Biology Case Scenario (Professor Anthony ONLY)

•recognize the use of the scientific method to weigh evidence, make decisions, and solve problems

•apply knowledge of cellular and molecular processes to understand infectious disease mechanisms

•synthesize knowledge of microbial pathogenesis and disease prevention methods and communicate this knowledge to the community

This is a collaborative group case-study project that gives you the opportunity to engage in cooperative learning with your group members while applying what you have learned during the course to analyze and propose strategies to solve a current problem related to a bacterial or viral disease assigned by the instructor.

In this case study assignment you should be able to: demonstrate the ability to work collaboratively in a group; demonstrate the ability to access and interpret contemporary published research in the field of microbiology; effectively use information and library resources within the library; and evaluate sources of information and cite sources appropriately and accurately. This assignment addresses all three of the course outcomes.

You will be assigned to a working group (study group) with four to five of your classmates to work on a collaborative project related to one of the priority issues related to the bacterial or viral disease. The instructor will assign your group's topic and provide some background information and questions as a guide to help your group get started. Your group will discuss the project and create a collaborative document (instructions will be provided).

There are a possible 100 points for the group project: 75 points for content of the final collaborative report and 25 points for your level of participation as determined by your interactions within Group area and your role on and contributions to the project.

The following criteria will be used when grading your report: the presentation of correct and accurate scientific information, the quality of synthesis and critical thinking, and the adherence to the requirements of the assignment.

Your collaborative report should be phrased and presented in your own words (no more than 5% of your report is to be directly quoted from your sources).

Your paper should include the following:

Paper format:

Once you have gathered all of your information, you will organize your case study analysis into an essay of 1,000 to 1,500 words (not including original case study OR references). The essay should include in-text citations and references formatted in APA style.

Format Guidelines: (please separate "pages" with a horizontal line in the text box)

- Page 1: Should include the following:

- Name

- Case study text you were given (do not include the questions)

- Page 2: Begin your paper here

•Brief introduction to the disease and the bacterial or viral cause of the disease.

•Use the evidence provided in the case study and the information you have gathered from references to support your conclusions.

•Paper should be 1,000 to 1,500 words (not including original case study or references).

•Use in-text citations and include reference citations at the end of the paper

References:

You must have a minimum of two outside sources to support your evaluation.

These can consist of any of the following: books, textbooks, scholarly journal articles, and websites run by reputable government organizations (such as the CDC or NIH).

You may have additional references as well. All of your references should be no more than six years old (published in 2009 or later).

Citations:

You should include BOTH in-text citations and a final reference page formatted in APA style. Please see http://www.umuc.edu/library/citationguides.shtml for additional information on how to format citations and references in APA style.

All work must be original work written by you and your group members. Your paper may be checked for plagiarism, so please make a concerted effort to use and cite your sources appropriately. Any submitted work that is not your own, or incidences of plagiarism, will be reported to UMUC administration.

Your group will be presenting the case study during the final day of the class.