Chem 002 FS09 – Formal Report / Journal Synopsis Paper over Reports Article: Michael L.Anstey, Stephen M. Rogers, Swidbert R. Ott, Malcolm Burrows, & Stephen J. Simpson. “Serotonin Mediates Behavioral Gregarization Underlying Swarm Formation in Desert Locusts.” 2009. Science 323: 627-630. Also please read the Perspectives article, which describes both this paper and related work in this field--good background information! [Stevenson, P. A. “The Key to Pandora’s Box.” 2009 Science 323: 594-595.] You may use your textbook or other texts or on-line sources as reference material as you see fit. Just provide a list of references (minimum 3) at the end of your paper. *****Copies are available electronically through the MS&T Curtis Laws Wilson Library***** You may download FREE personal copies from here as PDFs. How to Download: ***If you are logging in from “off-campus” you MUST login to the VPN first. 1. In Merlin, select “Jrnl, Mag, Newspaper” and type in Science then click on Search. 2. Choose “Science” twice. In the middle of the page there is a link to the ejournal: 3. Link to web version: MST has: v.1(1880)-3(1882). 4. In the middle of the page, choose the link: http://www.sciencemag.org/ 5. Choose the button for previous issues, then choose the January 30, 2009 edition. DUE DATES: OCTOBER 12-15, 2009 (IN CLASS) A 3-5 PAGE TYPED SYNOPSIS (Summary + Analysis) DISCUSSING THE ARTICLE. ****START NOW! THIS IS NOT SOMETHING THAT CAN BE DONE IN AN HOUR OR TWO*** ON THE EVENING BEFORE CLASS!!! How to Review an Article: This is a challenging assignment. We suggest the following procedure: 1. Read the Perspectives article. Peruse (skim) the Reports article: read only the abstract and the figure captions. Stop. 2. Wait a day or two. Now Read the Reports article from abstract straight through to conclusions, reviewing the Perspectives article if needed. Stop. 3. Wait a day or two. Read the article again, this time taking notes for your synopsis. Stop. 4. Write the synopsis, referring to the article if necessary. DIRECT QUOTES MUST BE IN QUOTATION MARKS. [But, too many quotes are not appropriate. It is best to paraphrase – Put it in your own words.] 5. PROOFREAD YOUR SYNOPSIS--THERE IS ABSOLUTELY NO REASON FOR MISSPELLED WORDS OR ERRORS IN GRAMMAR AND SYNTAX. A Good Synopsis Should Mention (but is not limited to) The Following*: 1. Introduction/background. (Why is this important, “cutting edge” research?) 2. What was proposed? (Hypothesis to be tested?) 3. How was it tested experimentally? [Discuss all parts of each figure briefly, telling what was proven and how.] 4. Conclusion. (What does it mean and what might be done next?)*Note: You will be given a rubric with the breakdown of points prior to the paper being due.  Chem 002 (FS09) – Overview of Grading for Synopsis / Formal Report You must write your own report. Duplicate reports will be given a ZERO. Your laboratory report will be graded on the basis of 35 points for the quality of the written report, and 65 points for the content. The overview for the grading are listed as follows: Written Report (35 points total) Clarity of Report (35 points total) Format & Neatness 8 pts followed expected format, no missing pages, good order, pg. numbers nicely printed, good legibility, good mechanical presentation Logical presentation (Organization & Coherence) 9 pts clearly stated thesis, good organization, no illogical sentences Style (Ease of reading) 9 pts clear & concise, appropriate sentence style, correct use of words Mechanics (Spelling, Grammar & Punctuation) 9 pts correct spelling, grammar, & punctuation Total Points: 35 pts Paper Content (65 points total) Report Presentation (65 points total) Title Page 5 pts separate cover page, unique title, includes relevant identifying information Introduction 10 pts includes information about article reviewed, gives overview of experiment, explains why experiment is innovative Experimental: 15 pts includes detailed overview of experiment to include control measures & monitoring Results and discussion 15 pts discusses experimental results, gives an overview of author’s results and discussion Conclusions 15 pts gives an analysis of the article and data provided, provides implications of future works gives a definite opinion of the work conclusion is reasonable and supported References 5 pts provides at least 3 listed and in proper MLA format Total Points: 65 pts Total Score: