FNR 5608 RESEARCH PLANNING

2010

CREDITS:                              3

SCHEDULE:             3rd and 4th periods, 9:35 - 11:30 - Friday

INSTRUCTOR:         Dr. Wendell P. Cropper, Jr.
                                                            wcropper@ufl.edu
                                                            352-846-0859
                                                            Newins-Ziegler 214
                                                            Office Hours: After class or by appointment

REQUIRED TEXTS:        

  1. Feibelman.  1993.  A Ph.D. is Not Enough.  Basic Books.
  2.  
  3. Gordon, J.C.. 2007. Planning Research. A concise guide for the environmental and natural resource sciences. Yale Univ. Press
  4.  
  5. Day and Gastel. 2006. How to Write and Publish a Scientific Paper.      (6th ed.) Greenwood Press.
  6.  
  7. CD with files of web sites and readings

 

OBJECTIVES:          FNR 5608 is designed for beginning graduate students who intend to conduct research and write a thesis.

  1. To provide an understanding of the planning, funding, conducting and reporting of research.

 

  1. To provide an appreciation of the history, philosophy of science, and the scientific method, including the responsibilities of a scientist.
  1. To provide an appreciation of the opportunities and facilities for research within the University of Florida, IFAS and especially SFRC.

 

  1. 4.       To prepare a research proposal. For most students this project will be a first attempt at producing a proposal for thesis research. Students that already have an approved thesis proposal may target a federal granting agency for their proposal. NSF programs such as the Doctoral Dissertation Improvement Grant or the Graduate Research Fellowship are appropriate. A standard research proposal for an approved RFP (Request for Proposals) may also be used.
  2.  

GRADING:               

Class Participation/discussion           10%    

Problem Statement                             10%

Literature Review                               5%

Oral Presentation                                5%

Poster                                                  5%

Group Presentation                             5%

Abstract Exercise                               5%

Written review assignment                5%

 

Final Proposal                                    50%
(Summary; Problem Statement; Literature Review; Methods;
Budget and Budget Justification).  You cannot receive an A
In this course without receiving an A grade for the final proposal.

 

Late assignments will be penalized. -10% (minimum).

 

Minus grades may be earned in this course: http://www.isis.ufl.edu/minusgrades.html

Grading Scale:

93% - 100%  A
90% - 92.9% A-
86% - 89.9% B+
83% - 85.9% B
80% - 82.9% B-
76% - 79.9% C+
73% - 75.9% C
70% - 72.9% C-
60% - 69%   D
Below 60%   E