Biochemical Principles 12.15.11 Final Project Details

The final project gives you an opportunity to creatively explore in depth a particular issue or topic from the course that interests you. In the Clinical Dimensions of Biochemistry component of the class, we have covered relatively new research that deals with mechanisms through which stress affects human health. We have also discussed some of the implications of this research for the practice of clinical medicine, for health care in general, and for public health.

Some of you may choose to focus more on the mechanisms themselves, and others may choose to focus more on relating your academic work to clinical and community-based service and action. Both are fine. We've arranged a format for the final project that we hope will give you an optimal learning opportunity.

 Here's the plan:

1. Everyone will develop a poster (let's call it a mini-poster) just as if you were presenting your work   for a poster session at a conference.  On Thursday afternoon, December 15, from 3 to 5 pm, in the chemistry departmentment lounge in Merrill, we will have a poster session, in which, for the first hour, we will have a preview of the posters among ourselves via the posters. Then, for the second hour, we will open the posters up to public viewing by people in the Amherst College community and Pioneer Valley community partners, so that you can share your work with others who have an interest in the effect of stress on human health.  A class dinner will follow. Invite friends, colleagues, faculty, family, and community members.

2. Depending on your interest, you have two options:

A. Write a 10 to 15 page research paper, with references, on the topic you have chosen; or

B. Develop a brochure or other format (depending on your audience), with references, that communicates your work to the "public" (i.e. health care providers, families, patients, the college student population, communities that experience disparities, etc.) in a way that will heighten their awareness and motivate them to take action to improve their own health or that of the people they serve. Use clear language, and think of how people will use this information in positive ways.

The miniposter and presentations are due by Thursday, December 15, by 3 pm, and will be worth 5 % of the grade for the class. The research paper or brochure is due by the last day of class, December 14, at 5 pm, and will be worth 20 % of the total grade.

At the discussion sections on December 1 and 8, we will work in small groups to prepare for the December 15 event and for your final written product. The poster will be due on December 15, and the due date for the paper or brochure will be announced soon.

We want this to be a creative endeavor, and we are open to your ideas! Get in touch with us at any time along the way. And think of ways that your work can be carried forward beyond this class.