TH!NK

Higher-order Skills in Critical and Creative Thinking (opens in new window)

Lab Apps

• Online stopwatch (opens in new window)

Appendix Resources from the BIO 181 and 183 lab manuals

• Appendix A: Use and care of microscopes (opens in new window)
• Appendix B: Scientific Writing and Presentation of Scientific Findings (opens in new window)
• Appendix C: Making Presentations Using PowerPoint (opens in new window)
• Appendix D: Graphing Using Excel (opens in new window)
• Appendix E: Understanding and Representing Data (opens in new window)

Library Tutorial

• Searching for primary and secondary literature
• D. H. Hill Library (opens in new window) (main campus Brickyard)
• Hunt Library (on Centennial Campus)

Help for Writing Lab Reports

• The Inside-Out Approach to writing a lab report
• Guide to Analyzing Sections of a Lab Report – further explains what belongs in each section of a lab report.
• LabWrite website
• Sample Lab Reports – look at formatting AND how references are used and cited !!!
• PowerPoint from a Workshop on Writing Lab Reports
  • PPT tells you the basics, but also addresses common mistakes and questions from past students.

• PPT that shows common mistakes with plagiarism
• Grading Rubric (opens in new window) used for BIO 181/183 lab reports (points will vary)

Tips for Making Presentations

• Appendix C: Making Presentations in your lab manual
• Organize information and PRACTICE before you present.
• Be professional in what you present (visuals/powerpoint) AND in what you say.
• Your presentations should follow the same general format/sections of a scientific paper.
• Check the assignment to see if you need to include primary references in your presentation relating information from another study/research to your study.
• Be prepared to answer scientific questions related to your presentation, experiment, results, background and any referenced studies.
• Everyone needs to speak and convey important information if group presentations
• How to record your Presentation in Zoom and save to the cloud. (opens in new window)

Finding and Citing References in your Lab Report

Primary reference(s) and the Lab Manual are required for most Lab Reports (# will vary).

• NCSU Libraries
• NCSU Library Tutorial
• Using Google Scholar with NCSU Libraries

Writing References for the Citations in your Lab Reports

• CBE/CSE Handout (opens in new window) – an updated handout 8th Edition.
• 8th Edition CSE Scientific Style and Format Citation Quick Guide (opens in new window) –new link!  This shows in-text citations and how to write out the full reference for a variety of sources (journal articles, electronic journals, books, web pages, conference papers…)
  • Scroll down to see different types of reference materials: Journals, Books, Websites and Other Online Materials,
• NCSU Citation Builder (opens in new window)

Additional Help Outside of the Biology Department and your TA

• NCSU Writing and Speaking Tutorial Services Center – see schedule for walk in hours or how to make an appointment.