"The Bi-Weekly" Your Newsletter from your Advisor

This week in "The Bi-Weekly” November 13, 2015

1. BRC Help Room Thanksgiving Break Hours

2. Undecided on your major? EDPS 10500 Academic and Career Planning, Spring 2016

3. What is EPICS?

4. New Science Career Development and Retention Specialist

5. Final Maymester in Tanzania 2016 Callout

6. Credit Exam News- January Testing

7. Part time position for Undergrads to help with lab chores for credits

8. What can you do with a degree in Biology? -Graduate School

9. Summer Internship Opportunities

10. Scholarship Search Account

**Upcoming Dates**

November 16:  Sophomore Time Ticket

November 23: First Spring Billing Invoices (Due January 11, 2016)

November 23-25, November 30- December 1:  Freshman Time Ticket

December 2- January 18:  Open registration

December 14-19: Finals Week

December 21: Residence Halls close for Winter break

December 23: Fall semester grades post in myPurdue

December 24-January 4: Winter Recess, ALL University offices will be CLOSED

January 11: Spring semester begins

1. BRC Help Room Holiday hours:

•Monday, November 23, 2015: Regular Hours (remaining open until BIOL 121 TA office hours in the BRC at 5:30 pm)
•CLOSED:  

                Tuesday thru Sunday, November 24-29, 2015

                Regular hours resume Monday, November 30, 2015
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2. Undecided on your major? Interested in a course that can guide your career planning?

EDPS 10500 Academic and Career Planning is now available, during the spring semester, to students outside of Exploratory Studies.  It is a University core class satisfying the Information Literacy requirement. 
Student Learning Outcomes for EDPS 10500

-Identify your interests, abilities, personality characteristics, and educational and life goals.

-Identify majors, fields of study, and career paths that are consistent with your interests, abilities, and life goals.

-Understand degree requirements, pre-requisites, co-requisites, course availability, and course sequencing for specific majors.

-Know and understand Purdue policies and procedures regarding registration, academic honors, probation and drop status, and academic integrity.

-Participate in activities and/or experiences which enhance cultural awareness.

-Identify and utilize academic support resources and other support services to ensure academic success and adaptation to college life.
Three of the sections are reserved for EXPL students, but section 8 is open to any first- or second-year student. A few additional notes:
This is a hybrid course, so students need to add the recitation section (16375) as well as the distance learning component (16370).

The “special fee” is $30 to cover the cost of some of the inventories students will take. The cost of the required course pack will also be around $30.

3. What is EPICS?

EPICS is an academic program in which teams of Purdue students partner with local not-for-profit community organizations to provide technology solutions. This is a long-term partnership, which allows for more significant projects that may take 2 or more semesters to complete. EPICS projects are intended to solve real problems, and are defined in consultation with project partners from not-for-profit community organizations. The best way to learn more about EPICS is to read about the different teams and the types of projects they are working on.
There are many benefits of participating in EPICS:

-Gain design experience of real systems

-Develop teamwork & communication skills

-Gain project planning & leadership experience

-Develop customer-awareness

-Gain understanding of ethical, economic, & legal issues

-Get involved in the community

-Have something to talk about in interviews!

-Make a difference!
EPICS credits may count to meet the teaming and multidisciplinary requirements in the Science core or STS (Science, Technology, and Society) requirement in the University Core. For more information and to register for EPICS: https://engineering.purdue.edu/EPICS/purdue/epics-purdue/join-epics
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4. New Science Career Development and Retention Specialist

Unsure of your major or considering a change in major or career goal? Career Counseling is once again offered within the College of Science!

Danielle Sheese is the new Career Development and Retention Specialist in the College of Science.  She has a Bachelor of Arts in Kinesiology and Leisure Studies from Purdue University with a dual major in Health Promotion and Exercise and Fitness.  Danielle is currently finishing her Master’s Degree in Career Counseling from Capella University.  She is a volunteer parent mentor for InSource, which means she helps train and mentor families to advocate appropriately for their special needs children in the educational setting.  Danielle is well versed with Indiana’s Article 7 law and the special education process.  When possible, she enjoys traveling and fun adventurous activities such as parasailing, zip lining, all-terrain vehicles, horseback riding, scuba diving, snorkeling, snuba, sailing, dinner cruises, swimming, and sightseeing.  Some frequent activities for Danielle include family time, trips to the park, bowling, watching movies in IMAX, and NFL Sunday Ticket.

5. Final Maymester in Tanzania 2016 Callout

Maymester in Tanzania is a study abroad experience designed for elementary and secondary education students to earn 7-9 credits. The four-week program offers a range of unique and exciting experiences, including living on the Indian Ocean, immersion in Tanzanian language and culture, teaching in local schools, and a four-day safari to the Serengeti and Ngorongoro Crater.
Courses offered:             

* Mathematics in the Secondary School

* African Literature

* History, Culture & Language in Tanzania

* Education in Tanzania

* Global Studies Seminar

In an effort to provide the opportunity for a wide range of students to participate in the Tanzania study abroad program, students' prior experiences will be considered on a case-by-case basis.

 

Applying for the Program:

Students must apply to the program by providing the following materials to the program leader (Jill Newton - janewton@purdue.edu):

1. 
   A statement from his/her advisor attesting to good academic standing & a lack of disciplinary or dispositional write-ups.
   
2. 
   The names of two Purdue professors who are willing to serve as references.
   
3. 
   A brief statement of no more than one page explaining his/her interest in the Tanzania program. Students must also meet with the program leader by arranging an individual meeting before acceptance.
   

Program acceptance is dependent on a favorable report from the student advisor, strong recommendations from professors, an acceptable written statement and a positive meeting with the program leader.

• 
  December 9           BRNG 2275     6:00pm
  

For more information check out their website:  http://www.edci.purdue.edu/tanzania/program_info.html

6. Credit Exam News- January Testing

All credit exams require a signed Form 231 from your advisor. Pre-registration required for Math, Chemistry, and Physics credit exams. Pre-registration for Chemistry will begin ~ December 14, 2015.
January 13: Chemistry Credit Exams, online pre-registration required: https://www.purdue.edu/testingcenter/advanced-credit/ (requires form 231 from your advisor)

January 13: 6 pm, PHYS 114

January 9: 9:30 am - 11:30 am

January 9: 1:30 pm - 3:30 pm

January 14: 6:30 pm - 8:30 pm

January 7: 1:30-4:30 pm, PHYS 114

January 12: 6:30-9:30 PM, PHYS 114

COM 114: Credit is awarded with exam to students who successfully pass a written exam and deliver a persuasive speech. Both tests must be passed to establish credit. For additional information and eligibility, please see https://www.cla.purdue.edu/communication/undergraduate/com_114.html

January 26: TBD
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7. Part time position for Undergrads to help with lab chores for credits

I'm interested in interviewing undergrads for a position to help with lab chores for credits, it may evolve into a research position but cannot guarantee...

Associate Professor and Assistant Head

Department of Biological Sciences

Purdue University

Hansen Life Sciences Building, Room 321

201 S. University Street

West Lafayette, IN 47907-2064

phone:  (765) 496-3547

fax: (765) 496-1496

claudio@purdue.edu

http://www.gradschool.purdue.edu/PULSe/faculty.cfm?fid=225&range=0

8. What can you do with a degree in Biology? -Graduate School

Is attending graduate school a possibility? http://www.gradschools.com/ This website is searchable by state or subject. Also offers a discussion board and chat for questions.

Also check out our Science links: http://www.science.purdue.edu/careers/applying_to_%20grad_school/index.html

Careers & Graduate Programs for B.S. & M.S. Scientists: Getting the Most from a Degree:

http://sciencecareers.sciencemag.org/career_magazine/previous_issues/articles/2006_08_25/science.opms.r0600016

Why Grad School – a list of articles: http://www.gradschools.com/article-index/graduate-school-articles/why-grad-school-500

Careers and Grad Programs for B.S. / M.S. Scientists: Testing The Waters: http://sciencecareers.sciencemag.org/career_magazine/previous_issues/articles/2007_09_28/science.opms.r0700040

Grad School Tips: http://www.eecs.harvard.edu/~mdw/talks/gradschooltips.pdf

Why go to Graduate Schools? https://www.petersons.com/graduate-schools/guide-students-graduate-school.aspx
CCO Blogs: Graduate School

So You Want To Go To Grad School? Check out this, gif-filled blog covering 5 questions you want to ask yourself before applying to grad school. Read More

Need a Great Recommendation Letter? Great recommendation letters make all the difference in a graduate school application. Here's how get the recommendation letter you need. Read More

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9. Summer Internship Opportunities
►MOUNT DESERT ISLAND BIOLOGICAL LABORATORY

The Mount Desert Island Biological Laboratory has established programs for undergraduate education to enhance scientific training in the biological sciences.

Our summer fellowship programs for undergraduate students are highly competitive. We welcome applicants who desire hands-on, research training experience within an advanced laboratory that complements current resident research programs. Co-curricular and residential life programs extend our immersion program to help students develop professional skill sets and foster connections within the scientific research community. Applicants from underserved populations are encouraged to apply.

 Open to all US undergraduate students. Students must be US citizens or non-citizen permanent residents.

 Students must have completed at least one semester of undergraduate biology, chemistry, and mathematics.

More Information and online application instructions are online at https://mdibl.org/education/hs-undergrad/undergraduate-applications/

►MD ANDERSON CANCER CENTER - 2015 SUMMER PROGRAM IN CANCER RESEARCH

For the past twenty-five years, The University of Texas MD Anderson Cancer Center Science Park has sponsored a Summer Program in Cancer Research (SPCR) for undergraduate students majoring in math or science.  The program is designed to allow students to work on an independent, hypothesis-driven, research project in a biomedical research environment.  For many interns, this experience is very helpful in making subsequent career choices.

The Summer Program in Cancer Research at MD Anderson’s Science Park campus provides an authentic research experience for outstanding undergraduate and high school students considering careers in biomedical research. Students have the opportunity to work with a faculty mentor in cutting-edge cancer research areas such as molecular mechanisms of cancer, DNA damage and repair, and cancer epigenetics.
Our Program:

For ten weeks during the summer, SPCR students participate in hypothesis-driven, project-based investigations and attend a weekly lunch lecture series covering topics such as DNA structure and repair, epigenetics, stem cells, signal transduction and apoptosis, and emerging analytical techniques. Other activities include social events and tours of the MD Anderson Houston and Bastrop campuses. The interns also present a 10-minute talk describing their research results at the SPCR Scientific Symposium held on the last day of the program. It is not uncommon for students to make significant research contributions and to earn co-authorship on scientific abstracts and manuscripts. SPCR students receive a stipend of $3,846 for the 10 weeks.  The 2016 Summer Program in Cancer Research will be from June 6, 2016 to August 12, 2016.

Science Park is a basic research campus of The University of Texas MD Anderson Cancer Center located in Smithville, TX, within driving distance from Austin.  The campus is home to the department of Epigenetics and Molecular Carcinogenesis, whose mission is to identify the genetic and epigenetic changes that contribute to cancer development.  Nestled within the Lost Pines forest of Central Texas, the Science Park campus offers a unique, natural setting for cancer research.

The SPCR is open to undergraduate students pursuing a 4-year degree in science, public health or mathematics and wishing to gain hands-on experience in research. Criteria used in selection of interns include college grades, personal statement, relevant laboratory experience, and letters of recommendation from faculty who can assess the applicant's potential for advanced training and success in biomedical research.

10. Scholarship Search Account

The Division of Financial Aid and the Department of Computer Science strongly recommends that students visit http://fastweb.com/ to set up a personal private scholarship search account.  Fastweb is a nationally known scholarship company that does not charge students to provide a scholarship match service.  By entering your personal profile, Fastweb will do a search to see if you match the eligibility requirements for over 600,000 private scholarships listed in their database.

The Division of Financial Aid (DFA) at Purdue University is notified of many private scholarship opportunities by many scholarship agencies from across the country.  These information notices come on a rolling basis throughout the year. In order to make the private scholarship information available to Purdue students, DFA sends all private scholarship eligibility criteria that we receive from agencies directly to Fastweb. 

The Fastweb personal data profile and account set-up is easy—you can do it in 15 minutes or less. Once set up you will receive your first list of potential scholarship matches, if there are matches. As Fastweb adds new scholarships daily to their database, your email will be prompted to new scholarship opportunities which meet your previously completed profile.  Fastweb will provide you with contact information regarding the scholarships that meet your profile.  You must then follow up with the scholarship agency via paper application or email as instructed.

Be sure to list Purdue University as your current school in order to be matched with private scholarships specifically for Purdue University students.