University of Virginia Health System

Literature Review Tutorial

The ability to independently learn about a new research topic, and integrate this new information with previous knowledge, are skills that are critical to the successful researcher. An important goal of the first year curriculum, above and beyond imparting a body of factual information, is to develop these self-learning skills through the graduate courses, laboratory rotations, colloquiums, and seminars. The purpose of the first year Literature Review Tutorial (LRT) is to ensure that students have acquired this ability to independently become conversant with new research topics at a high level of understanding and be able to discuss them in the context of their first-year courses.

1. It is expected that the LRT will be administered after completion of the third rotation, sometime between May 15 and August 15, with the actual date being arranged by the student and his or her committee.

2. Three faculty members will serve on the LRT committee.

• The first year advisory committee will administer the tutorial to students entering the program directly through the micro department.
• Students who enter through other programs that assign a 1st year advisory committee (i.e. immunology) may have the same committee administer the LRT. Alternatively, a committee can be put together by the mentor, with the mentor serving as Chair. In this case, the committee should consist of two additional primary microbiology faculty with representation from multiple scientific disciplines.
• For those students who enter through programs that do not assign a 1st year advisory committee (i.e. CMB, molecular medicine), the mentor should put together a committee and serve as Chair. The committee should consist of two additional primary microbiology faculty with representation from multiple scientific disciplines.

3. Format of the tutorial: Each committee member will provide the student with a topic 2 weeks in advance of the exam (this 2 week window should ensure that the tutorial will not take an inordinate amount of time away from the lab). Ideally, the topic will be developed with input from the student. After receiving all three topics, the student will choose two for further research and analysis. Students are encouraged to meet periodically with faculty members as they delve into their topics. They will then present their findings to all 3 members of the committee on the pre-arranged date.

4. Evaluation: Possible outcomes include outright pass, repeat all or part of the tutorial, or fail. Committee members will take the opportunity to provide feedback to the student with respect to any strengths and weaknesses that may become apparent during this process.