Section outline

  • GRAD 214: Responsible Conduct of Research for Basic Scientists - 2024

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    Lecture Lead

    UCSF Program Director

    Teaching Assistant

    The UCSF GRAD214, Ethics and the Responsible Conduct of Research is a thought-provoking, six-session course designed to satisfy NIH and NSF requirements for training in the responsible conduct of research. The purpose of this course is to ensure that research trainees are well versed with respect to training in responsible conduct in research (RCR).  Students also gain an understanding of federal, state, and UCSF policies and resources available to further support their research endeavors.

    This course is comprised of lectures and faculty led program discussion sections. GRAD214 lectures will be held on either the first or second Monday of every month from January through June of 2024 (Jan 8th, Feb 5th, Mar 4th, Apr 8th, May 6th, Jun 3rd). The RCR class will run from 11:30am-1:00pm on these dates. NIH mandates that 50% or more of the Responsible Conduct of Research (RCR) training must be in person. As such, all students are required to attend three (3) of the six (6) 90-minute lectures in person to receive credit for the course. The course instructor, Dr. Victoria Sharma will alternate lecturing at the Mission Bay and the Parnassus campus.

    In addition to lectures, students will also be expected to attend 90-minute faculty-led discussion groups held by their program the same week as that month's lecture. Led by graduate faculty, students will spend 90 minutes in small groups discussing cases related to that month’s RCR lecture. Dates and times will be set by individual programs. If you have questions about when and where your discussions will be held, please reach out to your Program Administrators. Attendance will be tracked.


  • Session 1: The Reproducibility Crisis

    January 8th, 2024; 11:30am-1:00pm; Dr. Victoria Sharma

    In this session, you will:
    • Be introduced to the course structure and expectations
    • Discuss the “reproducibility crisis” and become familiar with best practices for promoting rigor and reproducibility in research.

    Lecture Location:
    • In-Person: Mission Bay, GH 106, Byers Auditorium*
    • Virtual: Join on Zoom
    *Reminder: you should join in person on the days that lectures are held on your home campus unless you have made prior arrangements with the teaching team.

    Discussion Location:
    • The location, dates, and times of program discussion sections are up to the discretion of each program. Please contact your Program Administrator if you do not know where and when your discussion will be held.

  • Session 2: Research Misconduct, Social Responsibility, and the Importance of Research Security

    February 5th, 2024: 11:30am – 1:00pm; Dr. Victoria Sharma

    In this session, you will:

    • Learn to identify the different forms of research misconduct and understand the process for reporting misconduct to the appropriate authorities 
    • Gain awareness of the importance of research security, export controls, foreign travel, and dual use research
    • Gain an understanding of the significance of ethical decision-making in order to be a responsible member of the scientific community and society as a whole.

    Lecture Location:
    *Reminder: you should join in person on the days that lectures are held on your home campus unless you have made prior arrangements with the teaching team.

    Discussion Location:

    • The location, dates, and times of program discussion sections are up to the discretion of each program. Please contact your Program Administrator if you do not know where and when your discussion will be held.


  • Session 3: Responsible Authorship, Publication, Peer Review, and Data Management

    March 4, 2024: 11:30am– 1:00pm; Dr. Victoria Sharma

    In this session, you will:

    • Discuss strategies to avoid authorship disputes and questionable publication practices.
    • Gain an understanding of the importance of peer review and generate responsible peer reviews.
    • Learn how to organize, store, back-up, and share data responsibly

    Lecture Location:
    • In-Person: Mission Bay, GH 106, Byers Auditorium*
    • Virtual: Join on Zoom
    *Reminder: you should join in person on the days that lectures are held on your home campus unless you have made prior arrangements with the teaching team.

    Discussion Location:
    • The location, dates, and times of program discussion sections are up to the discretion of each program. Please contact your Program Administrator if you do not know where and when your discussion will be held.

  • Session 4: Developing Inclusive Research Communities and Prevention of Sexual Harassment & Violence

    April 8, 2024: 11:30am – 1:00pm; Denise Caramagno and Kendra Hypolite from UCSF CARE

    In this session, you will:

    • Learn strategies for prevention of sexual misconduct as well as strategies for building an inclusive work environment
    • Identify the different forms of research misconduct and understand the process for reporting misconduct to the appropriate authorities.

    Lecture Location:

    *Reminder: you should join in person on the days that lectures are held on your home campus unless you have made prior arrangements with the teaching team.

    Discussion Location:

    • The location, dates, and times of program discussion sections are up to the discretion of each program. Please contact your Program Administrator if you do not know where and when your discussion will be held.



  • Session 5: The Protection of Human Subjects, The Welfare of Laboratory Animals, and Collaborative Research and Professionalism

    May 6, 2024: 11:30am - 1:00pm; Dr. Victoria Sharma

    In this session, you will:
    • Gain exposure to important guidelines and resources that ensure the protection of human subjects and the welfare of laboratory animals.
    • Apply best practices for productive collaborative research projects including collaboration with industrial partners.


    Lecture Location:

    • In-Person: Mission Bay, GH 106, Byers Auditorium*
    • Virtual: Join on Zoom

    *Reminder: you should join in person on the days that lectures are held on your home campus unless you have made prior arrangements with the teaching team.


    Discussion Location:
    • The location, dates, and times of program discussion sections are up to the discretion of each program. Please contact your Program Administrator if you do not know where and when your discussion will be held.

  • Session 6: Mentor/Mentee Responsibilities and Relationships and Conflicts of Interest

    June 3, 2024: 11:30am - 1:00pm; Dr. Victoria Sharma

    In this session, you will:

    • Explore mentor and trainee relationships and apply best practices as a mentor and mentee.
    • Learn to recognize conflicts of interest (personal, professional, and financial) and learn how to report, manage, or eliminate significant conflicts.


    Lecture Location:
    *Reminder: you should join in person on the days that lectures are held on your home campus unless you have made prior arrangements with the teaching team.

    Discussion Location:

    • The location, dates, and times of program discussion sections are up to the discretion of each program. Please contact your Program Administrator if you do not know where and when your discussion will be held.

This course has been archived and is no longer active.
Content available for reference only. No updates or participation are expected.