Semester Group Research Project
Introduced at the end of the Microscopes and Cells lab
Writing a Scientific Review Paper – scroll down and read throughout this link – not currently working (Sept. 2026)
New Link Steps for Writing a Scientific Review Paper (Sept. 2026) – scroll down and read throughout this paper
- Tips for finding a topic
- Information to consider in your review
- Structure of your review
Basic Structure of the Review Paper you will write.
Your TA will introduce and explain the semester long group research project at the end of the first In Person lab meeting (Microscopes and Cells Lab). This project should be worked upon throughout the semester outside of class on the Off Lab/Online lab weeks. There will be periodic assignments and checks throughout the semester to prompt the group to progress with the research needed to write a Review Paper and build/present a Group Presentation towards the end of the semester.
Be sure the group does all their writing and stores all reference materials intended for use in the Lab Section Google Drive Folder that your TA has already set up for your group. You can find a link to the shared lab section drive at the top of your Lab Moodle webpage. This folder with contain subfolders for each table group of students. Using google docs will help organize and track individual participation and group work throughout the project. Everyone will always have access to the shared work and nothing will be lost.
Description of Group Semester Long Research Project
Project overview and important due dates for group work. See details in the attached document.
During the end of this first week of In Person labs (Microscopes and Cells), you will meet your group members and brainstorm ideas for a Pathogen Topic of interest to the group. The group will have the following OFF LAB/online work week to decide upon a topic, get it approved by your TA and begin to organize your ideas into a concrete proposal due by the end of that OFF/Online week
Semester Long Research Project Proposal and References due by Friday 11:59PM of the Off Lab Week after the Microscopes and Cells lab week.
Click to review the Project Proposal guidelines.
Group Work Peer Evaluation form (Proposal)- each should should complete their own peer review and submit it on Moodle by the same due date as the Project Proposal.
Research Paper Expectations: Work in your Group Google folder so that everyone has full access to contribute and review the group work – each group should build upon their graded proposals. Use the Paper Grading Rubric below to structure the outline of your paper and start to flesh out the sections. Everyone should contribute to the sections of the paper they are responsible for and in the main body of the paper where they discuss primary literature/research done with your pathogen.
Guidance:
- Writing a Scientific Review Article -scroll down to see the Review Paper structure. You should format your paper along these lines keeping in mind the Group Final Review Paper Rubric your TA will use in grading your final paper at the end of the semester.
Preliminary Pathogen Paper Outline
Each group should have a preliminary outline of their entire paper in each group project Google folder. by the start of your Photosynthesis lab. This outline should build upon your proposal with added text from each group member to further flesh out the paper. Use the Writing a Scientific Review Article link above on the Pathogen Group Projects webpage.
Research Project First Draft
Click to view these expected structure guidelines for the review paper. This is not a rough draft, but a fully written first draft of the paper with all sections fully written out. Due by the start of your DNA Fingerprinting lab. Submit in Moodle.
Group Work Peer Evaluation form (1st Draft)- each should should complete their own peer review and submit it on Moodle by the same due date as the Pathogen Project First Draft.
We will end the semester with each group presenting their research and relating their results to scientific literature – during the Group Project Presentation Week.
Final Group Project
There are 4 components to submit for the completion of the Group Project. Grading rubrics and expectations are listed below in the linked files.
Due in Moodle by the end of lab on the day of the Group Presentations:
- Group Presentation Rubric (20 pts.) – submit 1 /group in Moodle. Review these Presentation tips! Presentations will be recorded for review and each student should complete their own Final Presentation Self-Assessment (see the link below due the following week).
- Final Review Paper Rubric (25 pts.) – submit 1 /group in Moodle.
- Project Peer Evaluation (Whole project, Final Presentation & Paper)(5 pts) – each student submits their own peer review in Moodle.
Due the week after the presentations
4. Final Presentation Self-Assessment (10 pts)
Fall/Spring –>due one week after your Presentation. See Group 1 or Group 2 Assignments and Due Dates linked on the Spring 2026 Lab Schedule – each student submits their own Self-Assessment in Moodle)
Helpful Resources:
- Resources page on this website – lots of writing and information research skills.
- Library Tutorial used in BIO 181 – ignore listed assignment – not for BIO 183 students.
- Note the different between References and Citations.
- CBE/CSE Handout(opens in new window) – an updated handout 8th Edition seen below.
- 9th Edition CSE Scientific Style and Format Citation Quick Guide(opens in new window) –new link!
- Scroll down to see different types of reference materials: Journals, Books, Websites and Other Online Materials
- Guide for Writing and format of Review Papers
Using AI Generative Text for Any Written Assignments:
Use this information if you decide to use an AI Generative Text source such as ChapGPT. Be sure to follow all of the steps and include the citation and reflection piece into any AI generated written assignments.