209 Havemeyver Hall, Columbia University
January 16-17, 2003

The first NSEC mini-course was entitled "The Ethical Conduct of Research." It was taught by Dr. James Zwolenik, formerly Assistant Inspector General for Oversight at NSF, with auxiliary instruction by Dr. Daniel R. Vasgird of the Office for Responsible Conduct of Research at Columbia University. The course combined traditional lectures with case studies and discussions. The course participants spent a significant amount of time working in small groups. Approximately 20 students enrolled in the course, and a number of faculty members attended most of the course as well.

Dr. Zwolenik covered a wide range of topics, including integrity in research at both the personal and institutional levels, research and peer review processes, and ethics and misconduct from the point of view of the NSF. Dr. Vasgird focused on policies and procedures for research at Columbia. The course was highly rated by the students who attended. NSEC plans to offer this short course again in April 2005.