Integrating A Structured Research Proposal into An Undergraduate Glycobiology Class

Abstract

A process for generating and writing an individual research proposal with or without access to advanced experimental techniques is described herein. This process was first included in a glycoconjugate biochemistry course to increase student interaction with more areas of the field, but the process was designed to be applicable elsewhere as well. In this series of assignments, students discover their interests in novel research areas, craft hypotheses, design experiments, and learn to anticipate experimental outcomes before participating in peer evaluation.

Training Tomorrow’s Scientists: Embedding Professional Skills in the Physical Chemistry Curriculum with a Guided Grant and Laboratory Project

“…The ability to sell or influence others is a desirable skill according to employers, and grant proposal activities are appropriate parallels for the field of chemistry. Recently, there has been a push to bring persuasive writing into the chemistry curriculum through grant-writing activities. − These activities provide opportunities to practice persuasive writing, but they lack the follow-through of actually carrying out the proposal. Allowing students to pick a project that interests them, and providing them with the agency for their proposals, adds value to their projects.…”