The Graduate School

AADV 600. Academic Advising Foundations. 3 Hours.

The purpose of this course is to provide current or aspiring academic advising professionals with a learning environment to enhance their understanding and ability to apply historical developments and theoretical foundations to their advising practices. Students will demonstrate their understanding of NACADA’s core conceptual and informational competencies as well as their ability to apply core relational components of the academic advising profession, the pillars of academic advising, and CAS Standards within the practice.

AADV 610. Assessment in Academic Advising. 3 Hours.

The purpose of this course is to enhance learners’ understanding of and ability to apply assessment within academic advising practices. Learners will articulate why individual and programmatic assessment is important to academic advising practices and will demonstrate their ability to synthesize assessment data into meaningful suggestions for academic advising practice, procedures, and/or policy development.
Prerequisites: AADV 600 [Min Grade: B]

AADV 622. Academic Advising Administration. 3 Hours.

This course reviews issues related to the administration of academic advising. With a focus on practical skills and actionable insights, students will examine American higher education's organization and administrative structures, legal and ethical considerations, academic advising program integration with institution mission and strategic plans, evaluation and assessment, and academic advisor support and growth.

AADV 630. Seminar in Academic Advising. 3 Hours.

This course will provide you with opportunities to practice a specific skill or competency associated with career success or advancement within the academic advising field. Academic Advisors serve to support the academic, career, and personal development and success of students as they persist towards degree completion. The purpose of this seminar is to provide you with opportunities to enhance your abilities to support students in developmentally appropriate ways that align with their academic, career, and/or personal goals.

AADV 631. Academic Advising and Transfer Students. 3 Hours.

Academic Advisors serve to support the academic, career, and personal development and success of students as they persist towards degree completion. The purpose of this seminar is to provide you with opportunities to enhance your abilities to support transfer students in developmentally appropriate ways that align with their academic, career, and/or personal goals.

GRD 600. Core Issues in Aging. 3 Hours.

A multidisciplinary approach will be used to consider dimensions of the aging process. This course explores individual and societal meanings of aging and old age through the study of the biological, psychological and sociological changes accompanying aging as well as current issues and controversies in the study of aging.

GRD 617. Critical Thinking and Decision Making. 3 Hours.

This course examines critical thinking, decision making, sensemaking, and adaptation in relation to expertise. Students will develop their capacities for monitoring and improving decision-making and critical thinking.

GRD 690. IGS Capstone: Research to Practice. 1-6 Hour.

This is the Capstone course for the Interdisciplinary Graduate Studies degree. The course addresses the research to practice cycle for professional practitioners. Focuses on developing skills and knowledge for understanding, critiquing, and applying research to practice, as well as the role of practitioners in identifying additional areas of needed research. Course may only be taken during the semester in which the learner is completing their IGS program. Learners will demonstrate their understanding, as well as abilities to apply and evaluate, critical thinking skills, deconstruct research reports, and synthesize a program or project proposals in order to facilitate success within their professional field. Learners are required to engage in readings, discussions, learning activities, and ultimately disseminate their final program, project, practice or policy proposal publicly.

GRD 703. Special Topics. 1-4 Hour.

This course addresses topics of current interest related to professional development.

GRD 704. Specialized Instruction. 1-9 Hour.

This individualized course addresses particular communication needs of students actively writing theses, dissertations, articles for publication, and grant proposals. Individual plans approved by instructor are required.

GRD 709. Writing Fellowships. 3 Hours.

This course is designed for current graduate students and postdoctoral scholars who are seeking to enhance their skills in writing successful grant applications. Writing Fellowships provides a comprehensive overview of the grant application process, from understanding funding agencies to developing and submitting proposals. Learners will gain insights into various external funding agencies, will develop a broad understanding of the administrative processes involved in grant management, will learn about the essential components needed for a compelling grant application and will create a complete grant application tailored to an external funding agency. Learners will acquire the skills necessary to navigate the competitive landscape of grant funding successfully.

GRD 710. Career Workshop for Graduate Students. 1 Hour.

This workshop introduces a variety of career choices for students working on advanced degrees in the life sciences. Topics may include sources of career information, self-assessment, resume construction, interviewing, using new technologies in job searches, career choices, the hidden job market, networking, and negotiating.

GRD 711. Special Topics. 1-3 Hour.

This course addresses topics of current interest related to professional communication, career development, and ethics.

GRD 713. Mentoring 101. 1 Hour.

This course examines foundational mentoring skills, emphasizing effective communication, goal setting, and fostering supportive relationships. Students will explore practical strategies to enhance their mentoring practice in diverse contexts.

GRD 715. Preparing TAs to Be Effective Teachers. 2 Hours.

Prepares teaching assistants (TA) to meet the educational needs of undergraduate students by developing effective teaching practices. Topics include preparing to teach, presenting material effectively, handling questions, handling difficult students and situations, leading laboratory sections, and ethical issues related to teaching.

GRD 717. Principles of Scientific Integrity. 3 Hours.

Surveys ethical issues and principles in the practice of science.

GRD 730. Developing and Managing Your Professional Image. 3 Hours.

This course is designed to raise student awareness of their professional image. Topics include professional perception, polishing professional image, adjusting to professional contexts, and professional image and social media.

GRD 735. Leadership 101. 1 Hour.

Introduces foundational leadership theories and concepts for effective leadership practice.

GRD 740. UAB Prep Scholar Workshop. 1-3 Hour.

This course will provide extensive professional development activities to prepare UAB PREP Scholars for entry into graduate school.

GRD 741. UAB PREP Scholar Workshop I. 1-3 Hour.

This course will provide writing and other enrichment activities to prepare UAB PREP Scholars for entry into graduate school.

GRD 742. UAB PREP Scholar Workshop III. 1-3 Hour.

This course will provide extensive professional development activities to prepare UAB PREP Scholars for entry into graduate school.

GRD 743. Critical Thinking and Quantitative Concepts. 3 Hours.

The goal of this course is to enhance students' critical thinking skills in the context of rigorous experimental design and quantitative analysis. Specifically, students will engage in activities that explore robust and unbiased approaches toward analysis, interpretation, and reporting of experimental results.

GRD 745. Communication and Diversity Leadership. 3 Hours.

Upon completion of the course, students will be able to explain, analyze, and apply approaches to leading and communicating in diverse communities.

GRD 755. CIRTL Teaching Practicum. 3 Hours.

This CIRTL course provides students a structured observation and practicum experience in which they shadow a faculty member as he/she teaches a semester-long course and engage in a variety of guided teaching activities.

GRD 770. Intro to Biostats. 2-3 Hours.

This course is intended to provide graduate students with an introduction to biostatistics. The emphasis in this course will be upon understanding statistical concepts and applying and interpreting tests of statistical inference. Content will include but not be limited to: choosing the correct test for a given research design, data and data files, data screening, scaling, visual representations of data, descriptive statistics, correlation and simple regression, sampling distributions, and the assumptions associated with and the application of selected inferential statistical procedures (including t-tests, Chi-square, and ANOVA). Computer software (SPSS) will be employed to assist in the analysis of data for this course. Students should have access to a computer, SPSS software, and the Internet.

GRD 771. ePortfolio Workshop. 1 Hour.

Learn how to Build a personalized website to host your Teaching and/or Mentoring Portfolio or for personal branding/ promotion.

GRD 776. Blazer Fellows Introduction to Professional Development. 3 Hours.

GRD 776 is a 3-credit course for Blazer Fellows to introduce professional development tools and skills that will be necessary and useful for doctoral students' professional career.

GRD 790. Research/Lab Rotation. 1-10 Hour.

Graduate Lab Rotation Used by MD/PhD Students first summer semester.

IGS 690. Capstone: Research to Practice. 3 Hours.

This is the Capstone course for the Interdisciplinary Graduate Studies degree. The course addresses the research to practice cycle for professional practitioners. Focuses on developing skills and knowledge for understanding, critiquing, and applying research to practice, as well as the role of practitioners in identifying additional areas of needed research. Course may only be taken during the semester in which the learner is completing their IGS program. Learners will demonstrate their understanding, as well as abilities to apply and evaluate, critical thinking skills, deconstruct research reports, and synthesize a program or project proposals in order to facilitate success within their professional field. Learners are required to engage in readings, discussions, learning activities, and ultimately disseminate their final program, project, practice or policy proposal publicly.

LEAD 500. Introduction to Leadership Theory and Behavior. 3 Hours.

This course introduces the academic study of leadership. Students will examine and evaluate leadership theories and concepts, and consider the relevance of leadership models for their own experiences.

LEAD 520. Ethics in the Workplace. 3 Hours.

This course provides a foundation for ethical leadership practice in the workplace and society. Students will explore different ethical perspectives, examine case studies, and reflect on how leadership can contribute to the common good.

LEAD 540. Team Development and Dynamics. 3 Hours.

This course introduces teams and teamwork. Students will consider how to develop and improve teams.

LEAD 560. Leadership and Professional Development Workshop. 1-3 Hour.

Subject matter in this course will vary to in order to promote workshop specific leadership skill acquisition not addressed in other LEAD courses based upon assessed needs.

LEAD 580. Lead Transformational Change. 3 Hours.

This course examines individual and organizational transformation. Students will explore how to initiate and support learning, development, and change.

LEAD 590. Addressing Leadership Challenges. 3 Hours.

This course explores how to effectively diagnose interpersonal, organizational, or societal challenges and develop effective leadership responses to these challenges. This course serves as a capstone for the Leadership and Professional Development Certificate.

MENT 680. Promoting Professional Effectiveness. 3 Hours.

This course provides an interdisciplinary approach to critically reflective practice, a rigorous form of critical thinking. Students will identify and apply the foundations of reflective practice to their own experiences.

MENT 713. Mentoring 101. 1 Hour.

This course examines foundational mentoring skills, emphasizing effective communication, goal setting, and fostering supportive relationships. Students will explore practical strategies to enhance their mentoring practice in diverse contexts.

MENT 719. Introduction to Mentoring and Leadership. 3 Hours.

This course examines mentorship theories and practices, focusing on cultivating mentor-mentee relationships within professional contexts.

MENT 730. Developing and Managing Your Professional Image. 3 Hours.

This course is designed to raise student awareness of their professional image. Topics include professional perception, polishing professional image, adjusting to professional contexts, and professional image and social media.

MENT 746. Critical Decisions in Mentoring. 3 Hours.

This course explores the critical thinking skills related to the decision making processes for mentors.

RECM 701. Oral and Visual Communication. 3 Hours.

This course enhances presentation and communication skills, including how to effectively communicate scientific and technical research. Students will learn the principles of public speaking, presentation design, and visual storytelling to engage diverse audiences.

RECM 707. Presenting Effectively. 1 Hour.

Provides an overview of giving effective oral presentations in academic and professional settings. Topics include analyzing audience and purpose, characteristics of an effective delivery, strategies for planning and design, handling questions and answers, boosting confidence, and using technology in presentations. One-day workshop.

RECM 708. Writing Successfully. 1 Hour.

Addresses issues involved in writing for academic and professional settings. Topics include analyzing audience and purpose, addressing common writing problems, developing effective writing practices, writing for publication, communicating research to the general public, and productivity strategies for writers. One-day workshop.

RECM 722. Writing Research for Broad Audiences. 3 Hours.

This course investigates the study and practice of science and research communication, specifically how to effectively communicate scientific and technical information to various audiences. Students will explore the relationship between scientific, technical, and research communication and effective storytelling.

RECM 727. Writing & Reviewing Research. 3 Hours.

Introduces writers to research writing “best practices,” criteria for evaluating writing, plus editing and peer review. Writers analyze and write short, strategic texts (on their own topics) in 5 research genres – critiques, annotated bibliographies, introductions, empirical, and review articles – based on peer and instructor feedback, for a draft presentation or proposal. For anyone writing course papers, theses, and/or proposals.

RECM 729. Writing a Journal Article in 12 Weeks. 3 Hours.

Introduces writers to a systematic approach to writing a journal article, including essential structures, stylistic conventions, and smart strategies for planning and completing projects under a deadline. Writers begin with their own working manuscripts (unpublished course paper, thesis, dissertation, etc.), identify a target journal, and draft short, strategic sections, based on peer review and instructor feedback, to create a final submission, per author’s guidelines. For anyone with active publishing goals.

RECM 739. Research Communication Portfolio. 3 Hours.

Students will develop a professional portfolio that showcases their science and research communication capacities. Course reviews best practices for producing science and research communication for non-specialist audiences.

RECM 745. Research Communication and Diverse Audiences. 3 Hours.

A critical examination of the capacities required for evaluating and producing science and research communication for diverse audiences in a pluralistic society. Students will be prepared to situate science and research communication in diverse interpersonal, institutional, social, political, and cultural contexts, and employ effective communication strategies related to controversial scientific and technical topics.

RLM 706. Grants and Fellowships 101. 1 Hour.

This course introduces the extramural funding process. Topics include types of awards, funding sources, components of an application, the review process, and writing effective grant proposals. One-day workshop.

RLM 773. Research Lab Management. 3 Hours.

Research Lab Management is a comprehensive course designed to prepare students for the multifaceted responsibilities of managing a research laboratory. This course covers the essential elements required to develop and effective research lab management plan, including leadership and mentoring styles, regulatory compliance, and data management policies. Learners will engage in practical exercises to asses and design personalized management plans, ensuring they are well-equipped to lead and mentor within a research environment.

RLM 774. Introduction to Regulatory Compliance. 1 Hour.

This course provides an overview of essential regulatory frameworks and compliance requirements governing research laboratories in academic and clinical settings. Students will learn how to identify, interpret, and apply federal, state, and institutional regulations to ensure safe, ethical, and legally compliant research practices. Emphasis will be placed on practical strategies for maintaining compliance in day-to-day lab operations.

RLM 775. Research Lab Safety. 1 Hour.

This course introduces essential principles and practices for maintaining a safe research laboratory environment. It covers chemical, biological, and physical hazards, emergency preparedness, and institutional safety protocols. Students will learn how to identify risks, implement preventive measures, and comply with federal, state, and institutional safety standards. One day workshop.