2015 BIOC 533 Syllabus
This class is an introduction to grant writing and peer review. Students write and submit an NSF GRFP application (www.nsfgrfp.org), with input from peer-review by classmates.
Class Logistics:
Instructor: Dana L. Miller. Consider me a guide more than a traditional teacher. I am here to advise and provide a schedule to try to help you write the most competitive application possible. My goal in this course is to help you develop skills so that you will take control of your graduate career.
We will meet each week at 9:30 am in J-412, unless noted otherwise on the schedule below.
If you have a question, post it to the Discussion board. Your peers are excellent resources for this course, and you should collaborate with them as much as possible! I will check the Discussion board a few times a week to make sure everything is going smoothly.
IF YOU ARE NOT ELIGIBLE TO SUBMIT THE GRFP: First, contact the NSF directly and make sure that you are not mistaken. There are two options.
1. Identify another fellowship you can apply for and work with me to come up with a good rubric, etc. to use for the class assignments.
2. Do all of the assignments and participate in class but just don’t submit your proposal (or contact letter writers).
Role of Rotation Advisor
Your rotation advisor will need to write you a letter of reference and provide feedback on your application. Please remind your advisor of this as soon as possible! You are encouraged to involve your advisor as much as possible, especially when developing Aims early in the writing process.
Peer review:
Each draft of the research statement and broader impacts essay will be reviewed by two of your peers using a review rubric developed based on the scoring criteria for the GRFP. You must submit your reviews on time, as this will allow your classmates to incorporate your comments in the revised essay.
Discussion Schedule:
Sept. 16 (New Student Orientation): Course overview, introduction to NSF GRFP.
Sept. 29: Discussion – Grantsmanship
Oct. 6: Discussion – Peer Review
Oct. 13: Discussion – Study section
Oct 22 and 23: Mock study section
Oct. 26 – Life Sciences Deadline
Oct 27: No meeting
Oct. 30 – Chemistry Deadline
Nov 4: No Meeting
Nov 6: Letters of Reference Deadline
Nov 10: Discussion – Choosing an advisor
Nov 17: Discussion – Mentoring and Networking
Nov 24: No Meeting
Dec 1: Oral Presentations
Dec 8: Oral Presentations
Grading:
Your grade in this class is based on participation, written assignments, peer review, and an oral presentation of your research plan as indicated on the class website (UW NetID required). Reading to prepare for our discussions are also located on the course webpage.
All assignments and peer review must be submitted through the Canvas site. Due dates are not negotiable. Just as the NSF will not accept late submissions, neither will I. It is very important that everyone sticks to the schedule to facilitate peer review in time to submit the application to the funding agency.