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PROFESSIONAL SKILLS
SCIENTIFIC LITERATURE AND LITERACY
Chem 280 is designed to introduce you to a number of skills you will need to function as a scientist in the "real world". Among these are:
1)technical writing;
2)computer software;
3)oral presentation skills;
4)job search skills including preparation of a resume and career development planning; and
5)literature searching skills, including computer literature searching and the use of indices. The course is graded on a credit/no credit basis. To receive credit, you must attend ALL classes, turn in all written assignments on schedule, and give three oral presentations. Those classes involving lecture and discussion will normally meet 2-3 on Friday. During weeks involving oral presentations, class will be divided into two sections and you may sign up for either one.
| Week |
Topic |
Assignment Due start of class |
1
18-Jan |
Goals discussion
Finding a job or internship-Resume/CV, coverletter, Recom Sheet, science lunch at 1pm
Handouts: Info sheet, applying for jobs, cover letter, letters of rec, skills evaluation If unsure of career plans, you may wish to review this book covered in week 13.
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| 2 25-Jan |
Safety, How to TA |
cover letter, Resume, Recom Sheet, list of alums, internships, science articles, grad or med schools |
3
1-Feb |
Oral presentation I - videotape |
Dress suitably to be on television - get psyched to be on camera - do not be late or miss this class |
4
8-Feb |
Oral presentation skills
Handouts: visual aids, seminar sheet |
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5
15-Feb |
Structure of the scientific literature, evaluating a Literature list____
article in the literature
Handouts: organic literature list, rewriting, sentences, report writing case study, The Chemical library,
Instructions for research papers |
Evaluation of your presentation |
6
22-Feb |
Presentations by Prof. George Lisensky and Rama Viswanathan - Personal Development planning, job interviews Personal Development Plan
Handouts: PDP, interview questions |
Start of Thesis topic, Literature list
Prepare to answer interview questions orally |
7
29-Feb |
Chem Abstracts, Science Citation Index
Handouts: Chemical info retrieval, use of SCI; Computer literature searching
Handouts: search forms, example of search
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PDP |
8
14-Mar |
Oral presentation II - 3-4 min. safety talk with joke |
Opening, closing line, key point, key reminder of humor
list of 3 speaking improvements for this talk |
9
21-Mar |
Oral presentation II - 3-4 min. safety talk with joke |
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10
28-Mar |
Finish Oral Presentations - Computer software - excel, chemdraw, chem3D, powerpoint, Table and Figure, making handouts and posters
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Writing Exercise |
11
4-Apr |
Taking standardized tests MCAT/GRE, applying to grad and med schools, technical writing
Handouts: Getting into Grad school, Getting into Med school, How to decide,Writing examples |
Table and figure suitable for Science or JACS
Powerpoint slides--see assignment 8 |
12
11-Apr |
Oral presentation III - 7 minutes chemistry with seminar summary sheet (see page 28 handouts) |
Seminar Handout Sheet , topic, opening and closing remark, and key point for seminar |
13
18-Apr |
FIELD TRIP-KERRY INGREDIENTS
Recommended Texts: Look at book new in 2007, Career Basics - download free at this link . Interview and real world chemistry environment - Scientific Careers in the Federal Government and Beyond |
Future Dream Career |
14
25-Apr |
Oral presentation III - 7 minutes chemistry with seminar summary sheet (see page 28 handouts)
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Course evaluation |
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There may be 1 or 2 visiting lecturers during the semester talking about various aspects of a professional career in chemistry
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