):
- Have you found and read the news article assigned to you?
- Have you found the research article that serves as the basis for the newspaper article?
- Can you make sufficient sense of the research article to answer the question posed in the scenario?
- You will be assigned to a group of people who have read different articles. Do you have any ideas how you and your group might resolve the apparent contradictions between the newspaper articles?
IV. Miscellaneous
Any other comments, questions, suggestions, or concerns you may have?
Thanks!
REMEMBER TO CLICK SUBMIT!
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