Academic Progression and Procedures

BBC Journal Club Requirements

In order to reflect changing program needs and considerable enlargement of student groups, BP, CCB, and Bioinformatics established its own formal journal club with the following ground rules:

Two talks per student required: one talk for first year students; one talk for second year students
Two presenters per session; complementary distribution (1 CCB + 1 Bioinformatics, or 1 BP +1 CCB or 1 BP + 1 Bioinformatics)
Genentech Auditorium, Tuesdays 10:45am-12pm

Faculty Coaches

First year students: Two faculty coaches per speaker, preferably one who is experienced in the journal club process
Second year students: Two coaches; one faculty member, and either one postdoc, SRA or senior student
May not be 2nd yr student’s PI
PI of speaker to attend
Both coaches present at talk; one will submit formal review for student record

Faculty Coach Duties

Approve choice of paper
Provide guidance to student as requested
Rehearse student until acceptable performance is achieved
Attend journal club and discuss presentation with student afterwards
Provide written evaluation to program administrator for academic file

Students

In a timely fashion (one month before assigned date):

Arrange for faculty coaches and identify lead coach Must be done at least three weeks in advance to ensure adequate time for practice talks
1st year students: Paper should not be related to student’s primary or undergraduate research
2nd year students: Paper should be from a different field (i.e. Bioinformatics students should do an experimental paper)
Submit article and justification to coaches for approval Paper should be current, scientifically significant, and of broad interest to three groups; coaches can veto choice if above criteria not demonstrated
Submit presentation title, approved article, and choice of coaches to: Rebecca Brown at rbrown@cgl.ucsf.edu
Organize coaching appointments and practice talk
If assigned date is in conflict with schedule, arrange an alternate date with another speaker and inform administration
Invite PI to attend

Administration

Devise year-long schedule in August
Send out reminders to students
Record coaches chosen
Database of articles chosen
Follow-up to students and coaches as necessary
Distribute flyers