Advanced Seminar in Biochemistry
BCH479H1
The learning outcomes of this seminar course are to improve the written and oral scientific communication skills of specialist students, as well as to increase their knowledge of classic papers in biochemistry and cell biology. The course will foster close interactions between students and faculty through the in-depth discussion of key papers in in four different areas of research. Critical thinking skills will be developed as students analyze data, present results, and discuss experimental methods and the significance of the findings. Writing skills will be developed through a project proposal and other written assignments.
Course Next Offered
Winter 2024
Course Time and Location
Seminars are held on Thursdays from 1:10 pm to 3:00 pm in MSB 5231
Prerequisites
BCH340H1 + BCH377H1 and permission of Department
Enrollment Limit
Yes — 8
The course is restricted to eight Biochemistry specialist students to enhance the interaction with faculty mentors. Two students will be assigned to each faculty member, who will assist them in their paper selection and presentations.
Method of Student Evaluation
Participation in Discussions 25%
Session 2 Paper Presentation 15%
Session 3 Paper Presentation 10%
Session 3 Project Pitch 10%
Session 3 Written Paper Summary 10%
Cover Letter (due April 12th) 10%
Project Proposal (due April 12th) 20%
Recommended Reading
No textbooks are required. Papers will be distributed to students prior to each class.
Additional Notes and Resources
Course Content
Course Organization: The course will be presented in 2- hour classes over 12 weeks, arranged in three sessions.
There are no formal lectures in this course, which will focus on round-table discussions of classic papers. Each student will be assigned a faculty mentor to discuss papers in advance of the class presentations.
Session One (Weeks 1-4)
Faculty members will provide a brief introduction to the four different topics, and presentation of two classic papers in each field that students are expected to read in advance and be prepared to engage in a round table discussion.
Session Two (Weeks 5-8)
Two more modern classic papers chosen by the faculty member, will be presented this time as a student-led discussion using the same format as session one. Each student will meet with their faculty mentor in advance (meet for ~2 hours as a team of 2) to discuss the papers that they will lead in discussion.
Session Three (Weeks 9-12)
Student selects a recent publication in each field in consultation with their faculty mentor from a lab where they intend to carry out PhD studies. Student: 1) distributes a summary of the publication acting as a reviewer focusing on why the paper should be published, 2) presents (10 min) the publication highlighting the key findings, strengths, limitations, and implications for future studies, 2) facilitates a class discussion for 15 minutes about the paper and 3) presents a 10-minute pitch for a project proposal (without slides) geared towards the senior author of the publication with feedback from the class.
Coordinator
G. Angus McQuibban
University of Toronto
Faculty of Medicine, Department of Biochemistry
MaRS Centre, West Tower
661 University Ave., Suite 1500, Rm 1536
416-978-6820
angus.mcquibban@utoronto.ca
