Senior Seminar

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Purpose of this Course
CHM 495 satisfies two university requirements for graduation: the oral competency requirement and the capstone requirement.  The intent of the oral competency requirement is to prepare graduates for presentations of scientific data in a variety of different settings (scientific meetings, company reports, research group meetings, etc.).  The intent of the capstone requirement is to bring together material learned during four years of chemistry education.

Attendance Policy
You are required to attend all mini-talks.  Half a letter grade (5 pts.) will be deducted for each mini-talk missed, since the mini-talks satisfy the capstone requirement of the course.  You are also required to attend a total of six seminar presentations, which may be selected from student seminars and Department of Chemistry seminars.  However, at least three of the seminars must be departmental seminars (which must include at least one "pre-session" with the speaker.  The class period in which you present your seminar does not count as one of the six that are required. 

Grading
You will be graded on four activities:

1. (32%) Your mini-talk presentation, including answers to the general questions at the end of the mini-talk (8 minute talk, 10 minutes total). 10 points will be deducted for failure to meet with Dr. Seaton before your mini-talk.

2. (8%) Your participation in asking or helping to answer questions at the end of student mini-talks and seminars (Must ask at least 2 questions). 

3. (12%) Your attendance at six seminars throughout the semester (three must be departmental seminars).

4.  (48%) The content and presentation (including time) of your team research problem presentation (25 minute presentation, 30 minute total). Points will be deducted for late abstracts and failure to conduct a  practice talk.

How Things Work
During the first class meetings, you will learn about presentations, how to assemble materials for presentations, and how to deliver presentations.  In the following meetings, you will present a mini-talk on any general topic of your choosing.  The topics must be chemical concepts that are typically taught in 100 and 200 level courses at UNCW.  These talks are designed to increase your comfort level when talking in front of an audience. 

During this time, you will be assigned a team and will be provided with a list of possible research problems which will be the focus of your team presentation.  Your team will research the problem, break down the problem into sections and each member of the team will present a portion.  More details will be provided by February.

Cell Phones
As a courtesy to student and guest speakers, please make sure your cell phone is turned off before coming to class. Points will be deducted from your grade if your cell phone goes off in class or seminar.