Independent Researchers

Link to Main Landing Page: IndependentResearchersVDS (google doc)

TBD:  clean up/organize this page, add lab hours guidance, add mentor trained IndRes guidance, add form/app

 A note about Independent Research in VDS (added 4/23/24)

• part of the role of the independent researcher is to make sure you have regular check-ins with Dr. B on your progress. 

• if there is not a standing meeting set up for the group, then you will need to reach out to Dr. B to set up individual meetings every few weeks (2-3 weeks)

  • these could be an email update every other week with a meeting every 3rd week

 A note about Independent Research in VDS (added 3/28/23)

If you are interested in doing independent research in VDS, make sure that you feel that you can be independent. It will be primarily your responsibility to move your project forward.  Dr. B will try to set up checkins and help guide you (or the Independent Research mentor will), but you will need to be proactive in both 1.) documenting your work and effort and 2.) communicating your progress.  IndRes is still for a grade and this will be reflected in how well you do this.    Thx, Dr. B

VDSers,

For those of you that want to take the 'independent research' credit - (not the regular FRI or ARI class), here are some requirements.

These would be the 'paper' form versions of BCH 206K, BIO277, BIO177   (2 credit and 1 credit courses respectively)

- this experience is mainly students working on their own with some support from mentors and Dr. B every once in awhile. So, you have to be very independent.

There will be check-ins every few weeks and deliverables.

early registration period but must be turned in by 4PM on the fourth class day of the term the course is taken.

NOTE: for mentoring for credit (we usually don't do this way for VDS) - if you do the research credit (Bio177, Bio277, Bio377, or CH369k)  vs. the CH368L - you will need to satisfy these research requirements and do some research. this can be in the context of leading projects and keeping documentation and presenting on the projects progress.

Credit Hours

3, 6, 9 hrs of lab time/research work per week, respectively for BIO177, 277, BCH206K, 377  (1-credit, 2-credit, 3-credit)  - or it is called MBS177, 277 or 377 now)

9 hours is ALOT of Ind Res - so, we usually don't do the 3 credit option for IndRes - it is recommended to do the 1-credit or 2-credit (177 and 277, respectively)

Adding a Research Course

To add BIO 177/277/377,  - (or MBS..) 

USE THE FORM ON THIS PAGE:   ---->> https://bio-advising.cns.utexas.edu/research-information

VDS Offers Biology and Biochemistry 

NOTE: there is a 'Research Summary' that you must write - a 'blurb' about what you plan to do.  In the online form, there is a link to the Template. 

Write up a Research Summary about what you will be working on. Should be a little bit technical - so that it sounds like you know what you are talking about - but mainly explaining what you will actually do and the purpose. 

EMAIL the filled out Research Summary as a PDF to DR. B for approval and his signature. He will digitally sign and email back to you. 

IF doing a paper form, when completing form DO NOT fill in the unique number - leave that blank.  Just put  BIO 177 or BIO 277 where indicated.

Maybe here are some emails for questions: bioscienceinfo@utexas.edu or biology@austin.utexas.edu

https://cns.utexas.edu/biosciences-advising-center/advising-policies-procedures 

Students can only take 6 hours of upper division research for letter grade, any beyond will be P/F

Students need to attend lab meetings, keep a lab notebook, and submit a >1page paper with project goals, methods, results, and conclusions

for each semester

Students also need to present in a “lab meeting or other public forum”

NOTE: there is a work-around to get more research hours for credit - you can do a Thesis and take a thesis course.

- must do in 2 consecutive long semesters (?)

- note: this doesn't have to be a part of an honors program  (eg HSS or DS) - but it is called Departmental Honors

- must have already been in the lab group

- there is some GPA minimum and must get approval to do it.

- shows up on the Transcript

- the hours are over and above your degree requirements - don't count toward the degree

- not sure if it is for a grade or not

LINKS and FOLDERS

Instructions: 

1. have mentor create a folder for you in StudentFoldersVDS with VDSStaff@gmail.com account as ownership

2. have mentor or Dr. B create a Research Page for you in this folder with VDSStaff@gmail.com account as ownership

3. have them share the links with you and give you permissions for edit on your own Gmail account (save a book mark for yourself)

4. Add your Overall Research Goal  and then Specific Aims at the top of your Research Page

5. Paste the link to your Research Page at the top of the IndependentResearchersVDS - Google Doc

6. Scheduling - fill in your 'available' times to meet on the shared conflict schedule

Main Document for meeting notes:    IndependentResearchersSHARE 

• used for meetings and as a landing page for links

Weekly Updates  IRers Tracking Shared Page spreadsheet for 

• log in to VDSclass to edit - and have Dr. B add you to permissions to edit directly)

• Each week students enter 1 line update of what you did

• This is TEXT entry only, no images or data per se. (keep it simple)

• check off if you met with Dr. B that week (goal is Bi/Tri Weekly Meetings)

Lab Times  

UNIFIEDLabSched_VDS Schedules (for when mentors are present in lab - also can use the SLACK channels)

Lab and Virtual Hours

VDS IRers Recorded Hours - link broken or file deleted   12/1/22

• • Hours will be recorded in a spreadsheet - it is okay if you are under hours for one week, but try to make it up the following week so you don't get too far behind

Meetings

Bi/Tri Weekly Meetings

Overall Goals & Specific Aims - will be discussed in meetings

dates/times - TBA

Some can be Via Zoom - but most should be in person

Posters

2- and 3- credit Independent Researchers should work on a poster for either the Longhorn Poster Session or the Undergraduate Research Forum (this is optional for the 1-credit research but encouraged)

• URF: ~ April  URF

• LPS:  ~  April  Longhorn Poster Session

• • or TAS (Texas Academy of Sciences) - usually March

• Preparing for Forum poster counts as time toward project

  • Attending scientific talks counts as at most 1 hour per week (max of 6)

  • Individual goals will be talked about with each researcher and Dr. B and/or IR Mentor (can be done at bi/tri weekly meetings or scheduled individual meetings if necessary)

  • Computer lab code: 2717*

  • 
    

Wet Lab Times Available

• you can come in to work on stuff when we have other people in lab that are 'equally trained'.  So when mentors are in or another other Independent Researchers that is equally trained (they don't have to necessarily be on the same project as you).  

• For working in lab:  There is new guidance requiring mentors be present when students are working.  

• This can be during the regular week. (no weekend work -  unless cleared by Dr. B)

Wet lab vs. Virtual

• each semester we are resource limited as to how many people can do wet lab independent research (reagents and equipment), so only a few are allowed to continue on in this role. 

• virtual independent research is usually open to anyone that has shown independence and progress in their virtual and is a good way to stay involved and work independently or with some of your peers on your project while honing your skills. 

Documentation

• Each independent research will have a Research page/Virtual Notebook 

  • EXAMPLE of old one: Shared_ResearchPageSp2020IndepResearchersVDSs -

• for all Virtual work

• for key wet lab results and sharing progress with Dr. B

• Overall Goals & Specific Aims - will be listed at the top of the document

• Lab Notebook -   a paper notebook will be used for wet lab work.  -  keep your notebook updated as you go!