Biology 541 
Spring 2008  1 credit
Professional Development

 

    E. E. Serrano


     Jan 28 – Mar 31
     Mondays 2:30 – 3:55 pm
     Foster Hall Rm 146

 

 

Contact Instructor

 

Class Policies and Procedures

 

Class Schedule 

 

Assignments

 

Textbooks and Computers

 

Hot Links for Students

 

 

 

GOALS: The course will focus on developing oral and written communication skills needed for success in STEM disciplines. The course will cover thesis and manuscript preparation as well as application procedures for predoctoral and postdoctoral grants.  Aspects of the profession such as "how to chair a session" and "how to engage colleagues in conversations at meetings (networking)" also will be discussed. The various formats for resume preparation (NIH, NSF) will be reviewed.  The course will implement internet materials and two texts The Craft of Scientific Writing and The Elements of Style.  Students will assemble a professional portfolio that showcases their efforts in research, teaching, and service. 

Instructor

Dr. Elba Serrano
Ph. D. Stanford University
Professor of Biology, Affiliate Professor of Electrical and Computer Engineering
Research Interests: Neuroscience, Biophysics, Nanoscience

Office

Jett Hall 151; Foster office pending

Office hours: 

MW 11:30- 1:00 pm and by appointment

Telephone

646-5217

email

serrano@nmsu.edu

Appointments

make appointment for other times via email or phone

RequiredTextbooks:

The Craft of Scientific Writing and The Elements of Style.

Textbook Vendors

Textbooks can be obtained at the bookstore or online from vendors such as Amazon and ecampus or Best Book Buys. 

Laptops

Bring laptops to class. FH 146 has wireless access to websites for in class activities.

 

SCHEDULE OF CLASSES

Date

Topic

Assignment Link

Special Events/Resources

Jan 28

·         Preparing your Professional Portfolio

·         Time Management

·         Skills Inventory Exercise

n/a

Overview and Organization

Cohort Formation

Skills and Needs Assessment

Feb 4

·         Grantsmanship

·         Internship and fellowship applications 1

Assignment

Dr. Mary O’Connell http://molbio.nmsu.edu/

Regents Professor

NMSU Director, NMSU & Fred Hutchinson Cancer Research Center Partnership

Feb 11

·         Toolkit for  completing your NMSU Graduate Degre

Assignment

Ms. Darcey Comer

NMSU GraduateSchool

Feb 18

·         Development Plan

·         Preparing the Professional Portfolio

·         Time Management

 

 

Feb 25

·         Representing yourself:

·         Resumes, CVs, webpages, business cards personal introductions

·         Presentation Slide Blitz

·         Writing Project Abstract

 

LINK TO WRITING PROJECT INSTRUCTIONS

Mar 3

·         Research dissemination

·         Representing your research and skills:  abstracts, lay summaries, the “elevator talk”, manuscripts, technical documents, oral presentations

·          

 

 

Mar 10

·         Social dimensions of science

·         origins of the university,  networking

·         references, internships, mentors, committee members

·         session chairs, peer review,

·         diversity, globalization, outsourcing

 

External Panel Discussion

Mar 17

·         Professional conduct

·         Leadership and service

·         Personal Philosophy Statements: Research, Profession, Teaching, Learning, Service

 

External Panel Discussion

Mar 24

Spring break

 

 

Mar 31

·         Workplace dynamics:

·         compliance,  EEO, human resource and development, Research ethics, IACUC, IRB, Intellectual property,

·         equity, justice, conflict resolution, responsibility

 

External Panel Discussion

Final exam

Date/time in official schedule for courses that meet Monday at 2:30

 

Showcase of required student poster or oral presentation