Training considerations

Getting credit toward graduation

Undergraduate credit -- BIO 422

You can earn credit toward graduation with a biology degree through the BIO 422, Directed Studies, course mechanism.  Registration for this credit in the DeKrey laboratory requires that you commit to 45 hours of effort per credit.  Dr. DeKrey must complete the registration form with your input.  A final report, or "work product" is also required at the end of the experience. 

The following information will be needed for registration:

• Credit Hours: (This is dependent upon the number of hours that will be dedicated to the experience, with approximately 45 hours per credit, or three hours per week)
• Course Start and End Dates: (Normally the first and last official days of classes for the semester)
• Course Title: (This is something that should be considered carefully and should describe the project that you are working on because it will appear on your transcript)
• Describe the topic of study for the Directed Studies course: (This should be a longer version of the course that gives a more clear description of the significance and rationale for the project -- in other words, the goal of the project)
• Describe the "course objectives/outcomes": (This should outline the specific and measurable actions that you will pursue to achieve the overall goal described above; e.g., measure antibody levels to determine if AhR activation alters them)
• Describe "the general strategy, topics, subject matter, materials, and tasks employed to meet the course objectives/outcomes": (This is where you provide details of how you will pursue the objectives described above; e.g., ELISA methods will be used to measure antibody levels in serum and fecal extracts)

Requirements for the final report:

• It should be approximately one page in length.
• It should include all information about the course such as your name, the name of the instructor of record (Dr. DeKrey), the course number, section, title, goal/hypothesis of the project, objectives of the project, and a brief summary of the methodologies.
• It should include an example of the data generated, an interpretation of the data with an explanation of whether or not the data support expectations (goals/hypotheses).
• It should include a brief self-assessment that addresses how well your efforts met the expectations for the research experience that were established at the beginning of the semester.
• A copy of the report should be provided to Dr. DeKrey and to the biology office.

Regulatory requirements

There are several areas of training that you will need prior to working in the laboratory:

1. Chemical safety training.  This is followed by a quiz (needed yearly in the fall).  You should first review the materials here.  The quiz will be completed through Canvas.  You will receive an invitation to complete the quiz at the start of each fall semester.
2. CITI training.  There are a variety of modules that may be appropriate (needed every five years).  If you have not already done so, please register here as a new user.  The specific training you will need will depend on your project, so check with Dr. DeKrey for guidance.  Once you have completed a module, please be sure to send the certificate of completion link to Dr. DeKrey for archiving purposes. 
3. Best practices of laboratory work.  This will be hands-on practical training with Dr. DeKrey or another experienced person.
4. Occupational health screening.  This screening will identify any concerns based on the potential exposure risks you may experience.  You should obtain the materials from Dr. DeKrey, and complete the form in Appendix C.  Write your social security number at the tip of the form, and then hand-deliver it to Ronald Mills at the Environmental Health & Safety office, Parsons Hall.  This form is covered by federal privacy regulations, so don’t give it to anybody other than this designated person.