University of North Texas, School of Library and Information Sciences SLIS , 005, 007, 009 SLIS , 005, 007, 009

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1 University of North Texas, School of Library and Information Sciences SLIS , 005, 007, 009 SLIS , 005, 007, 009 Information and Access Services in Science and Technology COURSE DESCRIPTION Spring, 2015 Through individual and group learning via Blackboard, students will learn about the specialty of Science Librarianship. The course will focus on common resources, both print and electronic, and current issues in science librarianship. INSTRUCTOR Beth Thomsett-Scott, B.Sc., M.Sc., MLIS Discovery Park Library, Room B111 Office: Home: (until 9 pm CST) Fax: Bethts007@gmail.com OFFICE HOURS and CONTACT Learn is the best way to reach me! As a full-time librarian, I am frequently on one of the reference desks or attending meetings. I will attempt to return s within 24 hours Monday to Friday. I do check e- mail on the weekends but can t guarantee the frequency. In person meetings can be scheduled as well. Although it has been a few years, I remember the necessity of knowing that the instructor is approachable and available, and endeavor to provide this to my students. Course Description and Goals OFFICIAL COURSE DESCRIPTION (from the UNT Graduate Catalog) Information and Access Services in Science and Technology. 3 hours. Information resources, methods, needs and services in science and technology. Comparative study of individual fields. Communication patterns and bibliographic organization. Role of professional organizations and government. Representative problems and practice. Prerequisite(s):

2 SLIS 5600 or consent of school. Corequisite(s): SLIS 5615 or consent of school. COURSE GOALS To prepare students to enter the professional world as competent and knowledgeable science librarians by: 1. Providing students with the theory and practice of finding science and technology information in both print and electronic resources 2. Introducing students to the unique features of and issues in science librarianship. COURSE OBJECTIVES 1. Familiarize students with current Science and Technology indexes and databases (both print and online) 2. Explore relevant reference materials, monographs and periodicals 3. Examine the importance and difference of Science Librarianship within the general field of Librarianship, and current issues within Science Librarianship 4. Discuss the nature of scientific and technical literature COURSE METHOD This course is a completely online course. There will be group chats and online discussions which are a required part of the course. Students will answer reference questions using a variety of print and electronic specialized resources, use a number of print and electronic databases and indexes, take online quizzes, and complete assignments that will enhance their knowledge of SciTech librarianship. These projects will involve using a wiki and a blog. COURSE EXPECTATIONS 1. Regular postings for discussion 2. Scheduled chats with other students, instructor, and guests 3. Collegiality when responding to the comments of others 4. Timely submission of tests, quizzes and projects

3 EVALUATION Participation 10% (based on chat attendance and overall activity) Reference and Resource Queries 25% (5 sets)(31% for 4630 students) Online Quizzes 9% (3 x 3%) Collection Issues in SciTech Libraries Discussions 8% Issues in SciTech Libraries Discussion 8% Search Alerts Creation and Discussion 8% Cited Reference Search 6% (only for 5630 students) User-Centered Services Blog 6% Annotated Resource Guide 20% 1) Participation a. Students are expected to provide a welcome message introducing themselves, their experience with SciTech Libraries/librarianship, and their reasons for taking the course b. Attendance during the chat sessions is expected c. Posting at least one message on each discussion thread is required d. Blackboard allows the instructor to track participation in Blackboard-based activities. These activities will be used to evaluate the students participation grade. e. Worth 10% of the grade 2) Reference and Resource Queries a. There will be five sets of reference questions assigned. Questions may specify electronic or print resources. b. From a list of numerous questions, students will select 10 questions to answer. There will a requirement to answer a specific number from several categories. c. Each set of queries is worth 5 percent, thus, each question is worth.5%. Total value to grade is 25% (31% for 4630 students) 3) Online Quizzes a. There will be three quizzes. These will be online and taken through Blackboard b. Quizzes are derived from the materials in the course c. Each quiz will be worth 3% for a total of 9% of the course grade

4 4) Special Discussions a. There are 3 assignments that will utilize a combination of an activity involving online resources/databases or related readings and the Blackboard discussion tool b. Detailed instructions will be given during the course c. These assignments are worth 8% each for a total of 24% of the grade 5) Cited Reference Search (for 5630 students only) a. This project involves selecting a researcher (students are free to select their own or ask me for suggestions) and performing a cited reference search b. Clear training and instruction will be given prior to the assignment c. Assignment is worth 6% of the grade 6) User-Centered Services Blog a. This project involves selecting a STEM or mixed library that has recently renovated its physical space or provided a new service that is user-centered. With permission of the instructor, students may also select 2-3 articles on user-centered services and provide summaries of these articles on the blog. b. Students will select a library or articles, create a blog, and post comments to the blogs of other students c. Complete details and instructions will be provided d. Assignment is worth 6% of the grade 7) Resource Guide a. Students select a current science topic that interests them (new within the last 10 years). b. Design the report as a guide for non-scientists to find out research on the topic. A variety of resources must be included. c. Detailed instructions and assistance will be provided during the course d. Worth 20% of the course grade Text and Readings REQUIRED TEXT None RECOMMENDED TEXTS

5 Malinowsky, H. Robert Reference Sources in Science, engineering, medicine, and agriculture. Phoenix, AZ: Oryx Press. Hurt, C.D Information Sources in Science and Technology, 3 rd ed. Englewood, CO : Libraries Unlimited. READINGS There are no required readings. However, the special discussions are designed to introduce students to the relevant literature. REMOTE ACCESS TO UNT LIBRARIES MATERIALS and RESOURCES Information about using the electronic resources on and off the UNT campus is located on the How to Access Electronic Resources page from the UNT Libraries web site - You will need your Enterprise UserID (EUID) to access licensed electronic resources. The EUID is created as soon as your fees are paid. To gain access to the UNT Library's Electronic Resources, you need to enter your EUID as your userid and your EagleConnect password as your password. Help with either of these pieces can be found at and HARDWARE and SOFTWARE It may be necessary to upgrade your computer system. LIS outlines Technology Recommendations for all of its courses. Go to the Current Students page and click on Technology Requirements to view hardware, software and basic required skills for online classes. In addition to computer hardware, you will need a word processor, preferably Microsoft Word. GRADING INFORMATION This course requires a high level of participation. Students should notify the instructor at their earliest convenience of an emergency or changing situation that may effect assignment deliverables -- all due consideration will be given. In extreme cases of extended absences for medical purposes, a doctor's letter may be requested. Priority is given to expeditiously return assignments with grades and meaningful comments; student assistance with submitting assignments on due dates will facilitate this.

6 If a student absolutely cannot meet a deadline due to an emergency situation and notifies the instructor in advance, late assignment grading will be negotiated with generosity. Without this notification or an extension by the instructor, unsubmitted assignments will receive zero points. Incomplete Grades The Graduate Catalog located at describes and explains grading policies. A grade of Incomplete (I) will be given only for a justifiable reason and only if the student is passing the course. The student is responsible for contacting the instructor to request an incomplete and discuss requirements for completing the course if an approval is agreed upon. If an incomplete is not removed within the time frame agreed upon by instructor and student, the instructor may assign a grade of F. Withdrawal from the Course The Graduate Catalog located at describes and explains withdrawal policies and deadlines. The UNT semester course schedule lists specific deadlines. A grade of Withdraw (W) or Withdraw-Failing (WF) will be given depending on a student's participation and grades to date. Please note that a student who simply stops participating and does not file a UNT withdrawal form may receive an F. POLICIES ADA INFORMATION Any student with a disability that will require accommodation under the terms of federal regulations must let the instructor know on the first day of class and present a written accommodations request to the instructor by the second week of class. Copies of the University of North Texas Policy on Disability Accommodations are available through the main office. It is also recommended that you contact the Office of Disability Accommodation (University Union, 321, telephone ) to ensure as much support as UNT can provide. POLICY ON ACADEMIC MISCONDUCT: PLAGIARISM AND CHEATING Campus Policy

7 Your professor supports and will enforce the University of North Texas policies concerning academic misconduct. Please consult the University of North Texas Center for Student Rights and Responsibilities including the Code of Student Conduct which include the following text: Categories of Misconduct Misconduct for which students are subject to discipline falls into the following categories: Acts of Dishonesty, including but not limited to: 1. Academic dishonesty -- cheating. The term "cheating" includes, but is not limited to: a. copying or any unauthorized assistance in taking quizzes, tests, or examinations, b. dependence upon the aid of sources beyond those authorized by the instructor in writing papers, preparing reports, solving problems, or carrying out other assignments, c. the acquisition, without permission, of tests or other academic material belonging to a faculty member, staff member or student of the university, or d. dual submission of a paper or project, or resubmission of a paper or project to a different class without express permission from the instructor(s). e. any other act designed to give a student an unfair advantage. 2. Academic dishonesty -- plagiarism. The term "plagiarism" includes, but is not limited to: a. the knowing or negligent use by paraphrase or direct quotation of the published or unpublished work of another person without full and clear acknowledgement, and b. the knowing or negligent unacknowledged use of materials prepared by another person or by an agency engaged in the selling of term papers or other academic materials. "Academic dishonesty matters may first be considered by the faculty member who may assign penalties such as failing, reduction or changing of a grade in a test, course, assignment, or other academic work, denial of a degree and/or performing additional

8 academic work not required of other students in the course. If the student does not accept the decision of the faculty member, he/she may have his/her case heard by the academic department chairperson or head for review of his/her case. If the student does not accept the decision of the academic department chairperson, he/she may then follow the normal appeal procedures listed in Disciplinary Procedures." Penalties for Academic Misconduct First offense: Final course grade reduced by one complete grade. Second offense: Assignment of F (Fail) for the final course grade. For serious infractions such as, but not limited to, a systematic or collaboratory event: An assignment of F (Fail) for the final course grade may be issued in the case of a first offense. The instructor reserves the right to change this syllabus at any time. This syllabus was designed in part following an outline by Dr. Samantha Hastings and using modified text from Dr. Elizabeth Figa s SLIS 5440 course syllabus for the academic misconduct, access, and grading sections.