BIOL 209: General Genetics

Science Literacy Assignment

Content: There are many ethical questions regarding biological concepts and techniques. Students are required to compare and contrast two topics of their choosing and write a term paper on it following the guidelines below. The instructor has a list of topics that students can sign-up for. All topics must be approved by the instructor; failure to do so will result in a deduction of 50% of your grade.

Be sure to use credible sources when conducting your literature search. One of the sources MUST be a primary source (scientific journal article). Make sure that all sources are properly cited within the text and on a “References” page using APA writing style. For assistance with APA style, refer to this website: https://owl.english.purdue.edu/owl/section/2/10/ Students do not have to include an abstract.

Due Date and Submission: Students will complete this assignment and submit an electronic copy by 11:59 pm on 6/12/19. No paper or email submissions will be accepted; this assignment MUST be submitted via Blackboard. The assignment may be submitted early, but NO LATE PAPERS WILL BE ACCEPTED. If a student needs clarification, please email the instructor as soon as possible. DO NOT WAIT UNTIL IT IS DUE TO ASK QUESTIONS!

Grading: This assignment will be graded out of 100 points. For a breakdown of points, refer to the second page.

Paper Format: Students are expected to turn in a minimum of 6-pages. Use double-space, 12 pt. Times New Roman font, and 1-inch margins on all sides of the pages. The first page is the title page. Be sure to include a creative title and use center alignment. The body of the paper will be a minimum of 4 pages (excluding graphics). The last page will be the References page.

Failure to comply with format guidelines will result in point deductions.

Drafts: The literacy assignment will be submitted through SafeAssign which is a database that checks for plagiarism. Students are able and encouraged to submit drafts before the final submission to check the percent similarity (plagiarized material). The percent similarity must be below 15% to receive credit for this assignment. The instructor will not view the drafts unless requested by the student.

Guidelines:

Be sure to write a paragraph describing each of the following:

1) Introductory paragraph

a. Give an overview of the paper.

2) Explain Topic #1.

a. What is it? How does it occur? Why does it occur? Are there different types? Why is it biologically controversial? Describe at least one specific example of its use.

3) Explain Topic #2.

a. What is it? How does it occur? Why does it occur? Are there different types? Why is it biologically controversial? Describe at least one specific example of its use.

4) Describe at least four similarities between the two topics.

5) Describe at least four differences between the two topics.

6) What is your personal reaction to the topics?

a. Describe your thoughts, feelings, and opinions on the topics.

b. If you had to support one of these topics, which one would it be and why?

7) Concluding paragraph

a. Wrap up the information contained in this paper.

Grading Breakdown:

Max pts	Category	To earn the maximum points
7 pts	Format	1-in marginsDouble-spaced12 pt Times New Roman fontMinimum of 6 pages: title page, reference page, min 4 page body
8 pts	Introduction	Give an overview of what the reader should expect
12 pts	Topic #1	State and define the topicExplain how and why it occursExplains the different types, if applicableExplains the controversy and at least one example
12 pts	Topic #2	State and define the topicExplain how and why it occursExplains the different types, if applicableExplains the controversy and at least one example
15 pts	Similarities	Explains four similarities between the two topics
15 pts	Differences	Explains four differences between the two topics
8 pts	Personal Reaction	Explains your feelings and WHY and which one you would support
8 pts	Concluding	Concluding remarks
7.5 pts	References	In-text citationsCorrectly formatted references (APA format)At least one primary source
7.5 pts	Originality, Creativity, Effort	Minimum direct quotesMinimum spelling errorsMinimum grammatical errorsEffective use of transitions between paragraphs

Other helpful hints:

· Failure to submit your topic for approval will result in a 50% deduction of your grade.

· Remember to paraphrase when possible and try to avoid direct quotations. o Be sure to provide in-text citations for information that is not common knowledge or information that was obtained from a source even when paraphrased.

o Use of a rewording/paraphrasing website or app will result in a zero on this assignment.

· Explain each of the above points in DETAIL! Write more not less.

· Feel free to insert diagrams and pictures that help to illustrate your point. However, please remember that they are not included in your page count. So if you insert a graphic, then the body of the paper should be longer than 4 pages and there should be a caption or figure legend to explain the significance of the illustration.

· Reread your paper paying close attention to spelling and grammar.

· Seek assistance if you require it.

· Do not wait until the day before it is due to begin this assignment.

· Remember that this assignment is worth 10% of your final grade and can make the difference between a letter grade.

Powerpoint Presentation:

· Students will create a 3-4 slide presentation on their topic that will be used to introduce the topic to the class and invoke discussion. The slides are due by 6/12/19 at 11:59 pm.

Grading Rubric:

Criteria	Excellent	Above Average	Average	Below Average
Format	Followed all format guidelines7 pts	Missing 1 formatting guideline4-6 pts	Missing 2 formatting guidelines1-3 pts	Less than 6 pages 0 pts
Introduction	Thoroughly introduced the topic andcontroversy and gave acomplete overview of the paper7-8 pts	Adequately introduced the topic and/orcontroversy and gave asatisfactory overview ofthe paper5-6 pts	Inadequately introduced the topic and/orcontroversy or gave anincomplete overview ofthe paper2-4 pts	Provided a poor overview or nointroductory paragraph0-1 pts
Topic #1	Thoroughly explained the topic: what, when, how, why, types,controversies, examples10-12 pts	Adequately stated the topic: what, when, how, why, types,controversies, examples7-9 pts	Inadequately stated the topic: what, when, how, why, types,controversies, examples4-6 pts	Stated but did not explain the topic: what, when, how, why, types,controversies, examples0-3 pts
Topic #2	Thoroughly explained the topic: what, when, how, why, types,controversies, examples10-12 pts	Adequately stated the topic: what, when, how, why, types,controversies, examples7-9 pts	Inadequately stated the topic: what, when, how, why, types,controversies, examples4-6 pts	Stated but did not explain the topic: what, when, how, why, types,controversies, examples0-3 pts
Similarities	Thoroughly explains four similarities between thetwo topics12-15 pts	Thoroughly explains less than four similarities oradequately explains four similarities8-11 pts	States four similarities but fails to elaborate onthem4-7 pts	Fails to list and explain four similarities0-3 pts
Differences	Thoroughly explains four differences between thetwo topics12-15 pts	Thoroughly explains less than four differences oradequately explains four differences8-11 pts	States four differences but fails to elaborate onthem4-7 pts	Fails to list and explain four differences0-3 pts
PersonalReaction	Thoroughly describes and explains youropinions using facts and explains the topic youwould chose and why7-8 pts	Adequately describes and explains youropinions using facts and explains the topic youwould chose and why5-6 pts	Describes and partially explains your opinionwith little to no factualsupport or the topic you would support3-4 pts	Poor description and/or explanation of your opinions0-2 pts
Conclusions	Thoroughly provides concluding remarks anddelivers a strong takehome message7-8 pts	Adequately provides concluding remarks anda take-home message5-6 pts	Provides concluding remarks without a welldefined take-home message3-4 pts	Poorly concludes the topic0-2 pts
References	Provides proper number and format of in-text citations, correctlyformatted referencespage and used at least 1 primary source6-7.5 pts	Missing a couple in-text citations, correctlyformatted referencespage and used at least 1 primary source4-5 pts	Missing most in-text citations and/or references2-3 pts	No references page and/or no in-textcitations and/or noprimary source used0-1 pts
Effort	Less than 5% similarity, minimum errors andminimum to no directquotes6-7.5 pts	Less than 15% similarity, some errors andminimum use of directquotes 4-5 pts	Less than 15% similarity, excessive use of directquotes and/or errorsreduce readability2-3 pts	More than 15% similarity0-1 pts

Here is the bioethics topic for my literacy assignment,

Deforestation vs. Overfishing