You are on CGS' Legacy Site.
Thank you for visiting CGS! You are currently using CGS' legacy site, which is no longer supported. For up-to-date information, including publications purchasing and meeting information, please visit cgsnet.org.
University of Alabama at Birmingham
Expanding and Assessing RCR Education in the Graduate Curriculum
UAB will seek to expand its current training efforts in RCR by reaching out to doctoral students in the physical sciences and Engineering disciplines, and engage students and faculty in discussion of RCR issues on a continuing basis.
This sustained dialogue will be achieved through periodic workshops and discipline-specific education activities, and the development of short video segments to dramatize case studies. These will be used as a resource for both an introductory course in the “Principles of Scientific Integrity” and subsequent continuing education of graduate students in the Schools of Engineering and of Natural Sciences and Mathematics (NSM), and the development of assessment tools for measuring the development of ethical reasoning skills among graduate students.
UAB’s plan to implement these goals consists of developing RCR case studies specific for NSM and Engineering doctoral students, providing support for workshops and conferences on RCR issues, and working with graduate programs in NSM and in Engineering to make the “Principles of Scientific Integrity” course mandatory for entering doctoral students. In addition, UAB will develop continuing education strategies in RCR for graduate students, acknowledging that assessment activities are a key component of educational efforts in RCR and for providing oversight of RCR educational activities.
“Principles of Scientific Integrity” is a 3 credit hour, semester-long course using case studies and small-group discussion focusing on RCR issues. The case studies discussed in this course will then be produced by a student director, actors, and production crew, who will turn the script into a filmed production (each one 5 to 7 minutes long). Videos will be offered on a Web site or DVD to act as a resource for future discussion and courses. Oversight efforts will consist of meetings between the PI and co-PIs to assure that the goals of the proposal are being met, discussion by members of the Graduate Council Advisory Committee (ADCOM) who will provide advice about RCR activities, and discussions with representatives of the Graduate Student Association to insure that the needs of graduate students are being met based on RCR standards.
CGS is the leading source of information, data analysis, and trends in graduate education. Our benchmarking data help member institutions to assess performance in key areas, make informed decisions, and develop plans that are suited to their goals.
CGS Best Practice initiatives address common challenges in graduate education by supporting institutional innovations and sharing effective practices with the graduate community. Our programs have provided millions of dollars of support for improvement and innovation projects at member institutions.
As the national voice for graduate education, CGS serves as a resource on issues regarding graduate education, research, and scholarship. CGS collaborates with other national stakeholders to advance the graduate education community in the policy and advocacy arenas.
CGS is an authority on global trends in graduate education and a leader in the international graduate community. Our resources and meetings on global issues help members internationalize their campuses, develop sustainable collaborations, and prepare their students for a global future.
