Professional Skills for Graduate Students

Catalog description

This course will be focused on four main areas: project management, reproducible science, soft skills, and preparation for the job market. Students will be given an overview of strategies and tools that can be used to improve the execution of their scientific projects. Those concepts will then be put into practice through the development of management, data analysis, and publication materials using students' current or proposed projects. Hands-on sessions will include the financial reality of carrying out a scientific project, and the application of tools designed to improve science reproducibility, transparency, and data sharing. Finally, students will prepare materials that will be useful for future job applications. The course will provide students with important skills needed for a successful graduate school experience that are fundamental, but often not formally taught. Students will receive training in aspects of project management, reproducible science, communication, networking, and career preparation.