************************************************************************

NATURAL SCIENCES SEMINAR

CAPSTONE FOR THE SCIENCES
COURSES: BIO 4899, CHM 4899, OR PHY 4899

Winter 2016

************************************************************************
Winter Course Coordinator: Dr. Tenlen

Class Meets: Monday, 4:30 5:20 pm in Eaton 112

Biology Instructor:
Email & Phone:
Office & Office hours:

Dr. Jenny Tenlen

tenlenj@spu.edu
EH 113

206-281-2007
posted and by appt.

Chemistry Instructor:
Email & Phone:
Office & Office hours:

Dr. Ben McFarland

bjm@spu.edu
EH 103

206-281-2749
posted and by appt.

Physics Instructor:
Email & Phone:
Office & Office hours:

Dr. John Lindberg

lindberg@spu.edu
OMH 133

206-281-2866
posted and by appt.

!
!

Mission Statement - Seattle Pacific University

Seattle Pacific University seeks to be a premier Christian university fully committed to engaging
the culture and changing the world by graduating people of competence and character,
becoming people of wisdom and modeling grace-filled community.

!
SPU Goals for Capstone

1. To tie the liberal learning experience in the general education program together with the
major-field discipline;
2. To engage students in a process of reflective self-assessment.

Natural Sciences Seminar - University Capstone Course Description

A capstone experience for seniors that explores current natural sciences topics in an
interdisciplinary setting. Seminars addressing current research advances, ethical issues in science
or the intersection of science, vocation and Christian faith are presented by faculty, students and
guest scholars. Discussion and reflection incorporate appropriate readings. A minimum of two
quarters of seminar must be completed during the senior year to fulfill the senior capstone
requirement.
Natural Sciences Seminar - Course Goals
1. To expose students to current research topics in science from leaders in science both at SPU
and from outside SPU.
2. To investigate some focal issues of debate within science as to the role of science in society,
particularly in areas where ones eternal perspective affects the outcome of ones
conclusions.
3. To begin a dialogue on what it means to be called to a scientific vocation.
4. To explore the impact of science (and its technological offspring) on society, with a special
concern for ethical implications.

Requirements and Evaluation

1. Attendance (recorded by instructors) at speakers presentations and submittal to the
instructors of a written synopsis of the talk and one written question about each presentation
will constitute 30% of the final grade. This assignment will be due at the end of the class period.
2. Participation in class discussions, including preparation before class, will comprise 20%. The
preparation will consist of a one-page written reflection (300 words) on the assigned readings
for the class period. All readings will be posted online in the course Blackboard website. You
cannot attend without the reflection paper and will not receive credit for participation. There
will be four reflection assignments due this quarter (10 pts each).
3. Students will prepare a major paper. This will constitute 50% of the final grade (see below).
4. Exit assessment exam (participation in this exam, if required, will be reflected in participation
points for the class).
a. Students taking BIO 4899 for the second required capstone quarter will take the
Educational Testing Service major field test www.ets.org. The ETS site states that the tests
are designed to assess the knowledge expected of students at the conclusion of a major in
a specific subject area. The test is often given in a Capstone course or in the last semester
of study as part of a graduation requirement to document proficiency in the specific area
of study. The results of this test are never included in a students record and are purely for
assessment purposes for teaching and learning in the biological sciences at SPU. Contact
Dr. Tenlen for a full description of the biology exam. The test will be administered on
Monday, March 14, from 3-5:30pm in Eaton 112.
b. Students taking CHM 4899 for the second required capstone quarter will have ALREADY
taken a similar exam through ACS in each of the different chemistry disciplinary classes.
Thus, CHM 4899 students will NOT take a test during a set period during the final exam
period
Reflection paper

!
!
!

As part of the overall capstone requirements you need to write a reflection paper focused on one
of the topics covered during the class. This could be one of the lecture presentations or one of the
reading/discussion sessions.
Please write a 5 7 page reflection paper (at least 1500 words) that is composed of two sections.
The first is a research section that extends your understanding of the topic selected. You should list
at least two substantial references in this section. The second section is a reflection on the area you
have selected. Possible ideas for this section:
How has your personal journey (school, family, degree, etc.) affected your choice of subject?
What new insights have you learned from the presentation and your study of it and how does this
topic resonate with your education at SPU? How can you integrate your understandings of faith
and science as you approach this topic?
The paper will be graded by the quality of the writing, quality of the reflection, and coherence.

Natural Sciences Capstone, Winter 2016

Elements of a good reflection paper:

1. Sharp focus: This paper addresses the discipline specific thesis listed above and does so clearly
and forcefully.
2. Rich content: The position taken in the reflection paper is from personal experience and is
supported by discipline specific activities and examples. The personal nature of the reflection is
critical to fully engage in the process of self- assessment.
3. Stylistic elegance: The title and opening paragraph are engaging; the transitions are artful rather
than mechanical; the phrasing is tight and distinctive; the diction is fresh and concrete; the
sentence structure is varied; and the tone enhances the purposes of the paper. Correct English
grammar and spelling are observed.

* see grading rubric on Blackboard for more information.

Grading:

!
!

Class Points
186-200 pts
180-185 pts
174-179 pts
166-173 pts
160-165 pts
154-159 pts
146-153 pts
140-145 pts
134-139 pts
120-133 pts
0-119 pts

Percentage Letter Grade Numerical Grade

93-100%
A
4.0
90-92%
A3.7
87-89%
B+
3.3
83-86%
B
3.0
80-82%
B2.7
77-79%
C+
2.3
73-76%
C
2.0
70-72%
C1.7
67-69%
D+
1.3
60-66%
D
1.0
0-59%
E
0.0

Disabilities
All students have the right to learn, and we care very deeply that students feel supported and
engaged in class. In accordance with Section 504 of the Rehabilitation Act of 1973 and the
Americans with Disabilities Act of 1990, I encourage students with specific disabilities that qualify
for academic accommodations to contact Disabled Student Services (DSS) in the Center for
Learning (http://www.spu.edu/depts/cfl/dss/index.asp). DSS in turn will send a Disability
Verification Letter to the course instructor indicating what accommodations have been
approved.
Emergencies
If an emergency requiring evacuation occurs during lecture, please exit the classroom in a calm and
orderly fashion and meet as a group in Tiffany Loop. Please do not leave this area, as the instructor
needs to account for all students immediately following the evacuation. If possible, pair up with your
nearest neighbor in an emergency and keep track of each other until the situation has been resolved.
In the unlikely event of a lockdown, please stay in the classroom and follow the instructors directions.
Additional information is provided on the next page.
Attendance if you are ill
If you miss a seminar, you can make it up by attending a local scientific seminar, either at SPU or at
a local institute or university (links to several area seminar series are posted on Blackboard), and
writing a 2-page (500-word) paper on the topic. If you miss a discussion, you can make it up by
writing a 3-page (750-word) paper on the topic. You may not make up more than 1 class session.
Natural Sciences Capstone, Winter 2016

Emergency Preparedness Information

Report an Emergency or Suspicious Activity
Call the Office of Safety and Security to report an emergency or suspicious activity by dialing 206-281-2911 or by
pressing the call button on a campus emergency phone. SPU Security Officers are trained first responders and will
be dispatched to your location. If needed, the SPU Dispatcher will contact local fire/police with the exact address
of the location of the emergency.
SPU-Alert System
The SPU-Alert System is SPUs emergency notification system. It can send information via text message, email,
electronic reader board, computer pop-ups (for SPU computers), loudspeaker, and recorded cell phone messages.
Text messaging has generally proven to be the quickest way to receive an alert about a campus emergency. In
order to receive text messages from SPU-Alert, you must provide SPU with your cell phone number through the
Banner Information System on the web, https://www.spu.edu/banweb/. Select the Personal Menu then choose
the Emergency Alert System tab. Contact the CIS Help Desk if you have questions about entering your personal
contact information into the Banner Information System. Emergency announcements may also be made by SPU
staff members serving as Building Emergency Coordinators (BECs).
Lockdown / Shelter in Place General Guidance
The University will lock down in response to threats of violence such as a bank robbery or armed intruder on
campus. You can assume that all remaining classes and events will be temporarily suspended until the incident is
over. Lockdown notifications are sent using the SPU-Alert System.
If you are in a building at the time of a lockdown:
Stay inside and await instruction, unless you are in immediate visible danger.
Move to a securable area (such as an office or classroom) and lock the doors.
Close the window coverings then move away from the windows and get low on the floor.
Remain in your secure area until further direction or the all clear is given (this notification will be sent via
the SPU-Alert System).
If you are outside at the time of a lockdown:
Leave the area and seek safe shelter off campus. Remaining in the area of the threat may expose you to
danger.
Return to campus after the all clear is given (this notification will be sent via the SPU-Alert System).
Evacuation General Guidance
Students should evacuate a building if the fire alarm sounds or if a faculty member, a staff member, or the SPUAlert System instructs building occupants to evacuate. In the event of an evacuation, gather your personal
belongings quickly and proceed to the nearest exit. Most classrooms contain a wall plaque or poster on or next to
the classroom door showing the evacuation route and the assembly site for the building. Do not use the elevator.
Once you have evacuated the building, proceed to the nearest evacuation assembly location. The Stop. Think.
Act. booklet posted in each classroom contains a list of assembly sites for each building. Check in with your
instructor or a BEC (they will be easily recognizable by their bright orange vests). During emergencies, give each
BEC your full cooperation whenever they issue directions.
Additional Information
Additional information about emergency preparedness can be found on the SPU web page at
http://www.spu.edu/info/emergency/index.asp or by calling the Office of Safety and Security at 206-281-2922.
Last updated 9/10/15

Natural Sciences Capstone Schedule, Winter 2016

Date
Jan. 11

Speaker/Topic
Course Introduction and Presentation/Discussion (Dr. Tenlen)

Jan. 18

MARTIN LUTHER KING JR DAY - NO CLASS

Jan. 25

Presentation: Dr. Ben Wiggins

Faculty Coordinator for Biology Instruction, University of Washington
Due: reflection on paper chosen by Dr. Wiggins

Feb. 1

Workshop: the Elevator Pitch and interviewing skills

Due: elevator pitch assignment

Feb. 8

Dr. Cara Wall-Scheffler

Due: reflection on paper chosen by Dr. Wall-Scheffler

Feb. 15

PRESIDENTS DAY - NO CLASS

Feb. 22

Presentation: Ruth Park

Project Biologist, Confluence Environmental Company

Feb. 29

Discussion: topic TBA

March 7

Presentation: Dr. Jarrod Johnson

Postdoctoral Research Fellow, Center for Infectious Disease Research
Due: reflection on paper chosen by Dr. Johnson

March 14

Biology Students taking BIO 4899 for second time: ETS Major Field Exam
(Please bring laptop or tablet to complete Biology Dept. Exit Survey)
3:00 pm - 5:30 pm, Eaton 112

Thurs.,
March 17

FINAL PAPER DUE. Submit via link on Blackboard no later than 5:00 PM on
March 17, 2016.

Natural Sciences Capstone, Winter 2016