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Oct 23, 2026
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BIOL 1171 - Seminar in the Biological Sciences
Credits: 3
Catalog Description
This course is designed to focus on the annual Nobel Conference theme explored at Gustavus Adolphus College. Presenters are internationally recognized to be on the cutting edge of their respective biological science disciplines. Attendance of the conference is required. Five to six weeks are preparatory, and following the conference a discussion-seminar format is used to further explore the conference theme. In a lab-like experience, students will do extensive reading and perform a library research project where results are reported in class.
Minnesota Transfer Curriculum (MnTC) Goal Area(s) fulfilled: Goal 02: Critical Thinking, Goal 03: Natural Sciences
Cross-Listed Course(s): NATS 1171
Additional fee to student: Yes
Learner Outcomes
- Utilize the necessary background vocabulary and methodology to understand the Nobel Conference presentation.
- Demonstrate an understanding of the foundation previous scientists laid making the Nobel Conference presenter’s work possible and meaningful.
- Identify the hypotheses that each presenter is testing in their experimental and investigative research.
- Identify and describe the specific scientific theories represented in each year’s Nobel Conference theme.
- Propose additional and alternative hypotheses that could lead to further experimental procedure.
- Demonstrate an understanding of the interdisciplinary character of scientific investigation based on each year’s particular theme.
- Analyze and discuss each presenter’s work in terms of relevance, clarity, assumptions, biases, applicability, and ethical and socio-political impact.
- Present a personal reaction and response paper to the Nobel Conference integration of scientific research, philosophical evaluation, and public discussion related to the year’s specific theme.
- Read, discuss, interpret and evaluate several current research articles related to the Nobel Conference theme.
- Perform a library research project and analyze a topic related to the Nobel Conference theme.
- Organize research findings and analyses into an appropriately documented research paper.
- Communicate and discuss research findings and analyses in a seminar format.
- Evaluate peer seminar presentations in terms of relevance, clarity, assumptions, biases, applicability, and ethical and socio-political impact.
Major Areas of Course Content
The specific topic is new each year since the Nobel conference is a fresh, current, and front-line science theme annually, however the following content is included each course.
- Preparation for Nobel conference attendance in terms of necessary vocabulary, background theory, and topic history through lecture, group discussion, and reading.
- Introduction to scientific methodology and appropriate technology
- Introduction to analysis of scientific writing and programming
- Introduction to locating and utilizing appropriate resources related to the year’s specific topic
- Introduction to writing an appropriately documented research paper
- Presentation of research findings in a seminar format
- Discussion of the Nobel Conference presentations
- Discussion of articles read relating to the Nobel Conference theme
- Evaluation of Nobel Conference presenter’s experimental work
- Evaluation of peer research
Credit for Prior Learning Options
No credit for prior learning option is available for this course.
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