Description
The topic is Hela cells. 2 pages, single space, AMA format. Please let me know if you have any other questions!
Unformatted Attachment Preview
Prof. DeWalt | Cell Biology 2300 (Fall 2023) | Grading Rubric
Below is the rubric that will be used to score each written assignment. Please be sure to review this
document at least twice—once prior to beginning research for the assignment and then again before you
submit your assignment so you can confirm that you have addressed and included everything that is
needed to do well. If anything is unclear, email me before you submit your work for grading so I can
clarify any questions.
Notes:
–
–
–
–
Any points lost cannot be “earned back” nor can you revise for a higher grade. I am happy to
provide guidance. If you would like to discuss together in real-time, you can schedule a time to
discuss over Zoom if communicating by email is sub-optimal. But know that I do not “pre-grade”
assignments; any questions prior to submitting need to be focused—I will not read a rough draft,
the instructions are clear but if any specific clarification is needed, I will provide it before you turn
in the assignment.
As mentioned in the instructions, do not include verbatim quotes—paraphrase in your own words,
if you need help, reach out (inclusion of quotes longer than two words will result in a 5-point
penalty—it is very important to master paraphrasing).
Be sure to include in-text citations that are either in AMA or Chicago style—chose one reference
format, not both (see reference documents in the “Written Assignments” folder on Canvas; failure
to include in-text citations will result in a 5-point penalty).
Detected plagiarism will result in a zero on the assignment and a required Zoom meeting with me
to discuss the seriousness of this offense.
Formatting
Must include all of the following: (1)
12-point font in Calibri or Times, (2) 1inch margins, (3) single spaced, (4)
adhere to page limit, (5) 7-10
references, at least 2 must be primary
peer-reviewed, (6) AMA or Chicago
format used based on document
posted to Canvas, (7) Grammar, flow,
logic
Adequate introduction paragraph of
the topic covered
Unsatisfactory
0 points earned
Did not following one or
more formatting
instructions and there
were egregious errors in
grammar, flow, and/or
logic
Satisfactory
Not applicable
Excellent
5 points earned
All formatting instructions
followed; little to no issues
with grammar, flow, and/or
logic
0 points earned
No explanation
3 points earned
Explanation but no
citations (or both
footnotes and
endnotes)
3 points earned
There is somewhat of
a summary of the
literature but there are
no references to
primary literature and
no quantifiable results
3 points earned
There is a concluding
paragraph, but it is not
complete or ends
abruptly
5 points earned
Explanation with in-text
citations and complete
bibliography at the end of
the document
5 points earned
Information provided is
thorough, there is indeed
science provided with an
adequate summary of the
science related to the topic
Adequately explains the primary
literature related to the topic by
summarizing results, including
quantification of findings
0 points earned
Information provided is
scarce, lacks summary of
the science, the reader is
left STARVING for
adequate information!
Adequate conclusion
0 points earned
No concluding paragraph
5 points earned
Conclusion is clear and
follows instructions
provided
BIO2300 | Professor DeWalt
Assignment 1 Due Friday October 13, 2023, by 5:00pm EST
Relevance
The ability to clearly communicate information to readers (e.g., individuals who do not have a
scientific background) is an important skill. To help you develop (or further strengthen) this skill,
you will have the opportunity to explore an area of interest to you and write about it and receive
detailed instructor feedback.
Below are pertinent details regarding the requirements associated with this assignment.
Scope of assignment 1
A unique aspect of biology is that seeing is believing. This aspect differentiates biology from
other disciplines like philosophy and religion. Model systems have been instrumental in allowing
biologists to “see”. The specific system typically varies based on the specific field within biology
as well as the research question. In this assignment, you are tasked with selecting and
researching how one model system has been used in biology. Specifically, for this assignment,
you will write about how the model system you selected and researched has helped
scientists/clinicians answer a specific question in biology. Below are examples to guide you.
You are welcomed to use any of the examples below as presented; if you have alternate ideas,
please run them by me first to ensure you remain within scope of the assignment
(g.dewalt@northeastern.edu).
Model system: prokaryotic organisms (e.g., Escherichia coli, Pseudomonas putida)
Example research area: food poisoning, bioremediation
Model system: cell lines
Example research area: pharmacology, cancer research
Model system: invertebrates (e.g., Caenorhabditis elegans, Drosophila melanogaster)
Example research area: embryonic development, process of cellular aging
Model system: mammals (e.g., Mus muscularis, Macaca mulatta)
Example research area: epigenetic mechanisms, learning and behavior
Page 1 of 3
BIO2300 | Professor DeWalt
Assignment 1 Due Friday October 13, 2023, by 5:00pm EST
Written Assignment Instructions
The written assignment should provide the following information in 2 pages:
–
Sufficient background on the model organism.
o How did this organism emerge as a viable model system?
o Who “discovered” the value of this model?
o Is there any controversy associated with the use of this model? Are there other,
more beneficial models that could be used by researchers?
Summary of primary studies that involve use of the model organism. Note that a primary
study is a peer-reviewed publication that contains the following sections: an abstract,
background/introduction, methods, results, discussion/conclusions (see recording on
article types).
o When summarizing results, ensure that you include the specific findings (e.g.,
data obtained)
o If you do not have experience searching for peer-review literature, please email
me as soon as possible. You may also schedule an appointment with a librarian
at the Northeastern University library (see the library’s website for additional
information)
A conclusion with your thoughts on how the field has advanced following work with this
model. Are there future improvements or caveats to be mindful of for future studies?
–
–
Notes
▪
▪
▪
▪
▪
Do not simply quote direct passages from the articles you find but instead paraphrase
as you summarize and compare/contrast the studies.
You may include tables and figures as needed in an appendix at the end of your
bibliography, but this will not count toward the page limit.
o Note: inclusion of tables and figures must include a full citation of where you
found the information in a caption and will not count toward the required page
limit.
When citing sources, you are required to use either the AMA or Chicago reference
format (not both!). You can refer to the guidance document posted on the course site
over any other source, email me if anything is unclear.
Up to 10 references are expected (the minimum number of references to include is 7).
o Why “so many” references? In actuality, this is not a lot of references.
Nevertheless, the reason for the range is to ensure you are conducting fair
review of resources to expand your knowledge regarding the topic selected. In
science and medicine, there are diverse studies within a given area and several
conflicting opinions. As a result, it is important to have an objective
understanding to further your knowledge.
o Acceptable sources to cite, in addition to the peer-review literature:
▪ Newspaper articles, government websites, books, and peer-review
scientific articles (i.e., reviews, primary research).
Additional formatting that is required includes:
o 12-point Calibri or Times New Roman or Arial font.
o Single space the document and 1-inch margins all the way around the page.
Page 2 of 3
BIO2300 | Professor DeWalt
Assignment 1 Due Friday October 13, 2023, by 5:00pm EST
o
o
References should be cited using AMA or Chicago style.
Only Word files or pdf accepted.
Grading rubric
I have posted a separate document on Canvas with the grading rubric. There is also a recording
where I review the expectations. I have a strict policy, but it is clear and I am always available
for questions—the expectation is that you will follow the instructions and earn a perfect score.
Make sure that you reach out to me if anything is unclear! I am happy to clarify (I want you to do
well on this!).
Page 3 of 3
Purchase answer to see full
attachment
