BIOL 401 Critical Writing in Biology
College: Arts and Sciences
Department: Biology
Type: W
Status: Approved
REPORT ON RECERTIFICATION OF W COURSE: BIOL 401
We recommend that BIOL 401 Critical Writing in Biology be certified as a writing (W) course for four academic years (1/21 to 1/25). We have reviewed a representative syllabus and have determined that the course meets or exceeds the following criteria: (1) 79% of the final grade is based on writing quality; (2) the total number of words is 2250; (3) the instructor to student ratio is 1:25; and (4) the assigned writing is appropriate to the major.
BIOL 401 is a one-credit course. One graduate teaching assistant is assigned to 25 students in the course breakouts. Students write the major term paper in stages, including a statement of the topic, an annotated bibliography, a list of references, an outline, and two drafts. There is formative feedback at each stage, including written instructor comment and peer review. Instruction includes the prewriting activities listed above and discussion on initial introductions to each assignment, lecture on writing style, and examples.
We recommend that BIOL 401 Critical Writing in Biology be certified as a writing (W) course for four academic years (1/21 to 1/25). We have reviewed a representative syllabus and have determined that the course meets or exceeds the following criteria: (1) 79% of the final grade is based on writing quality; (2) the total number of words is 2250; (3) the instructor to student ratio is 1:25; and (4) the assigned writing is appropriate to the major.
BIOL 401 is a one-credit course. One graduate teaching assistant is assigned to 25 students in the course breakouts. Students write the major term paper in stages, including a statement of the topic, an annotated bibliography, a list of references, an outline, and two drafts. There is formative feedback at each stage, including written instructor comment and peer review. Instruction includes the prewriting activities listed above and discussion on initial introductions to each assignment, lecture on writing style, and examples.