Students will be able to write effectively in multiple contexts within the discipline.
During my Sophomore Seminar course (BIOL 288), we were asked to attend various events or webinars in order to explore the field of biology further. Through these activities, I got my first glimpse into seeing biologists and scientists in action. I attended a lecture hosted by Dr. George M. Langford entitled, “Pursuing inclusive excellence: a cell biologist’s journey studying the cytoskeleton.” Dr. Langford briefly mentioned his research in cell biology, which I found to be incredibly fascinating. But to my surprise, he actually almost the entire presentation on what he called “inclusive excellence” as he described social injustices and racial inequality within the field and beyond. I described my experience in what would be my first reflective essay within the biology program (BIOL 288 Activity Essay 1). In this essay, I was asked to summarize the event, but also reflect on my thoughts regarding the lecture.
In contrast, the majority of the writing I have done throughout the biology program has been evidence-based rather than reflective. As a biologist and researcher, I have been thoroughly taught to analyze literature in order to compile and effectively communicate research. In my Medical Neurobiology course (BIOL 444), we were asked to complete various discussion board posts explaining a neurological disease of our choice. One of the most interesting posts I wrote was about Phantom Limb Syndrome (BIOL 444 Disease of Choice DB). This assignment required me to research the topic and synthesize reliable sources to convey what Phantom Limb Syndrome is, how it affects people, and treatments or therapies that are used to help. As each student in the class was researching a different disease of their choosing, we each had to be competent in communicating our topic to an audience that was likely unfamiliar with it. Knowing how to effectively communicate to a broader audience proved to be incredibly useful in writing general audience papers in the future.
**BIOL 488 White Paper**
My time throughout this program has given me countless opportunities to write in various contexts and styles in order to effectively communicate with fellow scientists. This has prepared me to apply my writing skills to other disciplines and audiences to become a much better-written communicator than before. I have learned how to write in various styles and formats, as well as to a variety of different audiences.