Go to the Bio 6 newsgroup. Read Dr. Schmeidler's welcome and "Field Trip to the web" messages. Follow the instructions found there. Due January 20, 2001.

Assignment 2 (10 points):

Cellular biology is a rapidly growing and changing field, which epitomizes many scientific fields in that ideas and information are frequently replaced by new information and interpretations. In order to keep up, it is important to read the research journals in which scientists report their research results and their interpretations of their own, and others' work. These reports are often highly technical, and by their nature are usually narrow in scope. One can keep abreast fairly well, although not quite as up-to-date, by reading "reviews". These are secondary sources. Some are written by professional journalists or "science writers". Others are written by the same people who are actively involved in cutting edge research. Scientific American is a magazine in which well-known scientists write reviews of their own work, or sometimes broader reviews of their own fields of study.

The assignment, due Jan 22, 2001, is to peruse the last year of Scientific American. If some issues are missing, it is O.K. Look at the most recent 12 issues you can find.

A. Count the number of articles which you think pertain to cellular biology. Write down which issues you looked through, and your total count of related articles. There is no need to list the articles, though you may if you wish. Just note the total count.

B. Choose one that seems interesting. Read it. Write [this should not be more than a page, total]:

1. Brief (approximately one paragraph) summary of the main points in the article (from the author's point of view). - do not try to go into detail, just write what the article was about, in your own words.

2. The one or two points which you found most important, interesting, intriguing, or new to yourself.

3. At least one issue or question which follows from the work described i.e. what the next step should be.

4. At least 1 future implication (e.g. medical) of this work.

5. At least 1 ethical implication of this work (or its future potential as discussed for #4).

6. How the material presented in the article relates to some issue other than what is specifically mentioned by the author.

• Please note that you are asked to summarize the topic, not review or describe either the article or the author(s). DO NOT QUOTE. Use your own words to summarize the material, and then to respond to it. Use the questions outlined above as guidelines to organize your essay. DO NOT use these questions as if they were exam questions to be addressed by number, in order. Do not assume, as you write, that the reader has read this assignment sheet & questions.

All essay-type homework assignments must be typewritten (printed) - preferably using a word processor - and proof-read. It is advisable to have as many people as possible read your essay before printing the final draft, so that it will have as few errors, and be as well-written and understandable as possible. Spelling, typographical, and grammatical errors are unacceptable, so proofread your work.

It is unnecessary (and wastes trees) to use a cover page, or any blank pages front or back. Covers are also unnecessary (and undesirable). Be a minimalist: just put your name, date, and some indication of which assignment you are completing as a heading, as follows:

Biol 6 HOMEWORK # - and due date - YOUR NAME

(any appropriate title, or citation^* of works being summarized or other relevant information)

^*always use a proper citation format