CLASS MEETINGS:

Seminars will typically be held at 2 PM in Garrigus room 109. However, there may be instances when seminars are scheduled at other times. Students who have legitimate duties and commitments that prevent them from attending these will be excused but only after prior discussion with the instructor. Additional meetings will be scheduled for practice and review sessions (see "Specific Course Requirements" below).

Be sure to check the Animal Sciences Seminar web page or Events page for upcoming seminar information.

GOALS:

For students to develop skills in critically reviewing scientific literature and in giving oral presentations. It is expected that topics will be taken from current literature related to the animal and food sciences. Students may not present material directly related to their own research project findings.

EVALUATION:

Student presentations will be evaluated on organization, knowledge of subject matter, effectiveness of visual aids, oral communication skills, written abstract, and ability to answer related questions. In addition, students are expected to participate in practice and review sessions as outlined below.

ABSENCE POLICY:

Students are required to attend all formal seminars. In addition, they are required to attend their own practice session, one assigned practice session, and a review session. If a scheduling conflict is anticipated, the instructor must be notified as soon as possible so that the situation can be discussed. If an emergency arises, the instructor should be notified as soon as possible after the missed class/session. An unexcused absence can result in a grade reduction of one (1) letter grade (e. g., B becomes a C). Students who do not present a seminar and do not have a valid excuse will be automatically assigned an "E". Please refer to "Academic Offenses and Penalties" for additional information.

ACADEMIC OFFENSES AND PENALTIES:

I. Plagiarism
All academic work, written or otherwise, submitted by students to their instructors or other academic supervisors, is expected to be the result of their own thought, research, or self-expression. In cases where students feel unsure about a question of plagiarism involving their work, they are obliged to consult their instructors on the matter before submission. When students submit work purporting to be their own, but which in any way borrows ideas, organization, wording or anything else from another source without appropriate acknowledgment of the fact, the students are guilty of plagiarism.

Plagiarism includes reproducing someone else's work, whether it be published article, chapter of a book, a paper from a friend or some file, or whatever. Plagiarism also includes the practice of employing or allowing another person to alter or revise the work which a student submits as his/her own, whoever that other person may be. Students may discuss assignments among themselves or with an instructor or tutor, but when the actual work is done, it must be done by the student, and the student alone.

When a student's assignment involves research in outside sources or information, the student must carefully acknowledge exactly what, where and how he/she has employed them. If the words of someone else are used, the student must put quotation marks around the passage in question and add an appropriate indication of its origin. Making simple changes while leaving the organization, content and phraseology intact is plagiaristic. However, nothing in these Rules shall apply to those ideas that are so generally and freely circulated as to be a part of the public domain.

It is very important that you closely review this section. You must give appropriate credit for work that someone else has performed. Please see me if you have any questions or concerns.

II. Cheating
Cheating is defined by its general usage. It includes, but is not limited to, the wrongfully giving, taking, or presenting any information or material by a student with the intent of aiding himself/herself or another on any academic work which is considered in any way in the determination of the final grade. Any question of definition shall be referred to the University Appeals Board.

III. Penalties
The instructor and department chair may impose one or more of the following penalties in the event they determine an academic offense has occurred.

a. Assign a grade of E for the course in which the offense occurred (the minimum penalty).

b. Recommend to the Dean of their college or to the Dean of the Graduate School, if appropriate, that the student be suspended, dismissed or expelled.

IV. Excused Absences
The following are defined as excused absences:

1. Illness of the student or serious illness of a member of the student's immediate family. The instructor shall have the right to request appropriate verification.

2. The death of a member of the student's immediate family. The instructor shall have the right to request appropriate verification.

3. Trips for members of student organizations sponsored by an academic unit, trips for University classes, and trips for participation in intercollegiate athletic events. When feasible, the student must notify the instructor prior to the occurrence of such absences, but in no case shall such notification occur more than one week after the absence. Instructors may request formal notification from appropriate university personnel to document the student's participation in such trips.

4. Major Religious Holidays. Students are responsible for notifying the instructor in writing of anticipated absences due to their observance of such holidays no later than the last day for adding a class.

5. Any other circumstances which the instructor finds reasonable cause for non-attendance.

Students missing work due to an excused absence bear the responsibility of informing the instructor about their excused absence within one week following the period of the excused absence (except where prior notification is required), and of making up the missed work. The instructor shall give the student an opportunity to make up the work and/or the exams missed due to an excused absence, and shall do so, if feasible, during the semester in which the absence occurred.

If attendance is required or serves as a criterion for a grade in a course, and if a student has excused absences in excess of one-fifth of the class contact hours for that course, a student shall have the right to petition for a "W", and the faculty member may require the student to petition for a "W" or take an "I" in the course.

GRADE ASSIGNMENTS:

Point distributions.

Formal Seminar = 65 points

Title/Objectives/Outline = 5 points

Abstract = 5 points

Practice session = 10 points

Assigned Evaluator = 5 points

Seminar participation = 5 points

Review session = 5 points

91% and above = A

81% to 90% = B

71% to 80% = C

<70% = E

NOTE: Although critiques and evaluations of seminars will be examined and considered in the grading process, the final grade will be assigned by the instructor.

1. Seminar
Each student will prepare and present a 30 to 35 minute seminar. This will be followed by a question and answer period during which time the student will be expected to answer questions from any member of the audience. The seminar should be organized as a complete presentation dealing with some aspect of animal or food science.

Keep in mind that many, if not most, of the audience will not be familiar with the details of the subject area. Therefore, it is imperative that backround material be presented. The subject cannot directly represent your own research findings. Treat this seminar as you would any professional presentation.

Presentations will be graded on a number of criteria (see Seminar Evaluation Sheet which will be distrubuted in class). Final grades will also be based on additional criteria as outlined below. Excused absences will be permitted only in case of valid reasons stated in the Academic Offenses and Penalties section or prior notification and approval by the instructor. If the student cannot present a seminar for a valid reason, it will be re-scheduled as soon as possible. Students who do not present a seminar and do not have a valid excuse will be automatically assigned an "E".

2. Title/Objectives/Outline
A complete seminar title including a statement of objectives, and outline must be submitted via e-mail to the instructor ( jboling@uky.edu ). All titles/objectives/outlines are subject to the approval of the instructor. Students are welcomed and encouraged to consult with the instructor prior to the submission deadline.

3. Scheduling.
Each student will be assigned a seminar date in a random fashion. If you have valid conflicts with your assigned date, immediately notify the instructor. However, any and all changes are subject to the approval of the instructor. Most seminars will be presented at 2:00 PM on Mondays but due to class size and scheduling conflicts, it may become necessary to schedule seminars on other days of the week and at other times.

4. Abstract
Each student will prepare a one page abstract (type-written, one and one-half or double spaced) that directly states the objectives, reviews the major points, and provides an appropriate conclusion statement. A concise list (less than 10) of pertinent references must be included.  The abstract and list of references must be given to the instructor at the time of the practice seminar.

5. Seminar preparation
Seminars should be presented using Powerpoint software. Keep in mind that ample time must be provided for slide preparation and all aspects of slide preparation are the responsibility of the student.

6. Practice seminar
Each student will present a practice seminar at least one week (7days) prior to the actual seminar date. The audience will include one assigned student critic and the instructor. You must notify your advisor of the practice seminar and they should be strongly encouraged to attend and participate.

7. Introduction
Ask your advisor to introduce you at the start of your seminar and serve as the moderator for the question and answer period following the seminar. The introduction should include your previous education, present status and research at the University of Kentucky, and the title of your seminar. If your advisor cannot introduce you, the instructor will make the introduction or another faculty member can be chosen by the student.

8. Student participation
Each student will attend all seminars during the semester. Attendance of seminars is mandatory and students will be evaluated based upon participation in the seminar discussion.  Excused absences will be permitted only in case of valid reasons stated in the Academic Offenses and Penalties section or prior notification and approval by the instructor. In addition, each student will also serve as a critic during another student's practice seminar.  Three members of the faculty will evaluate each seminar.

9. Seminar notices
All seminars will be listed on the Animal Sciences Seminar web page.

10. Review session
After each seminar, the speaker will meet with the instructor to review the evaluation sheets and to discuss the seminar.