Graduate students in chemical sciences at the University of British Columbia may apply to participate in one of several Collaborative Research and Training Experience (CREATE) programs made possible by funding from the Natural Sciences and Engineering Research Council of Canada. Each unique CREATE program provides training experiences designed to prepare students for their future careers.<br/>Our CREATE programs in atmospheric aerosols, sustainable synthesis, and quantum electronic science and technology are designed to add value to traditional graduate programs. Trainees supported by each program are drawn from diverse fields, facilitating the development of interdisciplinary research competencies. Trainees engage in activities designed to improve their teamwork and communication skills, project management ability, teaching ability, and business understanding. Trainees interact with each other, research collaborators, and industry partners at symposia, special training sessions, graduate courses, and research group rotations. Industrial internships provide additional practical experience and encourage graduate mobility.<br/>Each program is evaluated to assess the extent to which its goals are met; a formative evaluation approach is taken, with the findings used to make improvements to the programs. Specifically, the effectiveness of these programs in developing interdisciplinary knowledge, skills and attitudes in their trainees is being explored and enhanced using a range of methods, including interviews, questionnaires, competency-defining surveys (modified Delphi approach) and concept mapping activities.<br/>The outcomes of this work have so far resulted in (i) the development of several teaching and assessment tools applicable to interdisciplinary education, and (ii) the development of a range of best practices applicable to the preparation of graduate-level trainees for interdisciplinary careers, whether within academic research, industry, or beyond.

Evaluation methods and findings for interdisciplinary graduate training programs at UBC<br />

249th National Meeting (2015)

The official archive and repository for all ACS Meetings & Expositions abstracts and select posters or presentations.