1/4 Credits

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

To be taken by all new grad students. Classes are Wednesdays 10:00AM-11AM 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 7, MSB5231

Orientation

  • Review of orientation package
  • Students are given their written assignment, one page fellowship proposal, due Sept 28 (One page proposal) – print 4 copies for class
  • Students are emailed proposals for discussion on Sept 14
  • Presentations by: BGSU, Peer Mentoring, Transcripts, Peer Communication Team, Wellness Inclusion Diversity & Equity Committee
  • Assignment: Ignorance: How It Drives Science for Oct 5th

 

Class 2 – Sept 14, MSB5231

How to write an effective scholarship application

  • 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 28 – print 4 copies for class

 

Class 3 – Sept 28, 16th Floor Seminar Room, MaRS West Tower

Peer review of student proposals.

  • Students organize in groups of 4 and critique each others’ 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 5th at 9:30 am (email it to Alex).
  • Students are given their oral assignment – 5 min presentation (5 slides) for Nov 9 and Nov 16.
  • For next week, listen to How To Think About Science.

 

Class 4 – Oct 5, 15th Floor Seminar Room, MaRS West Tower

What is science?

  • Group activity “How do we know stuff”
  • Students are introduced to their Individual Development Plan (IDP), which they must complete for next class

 

Class 5 – Oct 12, 16th Floor Seminar Room, MaRS West Tower

My first committee meeting

  • Discussion on committee meetings:
    • What is the purpose of these meetings
    • Expectations
  • iBiology Assignment: Share Your Research: How to Give a Good Talk – worksheet due Nov 2nd at 9:30 am (email it to Alex).

 

Class 6 – Oct 19, 16th Floor Seminar Room, MaRS West Tower

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 26, 16th Floor Seminar Room, MaRS West Tower

How to give an effective talk

  • Alex gives his “how to give a good talk” talk
  • Discuss the rubric for the 5 min talks

 

Class 8 – Nov 2, 16th Floor Seminar Room, MaRS West Tower

  • Example talks will be presented and evaluated

 

Class 9 – Nov 9, BA2179, BA2185, BA2195

Five Minute Oral Presentations – Concurrent Breakout Rooms

  • 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.

 

Class 10 – Nov 16, MSB5231, BA2185, 16th Floor Seminar Room, MaRS West Tower

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.

 

 

Grading scheme:

– Peer review 10%

– Proposal 30%

– 5min talk 30%

– iBiology Assignments and IDP 10%

– Class Participation 20%

 

Students will lose 10% for any class missed and late assignments will not be accepted unless for medical reasons.

 

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

 

 

 

Course Coordinator

Alexander F. Palazzo

Alexander F. Palazzo

MaRS, West Tower, Suite 1500
661 University Ave.

416-978-7234
alex.palazzo@utoronto.ca