[FUN_Mail] Neuroscience Program Requesting Reserach Input

[Hale, Robert (Bob)]

If it hasn't been raised yet, one alternative is to require a "capstone" experience.  This could be a research thesis for those so motivated, it could be a relevant internship experience (e.g., intern in sleep lab), or it could be a seminar course.   This works very well in a large (500+ majors) Psychology Department, and should be a reasonable alternative in a growing Neuroscience program.  It deals with both the resource issue as well as ensuring motivated students have the research option, and students motivated to directly enter the workforce have the internship option.  The seminar is more for students who are less focused/motivated.

Be well,
Bob Hale
Chair Dept Psy Shippensburg U. PA

________________________________________
From: fun_mail-bounces at lists.funfaculty.org [fun_mail-bounces at lists.funfaculty.org] on behalf of Harrington, Ian [ianharrington at augustana.edu]
Sent: Tuesday, April 16, 2013 11:57 PM
To: Sara Bagley
Cc: FUN_Mail at lists.funfaculty.org
Subject: [FUN_Mail]  Neuroscience Program Requesting Reserach Input

There have already been some great, and diverse, suggestions here to which
I might offer the following. In a world where time and resources are
unlimited, and in which all of our students have the requisite skills and
a deep commitment to research, requiring research as part of the program is
a no-brainer. The fact is that such experiences can pay dividends even when
student in question isn't the strongest or, at least at the outset, the
most committed. Unfortunately, time and resources are rarely
if ever unlimited and I think we have to pick our battles. We should
provide access to the opportunity to do research on or off campus, but when
you get into mandated research you can get into trouble.

The reality is that as undergraduate neuroscience programs grow (and, brace
yourself, they tend to do that), they quickly begin to strain our ability
to serve all of our students' research needs in-house. This means that the
on-campus opportunities become more competitive. As students begin to look
elsewhere (e.g., the list of internships maintained at funfaculty.org) they
learn that things are even more competitive there. In my experience,
however, the best students tend to find their way. They also tend
to appreciate the privilege of being involved with a research project, as
well as its value. When such experiences are guaranteed and required, they
can lose their motivating quality. I think the best we can often hope to do
in the real world of limited time and resources is to make our students
aware of the research experiences that are available on our campuses and
off.

And to follow up on Michael Kerchner's closing remark about undergraduate
research events, you (like us) are in the extended neighborhood of the
MidBrains conference held annually in southern Minnesota (that's the
sub-tropical part of Minnesota, by the way) at places like Macalester, St.
Olaf, and Carleton Colleges. We take students up there most years and we're
about an hour and a half south of where you are. Our students come away
energized and with a clear understanding of what a research experience can
mean, personally and professionally.

I hope this helps in some way,
Ian

--

*Ian A. Harrington, Ph.D.*

Augustana College, Psychology

Director, Program in Neuroscience

639 38th St., Rock Island, IL 61201

011 Evald Hall, (309) 794-7243


On Monday, April 15, 2013, Sara Bagley wrote:

> Dear FUN Colleagues,
> Loras College, a small liberal arts college, just approved a Neuroscience
> major last September. My colleagues and I are in the process of creating
> courses and are seeking input from current Neuroscience programs about
> their research requirements. Do any of your current Neuroscience programs
> require research experiences or internships? If so, how is it arranged in
> your curriculum? How do you ensure that all of your students will find
> research experiences or internships? Thank you, in advance.
>
> Best,
> Sara L. Bagley, Ph.D.
> Assistant Professor of Psychology
> Psychology and Neuroscience Programs
> Loras College
> 190 Hennessy Hall
> 563-588-7783
> Sara.Bagley at loras.edu<mailto:Sara.Bagley at loras.edu>
>
>
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--

*Ian A. Harrington, Ph.D.*

Augustana College, Psychology

Director, Program in Neuroscience

639 38th St., Rock Island, IL 61201

011 Evald Hall, (309) 794-7243
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