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Professional Skills 1 – Presentations and Productivity

General Information

There is a set of skills that scientists must possess that are not typically taught as part of a graduate program curriculum, yet these skills are fundamental for the success of future graduates. These skills include the ability to write, present and critique scientific material; to efficiently manage time, manage information and personnel; to secure employment, to master the process of writing and submitting grants, and to know how to conduct oneself at meetings and seminars.  In the absence of any formal seminars on these topics, most graduate students learn these skills by trial and error, which is inefficient at best. Therefore, this course will provide guidance to graduate students in these important subject areas.
The course is designed as a discussion course. Practical exercises in writing, reviewing, and oral presentations will be included.

Course Directors:
Steven Levison, PhD  - Neurology and Neuroscience, CC-H-1226
Steve.levison@UMDNJ.edu, 973-972-5162

Teresa L. Wood, PhD - Neurology and Neuroscience, CC-H-1200
Woodte@UMDNJ.edu,  973-972-6529

Instructor:
Debi Lazzarino, PhD  Neurology and Neuroscience, CC-H-1224
lazzarda@umdnj.edu, 973-972-7225

Enrollment:
Preferably 32 students or less, with preference given to second-year PhD students; all others admitted with approval of the Course Directors.

Required Text:
Scientific Papers and Presentations Martha Davis (Academic Press, San Diego CA), 2004.
Resources also available from HHMI:  http://www.hhmi.org/resources/labmanagement/
Extensive handouts will be provided.

Assignments and Grading:
This is a 1 credit course. Grades will be determined by the instructors based on the student’s performance on three assignments: Assignment # 1: Reviewing a manuscript, provided by the instructor. Assignment # 2: Preparing a curriculum vitae and a PHS Biosketch. Assignment # 3: 10 minute oral presentation.