A helpful article on how to read a scientific paper: http://www.sciencemag.org/careers/2016/03/how-seriously-read-scientific-paper

Reading a scientific paper.pdf

And here is information on how to find peer-reviewed papers through your MyASU if you have never done so: GetScience.pdf

Semester Systems Project Part 1 Rubric (40pts) During this semester, we will learn about a lot of different vertebrate adaptations that evolved because of changes in the environment and other mutations that allow vertebrates to diversify and occupy every niche on the planet. In lieu of exams, you will explore the adaptations in a system of your choice and understand how vertebrates evolved from extant vertebrates to mammals. First, choose the system in which you are most interested in from this list: • • • • • • Body plan/locomotion (limbs, movement, skeletal structures) Gas exchange/osmoregulation (regulation of oxygen, ions, and water) Cardiovascular system (development of heart) Digestive system (feeding structures through digestion) Nervous system/sensory organs (development of brain and other special senses) Reproduction (reproductive structures and strategies for birth and care of offspring) Adaptations happen at their own time, so in some modules, your system may not change much, while in other modules, it might undergo several changes. This is okay. We expect diversity in our projects. All of them are covered in Cogbooks, which should give you a starting point to your research. Focusing on one of these systems, you will map their development through the vertebrates covered in each unit (more information below) and focus on two different animal species that interest you and have unique adaptations in your system. You will find peer-reviewed articles that illustrate how these adaptations were discovered and how scientists believe they give that animal an advantage. You will write a 3-5 page paper (double-spaced) about your discoveries as you learn about your chosen system. First, choose the system from the list above that interests you. Always been interested in the brain? Here’s your chance to learn about its evolution. Interested in movement? Here’s your chance to learn more about skeletal and muscle adaptations. Choose something that will keep your interest all semester. You will not be allowed to switch after Project 1 is completed. Some units you will have much more to write about than others. Just remember that this will even out. So if you have a large Project 1, your Project 2 may be much simpler, and we are aware of that. Next, watch your Cogbooks materials for Modules 1 and 2. Take note of any time that your chosen system is mentioned. Write down any adaptations that Dr. Vanden Brooks discusses and notice examples that he selects to emphasize. Does that animal interest you? If so, choose that to study further. If not, find one of your own that interests you more. You must choose one organism from each module to discuss in greater detail. Find peer-reviewed articles (not popular articles) that discuss your chosen organisms and their adaptations in your chosen system. For example, if you have chosen the nervous system, you could find peer-reviewed articles on eel electroreception as one example. Learn how this trait benefits eels and when researchers think it may have evolved. Please see the articles included with your assignment instructions on how to find and use peer-reviewed sources. Finally, you will put together your document. You must discuss every change to your system mentioned in the two modules. Please put them in chronological order so that we can easily see how it developed. Where appropriate, include the information you learned about your specific examples, using citations when necessary. For Project 1, you must address the following topics in your chronology: • • • • • Which layer of tissue does your system develop from Types of tissues that make up your system Describe the environment that lead to the changes in your system The significance of jaws in your system How the system is adapted to water And you must address your system in each of these clades: • • • • • • • Non-vertebrate chordates Hagfish and lampreys Ostracoderms Placoderms Acanthodians Chondrichthyans Osteichthyans If there were few changes in your system between these certain clades, just lump them together or mention that the system remained unchanged and explain why, based on environmental conditions or success of that particular system. Your assignment will be submitted to Canvas under the assignment category Semester Systems Project 1 (Submit Here) in the form of a Word document or PDF. No other formats will be accepted. No late work will be accepted. This work must be your unique work. The work of other scientists and videos used for this assignment must be properly cited. Plagiarism will result in a grade of XE per the University’s policy on academic integrity. Work previously submitted to another course will also not be accepted. You will also receive a zero grade if you include offensive or insensitive content that does not fit within the University’s inclusivity policy. Thank you. Category Scoring Criteria Each topic listed above is mentioned and any adaptations History of Adaptations (15 points) Total Points 5 described during that time are done in good detail. All clades mentioned in this document are addressed, and 7 any adaptations to your system is discussed. Adaptations are described based on why they adapted in 3 certain environments so that we can see how form followed function in your system. You find and cite peer-reviewed articles that address how 8 that system benefited the animals in their current environment. You find and cite peer-reviewed articles that hypothesize Your Two Chosen 2 why this adaptation developed in these animals, or you Animals develop one of your own. (15 points) Choose two unique animals to discuss. 2 Use of proper grammar and sentence structure. 2 Sections are clearly labeled and easy to read. 2 All work is written in your own words rather than quoting 2 Presentation (10 points) Score long sections from papers. Proper citations are included in APA style. 2 Presentation falls within the page limit. 2 Total Points 40 Score Questions to ask yourself as you’re reading the paper: Why was the experiment done? What was/were the question(s) asked? What was the hypothesis? What were the predicted results? What was the independent variable? What was measured? How? What was the critical dependent variable? What were the controls? Why were these particular controls needed? What was the main finding? What was the answer to the question posed in the introduction? Was the hypothesis confirmed? How solid (conclusive) was the evidence? What questions remain unanswered? What new questions are raised by the research? How do these results compare to those found for other species? What would be an interesting and logical experiment to do next?

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