What is the RECR Program?
The responsible and ethical conduct of research (RECR), as defined by the NSF, is critical for excellence, as well as public trust, in science and engineering. RECR involves not only a responsibility to generate and disseminate knowledge with rigor and integrity, but also a responsibility to:
Conduct peer review with the highest ethical standards.
Diligently protect proprietary information and intellectual property from inappropriate disclosure.
Treat students and colleagues fairly and with respect.
Education in RECR is considered essential in the preparation of future scientists and engineers.
The RECR Orientation and Introduction to IRB Workshops provide students with foundational knowledge of the ethical, regulatory, and practical responsibilities of conducting research. These sessions deliver a structured and consistent overview of research compliance across courses and academic programs.
Meteorology and Atmospheric Science's RECR Course (Meteo 591)
Meteorology's RECR course, METEO 591, "Development and Ethics as a Graduate Student in the Atmospheric Sciences," will be taught during the fall semester of each year. This one-credit course is graded as satisfactory (R) or unsatisfactory (C).
Meteo 591 is a requirement for:
- All first-year graduate students
- Undergraduates who are headed for summer research experiences either inside or outside of the Department of Meteorology and Atmospheric Science
- Post-doctoral researchers and research associates will be required to sit-in on it within their first year of arriving here at Penn State, and their participation will be documented by the instructor for the course.