Biology & Sustainability
Fine Focus Undergraduate Journal for Microbiology
Document Type
Oral Presentation
Location
Indianapolis, IN
Subject Area
Biology & Sustainability
Start Date
11-4-2014 1:15 PM
End Date
11-4-2014 2:45 PM
Sponsor
John McKillip (Ball State University)
Description
Development of creative student-centered research into existing biology curricula is a major theme of the recent AAAS Call to Action, as is 'community-based participatory research.' Ball State University is well positioned to take advantage of many of these rapidly evolving objectives in undergraduate science education, largely due to an established track record of excellence through our Biotechnology Certificate Program, an active Chapter of Sigma Xi, and the only ASM chapter in Indiana. This immersive learning course utilizes the skill sets of 12-15 undergraduates in five departments across three Colleges to develop a peer-reviewed journal that will publish findings of undergraduate microbiology research internationally. This journal, entitled Fine Focus,will be the first of its kind, and will be produced in print form and electronically. Participating students gain a multitude of experiences through collaborations with professionals from ASM and other professional coalitions. Such experiences will include acquisition of a working knowledge on scientific writing, editing, peer review, graphic design, and advertising, as they relate to dissemination of microbiological research data through an academic journal with international scope. Students will leave the course having also established permanent professional contacts in varied sub disciplines of microbiology worldwide. In order to be successfully implemented, contemporary undergraduate research in the biosciences must incorporate not only the bench skills, and experimental design principles, but the other vital aspects of doing original research, including peer review and manuscript management. Fine Focus will serve a unique niche that will benefit undergraduates interested in undergraduate microbiology research.
Fine Focus Undergraduate Journal for Microbiology
Indianapolis, IN
Development of creative student-centered research into existing biology curricula is a major theme of the recent AAAS Call to Action, as is 'community-based participatory research.' Ball State University is well positioned to take advantage of many of these rapidly evolving objectives in undergraduate science education, largely due to an established track record of excellence through our Biotechnology Certificate Program, an active Chapter of Sigma Xi, and the only ASM chapter in Indiana. This immersive learning course utilizes the skill sets of 12-15 undergraduates in five departments across three Colleges to develop a peer-reviewed journal that will publish findings of undergraduate microbiology research internationally. This journal, entitled Fine Focus,will be the first of its kind, and will be produced in print form and electronically. Participating students gain a multitude of experiences through collaborations with professionals from ASM and other professional coalitions. Such experiences will include acquisition of a working knowledge on scientific writing, editing, peer review, graphic design, and advertising, as they relate to dissemination of microbiological research data through an academic journal with international scope. Students will leave the course having also established permanent professional contacts in varied sub disciplines of microbiology worldwide. In order to be successfully implemented, contemporary undergraduate research in the biosciences must incorporate not only the bench skills, and experimental design principles, but the other vital aspects of doing original research, including peer review and manuscript management. Fine Focus will serve a unique niche that will benefit undergraduates interested in undergraduate microbiology research.