Research Rotation Guidelines for
Department of Behavioral Neuroscience
1. Each student must register for at least 2 hours of research credit during each term (BEHN 601 Research). The research rotation advisor must indicate approval by signing the course registration form and is reponsible for evaluating the student. In most instances, the person who serves as the research advisor will change each term during the first year.
2. Each student is expected to meet individually with his/her research advisor for at least 1 hour once a week during the term. This time should be used to increase the student's knowledge and understanding of the research conducted in the advisor's laboratory. For example, time could be spent discussing recent research or review papers (from the advisor's lab or elsewhere), the rationale for ongoing projects, research design/methodology or anything else that seems appropriate. Although the weekly agenda meeting need not be formalized, it is suggested that student and advisor decide in advance what they intend to discuss so that each can prepare for the meeting as needed.
3. Each student should get some scientific writing experience during the rotation. Most likely, this will be coupled with the activities described in Item #2. About 2-3 time each term, each student should be asked to complete a short (2-3 page) writing assignment. For example, the student might be asked to summarize and critique a recent journal article. Other possibilities might be to write a short proposal for an experiment (background/rationale), or a theoretical explanation of some laboratory finding. The writing assignments should be typed to conform to standard journal publication guidelines (e.g., APA). The research advisor will critique the assignment and go over his/her comments with the student.
4. The student will become involved in one or more aspects of ongoing laboratory research. What this actually entails will vary from lab to lab but could include such things as: (a) participation in regularly schedule lab meetings; (b) learning of surgical, analytical or other specialized laboratory techniques; (c) learning to use computers and other equipment for data collection and analysis; (d) assistance in the execution of ongoing research; (e) development and implementation of an individual research project. The intent of this experience is to improve the student's understanding of the research he/she is involved in, not to provide the research advisor with a source of cheap labor. It is expected that the student will spend a minimum of about 6-10 hours in the lab each week (for 2 hrs credit). Any significant commitment of time beyond that level should be discussed with the first-year faculty advisor and Graduate Program Coordinator. It is also important that the commitment to any project end when the quarter is over so that the student can give full attention to his/her next rotation (i.e., students should not get involved in something that will last beyond the end of the academic quarter).
5. The student's performance will be evaluated on a Pass/No Pass basis by the research advisor each term. The emphasis in this evaluation will be on the student's level of commitment to the research training process. Students are expected to keep scheduled appointments, to turn assignments in on time, and to participate actively in the laboratory. Students are expected to ask questions when they do not understand something. If students think alternative interpretations or approaches have not been considered, they should offer comments and constructive criticism. The faculty do not expect first-year students to know everything, but they do expect to see evidence of a willingness to learn.
6. Assignment of research rotation advisors for the student's first term (summer or fall) will typically be made before the student arrives. Assignments for the Winter and Spring terms will usually occur by mid-November. The Behavioral Neuroscience faculty members able to serve as research advisors for these rotations will be determined by the Graduate Program Coordinator in summer term each year. Student will be asked to indicate their preferences from the list of available rotation advisors. Students are expected to talk to faculty members and their students to learn more about research in each lab. In consultation with the faculty and Department Chair, the Graduate Program Coordinator will assign a research rotation advisor for each student during each term of the first year. In making these assignments, preference will be given to: (a) matching the interests of the student with available research opportunities, and (b) assigning faculty who are willing and have the resources needed to serve as the student's faculty mentor after the first year.