GRD-Graduate School

GRD 600. Core Issues in Aging. 3 Hours.

A multidisciplinary approach will be used to consider dimensions of the aging process. This course explores individual and societal meanings of aging and old age through the study of the biological, psychological and sociological changes accompanying aging as well as current issues and controversies in the study of aging.

GRD 617. Critical Thinking and Decision Making. 3 Hours.

This course examines critical thinking, decision making, sensemaking, and adaptation in relation to expertise. Students will develop their capacities for monitoring and improving decision-making and critical thinking.

GRD 690. IGS Capstone: Research to Practice. 1-6 Hour.

This is the Capstone course for the Interdisciplinary Graduate Studies degree. The course addresses the research to practice cycle for professional practitioners. Focuses on developing skills and knowledge for understanding, critiquing, and applying research to practice, as well as the role of practitioners in identifying additional areas of needed research. Course may only be taken during the semester in which the learner is completing their IGS program. Learners will demonstrate their understanding, as well as abilities to apply and evaluate, critical thinking skills, deconstruct research reports, and synthesize a program or project proposals in order to facilitate success within their professional field. Learners are required to engage in readings, discussions, learning activities, and ultimately disseminate their final program, project, practice or policy proposal publicly.

GRD 703. Special Topics. 1-4 Hour.

This course addresses topics of current interest related to professional development.

GRD 704. Specialized Instruction. 1-9 Hour.

This individualized course addresses particular communication needs of students actively writing theses, dissertations, articles for publication, and grant proposals. Individual plans approved by instructor are required.

GRD 709. Writing Fellowships. 3 Hours.

This course is designed for current graduate students and postdoctoral scholars who are seeking to enhance their skills in writing successful grant applications. Writing Fellowships provides a comprehensive overview of the grant application process, from understanding funding agencies to developing and submitting proposals. Learners will gain insights into various external funding agencies, will develop a broad understanding of the administrative processes involved in grant management, will learn about the essential components needed for a compelling grant application and will create a complete grant application tailored to an external funding agency. Learners will acquire the skills necessary to navigate the competitive landscape of grant funding successfully.

GRD 710. Career Workshop for Graduate Students. 1 Hour.

This workshop introduces a variety of career choices for students working on advanced degrees in the life sciences. Topics may include sources of career information, self-assessment, resume construction, interviewing, using new technologies in job searches, career choices, the hidden job market, networking, and negotiating.

GRD 711. Special Topics. 1-3 Hour.

This course addresses topics of current interest related to professional communication, career development, and ethics.

GRD 713. Mentoring 101. 1 Hour.

This course examines foundational mentoring skills, emphasizing effective communication, goal setting, and fostering supportive relationships. Students will explore practical strategies to enhance their mentoring practice in diverse contexts.

GRD 715. Preparing TAs to Be Effective Teachers. 2 Hours.

Prepares teaching assistants (TA) to meet the educational needs of undergraduate students by developing effective teaching practices. Topics include preparing to teach, presenting material effectively, handling questions, handling difficult students and situations, leading laboratory sections, and ethical issues related to teaching.

GRD 717. Principles of Scientific Integrity. 3 Hours.

Surveys ethical issues and principles in the practice of science.

GRD 730. Developing and Managing Your Professional Image. 3 Hours.

This course is designed to raise student awareness of their professional image. Topics include professional perception, polishing professional image, adjusting to professional contexts, and professional image and social media.

GRD 735. Leadership 101. 1 Hour.

Introduces foundational leadership theories and concepts for effective leadership practice.

GRD 740. UAB Prep Scholar Workshop. 1-3 Hour.

This course will provide extensive professional development activities to prepare UAB PREP Scholars for entry into graduate school.

GRD 741. UAB PREP Scholar Workshop I. 1-3 Hour.

This course will provide writing and other enrichment activities to prepare UAB PREP Scholars for entry into graduate school.

GRD 742. UAB PREP Scholar Workshop III. 1-3 Hour.

This course will provide extensive professional development activities to prepare UAB PREP Scholars for entry into graduate school.

GRD 743. Critical Thinking and Quantitative Concepts. 3 Hours.

The goal of this course is to enhance students' critical thinking skills in the context of rigorous experimental design and quantitative analysis. Specifically, students will engage in activities that explore robust and unbiased approaches toward analysis, interpretation, and reporting of experimental results.

GRD 745. Communication and Diversity Leadership. 3 Hours.

Upon completion of the course, students will be able to explain, analyze, and apply approaches to leading and communicating in diverse communities.

GRD 755. CIRTL Teaching Practicum. 3 Hours.

This CIRTL course provides students a structured observation and practicum experience in which they shadow a faculty member as he/she teaches a semester-long course and engage in a variety of guided teaching activities.

GRD 770. Intro to Biostats. 2-3 Hours.

This course is intended to provide graduate students with an introduction to biostatistics. The emphasis in this course will be upon understanding statistical concepts and applying and interpreting tests of statistical inference. Content will include but not be limited to: choosing the correct test for a given research design, data and data files, data screening, scaling, visual representations of data, descriptive statistics, correlation and simple regression, sampling distributions, and the assumptions associated with and the application of selected inferential statistical procedures (including t-tests, Chi-square, and ANOVA). Computer software (SPSS) will be employed to assist in the analysis of data for this course. Students should have access to a computer, SPSS software, and the Internet.

GRD 771. ePortfolio Workshop. 1 Hour.

Learn how to Build a personalized website to host your Teaching and/or Mentoring Portfolio or for personal branding/ promotion.

GRD 776. Blazer Fellows Introduction to Professional Development. 3 Hours.

GRD 776 is a 3-credit course for Blazer Fellows to introduce professional development tools and skills that will be necessary and useful for doctoral students' professional career.

GRD 790. Research/Lab Rotation. 1-10 Hour.

Graduate Lab Rotation Used by MD/PhD Students first summer semester.