Mentorship in Research

Catalog description

Mentorship in Research brings together undergraduates who are conducting research under the direct faculty mentorship. This course provides structured discussion to complement independent research (4990), creating an accountable community of practice rather than isolated individual projects, and letting students and faculty discuss progress, address challenges, and exercise scientific communication and peer review. Each week, select students present their research progress, then gather input (e.g. methods question, help interpreting results) through peer discussion, cycling through students in the group every few weeks. The faculty guides discussion, provides technical support, and ensures students learn to think like scientists. When taken together with independent research credits, students will become proficient at planning their own research, communicating clearly, giving constructive feedback, and iterating based on faculty and peer discourse.