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=Independent Study- Microbiology =

=__Contract: __= = =

Syllabus Outline
My independent study will consist of three main components- coursework, projects, and the creation of competitive science teams at Homestead.

Course Topics:

 * Basic microbiological techniques
 * Biofilms
 * Quorum sensing
 * Bioluminescence
 * Survival techniques of microorganisms

Topics may expand as the year progresses.

Course Materials:

 * University of Chicago Summer Session- Research in Biology procedures and texts
 * Sophisticated Survival Skills of Simple Microorganisms
 * Under the Radar Screen: How Bugs Trick our Immune Defenses
 * HHMI's Holiday Lectures- Exploring // Biodiversity //: The Search for New Medicines
 * Various research papers
 * http://pathmicro.med.sc.edu/book/welcome.htm
 * http://www.textbookofbacteriology.net/

As the year progresses, more material may be added.

Project:
A year-long or semester-long project relating to will be attempted, and if successful, submitted to the Badger State Science and Engineering Fair or similar competition.

Science Teams:
The creation of a competitive science team at Homestead will also be pursued. Two competitions will be pursued- the [|MSOE Opportunity Conference]and the [|Department of Energy National Science Bowl]. No similar club exists at Homestead, and I feel that these teams would provide a variety in extracurricular activities not currently available.

=Student expectations:=

If these expectations are met, the course has been passed:


 * Weekly write-ups summarizing the week's findings will be maintained online, and daily journal entries will be kept as needed.
 * Any and all project-related procedures must be approved before being attempted.
 * All project procedures will be recorded.
 * All background material used in conducting research for project(s) will be collected in a bibliography.
 * Regardless of the outcome of any attempted projects, papers will be written containing methods, data, analysis, and conclusions
 * At the end of the year, a presentation about the material studied and projects attempted will be given.
 * At the end of the year a short report about the competitions attempted will be written, and if the experience has proven to be valuable, efforts to continue the program into the 2011-2012 school year will be made.

I agree to meet all student expectations to the best of my ability.

Sahitya Raja

Contract document