August 23, 2017-December 20, 2017
16 sessions
Course Director
Peter Drain, PhD
Associate Professor
Department of Cell Biology and Physiology
drain@pitt.edu
Course Director
John Maier, MD, PhD
Assistant Professor
Department of Family Medicine
jsmaier@pitt.edu
In Investigation and Discovery, students apply their critical thinking and literature-review skills to exploring an area of interest and developing a scholarly project proposal. They also select a faculty mentor to work with on the project.
The goals of the course are:
The 36 faculty are from 11 departments: Anesthesiology; Cell Biology and Physiology; Emergency Medicine; Obstetrics, Gynecology and Reproductive Sciences; Ophthalmology; Pathology; Pediatrics; Physical Medicine and Rehabilitation; Psychiatry; Surgery; and Environmental and Occupational Health (School of Public Health).
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Self-directed learning | ![]() |
Development of a research proposal | ![]() |
Online modules | ||
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Small-group discussion | ![]() |
Oral presentation using PowerPoint |
Evaluation for Investigation and Discovery is based on written proposals and PowerPoint presentations, both initial and revised; participation in discussions; written critique of a peer scholarly project proposal; attendance and timely completion of all assignments.
Grading: The weighting of the course grade within a block grade is based on the length of the course. Grading for the block is Satisfactory or Unsatisfactory.
Course Director Peter Drain, PhD, is a recipient of the Sheldon Adler Award for Innovation in Medical Education. Peter Drain, Phd; Cynthia Lance-Jones, PhD; and Peter Veldkamp, MD, are recipients of the Kenneth E. Schuit Master Educator Award. In addition, Drs. Drain, Lance-Jones, and Veldkamp; Diemthuy Bui, MD; and William McIvor, MD, are members of the UPSOM Academy of Master Educators.