The class will be divided into teams. The teams will pick one of the assigned topics . Each member of the team will write a short essay (no longer than 3 pages) on the part of the topic they researched. These are to be handed in at the time your presentation takes place. These papers will be graded on the basis of 100% and this grade and the grade for the team oral presentation will be averaged. The average of the two grades will constitute the grade for oral presentation described in the Course Information .

Each topic has a team leader that has been assigned. If you are interested in a particular topic tell the leader you want to be part of that group.  The sooner you sign up for a group, the more likely you will be to get the topic of your choice.

The teams must be formed and the names given by the leader to Dr. Schaeffer NO LATER THAN Friday, September 13  by the end of class that day.

Each team will have fifteen (15) minutes to present their topic orally to the class. The presentation should not be longer than that to allow some time for questions from the class. Don't be intimidated by this process -- make it a fun experience, not an ordeal! Remember, your audience is your fellow students, not judges at a scientific congress. You and your team members should participate equally in the preparation of  the presentation.  Everyone in the group must have a speaking role which means, since the time is short, YOU HAD BETTER PRACTICE YOUR PRESENTATION WELL.   If you go SIGNIFICANTLY over the allotted 15 minutes, you could be penalized. Be sure you hit on the most important information that you feel the students should know about your topic. If you feel it is necessary, give them a handout on the most important information. Some of this information will appear on the examinations. You should meet with the instructor for your topic area at least two weeks before your presentation. The instructor will help you focus and choose the most relevant information. Your talk should be done as a Power Point presentation or, if this is not possible, then with professional-looking overheads (i.e. NO HANDWRITTEN MATERIAL!)  Please note that we can provide you with copying handouts and with materials for making overheads  BUT, DO NOT EXPECT HELP IF YOU COME THE DAY OF YOUR PRESENTATION.   PLAN AHEAD!  

BE SURE AND CHECK OUT THE USEFUL WEB SITES BELOW:

GUIDE FOR EFFECTIVE PRESENTATIONS
Kansas University Medical Center (http://www.kumc.edu/SAH/OTEd/jradel/effective.html)  "Effective Presentations: a guide to help students with oral and poster presentations", by Jeff Radel, Univ. Kansas Medical Center