Department of
Biochemistry and Molecular Medicine

BIOC 793 Syllabus

BIOC 793 - SPTP: Professional Skills Development (BIOC 793)

Course Syllabus - Fall 2019

Course Description:

This is a 1 credit course utilizing a combination of didactic instruction and active student participation.

Meeting Times:

Weekly one hour meeting on Wednesdays at 10 AM in HSC-North 2940B.

Course Coordinator: Mike Schaller

Faculty Instructors:

David Smith, Taylor Thomas, Fatimah Matalkah, Amanda Ammer, Lori Hazlehurst, Mark McLaughlin, David Klinke, Aaron Robart, Courtney DeVries

Course Objectives:

The purpose of this course is to provide the opportunity to learn and practice skills that are required for the successful professional throughout their career. These skills will be valuable for professionals working in the sciences as well as other fields. Areas of instruction will include communication, conflict resolution, negotiation, working in teams and project management.

Specific Objectives:

  • Acquire knowledge on select topics to enhance professional development
  • Develop critical professional skills
  • Practice professional skills with peers
  • Reflect on your developing professional skills through peer and instructor feedback

Course Format:

The course contains didactic lecture components. Some didactic components will be interactive to engage students. The course also contains interactive activities allowing students to practice and develop select skills. Interactive activities will include feedback from peers and instructors.

Evaluation:

Student evaluations will be based on attendance and participation in classroom activities. The grading scale is pass/fail.

Attendance policy:

Students are expected to attend all sessions. If a student must miss a class, they must communicate with the instructor for that specific class PRIOR to the class to receive an excused absence. Accumulation of unexcused absences will affect the student’s final grade.

Prerequistes:

Permission of the coordinator.

Social Justice Statement:

The West Virginia University community is committed to creating and fostering a positive learning and working environment based on open communication, mutual respect, and inclusion. Any suggestions as to how to further such a positive and open environment in this class will be appreciated and given serious consideration.

If you are a person with a disability and anticipate needing any type of accommodation in order to participate in this class, please advise the coordinator and make appropriate arrangements with the Office of Accessibility Services(304-293-6700). For more information on West Virginia University’s Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion initiatives, please see: https://diversity.wvu.edu/