Course Description
Training in research ethics and oral-visual communication. Topics include plagiarism, experimental design, statistical interpretation, conflicts of interest, animal safety, authorship, peer review, and scientific presentations. Prerequisite: Biology graduate student or permission of instructor
Syllabus
Student Learning Outcomes, Goals, Objectives:
Students successfully completing this course will be able to:
- Identify the formal requirements, key benchmarks, and deadlines of your graduate program.
- Construct a mentor/mentee agreement that articulates mutual expectations with your advisor and/or research group.
- Apply effective communication strategies to navigate interpersonal conflicts, respond to criticism, and manage academic stress.
- Analyze research ethics frameworks to evaluate and respond to ethical dilemmas encountered in your program or research.
- Locate and evaluate institutional and community resources available for supporting mental health and well-being in graduate school.
- Examine the principles of diversity, equity, and inclusion in science and design concrete strategies for fostering an inclusive research environment.
- Develop a professional network by implementing field-appropriate networking strategies.
- Evaluate the peer review process and demonstrate effective scientific presentation and communication.
Course Grading Information:
| Activity/Performance Measure | Percentage/Points |
|---|---|
| Attendance | 20% |
| Participation & Weekly Reflections | 60% |
| Assignments | 20% |
Grading Scale
| Percentage | Letter Grade |
|---|---|
| 93.0% - 100% | A |
| 90.0% - 92.9% | A- |
| 87.0% - 89.9% | B+ |
| 83.0% - 86.9% | B |
| 80.0% - 82.9% | B- |
| 77.0% - 79.9% | C+ |
| 73.0% - 76.9% | C |
| 70.0% - 72.9% | C- |
| 67.0% - 69.9% | D+ |
| 63.0% - 66.9% | D |
| 60.0% - 62.9% | D- |
| Below 60% | F |
Remember, graduate students must maintain a minimum GPA of 3.0.
Attendance/Participation:
Your grade is based on three simple components: Attendance (20%), Participation & Weekly Reflections (60%), and Assignments (20%). Attendance requires being present; if you cannot attend, you should email beforehand.
Course Materials Purchased by the Students:
No course materials are required.
Scholarly Perspectives
This course engages diverse scholarly perspectives to develop critical thinking, analysis, and debate and inclusion of a reading does not imply endorsement.