REPORT ON RECERTIFICATION OF W COURSE: BICH 491
 
CERTIFICATION PERIOD: 9/1/22 to 9/1/26                  
 
We recommend that BICH 491 Research 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) 100% of the final grade is based on writing quality; (2) the total number of words is 2000; (3) the instructor to student ratio is 1:1; and (4) the assigned writing is appropriate to the major.
 
BICH 491 is a 1-credit course. Students work independently with a faculty member to conduct and write up research. Student compliance and progress is monitored by the Biochemistry and Genetics Undergraduate Program Office, and each faculty member gets a copy of the syllabus. Students write the introduction and methods sections first, then the entire document, which is submitted in draft form for instructor comments. Instruction includes reading examples of professional researched writing, video tutorials offered by the University Writing Center, and consultation as needed with the supervising instructor.