University of PittsburghUniversity of PittsburghCenter for NeuroscienceCenter for Neuroscience

(CNUP Graduate Program)(CNUP Graduate Program)

Susan Amara and Alan Sved (co-directors)Susan Amara and Alan Sved (co-directors)

Pat Card and John Horn (grad program)Pat Card and John Horn (grad program)

Richard Clarke and Annie Cohen (students)Richard Clarke and Annie Cohen (students)

Key IdeasKey Ideas

Incorporating student input and Incorporating student input and initiatives into the curriculuminitiatives into the curriculum

Re-evaluating faculty credentials to Re-evaluating faculty credentials to maintain quality of graduate maintain quality of graduate trainingtraining

Developing new electives to Developing new electives to enhance the programenhance the program

A Recent IllustrationA Recent Illustration

Incorporating student input and Incorporating student input and initiatives into the curriculuminitiatives into the curriculum

Example: Example:

Revisiting the policy of Revisiting the policy of requiring students at all stages requiring students at all stages to participate in a CNUP-run to participate in a CNUP-run journal club journal club

The Players The Players

StudentsStudents

Curriculum CommitteeCurriculum Committee

Journal Club FacultyJournal Club Faculty

Training FacultyTraining Faculty

Graduate Program Co-directorsGraduate Program Co-directors

Senior StudentsSenior Students

The IssuesThe Issues

Format: broad-based or specialized focus?Format: broad-based or specialized focus?

How do we ensure quality & How do we ensure quality & appropriateness of papers?appropriateness of papers?

How many years should it be required?How many years should it be required?

Should an acceptable substitute be Should an acceptable substitute be required?required?

How do we enhance student participation?How do we enhance student participation?

How do we provide feedback to students?How do we provide feedback to students?

How do we improve instructor performance?How do we improve instructor performance?

The ProcessThe Process

Student inputStudent inputCurriculum committee discussionCurriculum committee discussionSurvey of studentsSurvey of studentsSurvey of past journal club leadersSurvey of past journal club leadersCurriculum committee Curriculum committee recommendationrecommendationTraining faculty discussionTraining faculty discussionFollow up with co-directors and senior Follow up with co-directors and senior studentsstudentsNew policy drafted and adoptedNew policy drafted and adopted

The OutcomeThe Outcome

A new policy (a compromise)A new policy (a compromise)

““Students are required to participate Students are required to participate in CNUP Journal Club every term until in CNUP Journal Club every term until they advance to candidacy. After they advance to candidacy. After reaching this milestone, participation reaching this milestone, participation will be optional.”will be optional.”

But.....we still strongly encourage senior students to participate in some type of journal club

New ChallengesNew Challenges

Re-evaluating faculty credentials Re-evaluating faculty credentials to maintain quality of graduate to maintain quality of graduate trainingtraining

Faculty credentials committeeFaculty credentials committee

Developing new electives to Developing new electives to enhance the program curriculumenhance the program curriculum

Curriculum committeeCurriculum committee