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Computational Biology Seminar

Topics in computational biology will be explored using primary literature. Students will present research articles orally and complete a series of writing assignments that will culminate in producing a perspective paper.

Semesters: Fall 2024, Fall 2023

Clear and efficient communication is a crucial—and often neglected—aspect of science. Intentional or unintentional miscommunication of research and data can result in adverse consequences; some examples include a flawed Challenger launch decision, inconsistent usage of units with the Mars Climate Orbiter, poor communication between experts and scientists with the public during the COVID-19 pandemic, and rampant misinformation. Lectures, assignments, and activities for this course are designed to teach you the tools to communicate effectively and comprehend scientific literature in computational biology.

What makes good written or visual communication? The answer is highly subjective. I argue that there is no “correct way” to communicate, and it depends on both the material’s producer and consumer. Some things could make papers or presentations incomprehensible, but everything else that turns “acceptable” into “excellent” is a matter of taste.

Furthermore, it’s essential to recognize that computational biology is a rapidly evolving landscape. To keep up-to-date, we must ensure our working knowledge is broad enough to comprehend and incorporate advancements quickly. We’ll look at many different topics in computational biology, exploring its complex details and the changes it leads to.

My principal goals for this course are to equip you with the tools to:

  • Engage in productive and positive learning experiences and growth;
  • Navigate and understand the various subfields of computational biology;
  • Organize, draft, revise, and finish preparing writing and presentations;
  • Recognize what aspects hamper written (e.g., grammar, organization, formatting) and visual (e.g., color, design, pace) communication;
  • Discover your voice and style of communication;
  • Process and digest information from a variety of different scientific sources.

Outcomes
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After successfully completing this course, students should be able to do the following.

C1. Efficiently search for and identify relevant scientific literature.
C2. Effectively summarize the motivation, methods, and key findings in scientific literature.
C3. Critically evaluate the robustness and validity of methods and analyses.
C4. Interpret and draw meaningful conclusions from biological data.
C5. Assess the transparency, reproducibility, and adherence to open science practices.
C6. Situate articles within the broader scientific literature, recognizing connections, gaps, and novel insights.
C7. Understand the interplay between computational and experimental corroboration.
C8. Communicate scientific ideas and data effectively through clear, concise, and well-structured writing.
C9. Deliver engaging and informative presentations on scientific literature.