syllabus

BMI 883/884, Biomedical data science professional skills
University of Wisconsin-Madison
(1 credit)

Course meetings: Mon & Fri 10:00-10:50am, 4765 MSC

Instructor: Karl Broman, 6743 Medical Sciences Center

Office hours by appointment

A variety of skills that are important for a successful research career are often left to students to develop on their own. This course attempts to fill many of those gaps, including writing and reviewing papers, security research funding, giving talks, presenting posters, making a personal website, job opportunities in universities and industry, and teaching.

BMI 883/884 merger

In past years, BMI 883 and 884 were separate single-credit courses taught in the fall and spring semesters, respectively, and meeting for 50 minutes each week. In Fall, 2023, they are being merged into a single 2-credit course that meets twice weekly. Students are to enroll for both course numbers and will be assigned a single, common grade for the two courses.

Learning outcomes

Students will be able to describe the review processes for journal articles and research grant proposals.
Students will be able to write clear, well-formed journal articles and research grant proposals.
Students will be able to give a clear oral presentation of their research work.
Students will be able to demonstrate understanding of research on unconscious bias (for example, in reviewing papers/grants, in writing/evaluating recommendation letters, and in hiring/promotion) and assumptions and strategies to overcome them.
Students will be able to describe good practices for research scientists’ participation in social media.
Students will be able to describe strategies for forming and managing scientific collaborations.
Students will be able to identify employment opportunities at universities and in industry and demonstrate understanding of strategies for applying and interviewing for such positions.
Students will be able to describe and compare different teaching practices and methods for motivating students.

COVID-19

The course will be held in-person in 4765 MSC
COVID-19 vaccination is strongly encouraged
Use of a high-quality mask is strongly encouraged
If you have COVID-related symptoms, please stay home
If you need to miss class, email Karl Broman
If you would like to join the class virtually, email Karl Broman in advance so he can arrange a hybrid meeting; the zoom link is on the course canvas site.

Discussion

The primary course activity will be discussion. Be prepared, be engaged, listen, and be respectful.

I ask that everyone strive toward the following:

Norms for discussion

Presume positive intentions
Engage respectfully
Listen attentively
Aim for equal participation
Respect boundaries
Provide evidence

Course grade

Course grade will be based on class participation (70%) and 2 homework assignments (30%).

The homework assignments will include: writing an abstract, and writing a 2 min elevator speech.

The class participation grade will be based on participation in each session, scored according to the following rubric:

Good contributor: Contributions in class reflect thorough preparation. Ideas offered are usually substantive, provide good insights and sometimes direction for the class. Challenges are well substantiated and often persuasive. (Score 3/3)

Adequate contributor: Contributions in class reflect satisfactory preparation. Ideas offered are sometimes substantive, provide generally useful insights but seldom offer a new direction for the discussion. Challenges are sometimes presented, fairly well substantiated, and are sometimes persuasive. (Score 2/3)

Weak contributor: Contributions in class reflect inadequate preparation. Ideas offered are seldom substantive, provide few if any insights and never a constructive direction for the class. Integrative comments and effective challenges are absent. (Score 1/3)

Non-participant: Says little or nothing in class. Hence, there is not an adequate basis for evaluation. (Score 0/3)

Grading scale: 92-100 (A), 87-91 (AB), 82-86 (B), 77-81 (BC), 70-76 (C), 60-69 (D), <60 (F)

Students are encouraged to discuss course content and homework assignments with each other, but the homework assignments are to be each student’s own, separate work.

Assignments

Readings

Assigned readings appear in the course schedule. Students are expected to complete the reading assignments in advance of discussion.

Homework assignments

There will be two written homework assignments The homework assignments will include: writing an abstract, and writing a 2 min elevator speech.

Additional policies and statements

Also see the additional institutional policies and statements: