This graduate course intended for new MSc and PhD students provides a forum for students to enhance their current skills and understanding of how to do 'good' science and issues encountered as scientists by involving a combination of (i) student-led discussions, (ii) lectures/discussions led by faculty, and (iii) short presentations by students. The class will read and discuss papers on topics that include: human subjectivity and its role in science; semi-philosophical controversies about approaches to science and research tactics; common pitfalls/errors in experimental design and statistical analysis; brief overviews of emerging statistical approaches; and a variety other issues important to researchers (e.g., ethics). Faculty from the department will lecture to provide background on some statistical topics (e.g., power analysis, control of false discoveries). The major course assignment includes an essay that aims to facilitate students' progress in their thesis research by: a) defining the broad, scientific objectives for their research, b) evaluating possible approaches for their research objectives, and c) describing and justifying a set of strategic approaches to employ to achieve their objectives. The essay is not a thesis proposal, but is designed to empower students in the broad thinking required before writing a thesis proposal.