Abstract
A survey of 22 doctoral students enrolled in the University of Idaho Integrative Graduate Education and Research Traineeship (IGERT) program. The survey was administered online, responses were anonymous, and the response rate was 100%. Survey metrics included both Likert-scale and open-ended questions. Likert- scale metrics included a self-assessment of student interdisciplinary communication skills prior to and three to four years after joining the program, and asked participants to rate the importance of elements of the educational model in fostering their development as interdisciplinary scientists. Likert-scales ranged from 1 to 7, where 7 represented the highest score and 1 the lowest. Open-ended questions solicited student views concerning interdisciplinary communication across the project lifespan, the utility of coursework, the benefits and tradeoffs of formal and informal meetings, the advantages and disadvantages of interdisciplinary research, the most challenging and rewarding aspects of team research, and the ability of team-based interdisciplinary research to prepare them for their chosen careers.