EECS Graduate Student Professionalism Skills, Difference, Power and Descrimination (DPD), and Responsible Conduct of Research (RCR)



This is an introductory course that centers on three learning outcomes:

  1. Recognize difference, power and discrimination within social systems and their influence on people of diverse backgrounds both inside and outside their discipline.
  2. Identify how to conduct scholarly activities in an ethical manner.
  3. Learn professionalism skills useful to you as an EECS Graduate student (eg, time management, conflict resolution, etc.)

All three of these learning outcomes will be important to your success here at OSU and to your ability to win and succeed at a professional job/career in EECS after you graduate. The second learning outcome is also required for all OSU graduate students. A passing grade in this course can be used to indicate that you have met the latter learning outcome on your program of study.

Grading and Grades

A passing grade will be given to students who:

Deadlines are firm; if you need an extension, it must be approved before the assignment's deadline.

Grades to date, as of: 10/2/2016, 10/24/2016, 10/26/2016, 11/2/2016, 11/7/2016, 11/25/2016, 11/25/2016 updated, 11/27/2016, 11/29/2016, 12/1/2016 .


Schedule and Readings

Because about 1/3 of the class will be done online via the CITI Ethical Training modules, we'll average only 2 hours per week meeting in person. The meeting schedule below achieves this average.


RCR Online Assignments

Some of your assignments will add up to passing the online Responsible Conduct of Research (RCR) training.

  • Q: When to do these? A: Schedule of RCR assignments
  • Q: Where to do the assignments? A: here.
  • Q: Which online RCR course? A: Select this one: Responsible Conduct of Research for Engineers.
  • Q: What does "passing" mean? A: You have to get a score of 80% or higher.
  • Q: How to turn it in: A: Email proof of passing the assigned module to Dr. Burnett by the due date (a screenshot from CITI showing that you passed that module is fine).
  • Q: Further instructions? A: go here

Slides and Useful Materials

Other Resources

  • To report an incident of harassment, bullying or discrimination at OSU: go here.
  • To report an incident of bias (e.g. due to racism or bigotry): go here.
  • To report an ethics violation at OSU: go here.
  • If you are an instructor, to report a student conduct violation, go here.