Curriculum

 

Participants are required to attend and participate in all SHURP activities including Orientations, PhD Admissions, Science Communication Sessions, Career and Professional Development Sessions, Peer Mentoring Events, the Leadership Alliance National Symposium, and the Final Research Presentations.

In addition to a Pre-Arrival Virtual Orientation, an in-person Orientation will be held on the first day of the program and will include an overview of Harvard University, Harvard Medical School, and available resources at participants' disposal. The Program Co-Directors, Program Coordinator, and Peer Mentor Coordinators will be in attendance to answer questions regarding research, labs, on campus resources, housing, and program requirements and expectations. Following the Orientation, participants will meet their lab mentors and pick up their Harvard ID cards.

PhD Admissions Sessions are typically held from 9:00-10:30 AM every Tuesday or 5:30-7:00 PM every Thursday. Topics typically include: 

  • An Overview of the PhD Admissions and Application Process
  • PhD Admissions Panel
  • Harvard Summer and Postbac Programs Graduate School Fair
  • PhD Application Essays Workshop
  • Letters of Recommendation

Career and Professional Development Sessions are typically held from 9:00-10:30 AM every Tuesday or 5:30-7:00 PM every Thursday. Topics typically include:  

  • "What Can You Do with a Science PhD?" Career Panel
  • Networking and Conferences

Science Communication sessions are typically held from 5:00-7:00 PM every Thursday and give SHURP participants the opportunity to discuss their research projects with other participants. Topics typically include (but are not limited to):

  • Intro to Scientific Narratives and Elevator Pitches
  • Elevator Pitches (practice sessions)
  • Giving Effective Scientific Presentations
  • Research Discussion Sessions (with faculty and grad students)
  • How To Put Together a Poster Presentation

Responsible Conduct of Research

The Responsible Conduct of Research (RCR) series includes sessions on Scientific Record Keeping, Maintaining Integrity in the Digital Imaging Age, Ethical Use of AI, and Life in the Lab. This series is meant to give participants the tools necessary to ensure rigor and reproducibility in their research.

Leadership Alliance National Symposium (LANS)

Participants in the Program are required to attend the Leadership Alliance National Symposium meeting typically held at the end of July each year. The program brings participants to the symposium where they will present posters and participate in the activities which take place over a long weekend. More information about LANS can be found here. 

Final Research Presentations

Participants in the Program are required to deliver an oral presentation as the culmination of their research project.

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Advising

After accepting their offer of admission, incoming participants will communicate with the SHURP Co-Directors about their research interests and specific faculty of interest to determine lab placement. Depending upon faculty availability, participants will be placed in labs based on the availability of advisors. However, the program cannot guarantee placement in any specific lab. In addition, each student will have a designated lab mentor (graduate student or postdoc) who will work with the advisor to ensure a smooth transition into the lab and act as their day-to-day primary supervisor.

Throughout the program, there will be advising meetings between the participants and Program Co-Directors. In addition, participants will be paired with a current graduate student outside of their lab and will meet with this peer mentor and other peer mentors during various outings and events arranged by the Peer Mentor Coordinators. Participants are strongly encouraged to arrange additional meetings as needed/desired with all available resources.