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SURF Schedule 2012

Weekly Meetings

All students in the SURF Program will meet weekly in small discussion groups beginning June 11th until August 3rd. The purpose of these groups is to provide a structured setting in which students can discuss their work with their peers, learn about others' work, and develop their scientific communication and evaluation skills.

During the course of the summer, each student will prepare a research paper written in the format of a journal article and present a 15 minute talk about his or her research. Toward the beginning of the summer, weekly discussion groups will cover topics including critical evaluation of data, critical reading of research papers, and the protocols of professional research communication. As the summer progresses, the focus will shift toward writing and peer-evaluating drafts of student research papers, and on research presentations.

Attendance in discussion groups is mandatory. This is an integral part of your training, and you are expected to attend every week. If you must miss a session you may make it up by attending the other session in the same week. However, you may not substitute a session from another week. If for some reason you cannot attend either section in a given week, notify your instructor in advance and schedule a one-on-one meeting with the instructor instead.

In-class participation is expected. Anticipate the deadlines for your work; discuss them with your mentor and set up pre-deadlines when you can review the work with your mentor, allowing time for her or him to give you feedback.

If you have a legitimate reason to move a deadline, and you communicate this reason to your mentor and instructor in a timely manner, then deadlines can be adjusted.

Recommended text (not required):

Victoria E. McMillan, Writing Papers in the Biological Sciences, 3rd ed.1997

Payment:

SURF Stipend = $4000 paid following submission of article:
Payment of the $4,000 is contingent upon submitting your research article as a hard copy and pdf file by the deadline the deadline, above. Stipends will be paid at the end of September/beginning of October.

In addition to submitting a hard copy and pdf file, all articles must be signed by the Principal Investigator (Faculty Member). His/her name (printed) should also be provided with the signature. If your PI is physically not available to sign, an electronic signature will be accepted.

Your article may be turned into the 600 Fairchild Biology office.

Pdf files should be emailed to surf@biology.columbia.edu. If you have any questions beyond confirmation of receipt of the article, please contact Jaya Santosh at js2621@columbia.edu.

Stipend checks can be picked up at the Bursar's Office in Kent Hall. You will need to bring your ID (State ID, passport) in order to pick up your check.