All student development seminars offered by the Iowa Sciences Academy are listed below, organized by the courses offered each semester.
Each fall and spring semester Science Alliance interns and MARC Fellows MUST enroll in an ISA Student Development Seminar for 1 s.h (section to be determined each semester as indicated by the schedule below). LSAMP students are encouraged, but not required, to register for ISA seminars. ISA Student Development Seminars are also available for 0 s.h. for those students who are already enrolled for maximum hours.
Each semester that research is conducted, students MUST enroll in ISA:3992 ISA Research in Biomedical Science for 0 s.h. This course recognizes research done on your transcript and gives credit to your mentor.
Students who are not part of ISA should contact Lori Adams, ISA Director, for prior approval before registration.
FALL COURSES
Professional and career development; tours of scientific research facilities and laboratories on campus; network with professors and graduate students; explore different types of research environments on campus; learn how to identify and contact potential research mentors. 1 s.h.
Who should enroll: Open enrollment. Any undergraduate student, preferably in their Freshman year, who is interested in learning more about research and hasn't had any research experience may enroll in this course. Participating in this course may increase chance of being accepted as a Science Alliance intern.
ISA:2040 – Professionalism in the Scientific Community
Development of communication skills and appropriate professional conduct while maintaining ethical standards; main objectives include development of leadership skills in the community, further understanding of ethical issues in student’s field, improve communication of student’s research to the public, and understanding the significance of professional conduct, networking, and diversity within student’s field. 1 s.h.
Who should enroll: Science Alliance interns, LSAMP
ISA:3040 – Critical Analysis of Primary Literature
Development of critical thinking and research skills through analysis of primary scientific research literature to demystify and humanize research science; how to analyze components of a good empirical article; students present a research paper from literature in their field of interest as preparation to contribute to future empirical manuscripts. 1 s.h.
Who should enroll: MARC, LSAMP
ISA:3992 – ISA Undergraduate Research
This course enables students in the ISA program to receive credit for their required work in the biomedical laboratories of their mentors. Students are expected to work at least 5 hours per week in the laboratory. Students must negotiate terms of their work arrangement with the appropriate faculty/researcher and the ISA program. 0 s.h.
Who should enroll: All ISA participants should register for this each semester.
ISA:4040 – Teaching Your Undergraduate Research
Scientific teaching principles (e.g., backwards design, active learning, formative assessment); students develop a teaching unit based on some aspect of their research and teach it to the class in preparation for future interviews where the ability to explain the background and significance for their research is a highly valued skill. 1 s.h.
Who should enroll: MARC, LSAMP
LATH:3000 – Science Communication Skill Building
Provide Latham Fellows with various communication skills needed to explain scientific research to varied audiences. 2 s.h.
Who should enroll: Open enrollment for all Sophomores, Juniors, or Seniors from this list of supported majors, do not need to be enrolled in an ISA program to take the course. Students already enrolled in an ISA program are welcome to take the course.
SPRING COURSES
This seminar series is designed to support success and professional development of students in science majors who are affiliated with the Iowa Sciences Academy. 1 s.h.
Who should enroll: Science Alliance interns, LSAMP
ISA:2041 – Career Exploration and Specification
Students define career goals, increase knowledge about the process of obtaining a graduate degree, and create personal plans for future academic and research endeavors; students gain valuable experience in communicating science in written and oral form through the exploration process. 1 s.h.
Who should enroll: Science Alliance interns, LSAMP
ISA:3041 – Pathways to Post-Undergraduate Education
Successful preparation for graduate school application process; students learn how to write their own curriculum vita, personal statements, research statements, Graduate Record Examinations (GRE), and graduate school application action plan; students learn about available resources and further their professional development by giving an oral presentation on their current research. 1 s.h.
Who should enroll: MARC, LSAMP
ISA:3992 – ISA Undergraduate Research
This course enables students in the ISA program to receive credit for their required work in the biomedical laboratories of their mentors. Students are expected to work at least 5 hours per week in the laboratory. Students must negotiate terms of their work arrangement with the appropriate faculty/researcher and the ISA program. 0 s.h.
Who should enroll: All ISA participants should register for this each semester.
ISA:4041 -- Senior Capstone Project
Structure for development, planning, and implementation of a culminating project for the Iowa Sciences Academy; students dedicate three to five hours per week to the project and are encouraged to connect their projects to community issues or problem; integration of external learning experiences and activities including interviews, scientific observations, or internships. 1 s.h.
Who should enroll: MARC, LSAMP
LATH:3001 – Latham Fellows: Science Outreach Project
This course will provide guidance to Latham Fellows as they implement one individual and one group project proposed the previous fall. Students will meet once a week for 2 hours. The first hour will feature a guest speaker; the second hour will allow for implementation check-in. 2 s.h.
Who should enroll: Open only to those who have already taken LATH:3000 in the previous fall semester.