ANSC 4995

Mentorship in Research

Course Description

Course information provided by the 2026-2027 Catalog.

Mentorship in Research brings together undergraduates who are conducting research under the direct faculty mentorship. This course provides structured discussion to complement independent research (4990), creating an accountable community of practice rather than isolated individual projects, and letting students and faculty discuss progress, address challenges, and exercise scientific communication and peer review. Each week, select students present their research progress, then gather input (e.g. methods question, help interpreting results) through peer discussion, cycling through students in the group every few weeks. The faculty guides discussion, provides technical support, and ensures students learn to think like scientists. When taken together with independent research credits, students will become proficient at planning their own research, communicating clearly, giving constructive feedback, and iterating based on faculty and peer discourse.

Corequisites ANSC 4990.

Last 4 Terms Offered (None)

Learning Outcomes

• Explain their research question, methods, and preliminary findings to a scientifically literate peer audience.
• Analyze data, results, or literature in the context of their own project to identify gaps, inconsistencies, or next steps.
• Evaluate peer research in progress and construct specific, evidence-based feedback that advances the work.
• Design a structured lab group discussion that targets the input most needed at their current stage of research.
• Revise their research approach, methods, or interpretation in response to peer and faculty critique.

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