Investigation and Discovery
MS-2

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

 

 

Course Description

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:

1. formulate a scholarly project proposal with the help of the faculty mentor and the Investigation and Discovery facilitators.
2. thoroughly review relevant background literature.
3. prepare a short written proposal for the scholarly project, and make a PowerPoint presentation of the project to present and discuss in class.
4. critically evaluate peer proposals and provide substantive feedback.
5. revise the written proposals, addressing critiques from faculty and peers, and make a PowerPoint presentation of the revised scholarly project proposal to the class.

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).

Educational Methods

 

	Self-directed learning		Development of a research proposal		Online modules
	Small-group discussion		Oral presentation using PowerPoint

 

Evaluation

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.

Faculty Note

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.