Writing Resources
Guidelines for Scientific Writing in OBE
Writing a research paper, grant proposal, poster presentation, or science communication article? Check out these Guidelines for Scientific Writing in OBE.
Writing Center Links
The Writing Center is an excellent resource to go to when you need help with your writing assignments. There are many student tutors with different specialties who can help you with your writing. Read their bios to find someone who likely has experience with the type of writing you are doing, and schedule an appointment! Even if you think you have a high quality paper, having someone else take a look at it can help you improve your writing even more.
Examples of Student Writing
Student Proposal from BE240: Evolution
Student Proposal from BE240: Evolution
OBE Writing Classes
Most OBE courses have at least one writing component. Here are some examples:
BE208 Ecology (Writing in the Discipline)
Students taking Ecology have the opportunity to work in a small group to conduct an original field research project. They culminate the class by writing a journal-style paper about their project and presenting to their classmates. Depending on the professor, some classes may have an additional writing assignment as well.
BE240 Evolution
Students taking Evolution have the option to choose between one of two options for their term paper: a National Science Foundation-style research grant proposal (recommended for students pursuing independent research in labs or who are contemplating graduate school) or a popular-science style paper to communicate evolution to the public (recommended for anyone interested in journalism, teaching, or science policy). Students have the opportunity to perfect their assignments through peer edits.
BE308 Advanced Ecology
Students taking Advanced Ecology design original research projects and learn how to write a research grant proposal.
BE362 Plant Ecology (Writing Intensive)
Students taking Plant Ecology design original research projects and write a professional research proposal that incorporates preliminary field data.
BE366 Comparative Animal Physiology (Writing Intensive)
Students taking Comparative Animal Physiology have the opportunity to improve their writing through their capstone assignment. They will work with the Writing Center and peer review each other's papers to get a revised paper to submit. Students will also work in a small group to conduct an original physiology research project, often involving animals in the department. They culminate the class by writing a journal-style paper about their research and presenting to their classmates.
BE367 Animal Ecology
Students taking Animal Ecology will write a professional research proposal that incorporates preliminary field data. They will also write a capstone essay on the implications of results from primary literature articles.
BE410 Ornithology
Students taking Ornithology will conduct an original field project on bird species and write a research report about their study. They will also write a capstone essay on the implications of results from primary literature articles.