Graduate Research Fundamentals

0.5 units

This course introduces first-year Ph.D. students to the foundational skills, knowledge, and habits of mind required of successful independent biological scientists: 1) Social dynamics in the scientific research enterprise 2) Epistemology and ethics of bioresearch methods 3) Development and communication of research questions and results 4) Interdisciplinary scientific thinking. Class sessions and homework introduce these topics; major assignments prompt student to connect them with the broader scope of graduate training in lab rotations, course work, and interdisciplinary scientific seminars. the interactive, student-driven class structure facilitates autodidactic development while integrating small group activities and peer mentoring from advanced DBBS students.