REPORT ON RECERTIFICATION OF W COURSE: BICH 414
 
CERTIFICATION PERIOD: 1/1/22 to 1/1/26                  
 
We recommend that BICH 414 Biochemical Techniques I be certified as a writing (W) course. We have reviewed a representative syllabus and have determined that the course meets or exceeds the following criteria: (1) 52% of the final grade is based on writing quality; (2) the total number of words is 2700; (3) the instructor to student ratio is 1:25; and (4) the assigned writing is appropriate to the major.
 
BICH 414 is a 2-credit course with two graduate assistants per section. Students write a research article, one part handed in at midterm and one at the end of the term that incorporates the first. Two writing workshops and seven classes are scheduled for students to work on their papers in class and receive feedback from the instructor, their peers, and the graduate assistants. Two drafts of their papers are peer reviewed. Instruction includes breaking down what should be included in each paper, worksheets for analyzing papers they are working from, and review of sample student work.