Course Syllabus

Course Description

This course will guide the learner through the process of writing a scientific article and submitting it to a peer-reviewed journal. 

Course Delivery: Online, asynchronous. 

Course Material:  Materials are found in the Canvas course.

Course Textbook:  The required textbook is How to Write and Publish a Scientific Paper Eighth Edition, by Barbara Gastel and Robert A. Day (Santa Barbara, CA: Greenwood; 2016). This book has been provided to you by the Office of Faculty Development (as a physical copy/paperback book). 

Course Organization

This course is composed of a single learning module. The module has eight learning topics which are found in the course menu under the section “Modules.” Upon completion of the quizzes, you will submit a Course Evaluation Survey, and will receive the appropriate number of CME credit hours. 

Course Objectives

After completing this course, the learner will be able to

1.  Identify the major sections of a typical scientific article.

2.  List at least two author forms that a corresponding author is usually required to submit to the journal. 

3.  Respond to the comments of the peer reviewers.

 

Writing Interest Group (WIG) Topics

Topic	Title	Instructor	Pre-session reading in Gastel and Day
1	Course introduction and general tips.	Zuber D. Mulla	Chapters 1 through 5 and Chapter 8.
2	Crafting your introduction.	Anna Eiring	Chapter 10.
3	Materials and methods section.	Jennifer Salinas	Chapter 11.
4	Summarizing your results.  Graphs and tables.	Susan Watts	Chapters 12, 16, and 17.
5	Writing a balanced discussion section.	Munmun Chattopadhyay	Chapter 13.
6	Drafting your abstract and citing your references.	Zuber D. Mulla	Chapters 9 and 15.
7	The final revision and related topics.	Zuber D. Mulla	Chapters 19, 20, and 41.
8	Responding to Reviewer Critiques	Anna Eiring	Chapter 21.

 

Technical Requirements

o    Internet access - preferably high speed (for accessing Canvas)
o    TTUHSC El Paso e-mail
o    Microsoft Office (download from TTUHSC El Paso eRaider) 
o    WebEx (download from TTUHSC El Paso eRaider)
o    Adobe Reader (download from Adobe.com)
o    Flash Player (download from Adobe Flash Player)
o    Audio and video playing capabilities (for watching/listening to course content)
o    Web camera and microphone (for synchronous virtual meetings)
o    PDF app (scanning of hand written documentation for graded assignments)

Technical Skill Requirements

o    Using a word processor
o    Using email for communication, attaching documents in email
o    Internet search engines and browsers
o    Familiarity with Canvas

Assignments and Grading

•    For each module in the course, you will complete a Self-Check Quiz. You must score 80% on each quiz. You will have three attempts for each quiz. 
•    You will create a protocol for a research/scholarly project that is suitable for submission to the Institutional Review Board.  This protocol must be submitted to the Office of Faculty Development by 04/01/2022. Detailed instructions can be found in the section entitled Research/Scholarly Project Proposal in the Institutional Faculty Development Program 20 Syllabus.

Academic Dishonesty and Plagiarism 

TTUHSC EP Institutional Student Handbook: Code of Professional and Academic Conduct 2020-2021
https://elpaso.ttuhsc.edu/studentservices/_documents/Institutional-Handbook-2020-2021.pdf; pages 17-20. 
“Academic dishonesty” includes, but is not limited to, cheating, plagiarism, collusion, falsifying academic records, misrepresenting facts, and any act designed to give unfair academic advantage to the learner (such as, but not limited to, submission of essentially the same assignment for two courses without the prior permission of the instructor) or the attempt to commit such an act. If a learner is involved in any form of academic misconduct and is proven that the action took place, the instructor may initiate a disciplinary action.

Special Needs: TTUHSC EP HSCEP OP: 77.14, Students with Disabilities

https://elpaso.ttuhsc.edu/opp/_documents/77/op7714.pdf  also HSCEP OP: Online and Distance Education https://elpaso.ttuhsc.edu/opp/_documents/59/op5902.pdf 

Any student who, because of a disability, may require special arrangements in order to meet the course requirements should contact the instructor as soon as possible to make any necessary arrangements. Students should present appropriate verification from Student Disability Services during the instructor’s office hours. TTUHSC EP Office of Academic and Disability Support Services, Hector Noriega, MA, Assistant Director for Academic and Disability Support Services, hector.noriega@ttuhsc.edu, 915-215-6018.

Religious Observances: TTUHSC EP HSCEP OP: 77.12, Religious Holy Day Observance and Need for Student Absence

https://elpaso.ttuhsc.edu/opp/_documents/77/op7712.pdf 
"Religious holy day" means a holy day observed by a religion whose places of worship are exempt from property taxation under Texas Tax Code §11.20.A learner who intends to observe a religious holy day should make that intention known in writing to the instructor prior to the absence. A learner who is absent from classes for the observance of a religious holy day shall be allowed to take an examination or complete an assignment scheduled for that day within a reasonable time after the absence. 

Instructor’s Expectations

You will be expected to log into the Canvas course regularly to be aware of possible announcements/reminders and to pace your progress in the course. Course participants are expected to maintain an online environment conducive to learning, which includes “netiquette” (Internet etiquette). The following site includes basic rules for Online Discussion Netiquette. Ensure that your e-mail messages, discussion board postings, and other electronic communications are thoughtful. Diverse opinions we welcome in this course. The following are prohibited:

o    making offensive remarks in e-mail or the discussion board
o    using inappropriate language or discussing inappropriate topics online
o    spamming
o    hacking,
o    using TTUHSC El Paso or Canvas e-mail or discussion board for commercial purposes
o    using all caps (considered shouting in online communications)
o    cyber-bullying or online harassment of any type

Disclosure

This syllabus is intended to give the participant guidance in what is covered during the Institutional Faculty Development Program 19 and will be followed as closely as possible. However, the Office of Faculty Development reserves the right to modify, supplement and make changes as the program needs arise or change.

Communication Plan

•    You may expect a reply from the instructor within two business days.
•    Please use the Canvas course message tool or the TTUHSC El Paso email system for all communication.

Technical Difficulties

1)    Online Help
2)    Computer problems
3)    Server problems
4)    Lost/corrupt/disappeared files

Technical Support 

•    TTUHSC EP Canvas/IT support
https://elpaso.ttuhsc.edu/som/curriculum/itresources.aspx 
•    Contact Help Desk
https://elpaso.ttuhsc.edu/elpaso/it/institutional-technology-services/computer-support-services/contact.aspx 
•    Hours and Contact Info
https://elpaso.ttuhsc.edu/elpaso/it/institutional-technology-services/computer-support-services/contact.aspx 

Telephone

Call 915-215-4111

Option 1: Helpdesk
Option 2: Classroom Technology
Option 3: EMR

E-mail

Submit your question to elp.helpdesk@ttuhsc.edu
Provide as much detail as possible.

Walk-in

CSB Basement, Rm B-08A
7:00 AM - 6:00 PM
MEB 2nd floor, Rm 2160
8:00 AM - 5:00 PM
 
Contact Information for the Course Director

Instructor:   Zuber D. Mulla, PhD, CPH, FACE
Professor, Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology 
Assistant Academic Dean, Office of Faculty Development 

Office:  5001 El Paso Dr., MEB, 3rd Floor, El Paso 79905
Office Phone:  (915) 215-5075
E-mail:  ElPasoFacultyDevelopment@ttuhsc.edu and/or
              zuber.mulla@ttuhsc.edu
Office hours: By appointment.

Support	Name/Family Name	E-mail
eLearning Innovation Team (Lead Analysts)	Raul Alvarez Lopez, BS Marco A. Rodriguez, MS, MEd	raul.alvarez@ttuhsc.edu  marcoa.rodgriguez@ttuhsc.edu
Administrative Support	Consuelo Rosales, BS	consuelo.rosales@ttuhsc.edu