Tulane has an institutional subscription to Nature Masterclasses, which means that as a member of Tulane, you have access to all the online courses available on the Nature Masterclasses platform. The courses cover various topics, and you can get details about them and access the content by following the instructions below.
Register your Account:
- Go to https://masterclasses.nature.com/register.
- In the Institution list, select Tulane University.
- Enter your Tulane email address. Note: You must register with your Tulane email so Nature recognizes your access to Tulane's subscription.
- Choose a secure password, complete the remainder of the fields, and click Register.
- A confirmation email will go to your Tulane email address. Once your account is confirmed, you can begin taking classes.
Step-by-step instructions are provided in the User Guide. To learn more about Tulane's Nature Masterclasses subscription, please see this helpful Webinar.
Nature Masterclasses Course Offerings
Writing a Research Paper: 2nd Edition
This course will introduce researchers to powerful narrative tools and principles of scientific writing. It will also teach researchers how to apply them to their next manuscript. The course was developed in collaboration with a team of 12 experts in writing and evaluating research papers, including Nature Portfolio Journal Editors. Researchers learn in five modules how to write informative, concise, well-structured and engaging research papers. This 2nd edition provides an improved learning experience and enriched content with extensive real-world examples.
Persuasive Grant Writing
This course provides a deep dive into how the application of storytelling principles can yield advantage for you when writing grant applications. Throughout, you will learn how to use narrative tools when writing your grant proposal to make it more informative and persuasive. This course consists of 3 modules, with 3.5 hours of learning, all split into bitesize 15-minute lessons.
Effective Science Communication
This course has been designed for researchers looking to understand how storytelling techniques can build a compelling scientific story to communicate their research and apply strategies in an accessible and persuasive way to a non-scientific audience. In this 1-module course, there are 6.5 hours of learning, consisting of 10–30-minute lessons.
Research Integrity: Publication Ethics
This course has been designed to support researchers in mastering the steps needed to publish their work with integrity, ultimately helping them advance their careers and make valuable contributions to the scientific record with confidence. In this 3-module course, there are 8 hours of learning consisting of 45-minute lessons.
Creating Successful Research Posters
This course is for researchers who want to learn how to create effective scientific posters, and for researchers who want to improve their poster presentation skills. The course was developed and refined by an international panel of academics, science artists and poster design and presentation experts. In one 4.5-hour module, researchers learn how to create an engaging research poster and prepare handouts and presentations that will capture the audience's attention.
Networking for Researchers
This course has been developed for researchers looking to improve their networking skills and helps you to understand how to build stronger relationships within the research community both online and in person. Taught across 3 parts, with 4 hours of learning you’ll be taught strategies for leveraging your network to advance your research or career.
Advancing your Scientific Presentations
This course has been developed for researchers in the natural sciences who want to improve the quality of their peer-to-peer scientific presentations with both virtual and face-to-face audiences. In the course, you will discover how you can develop your research story, how to build a slide deck that supports and enhances your presentation, and how to prepare to deliver your presentation on the day. This 4-module course is delivered across 10 hours, split into 15-minute bitesize lessons.
Data Analysis: Planning and Preparing
This course provides insight and skills to create a successful data analysis plan. Working through all the important stages from preparation to completion and analysis, you will learn processes, key terms, and planning skills. There are 2 modules and 3-4 hours of learning taught in 20-minute lessons.
Data Analysis: Conducting and Troubleshooting
In this course, you will learn how to develop your data analysis skills or mentor others through the process. The course, consisting of 3 modules, was developed in collaboration with 10 experts in data analysis including experienced statisticians and data scientists, journal editors, and early career researchers.
Interpreting Scientific Results
This course will teach you how to interpret scientific findings with more confidence or mentor others through the process. Developed in collaboration with a team of 5 international experts in interpreting results, the course consists of 1 module containing 12 bite-size lessons to provide an accessible, dip-in-and-out format for busy researchers.
Finding Funding Opportunities
This course has been developed for researchers looking to find funding opportunities or mentor others through the process. Throughout, you will learn how to analyze your funding requirements and will learn strategies to prioritize and select the opportunities that best fit your needs. This course, consisting of 1-module, was developed in collaboration with 5 experts in the field, and consists of 3-4 hours of learning split into bite-size lessons.
Experiments: From Idea to Design
This course is designed to give you the opportunity to develop your experimental design skills and will teach you how to select and refine the precise methods, tools, techniques, and protocols you need to answer your research question. Developed in collaboration with 9 experts, this 4-module course consists of 7-8 hours of learning split up into manageable bite-size lessons.
Getting an Academic Research Position
This course is designed to help you take the next step in your career, either as a new postdoc or in a new faculty role. You will learn how to find the best potential career opportunities and give your application the best possible chance of success. Developed in collaboration with 11 experts, this course is made up of modules and 7-8 hours of learning split into bite-size lessons.
Publishing a Research Paper
This course will teach you how to submit your research paper and select the most appropriate journal for publication and submit your paper. Taught across 5.5 hours in bitesize 15-minute lessons, you will learn how to navigate the editorial process, and write cover letters, to include ethical considerations.
Writing and Publishing a Review Paper
In the course, you will discover how to plan, structure, write and referee a review. You will learn to create a clear and compelling story supported by relevant citations. This 1-module course is delivered across 1.5 hours, split into 15-minute bitesize lessons.
Introduction to Collaboration
This course provides insights for researchers in the natural sciences who wish to participate in collaborative projects. In this 1-module course spanning 2.5 hours of learning taught in 12-minute lessons, you will discover how becoming a more effective collaborator could help to further both your research and your career.
Participating in a Collaboration
This course has been developed for researchers looking to make a meaningful contribution when joining a collaborative project. In this course, you will discover how to overcome possible roadblocks, to maximize the skills, ideas, and contacts you’ll gain from collaborating. In this 1-module course, there are 5 hours of learning, consisting of 15-minute bite-sized lessons.
Leading a Collaboration
This course has been designed for researchers to identify and approach potential collaborators with the right expertise. Managing challenges including conflict between collaborators, ethical misconduct, and administering shared funds, you will learn to maximize the outputs, value and impact of your collaboration. There are 3 modules and 11.5 hours of learning taught in 15-minute lessons.
Managing Research Data to Unlock its Full Potential
This course is designed to develop your data management skills and helps you to understand the benefits of using research data effectively. Throughout the course, you will learn how to create and maintain a data management plan, explore best practices for organizing and storing your data, and evaluate the different options for sharing research data. Made up of 4 modules, with 4-5 hours of learning, all split into bitesize 15-minute lessons.
Narrative Tools for Researchers
This course is designed to enhance your communication with peers by exploring the use of narrative tools to tell your research story. The 3-module course helps you to understand the benefits of using narrative tools to communicate your research more effectively and provides you with the skills to build a refined and compelling research story.
Focus on Peer Review
This course is designed for those new to peer review or those looking to refresh their skills and will help you to understand the importance and responsibilities of peer reviews. Taught across 3-4 hours in bitesize 10-minute lessons, you will learn how to prepare peer review reports and discuss ethics and innovations in peer review.
