ABE 4932
Writing Grant Proposals for Scholarships and Fellowships
Semester Taught - Fall
Catalog Description
Credits:2
The course is intended to provide upper level students in the Agricultural and Biological Engineering Department a broad introduction to opportunities for obtaining scholarships, fellowships, internships, and teaching/research assistantships from federal funding agencies. The course will introduce the students to funding sources and opportunities, provide guidelines for proposal writing, and require students to prepare the components of a proposal which will be reviewed by the instructor as well as other students enrolled in the course.
Pre-requisites/Co-requisites
Undergraduate students are required to have senior status, be currently enrolled toward a degree in the Agricultural and Biological Engineering Department, and request permission from the instructor.
Course Objectives
Students should leave the course with knowledge of the opportunities for obtaining federal funding to support their graduate education, and armed with the tools needed to compete for successfully obtaining support.
Contributions of Course to Meeting the Professional Component for ABET
This course contributes 2 credit hours toward meeting the minimum 48 credit hours of Engineering Topics in the basic-level curriculum for the Bachelor of Science Degree in Agricultural and Biological Engineering.
Relationship of Course to Program Outcomes
From the list of (a) through (k) program outcomes listed below, this course addresses the following (g), (h), (i), and (j).
ABET Program Outcomes
- (a) Apply knowledge of mathematics, science, and engineering
- (b) Design and conduct experiments, as well as analyze and interpret data
- (c) Design a system, component, or process to meet desired needs
- (d) Function on multi-disciplinary teams
- (e) Identify, formulate, and solve engineering problems
- (f) Understand professional and ethical responsibilities
- (g) Communicate effectively
- (h) Understand the impact of engineering solutions in a global and societal context
- (i) Recognize the need for, and engage in life long learning
- (j) Understand contemporary engineering issues
- (k) Use the techniques, skills, and modern engineering tools necessary for engineering practice
Instructor
Eric McLamore
Office: Room 105 Rogers Hall
Phone: 392-1864 x105
Email: emclamor@ufl.edu
Material/Supply Fees
None
Class Materials Required
None
Course Outline
Topics
Part 1: Grant Writing Basics
- Introduction to Grant Writing
- Objectives and Hypotheses
- Methodology/Research Plan
- Expected Results
- Potential Problems and Alternative Strategies
- Mid Term Exam
Part 2: Opportunities and Funding Agencies
- The National Science Foundation
- U.S. Environmental Protection Agency
- U.S. Department of Agriculture
- U.S. Department of Energy
- National Aeronautic and Space Administration
- U.S. Department of Homeland Security
- U.S. Department of Education
- National Institutes of Health
- U.S. Military Sponsored Research
- U.S. Center for Disease Control
- Independent Organizations
- Final Exam
Attendance and Expectations: Attendance is vital to class participation and in-class discussion, and is therefore required. Absences for which a medical or court excuse is provided (professional letterhead required) will be excused. Any significant tardy or early departure from class will be figured as a half absence.
Grading
| Grading Scale | |
|---|---|
| A | 90-100% |
| B | 80-89% |
| C | 70-79% |
| D | 60-69% |
| E | <60% |
| Grading Method | Percent |
|---|---|
| Attendance and Participation | 30% |
| Homework | 15% |
| In Class Presentation/Literature Review | 20% |
| Mid Term Exam | 15% |
| Final Exam | 20% |
Undergraduate students are not required to submit a full mock proposal, but may do so if they desire. Undergraduate students, in order to graduate, must have an overall GPA and an upper-division GPA of 2.0 or better (C or better). Note: a C- average is equivalent to a GPA of 1.67, and therefore, it does not satisfy this graduation requirement. For more information on grades and grading policies, please visit: https://catalog.ufl.edu/ugrad/current/regulations/info/grades.aspx
Make-up Exam Policy: Make up exams must be scheduled with the instructor at least 24 hours in advance of the scheduled exam time. Consideration of make-up exams after this deadline will be by discretion of the instructor only.
Academic Honesty
In 1995 the UF student body enacted an honor code and voluntarily committed itself to the highest standards of honesty and integrity. When students enroll at the university, they commit themselves to the standard drafted and enacted by students.
The Honor Pledge: We, the members of the University of Florida community, pledge to hold ourselves and our peers to the highest standards of honesty and integrity.
On all work submitted for credit by students at the university, the following pledge is either required or implied: "On my honor, I have neither given nor received unauthorized aid in doing this assignment."
Students should report any condition that facilitates dishonesty to the instructor, department chair, college dean, Student Honor Council, or Student Conduct and Conflict Resolution in the Dean of Students Office.
(Source: 2012-2013 Undergraduate Catalog)
It is assumed all work will be completed independently unless the assignment is defined as a group project, in writing by the instructor.
This policy will be vigorously upheld at all times in this course.
Accommodation for Students with Disabilities
The Disability Resource Center coordinates the needed accommodations of students with disabilities. This includes registering disabilities, recommending academic accommodations within the classroom, accessing special adaptive computer equipment, providing interpretation services and mediating faculty-student disability related issues.
0001 Reid Hall, 352-392-8565, www.dso.ufl.edu/drc/
Software Use
All faculty, staff and students of the university are required and expected to obey the laws and legal agreements governing software use. Failure to do so can lead to monetary damages and/or criminal penalties for the individual violator. Because such violations are also against university policies and rules, disciplinary action will be taken as appropriate.
Campus Helping Resources
Students experiencing crises or personal problems that interfere with their general well-being are encouraged to utilize the university’s counseling resources. The Counseling & Wellness Center provides confidential counseling services at no cost for currently enrolled students. Resources are available on campus for students having personal problems or lacking clear career or academic goals, which interfere with their academic performance.
- University Counseling & Wellness Center, 3190 Radio Road, 352-392-1575, www.counseling.ufl.edu/cwc/
Counseling Services
Groups and Workshops
Outreach and Consultation
Self-Help Library
Training Programs
Community Provider Database - Career Resource Center, First Floor JWRU, 392-1601, www.crc.ufl.edu/
