Testostrone
Extra Credit Reports – variable
For extra credit, you may write reports on topics related to biochemistry and post them in the “Questions, Discussion, and Extra Credit” Forum on the Discussion Board. Reports may be inspired by an article in a scientific journal, a recent newsworthy event, something I mention in lecture, or simply be something that you’ve always been interested in – but you MUST send me your proposal in writing and I must APPROVE it BEFORE you write your report.
REPORTS MUST:
INCLUDE YOUR FULL NAME IN THE FILENAME
FOCUS ON A SPECIFIC BIOCHEMICAL MOLECULE
DEPICT THE STRUCTURE OF THE MOLECULE
DEPICT THE STRUCTURE OF AT LEAST ONE MOLECULE IT INTERACTS WITH
INCLUDE A CHEMICAL REACTION (since this is bioCHEMISTRY)
HAVE AT LEAST 3 REFERENCES – even if your report is a single sentence, one reference doesn’t count for beans in the scientific world.
Good things to include might be where your molecule comes from (synthesis pathway? breakdown product? being eaten?), where it exists in the system (liver? brain? flagellum?), and where the described reaction takes place (membrane-bound? cytoplasmic? in the blood?). Statements based on references should be indicated in the text. Even if you cite everything properly, you will only get points for the parts of your submission that are in your own words. Pasting in someone else’s words does not mean you understand them. Write something of your own to show that you do.
A solid 700-word report (~3 pages, single-spaced) meeting these criteria would earn approximately 100 points – but they *will* be graded, so may earn less or more. IF I LEARN SOMETHING INTERESTING, I will award bonus points! Corrected extra credit reports will be made available to the rest of the class to read and learn from, unless you specifically request otherwise. Please submit in Microsoft Word or other editable format so I can write in notes. Please let me know if you have any questions.
I’ve included a solid example document.
