Smoking Research Program
HLS 396
Special Topics: Risk Behavior Change

Department of Community and Preventive Medicine and the James P. Wilmot Cancer Center

Deborah Ossip-Klein, PhD, Director | Scott McIntosh, PhD, Assistant Director

Course Description

HLS 396 Special Topics

Smoking Research Program

University of Rochester
Department of Community and Preventive Medicine
Scott McIntosh, Ph.D., Project Manager
(585) 273-3876

Objectives
Student will become an active member of an integrated and cohesive Research Team over the required two-semester commitment. Student will learn about and participate in all aspects of a multi-county behavioral research project. Student will be exposed to each aspect of research design, project development, subject recruitment, and data processing.

Essays
Student will be asked to complete one essay at the end of the semester. The essay should address (1) what the student has learned throughout the semester, and (2) suggestions to improve the project. Essay need not be longer than one page. The completion and quality of the paper will affect the student’s grade in the course. The essay should be submitted by e-mail to both Dr. McIntosh (scott_mcintosh@urmc.rochester.edu) and to chicclerkship@gmail.com.

Basis for evaluation of the work
Students are responsible for demonstrating learning in a research environment and, if necessary, reporting data or other work for the research team. Reports may be required informally throughout the semester, and formally at the end of the semester (during the Research Meeting). Students are also responsible for completing all necessary hours. Students taking a 4 credit course will complete 9 hours per week for a total of 117 hours per semester(s) (13 weeks). It is the student’s responsibility keep up with their hours and to keep track of all hours in the black book on Eva’s desk. Remember: the end of the semester is busier than the beginning! You don’t want to spend all of reading week working!

The grade of “A” is assigned if the student does not miss more than 3 scheduled work days, is not tardy more than 3 times, performs all required tasks to the best of his or her ability, and can demonstrate basic learning and understanding of Behavioral Science research methods based on projects in the Smoking Research Program. The student must also demonstrate outstanding professionalism as reflected by a strong work ethic and an eagerness to learn as well as completing the required essay. Students receiving an “A” in this course are invited to request a letter of recommendation from Dr. McIntosh, Dr. Ossip-Klein, and/or any other immediate supervisor for purposes of graduate school applications.

The grade of “B” is assigned if the student misses more than 3 but less than 6 scheduled work days, is not tardy more than 6 times, and performs at a level of adequate professionalism. Other grades are assigned based on similar performance objectives. Failure to complete the essay or poor quality of the essay will also have an effect on the grade.

Summer Students
This course description generally applies to students participating during the regular academic year. However, for students participating in the summer, the duties will be similar, but with some variation. Students working over the summer are expected to commit to 8 weeks of full-time work (40 hours/week). If the student is volunteering, number of hours will vary.

Possible Responsibilities

1. Academic Assistant

Assist Project Manager and Coordinators with Academic tasks, such as 1) Scientific Writing and Document Preparation for publications and Grant Applications, 2) Literature Reviews, 3) Paper Reviews 4) Other “Scholarly Activity.” Excellent Preparation for graduate school, medical school, preparation for future academic work etc. Involves taking LAPTOP home, and to library, to complete tasks, and a great deal of independent study and motivation. Project P.A.S.S. was a survey, developed by Dr. McIntosh, Tracy Sesselberg, and Dr. Ossip-Klein. The data from this study will be analyzed, and used in a Grant Application and publication. The Academic Assitant will be a key figure in the write-up of these data, and in the preparation of 1) a Manuscript for publication, and 2) a large Grant Application. Need 1 student.

SUPERVISORS: Dr. McIntosh