Two years into a Ph.D. program in the biological science (in the US) and I am in a lab doing research. The lab I'm in takes a hand-off approach to our research, so much of the motivation to do projects must come from me. Unfortunately I'm the kind of person who needs deadlines and strong guidance, and without these two things I've begun to drift a little. Any tips for keeping my eyes on the prize and staying immersed in my field? [more inside]
posted by Archibald Edmund Binns on Feb 1, 2013 - 8 answers

Science grad school application filter: I have informally (but explicitly) accepted a graduate assistant position (in conservation biology) at my current undergraduate institution. I am now having second thoughts and am wondering what, if anything, I should do about it. Help me, Hive Mind! I don't know what to do! [more inside]
posted by anonymous on Nov 28, 2012 - 8 answers

What U.S. research labs conduct bonobo research, preferably at nearby research facilities? I'm looking into summer internships and graduate schools. [more inside]
posted by lemoncakeisalie on Oct 19, 2012 - 10 answers

I am a senior undergraduate biology student who wants to become a conservation biologist and a professor. I work part-time in a lab at my university, and my principal investigator recently made me an offer that on the face of it seems pretty great. Should I take it? [more inside]
posted by Scientist on Sep 24, 2012 - 28 answers

I am in my 7th year of a science Ph.D. at MIT and I need to graduate. I have invested an incredible amount of time and energy in this process, and I definitely have a Ph.D. level of skills and knowledge by now. 7 years is not outside the norm for my department. The problem is that a number of circumstances occurring in a row have lead to a bad/toxic relationship with my advisor and slow performance on my part. [more inside]
posted by anonymous on May 7, 2012 - 11 answers

Graduate School: Can I ? Should I? Where? [more inside]
posted by anonymous on Apr 17, 2011 - 9 answers

Four days ago, my partner got an email from her #1 grad school choice that sounded good. How excited should we be? I know there are many variables at work here that neither you nor we can know at this time, but I want to know if I can be excited and happy or if I should try to calm myself down. I know many people here are phD's from the hard sciences as well and I am hoping you can provide some perspective. Here are the details: [more inside]
posted by anonymous on Jan 22, 2011 - 27 answers

I am planning on doing biomedical engineering next year as part of a coursework master's. What bio-related job and career options will I have? [more inside]
posted by strekker on Dec 29, 2010 - 6 answers

Beyond the stacks - what library e-resources shouldn't I miss as a new grad student? [more inside]
posted by deludingmyself on Jul 14, 2010 - 16 answers

I’m starting grad school in chemistry in a few months and I am looking for Mac/web apps that are useful to help keep a science grad student organized…citations, notations on papers, brainstorming, etc. Any ideas?
posted by stevechemist on Mar 10, 2010 - 26 answers

How have you reconciled failure vs. quitting? How have you managed to pick up the pieces of your most passionate undertaking after dropping it? Is the desire to reinvent myself and undertake a new passion/direction just a mechanism to hide the pain of giving up? [more inside]
posted by Gaeacon on Nov 24, 2009 - 7 answers

What biomedical engineering labs are "underrated"? [more inside]
posted by gensubuser on Nov 4, 2009 - 5 answers

Where/how does someone in their mid-20's with a typical liberal arts education (yay literature! boo math!) start working towards a career in the sciences? [more inside]
posted by domakesaypat on Sep 22, 2009 - 17 answers

Help my friend get into a Canadian political science PhD program on his second try. [more inside]
posted by thisjax on Jul 5, 2009 - 6 answers

I am looking for cross-disciplinary graduate/phd course in web technology. More specifically, relating to societal use of web from a global perspective. My goal is to become an expert in use of web based technologies in developing countries (which involves computer use, censorship, etc.). So far, what I have found is STS (science, technology and society) which sounds perfect, but from what I have seen, tend to be more in the areas of applied sciences and engineering. Then there is basic CS programs which tend to be more technology than societal aspects. Does anyone have any thoughts, ideas, recommendations? [more inside]
posted by _zed_ on Mar 31, 2009 - 7 answers

What are the modern fields in science currently under crisis? [more inside]
posted by Rubbstone on May 6, 2008 - 23 answers

How do I convince a research advisor to take me on as a grad student? [more inside]
posted by you're a kitty! on Dec 11, 2007 - 13 answers

I will begin an academic program for an MS in Computer Science starting Fall, 2007. The upside is that I have a year to prepare, while the downside is that I clearly have some obstacles to overcome, which are that [more inside]
posted by anonymous on Aug 30, 2006 - 15 answers

It's the end of my first year of grad school, and the only professor I am excited about working with is moving to another university...do I go with him? [more inside]
posted by emyd on Jun 12, 2006 - 21 answers