Essential Scientific Practices I, II, and III

Essential Scientific Practices I, II and III (CGS 710, CGS 711 and CGS 712) address the imperatives of performing biomedical research in an ethically responsible manner, the requirements facing scientists as they navigate the increasingly complex spectrum of regulations governing scientific practice, and the importance of effective scientific and social communication with a professionally and ethnically diverse audience.

CGS 710 Essential Scientific Practices I
Edward L. Krug, Ph.D. Course Director
CRI 607, 792-1543

CGS 710 is designed to introduce students to the regulations governing the conduct of biomedical research, and to aid in the development of essential scientific skills for addressing the more subjective aspects of the responsible conduct of research.

The format for most of the sessions is a short lecture followed by small group discussion of case studies facilitated by faculty, post docs, and senior graduate students. The class then discusses key features of the case/topic with a summary of the main issues by the instructor. Literature and on-line resources are provided to encourage continued study of each topic. To assure comprehension of the essential concepts, students repeat an on-line quiz until they attain a 100% score. This is a Pass/Fail course. Attendance is mandatory; please contact Dr. Krug should any problems or conflicts arise. Lectures and quizzes will be posted on Moodlerooms.

Tuesday, August 23rd, BSB 302

Time Topic Instructor
1:00 - 1:30 pm

Transitioning from Undergrad to Graduate School

Krug

1:30 -2:00 pm

Time Management & Career Planning

Krug
2:10 - 2:50 pm

Program Exposure Session - Finding a Mentor

Beeson
3:00 - 4:30 pm Postdoc Panel: Lessons Learned PDA Officers
4:30 - 5:30 pm

CGS Networking Social

Open

Wednesday, August 24th, BSB 402

Time Topic Instructor
1:00 - 2:00 pm

Questionable Research Practices

Krug and Facilitators

2:10 - 2:30 pm

Effective Communication Strategies

 
2:30 - 3:20 pm

Moral Reasoning in Resolving Conflicts

 

Thursday, August 25th, BSB 302

Time Topic Instructor
1:00 - 1:50 pm

Peer Review and Plagiarism

Krug and Facilitators
2:00 - 2:50 pm

Data Selection and Record Keeping

 
3:00 - 3:50 pm Intellectual Property Gourdie

Friday, August 26th, BSB 302

Time Topic Instructor
1:00 - 1:50 pm

Conflict of Interest/Commitment

Gelasco
2:00 - 2:50 pm

Animal Use in Research

Smith
3:00 - 3:50 pm Human Subjects Research Sonne

Saturday, August 27, BSB 302

Time Topic Instructor
9:00 - 9:50 am

Establishing and Maintaining Successful Collaborations

Krug

10:00 - 11:00 am

Emerging Issues Presentations

Class
11:10 - 12:00 pm

Reporting Misconduct and Whistleblowers Protection

Krug
12:00 - 1:00 pm Lunch - Cookout Picnic (Wellness Center)  
1:00 - 3:30 pm

Building Collaborative Teams

 

Monday, September 12, TBA

Time Topic Instructor
1:00 - 2:00 pm

Reading the Primary Literature

Kurtz

2:10 - 3:00 pm

Scientific Presentation Skills (Oral)

Halushka
3:10 - 4:00 pm

Scientific Presentation Skills (Poster)

Smolka



CGS 711 Diversity in Science
Cynthia F. Wright, Ph.D., Course Director
BSB 302, Mondays: 4:00 pm-5:00 pm
(Sept 26, Oct 10, Oct 24, Nov 7, Dec 5)

In CGS 711, students address topics that pertain to concerns facing both under-represented minority and majority groups in the biomedical sciences. Topics discussed include how to succeed in the scientific community, hurdles and how to overcome them, and working in and developing a diverse workforce. Invited speakers discuss how they have succeeded in science and the obstacles they overcame. This is a Pass/Fail course. Attendance is mandatory-please contact Dr. Wright should any problems or conflicts arise. A draft schedule is posted below.

Date Speaker Topic
September 26

Willette Burnham, Ph.D.

Fostering Inclusion at MUSC

October 10

Faculty/Postdoc panel

Balancing Career and Family: Perspectives from Both Genders
October 24

David B. Cooke, III, Ph.D.

Two Educators in Science
November 7 TBA  
December 5

Group Exercise

Health Disparities

CGS 712 Scientific Writing
Edward L. Krug, Ph.D., Course Director
CRI 607, 792-1543
Tuesdays 9:00-10:50 am (unless noted otherwise)

This course is designed to help students develop effective scientific writing skills, promote early and focused student-mentor interaction, encourage an appreciation of the benefits of giving and receiving constructive criticism, and introduce students to the mechanics of extramural funding. These goals will be accomplished by a variety of means, including formal lectures, small group discussions, workshops, and editorial feedback from professors.

Date/Place Time Topic Instructor
June 5

1:00-1:50 pm
2:00-2:50 pm

Fundamentals of Manuscripts and Proposals
Getting to the Point in the Specific Aims Section
Krug

June 12

9:00-9:50 am
10:00-10:50 am

Critique Session: Proposal Outlines
Personal Preferences for Processing Information
Class
Ariail
June 19 9:00-10:50 am

Extramural Grant Agencies and Fellowship Opportunities
Critique Session: Career and Training Goals drafts

Sullivan
June 26 9:00-9:50 am*
10:00-10:50 am
Establishing a Reference Database
SPECIFIC AIMS DRAFTS DUE
Herbert
Moorer
July 3

9:00-9:50 am
10:00-10:50 am

Critique Session: Specific Aims Draft
Writing an Effective Significance Section
Review Group*
Krug
July 10 9:00-9:50 am
10:00-10:50 am
The Peer Review Process
Administrative Necessities of Grant Applications
SIGNIFICANCE DRAFTS DUE
Krug

July 17

9:00-9:50 am*
10:00-10:50 am
Critique Session: Significance Drafts
The Approach Section: Design vs Method
Review Group*
krug
July 24 9:00-10:50 am
Statistical Considerations in Experimental Design Yeatts
Wolf
July 31 9:00-10:50 am Electronic Submission of Proposals Lee
August 7 1:00-1:50 pm
2:00-2:50 pm
Critique Session: Approach Drafts
Summarizing Key Points in the Abstract
Review Group*
Krug
August 14 9:00-10:50 am Writing Constructive Critiques
FINAL PROPOSALS DUE
Krug
August 17-Peer Critiques due by 4:00pm - Keisha Vaughn
*Location of Review Groups Sessions to be determined by individual facilitators