Full Syllabus

Adventures in Science: Issues, Careers, Research, Ethics and More

Focus: Data Science (DTSC) • Spring 2026 • CRN 76981 • Section 003

Course Information

Instruction and format

Schedule Type: Seminar (In-Person)

Instructor: Zhe Fei, Department of Statistics

Email: zhef@ucr.edu

Office Hours: TBD

Meeting Time: Tuesday, 2:00 PM to 2:50 PM

Location: Olmsted 1429

Description

Course description and prerequisites

Seminar, 1 to 2 hours. An introduction to the major, interesting issues and related research, and the avenues available to students who attain a degree in that major.

Specific topics include research and academic ethics, career pathways, study habits, and the application of the major to current issues and careers.

Prerequisites: Freshman standing, or consent of instructor.

Learning Outcomes

By the end of the course, students will

  • Develop skills that help with academic engagement inside and outside of the classroom.
  • Establish connections to fellow CNAS students and faculty in the major.
  • Become familiar with research and extracurricular opportunities related to the area of study.
  • Learn about ethics in research and scholarship.
  • Start becoming familiar with a range of scientific careers and career pathways related to the major.
  • Explore how to find and communicate scientific information.

Grading

Evaluation and thresholds

Attendance 30 points
Participation 20 points
Assignments 50 points

Students earn an S grade based on assignments, participation, and attendance.

Satisfactory (S): 70-100%

No Credit (NC): 69% or below

Documented attendance at certain events counts as extra credit.

Assignments

Course work

Homework 1

Each group proposes two topics to investigate and present in weeks 9 and 10. The topic can be any scientific topic the group wants to learn more about through a 15 minute presentation and Q&A, with 10 minutes for the presentation and 5 minutes for questions and answers.

Homework 2

Answer a series of questions about the research paper discussed in class.

Homework 3

Write an essay reflecting on career goals and plans to use opportunities in the major and through extracurricular activities.

Homework 4

Submit a group photo of more than 3 people attending a campus event lasting at least an hour outside formal class affairs. This can be a party, a volunteer event, a hike to the botanic garden, or a similar activity intended to help the class get to know each other better. In the submission, briefly describe the event you attended and include any questions or issues you would like to discuss during the final lecture time.

Homework 5

Student presentations. Groups will identify a topic they are curious about, investigate it, and present it to the class.

Schedule

10-week course schedule

Week 1
Introductions, icebreakers, small groups, and project assignments.
Week 2
Faculty research, career paths, expectations. Due: Homework 1.
Week 3
Study habits and how to thrive in college and in the major.
Week 4
Reading research articles with a Data Science and Statistics focus. Due: Homework 2.
Week 5
Academic and research integrity with small-group scenario work.
Week 6
Science career exploration with alumni guest speakers.
Week 7
HPAC guest speaker and career focus assessment. Due: Homework 3.
Week 8
Undergraduate research guest speaker. Due: Homework 4.
Week 9
Student presentations. Due: Homework 5.
Week 10
Student presentations.

Policies and Resources

Course policies

Attendance and Participation

  • Attendance is required.
  • The majority of points in this course rely on active, engaged attendance.
  • If you must miss class because of sickness, notify the instructor as soon as possible.
  • Students who do not participate in the full class without a valid excuse lose participation points for that day.

Academic Integrity

  • Cheating, fabrication, plagiarism, and facilitating academic dishonesty are not tolerated.
  • UCR conduct policy: conduct.ucr.edu

Disability Services

  • UC Riverside is committed to equal access for students with documented disabilities.
  • Students should contact the Student Disability Resource Center to request classroom accommodations.

Campus Support Services