Ram 303 Course Syllabus

RAM 303 – Research Experience | 3 Cr.       
Prerequisites: RAM 201 (Preferred)

Catalog Course Description:
This hands-on research experience with a faculty mentor is the culminating experience for students enrolled in the Research Aligned Mentorship (RAM) program. Students will be placed in research experiences on the Farmingdale Campus or off-campus in major universities, research laboratories, businesses, industry, government, horticultural gardens, and other settings that fit their academic interests and career goals.

Course Learning Outcomes:
In addition to learning objectives outlined in the submitted “Agreement Form” (see below), students generally should gain:

• a deeper understanding of the research or problem-solving process in their field
• strong research, analytical, problem-solving, and project management skills
• increased knowledge about the subject of the research project
• collaborative skills with others, exhibiting respect for the perspectives and contributions of others
• increased clarity about career and graduate/professional school options

Goals/Outcomes Beyond RAM 303:

In addition, for some students, the experience of RAM 303-312 will provide them with the credentials that will make them strong candidates for subsequent external funded research experiences such as NSF Research Experiences of Undergraduates (REUs) and the National Institutes of Health Undergraduate Scholarship Program. The RAM staff will assist students in applying for such opportunities. Mentors may also help with submitting these applications, including applications for graduate and professional school admission and scholarships.

Course Requirements:
Prior to beginning RAM 303 research or internship experience, the RAM Scholar is required to consult with the FSC RAM research director and with either the FSC faculty research mentor or the internship site supervisor at the workplace regarding the scope of the project and expectations. Those preliminary discussions will lead to the drafting of a research/internship AGREEMENT that is to be signed by all parties. This signed Agreement must be submitted to the RAM research director prior to the start of the semester and/or the start of the experience. The specifics of the research/internship assignments (including work schedule and desired learning objectives) will be set forth in the agreement. Furthermore, if the placement is off-campus, the student must also sign the “Acknowledgement, Waiver, and Release of Off-Campus Internships or Research Placements.” Generally, a student will engage in mentored research or will “work” at the internship site for at least 90 hours (typically 6-10 hours per week) during the 14 weeks of the enrolled semester. The student is also required to meet with the assigned RAM Research Director, participating in three coordinating seminar meetings or other arranged consultation that will normally be scheduled for the 1st week, 4th week, and 11th week of the semester. Requirements for completion of RAM 303 include:

• The Agreement that includes a Statement of “Learning Objectives”
• Weekly log of hours worked
• Weekly journal reflections providing evidence of research/internship experience as well as reflections on learning and personal growth internship experiences.
• Conscientious participation in the coordinating seminar or other arranged meetings with the RAM Research Director (Effective Fall 2019)
• Mid-Term and Final Evaluations submitted by the Student RAM Scholar
• Student’s Confidential Evaluation of the Mentor/Supervisor
• Mid-term and Final Evaluations submitted by the Faculty Mentor or Site Supervisor
• In addition, optional informational interviews with other researchers or with staff at the internship site may provide the student with a unique experiential portfolio.
• Finally, the RAM Scholar is expected to meet any requirements specified by his/her major department.

**See RAM 303 Guidebook for more details.**

Grading in this class:
Agreement Form                       10%

Weekly Log of Hours                 20%

Weekly Journal Reflections        20%

Mid-Term & Final Evaluations    50%

Total:    100%

Farmingdale Grading System:

Please see the College Catalog for the current Farmingdale State College Grading System.

Cancelation of Classes:
Weather and other campus-wide cancellations will be listed on the home page, Facebook and Twitter and you can also sign up for RAVE and SUNY Alert. Go to the Rave web page and use your Farmingdale user ID and password to enter the site.  For SUNY-Alert, please visit the University Police web page. Consult mentor or site supervisor for specific expectations regarding the cancelation of classes.

Electronic Devices Policy:
Consult mentor or site supervisor for specific expectations regarding the cancelation of classes.

Attendance Policy:
Consult mentor or site supervisor for specific expectations regarding the cancelation of classes.

Religious Absences:
If you are unable to attend meetings or work hours on certain days due to religious beliefs, please consult with your mentor or supervisor well in advance so that appropriate accommodation can be made.

Use of Email:
It is College policy that instructors and students use the Farmingdale email system or the Brightspace email system to contact one another.

Copyright Statement:
Course material accessed from Brightspace or the Farmingdale website is for the exclusive use of students who are currently enrolled in the course. Content from these systems cannot be reused or distributed without written permission of the instructor and/or the copyright holder. Duplication of materials protected by copyright, without permission of the copyright holder, is a violation of the Federal copyright law, as well as a violation of SUNY copyright policy.

Disability Services Center:

If you have a disability for which you are or may be requesting an accommodation, you are encouraged to contact both your instructor and the Disability Services Center, Roosevelt Hall, Room 151, or call 631-420-2411, or 420–2607 as soon as possible this semester.

Academic Integrity Policy

Because intellectual honesty is a cornerstone of all academic and scholarly work, each member of the Farmingdale State College campus community is expected to maintain academic integrity. Farmingdale State College has developed regulations concerning academic dishonesty and integrity to protect all students and to maintain an ethical academic environment. For more information, click the updated link for the Academic Integrity Policy.

It is important for you to understand the concept of plagiarism. Plagiarism is intentionally representing the words, images or ideas of another as one’s own in any academic exercise. This includes words, images or ideas in either print or electronic format. 

Student Code of Conduct
The President of the College and the Vice President for Student Affairs recognize the rights of designees including University Police, to enforce all regulations, policies, license agreements, laws and codes on campus. If any individual allegedly violates the laws, Student Code of Conduct or campus policies, a President’s designee will institute proceedings against the offender (s). For more information on the student code of conduct, see the Code of Conduct section in the current Student Handbook, or choose Code of Conduct from the A-Z Links.

University Police
631-420-2111