Syllabus for 595 PhD Research
Syllabus for 595 PhD Research
Number of Credits
The specific number of research credits for which a student will enroll varies from one semester to another, generally increasing in number as students progress through their respective programs and complete the required and elective didactic coursework. Students may register for this course for a minimum of 1 and maximum of 16 credits.
Course Instructor
The instructor will be a faculty member who is qualified to supervise the PhD research of the student (i.e., the research advisor).
Course Description
Students will conduct mentored independent research in pursuit of a doctoral dissertation. This research will include applying experimental, computational, and/or analytical methods to advance their mentored research project. Students will properly document their work and communicate it through meetings, presentations, and/or in the pursuit of manuscripts.
Prerequisites
Dissertation research is restricted to students who are currently enrolled in a PhD graduate program and who are in good academic standing.
Aims and Objectives
Aims and objectives will vary, depending on the program and level of research training. In general, students will make significant progress toward the following:
- Acquire and maintain, as appropriate to the stage of the student’s research, a thorough understanding of the existing foundational knowledge related to the research project
- Develop novel research avenues that have the potential to significantly advance the field
- Identify available and applicable research-related resources
- Acquiring the requisite technical knowledge to further develop the research project
- Continuing training in the responsible conduct of research
- Demonstrate understanding of the various aspects of the research process and critical evaluation of research project outcomes
- Develop a dissertation research proposal
- Prepare sufficient documentation to ensure the reproducibility of the research
- Complete a draft dissertation chapter (or chapters) as appropriate to the stage of research
- Prepare work for dissemination to the broader research community (i.e., manuscripts, conferences, presentations)
Doctoral Learning Outcomes and Assignments
This semester-long course involves mentored independent research as part of progress toward completion of a dissertation, which represents the conclusion of doctoral training upon successful defense. Knowledge, research and scholarship, communication, and professional development support the mission of graduate education.
- Knowledge of core concepts and principles of the specific discipline within the student’s chosen program of study
- Research and scholarship skills to define a specific problem or unanswered question, describe studies conducted to gather necessary data or develop methodology to address this problem or question, describe approaches to analyze and interpret the data obtained or to assess the methodology, and discuss the implications of these findings
- Ability to communicate results of research, scholarship, and performance to colleagues and the public through oral/audiovisual and written work
- Preparation and development for immediate integration into the professional career for which the student has been trained
Assignments
Research credit is given for specific activities, including but not limited to: planning and executing experiments or other appropriate studies, analyzing data, preparing and delivering presentations, reading the literature, participating in laboratory or research team meetings, writing manuscripts, and collaborating on the projects of other research team members. Activities appropriate to the student’s research projects will be assigned by the course instructor. Students are accountable for meeting the expectations of their research mentor(s) (i.e., the course director) and committees, and the standards of ethical conduct and academic integrity that are set by the University of Rochester.
Methods of Assessing Student
Grade out of 100%
- 40% Research effort- Effort will be measured based on participation in research activities as co-developed by the course director and the student.
- 40% Research progress- Research progress will be measured based on any/all of the following: generation of tangible research products (abstracts, papers, figures, protocols, code, etc.), demonstration of technical mastery (acquisition of new abilities, or significant improvement in regard to data generation or gathering, statistical analysis, etc.), and intellectual development (completion of literature review, hypothesis generation, writing a research plan or study outline, etc.).
- 20% Research annotation and communication- This portion of the grade will be based on the student following appropriate record keeping policies and taking part in activities designed to disseminate research (abstracts, papers, presentations, journal clubs, etc.)
Evaluation of performance in these criteria should be provided in the form of written feedback and discussed with the student as part of their annual (or semi-annual) evaluation.
Basis of Grade Determination
Students will receive one of the following grades:
A Very good to Excellent
A- Good
B+
B Marginal
C-
C Unsatisfactory
E
Per the SMD Grade Policy, grades of B- or better are required for satisfactory performance in the PhD program. One grade below B- in any course or research experience is cause for review of overall performance and will result in academic probation for the duration of graduate study. A second grade below B- is basis for dismissal from the PhD program. Official Grade Policy
A grade below B+ (marginal) may trigger additional review of the student’s effort/progress by their respective graduate program.
Course Policies and Expectations
Research Effort
Research effort should be sufficient to facilitate steady progress toward research or other professional goals, and align with credit hour guidelines set by the State of New York. For example, a total of 6 credit hours is approximately equivalent to 270-360 hours over a semester (19-20 hrs/week); 16 credit hours is approximately equivalent to 720-960 hours over a semester (40-55 hrs/week).
Per SMD policy, students are permitted to take two weeks of vacation time (10 business days) each calendar year in addition to official University holidays. For details, visit Vacation and Holiday Policy
Semester breaks are not considered holidays. Students are expected to inform the course director of their vacation schedule well in advance.
Unexpected absences for illness, family emergencies, etc. require prompt notification of the course director. Unexplained absences of a chronic or continuous nature may result in an unsatisfactory grade for this course.
Regular Meetings
Attendance at all pre-arranged meetings with the course director, committee members, and program director are mandatory. Students are expected to discuss their meeting schedule with the course director. The course director will determine the exact number of one-on-one meetings that will take place with the student during the semester. It is expected that the student and the course director will communicate regularly and that the student will meet with the course director at least once every two weeks. If a student must miss a pre-arranged meeting for any reason, prior notice is required. If prior notice is not possible, notification should be provided as soon as possible.
Conduct of Research
Students are expected to abide by the University’s policy on Research Misconduct. Students are expected to adhere to any state, local, or University safety policies relevant to their research environment. Students are required to complete periodic training in biological safety, animal, and human research as necessary for their research project.
Resources
The required materials for dissertation research will depend on each student’s thesis project and graduate program requirements. Students will work on an independent research project under the supervision of the course director and will document their research in accordance with the University’s dissertation manual. Students will be expected to comply with the University of Rochester’s instructions on writing and formatting a thesis document upon approval by the student’s committee to commence writing.
https://www.rochester.edu/graduate-education/academic-resources/dissertation-manual/