Course Syllabus
Research Assistant (6-Credit):
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| Semester & Location: |
Fall 2019 - DIS Stockholm |
| Mentor: |
Reba Howard rebecca.howard@scilifelab.se |
| Type & Credits: |
Elective Course - 6 Credits |
| Major Disciplines: | |
| Course Coordinator: |
Kenzie Zimmer mz@dis.dk |
| Program Director: |
Tina Mangieri tma@disstockholm.se |
Prerequisites
One year of chemistry and one year of biology or physics at the university level.
Research Assistant (RA): Biochemistry-Biophysics of Ion Channels
The RA program is an experiential learning opportunity that allows students to gain experience in their area of study within the natural or health sciences. The duration of this program is one academic semester (4 months) and may involve various research opportunities (laboratory, clinical, fieldwork, data-mining, etc.). Students are matched with mentors who offer technical, academic, and professional guidance throughout the project, developing relationships that benefit both DIS students and the local research institution.
In the Biochemistry-Biophysics of Ion Channels RA opportunity, students investigate the molecular basis for activation and modulation of ion channels, a superfamily of proteins critical to the function of the brain, heart, and other excitable organs. Under the supervision of Dr Rebecca (Reba) J Howard, students develop their independent projects within the context of ongoing research efforts in the Molecular Biophysics Stockholm environment, based at the Science for Life Laboratory in Solna, Sweden.
Learning Objectives
Through the RA program, DIS students should learn technical skills in a particular scientific field, and experience the dynamics of a European research institution. Student progress should be documented by the keeping of a research journal and completion of writing assignments (literature review, project outline, abstract, research paper and poster) under the guidance of an expert in the field. Student expectations may also include participation in group meetings, journal clubs, or other opportunities associated with active membership in a research laboratory. At the end of the semester, all RAs should share their work appropriately with peers and professionals in the DIS End-of-Semester Showcase.
Course Structure
The 6-credit RA experience is designed for highly motivated students who have a strong interest in developing their research skills. Students must be willing to commit a large portion of their semester to engaging in hands-on research at an external local university or institute. In association with DIS and the research mentor, students should arrange their schedules to dedicate an average of 20 hours per week to RA work; given the unpredictable nature of original research, time commitments may vary week to week. Specific hours and expectations may be articulated by the mentor to support active membership in the research group.
An RA project is part of a larger ongoing effort at a local research institution. Projects are student-motivated under the mentor's guidance and supervision, such that the RA's work enhances research into phenomena that are of interest to them, to their mentor, and to the larger research team. A gradual transition toward independence is encouraged, as the student gains confidence and is able to self-direct his or her work.
The primary product of the RA's work is an independent research paper summarizing literature and data reviewed, collected, analyzed, and contextualized by the student in the course of the semester. Although it is not expected that the final paper be suitable for professional publication, it should document a clear rationale for the RA's work, appropriately referenced foundational literature, details of the approach and methods, preliminary results, and analysis, in support of subsequent phases of research in the larger group. The structure of the report should correspond to disciplinary standards, as specific below and in the rubric(s) provided.
Assignments & Evaluation
RAs complete incremental writing assignments to support their engagement and learning throughout the project, culminating in a final poster presentation and research paper. Evaluated assignments, and their contribution to the overall RA grade, are summarized below.
5 % Literature Review: An initial summary of published research relevant to the proposed project. By composing a literature review early in the semester, the RA develops content knowledge, gains examples of scientific writing and referencing standards, and lays foundations for the introduction to his or her final report.
5 % Project Outline: A draft structure for the development and communication of the research. By outlining the final report around the semester midpoint, the RA concretizes objectives, context, approach, and prospective outcomes of his or her work, and enables the mentor to identify topics in need of additional support.
5 % Paper Abstract: A succinct, broadly comprehensible summary of project objectives, context, approach, outcomes, and significance. By submitting an abstract shortly before the final report, the RA has an opportunity to reflect holistically on his or her work, and to receive conceptual and composition feedback from the research mentor.
20 % Poster Presentation: A live, short-form visual and oral summary of the semester's work, appropriate for an audience of DIS students, faculty, and other academics. By presenting a printed poster shortly before the final report, the RA has a chance to finalize illustrations, plots, or other graphic support for his or her findings with the research mentor, and to discuss the project with a wide range of colleagues.
60 % Research Paper: Final written report of the student’s work throughout the semester, including project objectives, background context, approach/methods, data or other outcomes, analysis and significance to the field and the wider world. Although not produced with the intent of publishing, the final paper should be structured according to standards for primary literature in the field, and sufficiently detailed to support ongoing related work in the research group.
5 % Participation: A portion of the final evaluation based on attendance, citizenship, or other qualitative aspects of engagement as an RA. At the local institution, students are expected to maintain a research log and participate in meetings, journal clubs, and other opportunities as much as possible. At DIS, RAs also participate in workshops to support interdisciplinary reflection on the research process.
Research Mentor
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Dr Rebecca (Reba) J Howard completed bachelor’s and doctoral degrees in Chemistry and Chemical Biology at Pomona College and the University of California, San Francisco. Following an NIH-NIAAA postdoctoral fellowship at The University of Texas at Austin, she joined the faculty of Skidmore College as an Assistant Professor of Biochemistry, where she supervised a research group and designed and taught lecture and lab courses in general chemistry, biochemistry, senior and first-year seminars. In 2016, Howard joined the Molecular Biophysics Stockholm research environment at the Science for Life Laboratory, a national center for molecular bioscience, where she manages a team using biochemistry, electrophysiology, and molecular dynamics to investigate the structure and function of ion channels. Howard’s recent work includes publications in PNAS, Nature Communications, Cell Reports, etc., and invited talks at the Biophysical Society, International Society for Biomedical Research on Alcoholism, TEDx, and other institutions. |
Course Schedule
In addition to the key dates listed below, RAs are expected to communicate regularly with the research mentor. It is the student's responsibility to ask questions or seek additional support in a timely manner.
Before Arrival
RAs and are connected with research mentors by email. Students may be provided 10–15 hours of preparatory reading material before the semester starts.
Weekly
When in Stockholm, RAs are expected at SciLifeLab Tuesdays and Fridays from 8.30 until roughly 17.30, depending on the progress of the work. Along with the research team, RAs also participate in the following 8.30 meetings in SciLifeLab α5-Kinnekulle, except as indicated in the RA calendar:
- Tuesdays: Membrane Proteins Journal Club
- Fridays: Ligand-Gated Ion Channels Team Meeting
Wednesday 21 August
Mandatory RA Orientation and Research Mentor Introduction
14.00–15.00, DIS 1D-409
Optional Research-Group Fall Kickoff
16.00–20.00, ScifeLab Ɣ2
Friday 23 August
Foundations journal club — readings on Canvas
13.30–14.30, SciLifeLab α6-Sommen
Tuesday 27 August
DIS Reading Day (research group at Biomolecular Interactions Retreat)
Friday 30 August
Foundations journal club — readings on Canvas
9.30–10.30, SciLifeLab α6-Sommen
Friday 6 September
Literature Review due by 18.00 via Canvas
Friday 20 September
Foundations journal club — readings on Canvas
13.30–14.30, SciLifeLab α6-Sommen
Wednesday 25 September
Workshop 1: What is Research? Reading, Writing & Citing — readings on Canvas
16.30–18.00, DIS 1D-409
Friday 27 September
Foundations journal club — readings on Canvas
9.30–10.30, SciLifeLab α6-Sommen
Friday 4 October
Project Outline draft due by 18.00 via Email
Tuesday 15 October
Student-led Journal Club 1
8.30–9.30, SciLifeLab α5-Kinnekulle
Tuesday 22 October
Student-led Journal Club 2
8.30–9.30, SciLifeLab α5-Kinnekulle
Friday 25 October
DIS Reading Day (research group at Molecular Biophysics Stockholm Retreat)
Project Outline due by 18.00 via Canvas
Tuesday 26 November
Student Project Talks
8.30–9.30, SciLifeLab α5-Kinnekulle
Wednesday 27 November
Workshop 2: Communicating Research Findings
17.00–18:30, DIS 1D-409
Friday 29 November
Poster & Abstract due by 18.00 via Canvas
Details provided in Workshop 2
Tuesday 10 December
DIS RA Poster Session presentations
Research Symposium (DIS End-of-Semester Showcase)
15.00–18.00, DIS
Thursday 12 December
Research Paper due by 18.00 via Canvas
Course Summary:
| Date | Details | Due |
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