A PhD Experience (APEX)

Catalog description

This is a foundational course for incoming PhD students. The course will (1) introduce students to the full breadth of active research across disciplines, and (2) address critical skills for navigating the graduate and professional landscape. The latter includes both practical and core skill-building by way of guided discussions, resource material, and exercises. Topics include strategies for choosing a lab, efficient ways to tackle the literature, building strong mentor networks and mentor-mentee relationships, handling scientific criticism, managing the challenges of the scientific discovery process, participating in fruitful collaborations, and practicing effective time management. The course aims to ensure that all students are equally aware of opportunities, challenges and skills necessary to facilitate productive research in their chosen discipline and enter the professional science workforce.