BIO698. Immunity to Viral Agents
COURSE FORMAT:
* We will meet as one section and have 1 talk each class meeting. Because of the number of
    presentations, we will have 2 sections on some dates. Each presentation will be 20 minutes, with the
    remainder of time devoted to questions. We choose this time because it is typical of scientific
    meetings.
* The class consists of students from a wide array of disciplines: cellular and microbial biology,
    immunology, ecology, physiology, etc. Thus, the material presented will often be rather foreign to you,
    and it may be challenging to understand, critique, or even pay attention. However, there are at least
    two advantages to this setting.  One is increased clarity.  As a speaker, you address an audience of
    fellow biologists but mostly non-specialists.  This will motivate you to make as clear a presentation as
    possible, reducing jargon.  The whole audience should be able to connect with you for at least 5
    minutes (typically in the beginning).  But we don’t expect a dumbed-down lecture on the field.  Give a
    research presentation that will interest specialists, but along with the details, provide a framework that
    is comprehensible to any scientist.
* Why we chose this format? The practical advantage is preparation for a scientific meeting or a job
    seminar. Many academic jobs are in departments such as ours; during a job seminar, you must
    impress biologists from a wide range of disciplines.  Your ability to make your research questions and
    achievements clear to non-specialists will be appreciated and taken as evidence that you can teach
    undergraduates.  Similarly, being able to ask questions of someone outside your field impresses fellow
    scientists.  It takes practice and concentration for this to become a habit.
* Given that our meeting time is close to lunch hour it is fine if you wish to eat your lunch during the
    presentation (as an audience member only!).
* Students in the audience will be given evaluation forms for their written comments.  These forms will
    be collected at the end of the presentation.  Following your presentation the instructor will email you
    his comments, suggestions, and the overall impression of your presentation.  If you need, to meet with
    the instructor to go over the comments we can do it after class preferably.  The week after your
    presentation the instructor will provide you with the comments provided by the class.

I. PRESENTATION FORMAT:
* You may use real slides or a Powerpoint presentation (better choice). No overheads!!. We will use
    either a projection cart from the Biology Department or you can make your own arrangements.
* It is your responsibility to email the instructor your presentation the day before as an email attachment.
    If this is not possible, you can drop it in my mailbox or my office (Room 203).

II. REQUIRED MATERIAL FOR YOUR PRESENTATION:
1. Outline slide, somewhere early in the talk (but not the first slide). This slide should have more than the
    words “Introduction, Background, History, New Discoveries, Conclusions & Future Work.” Everyone
    in an audience knows you are going to cover these topics, so if the slide has only these words it is
    useless. Think of key phrases that communicate more specific information.
2. Font. Nothing should be smaller than font 22.  Most things should be in size 28 or higher.

III. CRITERIA FOR GRADING:
1) Attendance
2) Seminar presentation
3) Seminar participation
4) Seminar written comments

The instructor will use these criteria to determine your final grade. Attendance is required and the quality of your presentation will be a big part of your final grade.  In addition, as biologist we need to make constructive and positive comments and suggestions to our fellow biologists. Therefore your class participation is very important. If you are shy and talking during the presentation is not your cup of tea then written comments will be your better choice to let the instructor know you were awake during the seminar. In summary, we expect you to attend all presentations of classmates and to listen critically, ask questions on a regular basis, and make constructive written comments.  We will keep track of attendance and participation, and consider this in assigning letter grades.

IV. FURTHER GUIDELINES FOR PRESENTATIONS
a) ORGANIZATION:
Develop the topic.  What is the big picture into which your research/questions fit?  A few statements
    about the general content in the introduction, and results of prior research help to set the context.

Set up the specific problem or question.  What are your general questions or goals?  Do not give
    too much information about the study system until the audience knows what you are trying to do with
    the system.

Describe the study system.  Give relevant information necessary to understand the ideas that you
    are presenting (work already completed).

State your current aim for your presentation.  This is the most important part of the presentation:
    it should be more than half the talk.  A common flaw you may have noticed in departmental seminars
    is a too-lengthy introduction (because results stink!).  The audience feels cheated if they don’t get a
    chance to evaluate results or specific findings.
 
Use charts or pictures: This is a very handy solution to crowded slides and allows you to remember
    specific points that you want to develop. In addition, it allows the audience to “capture” and integrate
    more information about the topic you are trying to convey.

Simplify: Don’t let the talk be too complicated: present an amount of material appropriate to the
    20-minute time frame.  You may have to delete significant chunks but in the end your talk will be
    better of.  Aim for a coherent, interesting talk, which people can follow.  The pace of speaking is
    important (see below).

b) PRESENTATION:
Clarify and integration.  How well is the content of the presentation conveyed to the audience?  Is the
    goal of the presentation clear?  Is the background material (presented in the introduction) well
    integrated with the rest of the talk?  Are the conclusions tied in with the introduction at the end of the
    talk?  Are key points presented clearly throughout the talk?

Quality of graphics.  Is the print size too small?  Is there too much material on each slide?  Are graphs
    or charts used to integrate or explain complex points?  Is it clear that the data are statistically
    different from each other (when this is reported)?  Are the axes clearly labeled?  Is there good use of
    contrast between background and print?

Freedom from annoying distractions.  Is the speaker using sufficient volume?  Are excessive
    “umms” or other sounds used?  Is the speaker facing the audience?  Is the speaker playing with the
    pointer?

Pace of talk.  The typical problem is speaking too fast for the audience to follow you.  Comfortable
    pauses after key points are welcome.

Response to questions.  Did the speaker listen and answer the question fully?  Was the speaker
    defensive or flippant?  Avoid the preliminary comment of “that’s a good question”.  This is tough to
    avoid, because it is a natural response.  However, it implies that other questions weren’t good.  It also
    is code for “I was hoping you would ask that” or “I have no idea how to answer that and I’m going to
    avoid answering by complimenting you”.  By addressing the speaker directly and thoughtfully, you
    make it clear that you regard the question as good (and of course, you should respond this way to all
    questions).
 

LET’S HAVE A GOOD TIME!!