Preparing Future Faculty

To support the professional development of graduate students seeking academic positions, Graduate Studies offers the Preparing Future Faculty program. In addition to workshops on the academic job search process, the course GS 800 Preparing Future Faculty provides an overview of academic careers. Additionally, participating doctoral candidates visit and meet faculty from area colleges and universities. Contact Graduate Studies for information.

Graduate Studies Courses

GS 700 Thesis and Dissertation Writing (4). A course focusing on the important principles for writing a thesis or dissertation and on writing a proposal, thesis, or dissertation. Emphasis will be placed on the traits of thesis/dissertation chapters and the essential elements for these chapters. Students will analyze a sample from their field in order to understand the rhetorical structure. In conferences, students will receive feedback on how well the writing reflects the essential chapter elements; they will also receive feedback on their grammar and editing in tutorials. Prerequisite: Permission of instructor. LEC

GS 706 Professional Presentations (3). In this course, you will observe, critique, create and practice scholarly presentations appropriate for conferences, seminars and thesis or dissertation defenses. Based on readings and observations, you will learn the major creative components and organizational structures for conference presentations including: introductions, poster sessions, short lectures or research presentations, and award presentations and acceptances. You will also observe and critique scholars in your field to learn keys to successful presentations in your discipline. You will observe and practice using appropriate delivery modes and skills and develop visual aids for presentations. For the major assignments you will practice and demonstrate the skills above through creation and formal presentation of scholarly presentations on topics in your field. These presentations will vary from 2-3 minute poster sessions to short lecture presentations and will culminate in a major research presentation. Prerequisite: Permission of instructor. LEC

GS 710 Thesis and Dissertation Tutorials (2-6). These tutorials are designed for students who are writing comprehensive exams, proposals, prospectuses, or theses or dissertations. Students will submit their writing to the instructor two days before their weekly meeting, where will review what they have written. Student will be taught strategies for improving content, organization, argument structure, and grammar and editing. They will also read materials about writing effective exams, proposals or thesis or dissertation chapters. Prerequisite: Permission of instructor. IND

GS 750 Professional Writing (4). This class is intended for graduate students who are in the early stages of their degree programs and who need to hone their reading and writing skills. It will help students learn the skills they need to read course materials and write papers for graduate courses. Students will read and analyze the structures of texts and will first be asked to write summaries and summary critiques. In order to accomplish this, they will need to learn first and foremost to paraphrase original texts. They will write investigative reports that set up literature reviews or proposals. In these final papers, students will be asked to integrate material from readings around a central argument, comment on data or ideas and critique primary sources. Emphasis will be placed on writing genres appropriately, learning to cite and quote primary materials, organizing the content logically, and improving English grammar and usage. In conferences, students will receive feedback on the content, organization, and cohesion of papers. Grammar/editing tutorials will also be a required component of the course. Prerequisite: Permission of instructor. LEC

GS 800 Preparing Future Faculty (1). A course covering current issues in teaching, research, and service for graduate students seeking professional careers in academic settings. Prerequisite: Selection for participation in the Graduate School’s Preparing Future Faculty program, or consent of instructor. LEC

GS 804 Interdisciplinary Seminar on Ethics in Science and Engineering (1-3). The course will cover basic techniques of moral reasoning, especially as applied to ethical issues in the physical sciences and engineering. Topics covered will include the ethical conduct of research, the federal and professional guidelines for different kinds of research, and the ethical dimensions of publication and professional life. Emphasis will be on practical applications, cases and student involvement. (Same as MDCM 804, NURO 804, P&TX 804, and PHCH 804.) Prerequisite: Student must be enrolled in STEM discipline. LEC