BIOMI 3990 - Professional Skills for Host-Microbe Interactions Research

Spring. 1 credit. S/U grades only (no audit).

This is a component of the Undergraduate Research Experience program coordinated by the Cornell Institute of Host-Microbe Interactions and Disease.

T. Hendry, T. Pawlowska.

This course complements the Undergraduate Research Experience program coordinated by the Cornell Institute of Host-Microbe Interactions and Disease. The goal is to introduce students interested in research on host-microbe interactions to professional skills needed to successfully complete research projects and apply to graduate school. Course activities will address principles of the scientific method, electronic database literacy, science citation software, research ethics, science communication as well as planning for graduate study, including preparation of curriculum vitae and personal statement.

Outcome 1: Become familiar with the principles of the scientific method.

Outcome 2: Gain awareness of the principles of science ethics.

Outcome 3: Demonstrate an appreciation of the significance of Broader Impacts Skills: (1) Critically read scientific literature describing host-microbe biology. (2) Design and execute a research project aimed at understanding an aspect of host-microbe biology: a. Write a research proposal; b. Develop an oral presentation of the project proposal; c. Revise a proposal according to the reviewer comments; d. Collect, analyze and interpret data; e. Report results in a poster and/or oral presentation. (3) Build a cv. (4) Formulate a personal statement.