Program Details

There are multiple ways to benefit from the Institute’s Professional Development Program. You may choose individual workshops to attend, focus on a specific development badge, or commit to complete our full suite of requirements. Read the options below, and for information about current and past events, visit this page.

Option 1: Graduate Development Certificate

Graduate students in the Institute have the option to complete a co-curricular skill development program that spans 3 to 4 years and results in a certificate. Annually, students fulfill requirements outlined within the program curriculum, such as required trainings and checkpoints, and optional skill development badges, all of which count toward certificate completion.

To opt into the certificate program, students must sign a contract declaring their intent to participate, which must also be signed by their advisor or PI. Additionally, students participating in the certificate program are enrolled in the BioInspired Graduate Student and Postdoc Development course, housed in Blackboard, where completion of professional development activities is tracked.

Option 2: Skill Development Badges

Throughout the year there are opportunities to participate in theme-based event series that take a deeper dive towards developing specific skill sets. Completion of an event series counts towards acquiring a skill development badge. The current list of skill development badges includes:

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Skill development badges and program events are tracked in the BioInspired Graduate Student and Postdoc Development course, housed in Blackboard.

Option 3: Postdoctoral Associate Development Certificate

Postdoctoral associates in the Institute have given the option to complete a co-curricular skill development program that spans 2 to 3 years and results in a certificate. Annually, postdocs fulfill requirements outlined within the program curriculum, such as required trainings and checkpoints, and optional skill development badges, all of which count toward certificate completion.

To opt into the certificate program, postdocs must sign a contract declaring their intent to participate, which must also be signed by their advisor or PI. Additionally, postdocs participating in the certificate program are enrolled in the BioInspired Graduate Student and Postdoc Development course, housed in Blackboard, where completion of professional development activities is tracked.

Option 4: Ad Hoc Professional Development

Any students affiliated with the Institute can participate in professional development events offered through the Institute and elsewhere on the Syracuse University campus. These events are tracked in the BioInspired Graduate Student and Postdoc Development course, housed in Blackboard.

Program Resources

  • BioInspired Graduate and Postdoc Development Blackboard Course – This course serves to track certificate requirements, skill development badges, official schedule of events, and additional program resources. Blackboard will also house records of completion towards the certificate program, skill development badges, and any other professional development activities completed by students in the BioInspired Institute.
  • BioInspired Graduate and Postdoc Development Program Contract – A contract of intent will be signed by any graduate student and their advisor, who wishes to opt into the Certificate Program. The contract signals the student’s commitment to, and understanding of the program. Download at the top of this page.
  • IDP –  Students and postdocs complete an IDP annually and maintain it as part of the Certificate Program.
  • Badgr Backpack – A free online badging platform where students can sign up, then display the badges they earn in the BioInspired Graduate Student and Postdoc Development Program. Badges from Badgr Backpack can also be set up to display on a LinkedIn account.