1/4 Credit

(formerly “Effective Science Communication” and “Introduction to Graduate Studies”)

To be taken by all new grad students. Classes are Wednesdays 10:00AM-11:30 AM before Grad Seminar.

This student-centered class will allow graduate students to learn how to design experiments, manage their projects, mature into effective science communicators, and help them to form a coherent peer group.

Class 1 – Sept 4, MSB5231(Lead: Trevor)

Orientation

• Review of orientation package
• Students are given their written assignment, one page fellowship proposal, due Sept 25 (One page proposal) – print 4 copies for class
• Students are emailed proposals for discussion on Sept 11
• Presentations by: BGSU, Peer Mentoring, Transcripts, Peer Communication Team, Wellness Inclusion Diversity & Equity Committee
• Expectations and Class Norms
• Print out 4 mock proposals for next class

Class 2 – Sept 11, MaRS1622

How to write an effective scholarship application (Lead: Trevor)

• Brief talk on effective writing.
• Students organize into groups of 4 and discuss the four mock proposals
  • each proposal is presented by one student (brief summary, what they like and what they did not like) and the next in line is the “scientific officer” and takes down notes (1 form per proposal, per group)
  • 5 min to read
  • 2 min for first reader to present – scientific officer takes down notes
  • 5 min discussion – scientific officer takes down notes
• Additional instructions are given for their assignment, one page fellowship proposal, due Sept 27 – print 4 copies for class

Class 3 – Sept 18, MaRS1622

How to Keep a Lab NoteBook (Lead: Lea Harrington)

Class 4 – Sept 25, MaRS1622

Peer review of student proposals. (Lead:Trevor)

• Students organize in groups of 4 and critique each other’s proposals.
  • 5 min to read one proposal, mark it up, write peer reviewer’s name, give to student
  • 2 min for first reader to present – scientific officer takes down notes
  • 5 min of discussion – scientific officer takes down notes
• Students collect their peer-reviewed proposals and use this to produce a final proposal due Oct 2th at 9:30 am (email it to Trevor).
• Students are given their oral assignment – 5 min presentation (5 slides) for Nov. 6th
  

Class 5 – Oct 2, MaRS1622

(Lead: Lea with Nana)

How to give an effective talk

• Lea to give presentation “how to give a good talk” talk
• Discuss the rubric for the 5 min talks
• Example talks will be presented and evaluated
• How to Give a Good Talk – worksheet due Oct 11^th at 9:30 am (email it to Trevor).

Class 6 – Oct 9 MaRS1622 (Lead: Nana)

Conflict Management, EDI and Wellness

• Wise practices of setting up expectations with your supervisor, mentors and mentees
• Conflict management
• Wellness and Equity, Diversity and Inclusion

Class 7 – Oct 16, MaRS1622 (Lead: Trevor)

My first committee meeting

• Discussion on committee meetings:
  • What is the purpose of these meetings
  • Expectations
• Students are introduced to their Individual Development Plan (IDP), which they must complete for next class (submit to Trevor)
• For next week, listen to “How To Think About Science.”

Class 8 – Oct 23, MaRS1622 (Lead: Trevor)

• What is science?
• Group activity “How do we know stuff” Discernment
  • (Nana to organize exercise from Stanford)
• What is biochemistry and how can we make a difference?
• Podcast Idea (Describe a unique biochem methodology performed in your lab)

No Class – Oct. 30 – Graduate Research Integrity Workshop 
(no BCH 2101H class today) 

Class 9 –  Nov 6 –
Room #1:
Room #2:
Room #3:

Part 1 Five Minute Oral Presentations – Concurrent Breakout Rooms (Lead: Trevor- organize faculty and 6 PCTs – )

• Each student gives a 5 min talk with 5-7 powerpoint slides of their own research.
• This is followed by 4 min of questions.
• 4 min feedback by the instructors and students.

Part 2 Five Minute Oral Presentations – Concurrent Breakout Rooms

• Each student gives a 5 min talk with 4-5 power point slides of their own research
• This is followed by 4 min of questions.
• 4 min feedback by the instructors and students.

Key elements to be discussed/taught/highlighted:

1) how to think about and design a project
2) how to think about and design an experiment
3) how to effectively communicate (oral and written)
4) how to work in a group environment
5) how to make the most of graduate education