University of Pennsylvania

Biomedical Graduate Studies
Responsible Conduct of Research (RCR) and Scientific Rigor and Reproducibility (SRR)

PhD Student Requirements

The overview here summarizes activities for both Responsible Conduct of Research (RCR) and Scientific Rigor and Reproducibility (SRR) together. The activities for each are summarized individually, along with the time expended on them, in the respective ‘Modalities’ sections.

First year

Completion of requirements: No later than June 1

    
Second year

  • Lecture:  Resource Authentication and Transparency (Fall)
  • Workshop:  Research misconduct, data management, and mentor/mentee relationships (Spring; review the relevant case study modules provided in the RCR/SRR website for BGS beforehand)
  • A candidacy exam proposal in which satisfactory attention is given to premise, experimental design, variables, and reagent validation
  • Online:  Responsible Conduct of Research BGS 2nd Year (via KnowledgeLink)

Completion of requirements: No later than June 1

    
Third year

  • Workshop:  Collaborative science, use of animals in research, and use of humans in research (Spring; review the relevant case study modules provided in the RCR/SRR website for BGS beforehand)
  • Online:  Responsible Conduct of Research BGS 3rd Year (via Knowledgelink)
  • RCR-focused lab meeting: Topic(s) to be chosen by Principal Investigator
  • SRR-focused lab meeting: Topic(s) to be chosen by Principal Investigator

Completion of requirements: No later than June 1

    
Fourth year

  • Workshop: Conflict on interest, responsible authorship/publication, peer review (Spring; review the relevant case study modules provided in the RCR/SRR website for BGS beforehand)
  • Online:  Responsible Conduct of Research BGS 4th Year (via Knowledgelink)
  • RCR-focused lab meeting: Topic(s) to be chosen by Principal Investigator
  • SRR-focused lab meeting: Topic(s) to be chosen by Principal Investigator

Completion of requirements: No later than June 1

Fifth year

  • RCR-focused lab meeting: Topic(s) to be chosen by Principal Investigator
  • SRR-focused lab meeting: Topic(s) to be chosen by Principal Investigator

Completion of requirements: No later than June 1