Independent Research Projects
Instructors: Ketil Koop-Jakobsen and Rut Pedrosa Pamies supported by MBL scientists as mentors for individual projects
Course Description:
During the last module of the SES program, students will be able to devote 5 weeks to an independent research project selected from a range of Environmental and Ecosystem Science topics aligned with MBL faculty expertise. Early in the semester, the students will be introduced to the overarching research topics and participate in weekly seminars that prepare them to conduct an individual research project, while also giving them time to work collaboratively. Through this process, they will define individual but complementary research questions that will together address a larger research topic. Prior to the start of the final course module, each student will develop a proposal describing their individual research and explaining how it contributes to the larger research topic. This will include a literature search, formulation of research questions and hypotheses, development of a study design, and an overview of expected results, all to be presented at the start of the course module. During the project module, students will work independently under the mentorship of MBL scientists while regularly discussing progress and challenges with collaborating students and mentors. At the end of the project period, the students will report on their work through an oral presentation at a final symposium and a comprehensive written paper.
Learning Objectives and Outcomes
Upon successful completion of this course, the students will be able to:
- Formulate research questions and hypotheses around a broader research topic in environmental and ecosystems science
- Conduct a comprehensive literature search and review
- Design sampling strategies and experimental approaches
- Develop and present a research proposal
- Conduct individual research activities while working working effectively within a collaborative group
- Analyze, interpret and present environmental science data
- Prepare and deliver a scientific presentation and write a scientific paper
- Apply best practices in data management, curation, and preservation
Course Structure
|
Module |
Period |
Weekly Seminars |
Research / Deliverables |
|---|---|---|---|
| Pre-Course Module | Weeks 5–10 | Fridays, 3:00–5:00 PM | — |
| Course Module | Weeks 11–15 | Fridays, 3:00–5:00 PM | Full-day research, Monday–Friday |
| Post-Course Module | After Week 15 | — | Final paper and data submission |
Week 5: Overview of research topics with faculty
Week 6: Discussion and selection of research topics
Week 7: Literature search and reference management workshop (MBL/WHOI Library)
Week 8: Seminar on developing research questions and research designs; collaborative project development.
Week 9: Seminar on proposal writing; collaborative project development
Week 10: Individual project proposal development
Week 11: Individual proposals due (oral presentations); project preparation begins.
Week 12: Independent research
Week 13: Seminar on data visualization and statistics. Independent research
Week 14: Seminar on scientific writing. Independent research
Week 15: Seminar on best practices in sample and data preservation; continued independent research; preparation and rehearsal of oral presentations; final symposium
Week 16: Submission of final written paper; completion of sample and data preservation
Grading
Student performance will be evaluated based on participation in research discussions and the development, presentation and documentation of individual project proposals. Students will present their findings in the SES Independent Project Symposium and submit a final written paper. The evaluation emphasizes the successful process of developing, conducting and communicating scientific research and with less emphasis the research outcomes themselves.
Discussion participation (5%)
Oral Proposal (25%)
Final Project Presentation (30%)
Final Written Paper (30%)
Data and sample storage (10%)