Course Syllabus
Course Title: Essentials of Research Readiness
Academic Term:
Spring, 2011
Course Number: SPHL 8800
Meeting Schedule:
Time:
1 hour per week; 15 hours total
Wednesdays 12-1PM
Instructor:
Email Address:
Office Hours:
Geetha P. Bansal, PhD
gbansal@tulane.edu
By appointment through e-mail
Immediately following class
504-988-5397
Telephone:
Obtain Class materials through Blackboard: http://mytulane.blackboard.com
 Absolutely No cell phones. Turn off your phone during class.
Course Description & Content:
The course is designed to provide the essential knowledge of what makes, and what it takes to be, a
successful researcher and teacher, and be ready to enter the research workforce. The goal is to impart
sufficient and appropriate knowledge that will enable graduate students to acquire diverse skills set for an
independent academic research career and/or be able to choose between other research related career
options affecting public health. At the completion of the course, the goal is to have a pool of
knowledgeable and trained graduate students and post-doctoral fellows with a good understanding of both
bench and non-bench research in basic and social sciences research. The course will prepare students for
careers in research as well as in science and public health policy related fields.
Learning Goals & Objectives for the course:
1.
Distinguish among the types and settings of research and research organizations
2.
Compare and Contrast funding sources and types of funding for research
3.
Evaluate essential features of a winning grant application including: identification of
solicitations; assessment of the need and formulation of research questions; specific aims
and goals
4.
Discuss the components needed to formulate budgets and manage fiscal responsibility
5.
Assemble the elements required for ethical approaches in research including data sharing,
intellectual property, and DNA
6.
Discuss the requirements to comply with human subjects and justify the use of animals in
research.
7.
Recognize conflicts of interest and confidentiality issues
8.
Appraise the safety and regulatory aspects of human clinical studies
9.
Outline best practices for the communication of research results
10.
Examine publication ethics and peer review
11.
Recognize the issues for the protection of intellectual property
Course Reading Materials: Will be provided by Instructor
Blackboard: Course materials, course documents and other materials can be downloaded from
Blackboard. You may use a computer in the SPHTM computer lab to gain access to the website
if you do not have a computer. The web site is: http://mytulane.blackboard.com
Homework: Reading assignments and preparing for class is required for each class.
Assignments are listed on the course schedule
Class attendance and participation: Students are expected to attend class, be on time and
actively participate. Occasionally, role will be taken if frequent absences are noted. Class
attendance and participation is essential to learning; this includes asking questions, participating
in discussions and making contributions based on your experience. To do this, you need to
prepare for classes and not just passively attend class. If you miss a class, you are on your own
to obtain the materials. If you have a serious illness or emergency and cannot attend class, let me
know via e-mail. If you miss a presentation or assignment without notification, you will receive
a zero and will not be allowed to make it up.
Punctuality: This class starts at promptly at 12:00Noon and I expect you to show up on time.
Repeated tardiness is not a desired characteristic in a professional career.
Course Requirements (Assignments):
Attend and participate in class lectures and discussions.
Read assigned materials.
Complete home work assignments.
Submit reports on time.
Grading/Evaluation:
List assignments and % of grade
Oral presentation
30 %
Written report
30%
Project Presentation
30%
Class attendance
10%
Honor Code: Tulane SPHTM adheres to our honor code. Please read Appendix G of the
student handbook. I am available if you have any questions about the honor code.
Schedule: next page
Schedule
SPHL 8800 - Essentials of Research Readiness
Geetha Bansal, PhD
Spring, 2011
Wednesdays 12-1PM
Session
LECTURE TITLE, INSTRUCTOR
Jan 18
Distinguish among the types and settings
of research and research organizations.
Bansal
Compare and Contrast funding sources
and types of funding for research. Bansal
Evaluate essential features of a winning
grant application including: identification
of solicitations; assessment of the need
and formulation of research questions;
specific aims and goals. Bansal
Discuss the components needed to
formulate budgets and manage fiscal
responsibility. Bansal
Assemble the elements required for
ethical approaches in research including
data sharing, intellectual property, and
DNA . Bansal
Discuss the requirements to comply with
human subjects and justify the use of
animals in research. Bansal
Jan 25
Feb 1
Feb 8
Feb 15
Feb 22
Feb 29
Mar 7
Mar 21
Mar 28
Apr 4
Apr 11
Apr 18
Apr 25
May 1
Recognize conflicts of interest and
confidentiality issues. Bansal
Appraise the safety and regulatory aspects
of human clinical studies. Bansal
Outline best practices for the
communication of research results.
Bansal
Examine publication ethics and peer
review. Bansal
Recognize the issues for the protection of
intellectual property. Bansal
Makeup class; Review/presentations
READING
CLASS EXERCISE
Handouts and
assigned readings
Handouts and
assigned readings
Handouts and
assigned readings
Handouts and
assigned readings
Handouts and
assigned readings
Handouts and
assigned readings
Handouts and
assigned readings
Handouts and
assigned readings
Handouts and
assigned readings
Handouts and
assigned readings
Handouts and
assigned readings
Assignment
Jan 30 - identify a
research project and
the likely funder
Jan 30 – identify a
FOA and key features
Feb 22 - prepare one
section of a grant
application
Feb 8, Feb 15 discuss assigned
reading in class
March 7 – questions
will be posted and
written answers will
be due
May 10 - Final
report; incorporate
Feb 22 report, March
7 and 21 lectures and
work in teams to put
together a grant
application; teams
will present
March 28 – Discuss
class reading
None
April 11 - Present
assigned reading
April 18 - Present
assigned reading
April 25 – Present
assigned reading