Course Expectations

BIOS 310 and NEUR 310 are independent programs of study for students interested in biological, biomedical or neuroscience research. All students will complete a laboratory-based independent research project under the supervision of a faculty member. There is no formal classroom instruction.

In Lab Work

Independent Research students perform research in the laboratory of a Rice University faculty member (see On Campus Research for more information) or in off-campus Texas Medical Center laboratories (see Off Campus Research). Students are expected to spend 3 hours/week on lab work for each credit hour, for a total of 42 hours/credit/semester in the lab (e.g. 126 hours total for 3 credits). Although the bulk of this time you will be engaged in research, this time also includes reading of the scientific literature and writing reports. Although remote research can be arranged with your supervisor, it is strongly suggested that you perform most of your research in the lab. Your physical proximity to your mentors will allow them to monitor your progress and give you assistance. Also, proximity begets serendipity – many of the best ideas in science emerge from casual conversations.

Assignments

Below is a general description of the assignments you will be completing during the semester. More detailed guidelines will be provided to you on the first day of classes, on the course Canvas site and in your syllabus.

Research proposalPrepare a 1-page research project proposal (abstract with aims and references) that summarizes the basis of the planned project and details your experimental aims for the semester. Develop this proposal in consultation with your professor and submit it to all of your advisors (professor, mentor, and the instructor of your BIOS/NEUR 310 section) before the end of the second week of classes. Your deadline to submit this document gives your professor a deadline to provide you with input.

Weekly progress reports: In the weeks following your submission of the Research Proposal, you will be required to turn in weekly report each Saturday by 11:59 PM. This will be done using a web form, and a copy of your report will be mailed to you, your PI, your course instructor, and anyone else that you deem relevant. This report will include: hours in lab that week, experiments conducted, results obtained, conclusions drawn, relevant articles you’ve read, and plans for the following week.

Final project: A final project of either a paper* or poster presentation* is required to be submitted to your advisors (professor, mentor and course instructor) by the end of the semester. Additional draft deadlines and instructional materials will be found in your syllabus and on Canvas. Alternative final projects (submitted papers, conference presentations, etc.) are acceptable, but must be negotiated with your course instructor on a case by case basis well before the deadline.

*Papers are required for first-semester BIOS 310 students. Returning BIOS 310 students will present posters in the spring and summer terms when the university holds its poster sessions.