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SHARPGrads Program

SHARPGrads is the Skills, Habits, and Research Program for Graduate Students at the University of South Carolina.  This free workshop series, sponsored by University Libraries, Research Computing, and the Graduate School, provides free training in digital scholarship, computing, and library research concepts for students enrolled in graduate-level courses at the Columbia campus. Students completing the program receive a certificate of completion and digital badge.

How does SHARPGrads work?

Participants in this program attend five (or more) required and optional sessions. After each session, a short survey is sent to each attendee. Completion of these surveys is mandatory. Once all Required and Optional requirements have been fulfilled, the student has completed SHARPGrads.

Students have two semesters to complete the five required sessions. For example, if you start in the fall semester, you have until the end of the following spring to complete the program. SHARPGrads programming is not offered during the summer. At the end of the semester of completion, the Certificate of Completion and Digital Badge will be awarded at the email address used to register on the registration form.

You must register for each session you plan to attend ahead of time. Watching a video recording of a session does not count towards SHARPGrads completion. You must attend the live (in-person or online) session. Most sessions are offered multiple times.

Learn more about each SHARPGrads session and register at the links below.

You must attend one session of each of these. Register online.

Graduate Student Research Toolbox
Introduction to Scholarly Publishing
Research Data Management Basics

You must attend a total of at least two optional sessions offered by the Libraries or Research Computing. This can be two from the Libraries, two from Research Computing, or a combination. You may register for as many optional sessions as you like.

University Libraries Options

Register online.

Creating Digital Projects (WordPress or Omeka)
Data Management Plans and DMPTool
Introduction to ICPSR
Introduction to Open Science Framework
Introduction to Text Analysis
Introduction to Timelines and StoryMaps
Simple Text Analysis with Voyant
Text Analysis Tool Sampler
What’s Your Scholarly Presence?

Research Computing Options 

Introduction to Git and GitHub
Introduction to Machine Learning and Deep Learning
Introduction to Python 
Introduction to R using RStudio
Introduction to MATLAB 

Completing SHARPGrads

Upon completion of SHARPGrads, you will receive a Certificate of Completion from University Libraries and Research Computing and a digital badge indicating your completion of the program. Both will be sent to the email address provided on the SHARPGrads Registration Form. 

What is a Digital Badge?

Digital badges designate completion of an accomplishment. Badges are increasingly popular tools to allow others to access, view, and verify this accomplishment. SHARPGrads uses digital badging from Badgr

When you are awarded your digital badge from SHARPGrads, you will receive an email from Badgr congratulating you on the accomplishment. This email will include directions for accessing and using your digital badge. Your certificate of completion will come in another email from University Libraries.

How to incorporate your participation in SHARPGrads on your résumé, CV, or website

List as "University of South Carolina SHARPGrads Program"
Place this in a section such as "Professional Development Activities” or "Other Professional Activities.” You can add a link to or embed your digital badge on your document. Potential employers can access the link to learn more about the skills learned during the program. The badge can also be shared through social media platforms. 

For questions about SHARPGrads, contact Digital Research Services at digres@mailbox.sc.edu


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