Fall 2018

BIOEN 4991: Bioengineering Research Thesis Writing and Communication I (2 credits)

Department: Bioengineering Designation: Required
Course Description: In this course, each student will use her, his, their required senior project as content which will be presented to
the class and other audiences in both a written and oral format. BIOEN 4991 and 4992 meet the University's upper-division
communication/writing requirement (CW) because it is writing- and communication-centered. During the semester, each student
provides several oral presentations that are followed by constructive feedback from the audience (i.e. the class and instructors). The
students also prepare several drafts of their senior thesis and a draft version of their research poster by the conclusion of the fall
semester. The drafts will continue to be extended and refined in BIOEN 4992. Please note that all student-produced course material,
including videos, will be used for instructional purposes and will be made available to students in future years.
Prerequisite: Restricted to students who have taken BIOEN 4200 and have completed their research.
Texts (required):
1. Zeiger, Mimi. Essentials of Writing Biomedical Research Papers. 2nd Edition. McGraw-Hill, New York, 2000.
Instructors:
Office Hours are by appointment only.
Susan Bock email: susan.bock@utah.edu BPRB 108 D phone: 585-6521
Kelly Broadhead email: kelly.broadhead@utah.edu SMBB 3222 phone: 585-7605
Doug Christensen email: christen@ee.utah.edu MEB 2456 phone: 581-7859
David Grainger email: david.grainger@utah.edu BPRB 190 D & SMBB 3227 phone: 581-3715
Heather Palmer email: heather.j.palmer@utah.edu SMBB 3221 phone: 585-3651
Frank Sachse email: frank.sachse@utah.edu CVRTI 204A phone: 587-9514
Michael Yu email: michael.yu@utah.edu SMBB 4501 phone: 587-1264

Learning Objectives:
1. Demonstrate a clear understanding of how to design and conduct independent research
2. Develop a publishable-quality biomedical engineering article
3. Augment knowledge of professional writing to increase proficiency and prepare for future careers as Biomedical Engineers
4. Become exposed and oriented to the general Biomedical Engineering discourse community
5. Gain knowledge about various audiences’ needs
6. Expand skills necessary to develop an effective oral research presentation
7. Create and effectively use a research poster as a visual and oral communication tool
8. Interact constructively with peers to give and receive feedback and develop stronger teamwork skills
Topics Covered in Lecture and Discussion form:
 Students will learn an effective approach to scientific writing
-Critical analysis of research writing
-Thesis structure of introduction and discussion sections
-Use of tables and figures to effectively communicate findings
-Appropriate formatting to develop a professional looking document
 Students will provide four draft editions of their thesis for review
 Students will learn skills to develop and give an oral presentation
-Diagnostic presentation and outlining
-Outside audience presentation
-Formal Scientific presentation
 Students will develop and orally present on their research using skills learned from previous presentations
 Students will learn format and content guidelines and develop a first-draft of a research poster
 Students will learn how to critique the scientific and/or engineering merit of a project

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Class Meetings:

Date, Preparation/ In-Class Activity Assignments Materials Provided/

Location, *Due Dates *Assignments Returned
Format
Week 1: *Memorandum Introduction, Genre -Reading: Zeiger Chap. 1-4, 9; -Syllabus
Aug. 24 of Knowledge Quiz, and sample student paper
Understanding class requirements, and -Sample Student Paper
WEB 2230 due Friday by Academic Reading available on Canvas
Large Group 11:59 p.m. Strategies
Week 2: -Reading: Zeiger Reading Quiz -Introduction Analysis/Intro Outline -Faculty Paper on Canvas
Aug. 27-31 Chap. 1-4, 9 assignment
Tools to Analyze Writing:
SMBB 2660 -Read intro of -analyze student papers -Diagnostic Speech assignment
Small Group sample student
paper -Introduction (Draft 1) assignment
Week 3: -Read and analyze The Introduction Section: -Reading: “Three Laws of -3 Laws of Professional
Sept 3-7 faculty intro Analyze faculty paper Professional Communication” and Comm. and Rethinking
“Rethinking the Design of Slides” the Design of Slides
SMBB 2660 -Bring draft of Discuss/critique rough available on Canvas
Small Group Analysis draft of Intro Analysis
Assignment
Week 4: -Reading: “3 Reading Quiz -Resume assignment
Sept.10-14 Laws of
Professional Diagnostic Presentations
SMBB 2660 Communication” (filmed) and Discussion
Small Group and “Rethinking
the Design of
Slides”

*Introduction
Analysis Due on
Monday by
11:59 p.m.

*Diagnostic
Presentation due
in class
Week 5: *Introduction Career Development: - Workshop and Workshop Analysis -Workshop Lineup
Sept.17-21 (Draft 1) due on Resumes Review and assignment
Monday by Skills Lecture -Section Intros available
SMBB 2660 11:59 p.m. -Workshop Signup Sheet on Canvas
Small Group Workshop Orientation
*Bring resume to -Reading: Half of section’s *Diagnostic
class and load on introductions Presentation
Canvas feedback/rubric/“grade”
Week 6: -Read half of Workshops on -Reading: Other half of section’s
Sept. 24-28 section’s Introduction introductions
introductions
SMBB 2660 -Introduction Revision assignment
Small Group
Week 7: -Read other half Workshops on -Outside Speech (BIOEN 1010) -Outside Presentation
Oct. 1-5 of section’s Introduction Presentation assignment and Signup Signup
introductions Sheet
SMBB 2660 -Presentation
Small Group -Scientific Presentation Signup Sheet Consultation Signup
-Scientific Presentations
-Reading: Zeiger Chap. 5 Signup
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Date, Preparation/ In-Class Activity Assignments Materials Provided/
Location, *Due Dates *Assignments Returned
Format
Week 8: *Introduction
Oct. 8-12 Revision due Fall Break (No class this week)
Friday
by 11:59 p.m.

Week 9: -Reading: Zeiger Career Services -Methods assignment given— -Receive Faculty
Oct.15-19 Chap. 5 Presentation. includes revision of Intro (on feedback during
Canvas) consultation
WEB 2230 *Workshop Reading Quiz and
Large Group Analysis due Methods Writing in
Monday by Canvas Module.
11:59 p.m.

*Meet with
Professors
during Small
Group

Week 10: *Meet with Past Scientific -Scientific Presentation/Self-Critique -Receive Faculty
Oct. 22-26 Professors Presentations assignment feedback during
during Small consultation
WEB 2230 Group -Outside Presentation assignment
Large Group
-Reading: Zeiger Chap. 6 and 8

Week 11: -Reading: Zeiger Reading Quiz -Results assignment—includes -Receive Faculty
Oct. 29-Nov 2 Chap. 6 and 8 revision of prior sections feedback during
Results Writing (with consultation
WEB 2230 *Meet with figures/tables) -Poster assignment
Large Group Professors
during Small Poster Design
Group

* Graduation
Meeting with Dr.
MacLeod due no
later than
November 1.

*Presentation
Consultation

Week 12: -Presentation Scientific Presentations

Nov. 5-9 Slides (filming and feedback)

SMBB 2660 *Presentation

Small Group Consultation

*Methods (Draft
2) due Monday
by 11:59 p.m.

*Sci Research
Presentation

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Date, Preparation/ In-Class Activity Assignments Materials Provided/
Location, *Due Dates *Assignments Returned
Format
Week 13: *Outside Speech Scientific Presentations -Reading: Zeiger Chap. 7 *Presentation
Nov.12-16 (BIOEN 1010) (filming and feedback) feedback/rubric/
Presentations grade provided
SMBB 2660 given outside
Small Group class *Outside Presentation
*Scientific feedback/rubric/“grade”
Research available
Presentation
Week 14: Thanksgiving Break (No class this
Nov.19-23 week)
Week 15: -Reading: Zeiger Reading Quiz -Discussion Analysis/Discussion *Presentation
Nov. 26-30 Chap. 7 Outline assignment feedback/rubric/
Discussion Analysis grade provided
SMBB 2660 *Scientific
Small Group Research Scientific Presentations *Methods
Presentation (filming and feedback) feedback/rubric/“grade”
available on Canvas
*Poster due
Monday by
11:59 p.m.

*Meet with
Professors by
appointment
Week 16: *Results *Presentation
Dec.3-7 assignment feedback/rubric/
w/revision (Draft grade available
No Class. 3) due Thursday
by 11:59 p.m.
Reading Day. *Final Grades available
 *Self-Critique when final grades post
due Thursday by
11:59 p.m. *Results and Poster
rubric/feedback/grade
*Meet with available the first week
Professors by of spring semester
appointment

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Assignment Summary and Grade Breakdown:
Skill Grader Due Date Grade Value
Technical Writing:
Quizzes Palmer See Dates in Syllabus *
Memorandum of Palmer 11:59 p.m. Aug. 24 *
Understanding
Introduction Analysis Palmer 11:59 p.m. Sept.10 *
Draft I (Introduction) Class 11:59 p.m. Sept. 17 *
Resume Palmer In class Sept. 18-21 *
Writing Workshop (Intro) Class In class Sept. 25-Oct. 5 *
Draft I Revision (Intro) Section Professor 11:59 p.m. Oct. 12 *
Workshop Analysis Palmer 11:59 p.m. Oct. 15 *
Faculty Consultation Section Professor Oct. 16-Nov. 2 by *
appointment
Draft II (Intro, Methods) Section Professor 11:59 p.m. Nov. 5 *
Draft III (Add Results) Section Professor 11:59 p.m. Dec. 6 45%
Presentations:
Diagnostic Presentation Palmer In class Sept. 11-14 *
Outside Presentation Palmer Nov. 12-16 *
Presentation Consultation Palmer Oct. 29-Nov. 28 by *
appointment
Speaking Self-critique Palmer 11:59 p.m. Dec. 6 *
Scientific Presentation Section Professor & In class Nov. 6-30 45%
Palmer
Poster Section Professor 11:59 p.m. Nov. 26 10%
Participation** Palmer Weekly **
Mandatory Graduation Dr. MacLeod
meeting with Dr. Before November 1 ***
MacLeod***
Course Evaluation Palmer Before Semester-End ****
(last day of classes, Dec. 6)
*Grading System:
The final assignment in each of the main categories (Technical Writing and Presentations) is worth 45% of the final grade. Each
assignment leading up to the final assignment is a benchmark and either adds to, stays neutral, or takes away from the final grade.
These training assignments are graded as follows:

“Check” Grading System:

-- (minus whole letter grade)
- (minus 1/3 grade)
 (acceptable)
+ (plus 1/3 grade)
++ (plus whole letter grade).

**Participation:

Final grades will be heavily influenced by participation. Participation means attending every class, arriving on time, engaging in class
discussions, and giving feedback to fellow students. Attendance (including arrival time) will be taken each class meeting. Once final
grades have been calculated, your participation will either add to or take away from your final, overall grade, according to the check
system.

While most students will receive a  for average participation (“average” means coming prepared, making useful comments, and
contributing to the class discussion), students who usefully contribute to the class will be rewarded with additions to their overall
grade. Conversely, unsatisfactory participation (i.e. not coming prepared, not making or providing less than useful comments, or in-
class use of laptops or phones for non-class-related activities) will result in an overall grade reduction of 1/3.

You have two allowable lates (i.e.>5 minutes past the official class start time, and 30 minutes late is considered an absence) and two
allowable absences. Any lates or absences beyond that will incur a penalty according to the check system above. Any unexcused

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absence (beyond the 2 allowable absences) will subtract 1 full letter grade from your final, overall grade. Similarly, more than 2 lates
will subtract 1/3 letter grade.

Only University-sanctioned, excused absences; documented medical emergencies; ADA accommodations; or documented family
emergencies will be tolerated beyond the two “allowable absences”.

Use your allowable lates and/or allowable absences strategically for medical school interviews, conference attendance, or job
interviews.

***Meeting with Dr. MacLeod

Each student is required to meet with Dr. MacLeod in the fall to have him discuss graduation and assist in the application process. A
full letter grade will be subtracted if the meeting is not arranged and attended by the student.

****Course Evaluation

Course evaluations are essential to iterating and recalibrating course material and instruction. By the end of the semester, please
complete a thoughtful, balanced course evaluation when prompted by the University’s system. Please load onto Canvas a screen
capture of the notice you receive upon completion of the course evaluation. Non-participation in course evaluations will result in a
subtraction of 1/3 letter grade. Your anonymity will not be compromised.

Extension Policy:

Extensions may be granted under certain circumstances. Requests must be made via email to Heather Palmer no fewer than 3 days in
advance of the assignment due date. Requests made after this time will be denied.

Penalty for Late Submissions:

 For assignments other than the final paper, final presentation, and poster, the penalty for late assignments is the loss of 1/3
grade level (from check system) per day. For example, if you were given a ++, but turned the assignment in 3 days late,
you will receive a  for that assignment.
 For the final presentation, final paper, and poster, you will lose 1/3 grade per day late.
 Missed presentations cannot be made up without previous arrangements or a documented medical emergency.
 Extensions will be discussed and negotiated. They will be granted on a case-by-case basis.

Other Items:
 Course Laptop Policy: Laptops are allowed for course-related use ONLY (e.g. note-taking, meeting minutes, other relevant
course documentation, and course assignments).
 Course Cell Phone Policy: Cell phones are to remain off during class (except for special circumstances).
 U of Utah Content Disclaimer: http://www.utah.edu/disclaimer/index.html
 ADA Policy: http://www.hr.utah.edu/oeo/ada/guide/faculty
 Sexual Misconduct: https://regulations.utah.edu/general/1-012.php
 Faculty Responsibilities: http://www.admin.utah.edu/ppmanual/8/8-12-4.html
 Accommodations Policy: http://www.admin.utah.edu/facdev/accommodations-policy.pdf
 College of Engineering Guidelines including the ADA Policy: http://www.coe.utah.edu/SemesterGuidelines.pdf
 Plagiarism and cheating: http://www.regulations.utah.edu/academics/6-400.html and http://www.coe.utah.edu/current-
undergrad/policies_appeals.php

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