Learn how to recognize and acquire behaviors that promote success in graduate training and careers in biomedical sciences and public health. Identify useful strategies for maximizing your impact in scientific meetings and other professional settings. Gain insight into how to effectively present yourself in interviews, CVs, and improve interpersonal communications and interactions with colleagues.
Gain familiarity with statistical concepts such as hypothesis testing, probability distributions, random variation, rates and proportions, and regression modeling. This course will use a combination of real-world examples and in silico data to illustrate the use and interpretation of various techniques of statistical inference. Although statistical software will be used, no prior experience is needed. The main objective of the module is to introduce students, in a conceptual and non-technical way, to the principles of statistical reasoning in medical and biological research.
Learn how to construct effective figures and graphs for scientific presentations while minimizing distractions. Organize data for efficient use of scientific graphic utilities such as Illustrator, “R”, Photoshop and Excel. Learn how to present biological imaging and genomic data effectively. Learn how to adjust your graphics for presentation in a variety of media, including both print and electronic/computer projection.
Gain the skills needed to interact with the public and share your scientific pursuits in a meaningful and simple way with a wide variety of audiences, including journalists, students, the general public and Members of Congress.
Gain insight and practice in effective oral communication of scientific results. Learn how to frame and structure a poster or oral presentation to communicate with your intended audience. Utilize visual materials to highlight key concepts and findings. Gain practice in creating and delivering a brief scientific presentation, responding to questions, interacting with an audience, giving and receiving formative feedback.
Become aware of and develop strategies to recognize, implement and fully integrate the academic and non- academic skills required to succeed in Graduate School. Cultivate traits and skills that will demonstrate flexibility, the capacity to work with others and to change and adapt to work environments in an academic hierarchy. Content is geared towards beginning and early year students in the biomedical and behavioral sciences who are preparing for the preliminary examination, thesis-writing process and dissertation defense.
Learn strategies for selecting a strong thesis topic, defending your research project, evaluating your progress, handling mistakes and results that do not support your hypothesis, giving and receiving advice and criticism.
Develop skills in mechanistic hypothesis setting and experimental design. Learn how to use the relevant literature and deductive reasoning to generate a hypothesis, evaluate ways to utilize in vitro and in vivo complementary models, validate findings, recognize flaws in research direction, re-assess and modify your approach and questions to effectively maintain a mechanistic experimental design.