| Date | Module | Topic | Activities & Assignments |
|---|---|---|---|
| Mon, Aug 25 | Introduction | Course Overview & Team Formation | - CATME team registration - Icebreaker: Bioinspired morphing experiments |
| Wed, Aug 27 | Module 1: Foundations | The Science of Successful Teams | - Research on diverse teams - Assignment: Team charter draft due Sep 3 |
| Mon, Sep 1 | Labor Day | NO CLASS | University holiday |
| Wed, Sep 3 | Module 1: Foundations | Tools for Collaboration & Literature Review | - tool survey - Conflict resolution techniques - Assignment: Revised team charter due Sep 15 |
| Mon, Sep 8 | Module 1: Foundations | Principles of Effective Teams | - Team dynamics workshop - Collaborative project planning |
| Wed, Sep 10 | Module 1: Foundations | From Teamwork to Research: The 2-Minute Pitch | - Team project pitches - Peer feedback session - Assignment: Literature review outline due Sep 22 |
| Mon, Sep 15 | Module 2: Scientific Writing & Peer Review | Guest Lecture: Dr. Hyunwoo Yuk | “Principles of Effective Scientific Writing & Review” - Structuring papers for clarity and impact - The author’s perspective: writing for your audience - The reviewer’s perspective: providing constructive feedback - Q&A session - Team Charter Final Submission |
| Wed, Sep 17 | Module 2: Scientific Writing & Peer Review | Crafting Effective Abstracts & Introductions | - Deconstructing the “CARS” model (Create A Research Space) - Hands-on workshop: writing and critiquing abstracts |
| Mon, Sep 22 | Module 2: Scientific Writing & Peer Review | Structuring Papers and Arguments | - IMRaD deep dive: what goes in each section? - Building a logical narrative flow - Workshop: outlining a paper from your literature review - Assignment: Literature review outline due |
| Wed, Sep 24 | Module 2: Scientific Writing & Peer Review | Guest Lecture: Dr. Zhao Qin | “Leveraging AI as a Research Partner: From Literature Review to Discovery” - Using AI tools to efficiently map and synthesize existing literature - Employing AI for identifying emerging trends and research gaps - Navigating the ethical considerations and limitations of AI in research - Action: Develop a protocol for AI use in your team’s project - Assignment: Draft review due Oct 6 |
| Mon, Sep 29 | Module 2: Scientific Writing & Peer Review | Peer Review Workshop I: The Practice | - Applying NSF/Nature criteria to evaluate manuscripts - Writing specific, actionable, and respectful reviews - Draft Review Submission |
| Wed, Oct 1 | Module 2: Scientific Writing & Peer Review | Peer Review Workshop II: The Art of Response | - Strategies for categorizing and addressing reviewer comments - Crafting a persuasive and professional rebuttal - Deciding when to revise, push back, or concede |
| Mon, Oct 6 | Module 2: Scientific Writing & Peer Review | Module 2 Wrap-up & Integration | - How writing and review skills improve your own research - Discussion: lessons learned from being a reviewer |
| Wed, Oct 8 | Module 3: Proposal Prep | Funding Landscape: NSF, NIH, DOD & Foundations | - NSF: Deep dive on Intellectual Merit & Broader Impacts - NIH: Overview of significance, innovation, approach criteria - DOD/DOE: Mission alignment and applied research focus - Foundations: Identifying private funding opportunities - Final review response |
| Mon, Oct 13 | ❌ | NO CLASS | Fall Break |
| Wed, Oct 15 | Module 3: Proposal Prep | NSF GRFP Application Workshop | - Fellowship-specific strategies - Review criteria for personal and research statements - Assignment: Intellectual Merit statement due Oct 20 |
| Mon, Oct 20 | Module 3: Proposal Prep | Crafting the Core Argument: Significance & Innovation | - Writing compelling project descriptions for any agency - Defining the research gap and your solution - Workshop: Drafting and critiquing significance statements - Intellectual Merit Statement Submission |
| Wed, Oct 22 | Module 3: Proposal Prep | Agency Deep Dive & Review Practice | - Session 1: Comparing review panels & culture across agencies - Session 2: Mock Panel Review using blended criteria - Role-playing reviewer perspectives from different agencies |
| Mon, Oct 27 | Module 3: Proposal Prep | Developing Broader Impacts & Integration | - Writing broader impacts for society, not just NSF - Translating research outcomes for different stakeholders - Broader Impacts Statement Submission |
| Wed, Oct 29 | Module 3: Proposal Prep | Module 3 Wrap-up: From Proposal to Project | - Budget justifications and project management basics - Responding to reviewer comments across agencies - Assignment: Complete proposal draft due Nov 5 |
| Mon, Nov 3 | Module 4: Ethics | Introduction to Research Ethics | - Guest lecture: Prof. Sarah Reckess - Assignment: Case Study Analysis due Nov 10 |
| Wed, Nov 5 | Module 4: Ethics | Research Misconduct | - Case studies in fabrication/plagiarism - Complete Proposal Draft Submission |
| Mon, Nov 10 | Module 4: Ethics | Dual-Use Research | - Bioinspired tech case studies - Prof. Reckess consultation - Case Study Analysis Due |
| Wed, Nov 12 | Module 4: Ethics | Ethical Communication of Research Findings | - Responsible reporting standards - Authorship guidelines - Prof. Reckess workshop |
| Mon, Nov 17 | Module 4: Ethics | AI Ethics in Bioinspired Systems | - Algorithmic bias mitigation - Prof. Reckess Q&A |
| Wed, Nov 19 | Module 4: Ethics | Biomatter Ethics | - Ethical use of biological materials - Prof. Reckess case analysis |
| Mon, Nov 24 | ❌ | NO CLASS | Thanksgiving Break begins |
| Wed, Nov 26 | ❌ | NO CLASS | Thanksgiving Break |
| Mon, Dec 1 | Module 4: Ethics | Ethics Integration Workshop | - Applying frameworks to projects - Prof. Reckess final guidance - Ethics Integration Memo Due |
| Wed, Dec 3 | Final Projects | Project Preparation | - Team consultations - Presentation dry runs |
| Mon, Dec 8 | Final Projects | Project Presentations & Course Wrap-up | - Full class presentations - Ethical reflections with Prof. Reckess - Final reports due Dec 15 |
| Date | Assignment | Module |
|---|---|---|
| Sep 15 | Team Charter & Collaboration Agreement | Module 1 |
| Sep 22 | Literature Review Outline | Module 2 |
| Sep 29 | Draft Peer Review | Module 2 |
| Oct 15 | Final Review Response | Module 2 |
| Oct 20 | Intellectual Merit Statement | Module 3 |
| Oct 27 | Broader Impacts Statement | Module 3 |
| Nov 5 | Complete Proposal Draft | Module 3 |
| Nov 10 | Case Study Analysis | Module 4 |
| Dec 1 | Ethics Integration Memo | Module 4 |
| Dec 15 | Final Project Reports | All Modules |