B.I.G. Topics

 

Bug Interactions Group) B.I.G. Topics: Group intensive study of current research in insect interactions

Jared Gregory Ali 

 

SUMMARY – course listing description: Topics vary from semester to semester and include, yet not limited to: chemical defense, physiology, coevolution, insect community structure, population regulation, biological control, multi-trophic interactions, IPM, and mutualisms. Students and faculty will lead presentations and contribute to the open discussion group. A variety of within topic discussions will revolve around anything from statistical analysis, trouble-shooting data/experimental design, critiquing of journal articles, and broad conceptual themes of research. Each student (attending faculty members encouraged too) will present a topic of their choice related to their area of study. Group sessions will also include presentations from professors and visiting scientists. Presentations of student/faculty research proposals, findings, manuscript development, grant proposals, and reviews of current literature will be welcomed, with a fundamental goal of addressing real issues, concepts and theory in insect science. The group dynamic will give students an opportunity to contribute to their peers’ work, receive feedback from the departmental community and develop their critical thinking and presentation skills.

 

OUTCOME: Students will be able to read, synthesize, and discuss findings from original scientific research on insects interacting with their environment.

 

GOALS:

  • Critical discussion
  • Pitching and receiving concepts
  • Avoid the tragedy of the commons
  • Build on presentation skills
  • Place to ask questions and test out ideas
  • Experimental design

 

EVERYONE’S PARTICIPATION IS KEY:

  • Contribute at least one comment or question per session
  • Attend every session (Sign in at class! 50% Grade)
  • Present during one session (50% grade)

 

PRESENTATIONS: (30mins dedicated group discussion)

1.) GENERAL INTRO AND SURROUNDING CONTEXT:

– What realm of insect studies do you come from?

– What is the big question you’re asking, history of this question?

– What are you doing to answer this question

– Data? Design? Results? Stats? Discussion points? Trouble shooting?

2.) PREPARE TO BE INTERUPTED!

– When the group has a question it can be asked during presentation

– Stay engaged to be sure you catch our questions

3.) PLANNED GUEST SESSIONS:

– Ian Kaplan (Purdue), Georg Petschenka (Cornell), Katja Poveda (Cornell)

 

Presentation Outline

  • 1-4 SLIDES BACKGROUND
    • Framing, your lab, your project, lit review, describe your beasts!!!
  • 1-4 SLIDES EXPERIMENTAL DESIGN (might be the focus for your session/ skill building)
    • Pictures are great
    • Simple explanations
  • 1-4 SLIDES DATA OR HYPOTHESIS JUSTIFICATION
    • Statistics, figures, graphs
    • Enough to explain your findings in the context of your overall goals
    • Discussion points
  • 1 SLIDE IDEAS/ FUTURE WORK/ QUESTIONS FOR THE GROUP

 

 

!!! We can also breakdown a paper related to your research!!!

– Similar format but relate it to your work

– Pull out the question you want us to focus on

We can approach proposals, reviews, a manuscript draft you have, thesis chapter,

planned research, hot topic, etc….