PBSI 471 Research Writing in Neuroscience
College: Arts and Sciences
Department: Psychological and Brain Sciences
Type: W
Status: Approved
REPORT ON RECERTIFICATION OF W COURSE: PBSI 471
CERTIFICATION PERIOD: 9/1/25 to 9/1/29
We recommend that PBSI 471 Research Writing Neuroscience 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) 71.5% of the final grade is based on writing quality; (2) the total number of words is 2,000; (3) the instructor to student ratio is 1:25; and (4) the assigned writing is appropriate to the major.
PBSI 471’s individual writing component consists of an annotated bibliography and a final research paper. The research paper is divided into five sections, and students receive formative feedback on each section via an outline, a rough draft reviewed by peers, and a second rough draft reviewed by the instructor. Writing instruction is provided in several forms: lectures and readings on specific topics, models of exemplary scientific writing that students dissect in class, and working on editing skills in peer review.
CERTIFICATION PERIOD: 9/1/25 to 9/1/29
We recommend that PBSI 471 Research Writing Neuroscience 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) 71.5% of the final grade is based on writing quality; (2) the total number of words is 2,000; (3) the instructor to student ratio is 1:25; and (4) the assigned writing is appropriate to the major.
PBSI 471’s individual writing component consists of an annotated bibliography and a final research paper. The research paper is divided into five sections, and students receive formative feedback on each section via an outline, a rough draft reviewed by peers, and a second rough draft reviewed by the instructor. Writing instruction is provided in several forms: lectures and readings on specific topics, models of exemplary scientific writing that students dissect in class, and working on editing skills in peer review.