Plebe Advising
AA/SS Session
Class of 2019
Welcome!
• Introductions
Goals for Today
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Learn your fall semester schedules
Introduce Plebe Academic Handbook
Discuss academic expectations
Review strategies for academic success
Discuss where to go for help
Provide information on USNA’s majors
Questions
Fall Semester Schedules
Your Schedule
• If your fall course lineup still needs to be
adjusted, let us know!
• We can even set up an additional meeting
just prior to classes – work through your
detailers, if needed
• You will each receive a memo – please
review and keep … it contains adviser
contact info and other helpful notes
• You may see additional classes listed:
– “Supplemental Instruction” classes
(meet one period per week)
•
•
•
•
•
XX104: Learning Skills
XS005: Precalc
XS111: Chemistry 1
XS121: Calc 1
You may add or drop these classes – see your adviser!
Note however that dropping any of these courses prior to
6-wk requires approval of Prof Schmitt or Dean Waters
– Others
(not classes, just schedule bloackers)
• PE Blockers XP___
• Adviser Block XX100A
More Notes on Your Current Classes
• Even after the semester begins, classes may
be adjusted if needed
• No matter what your current course plan
is, you may still choose any of our majors
we offer at USNA
MIDS
• https://mids.usna.edu  at USNA
• https://midsweb.usna.edu  off the yard access
What can I use MIDS for?
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Pre-register and register for classes
Get your class schedule
Get your professors’ schedules
Get final exam schedule
Query grades and other academic info
Provide excusals for absences
Compare matrices for majors
Read MAPRs … and more!
See Your Schedule in MIDS
Your Schedule
May say
STAFF
Class
Time
No
scheduled
classes
Lab
Time
Class
Room
Lab
Room
Schedule Codes
Days of the Week
• M=Monday
• T=Tuesday
• W=Wenesday
• R=Thursday
• F=Friday
Buildings
•
•
•
•
•
•
•
•
•
•
•
•
CH = Chauvenet
LC = Levy Center
LJ = Lejeune
LU = Luce
MD = Macdonough
MA = Mahan
MI = Michelson
MT = Mitscher (Laboon Center)
MU = Maury
NI = Nimitz
RI = Rickover
SA = Sampson
Michelson
Hall
(Chemistry)
Sampson Hall
(English,
History)
Chauvenet
Hall
(Math)
Luce Hall
(Leadership,
Seamanship)
Daily Schedule
50 min
periods
Pd
1
2
3
4
5
6
7
75 min
periods
Duration
0755-0845
0855-0945
0955-1045
1055-1145
1330-1420
1430-1520
1530-1620
Pd
Duration
8
0755-0910
9
0955-1110
10
1330-1445
7th period rarely used
(some long labs)
Weekly Schedule (Table View)
Caution
• Schedules can change right up to the first
day of classes
• Use MIDS to check on your schedule just
before classes begin
Questions about Schedules …
• In what building do most
Math classes meet?
• In what building do most
English classes meet?
• What is one of your 3-hour courses?
• What is one of your 4-hour courses?
• How many “open” periods do you have in a
week?
Plebe Academic Handbook
• Available on USNA’s Academics website
• The handbook contains very helpful
information, including …
• Academic Calendar
– Preregistration
– Academic Reserve (Exam) Periods
– 6 and 12 week grade submission dates
– Registration
• Academic departments, locations and
phone numbers,
• Help with academic problems
• Computers
– Using MIDS
– Getting help or getting it fixed
• Attendance Requirements
• Computation of Grades
• Academic Honors, Deficiencies, Academic
Board, Special Opportunities
• USNA Statement on Plagiarism
Academic Expectations
• You are expected to be
professional toward and
responsive to faculty members
• Courtesies in Addressing Faculty members
– Military and Civilian Faculty
– Address Faculty by their appropriate title –
avoid generic “Mr.”/“Mrs.”/“Ms.”
• “Prof”/“Professor” – Assistant/Associate/Full Professors
• “Dean” – Assistant/Associate/Academic Dean & Provost
• Military Titles
Academic Expectations
• Effort
– Be prepared for class (read ahead)
– Turn in quality work (neat and on time)
– Show interest (even if it may be difficult)
– Show respect to professor and classmates
• Communication
– About how to make up missed work
– About what to do when you need help
Academic Expectations
• On the first day of class, most faculty members
will tell you specific expectations
• Pay attention to stated preferences,
pet peeves, etc.
• Read each Course Policy Statement for
information on
–
–
–
–
Course objectives, requirements, etc.
Homework Policy
Test Policy
Grading Policy
Academics at USNA will likely differ
from your previous experience(s)
• More competition for your time
• Faster pace
• Higher expectations
– Analytical or critical thinking skills
– Writing skills
– Mathematical skills
• Greater freedom (+/-)
– More time between quizzes or major assignments
– Faculty members expect you to be responsible
Time Management
• So many things to do …
• So little time …
• So what?
from https://malenadugroup.wordpress.com/
Typical 4/C Weekly Schedule
How many
hours
should I be
studying?
FP130
FP130
FP130
SC111
SC111
SC111
NS101
Guideline:
2 hours for
each hour
in class.
SM131
HE111
SC111
NS101
SC111
NS101
NL110
SM131
NL110
HE111
Physical Mission Period
19 hours in
class.
Need ~ 38
study
hours.
Forrestal
Lecture
SM131
HE111
When will I
find the
time?
Home
Football
Game
Free
Periods
(10 hrs)
Study Pds
(18 hrs)
Weekends
(10 hrs)
Tips for Success at USNA
A Baker’s Dozen
1.
2.
3.
4.
5.
6.
7.
8.
9.
10.
11.
12.
13.
Sit in the front row and pay attention in class.
Start working hard the very first day. Don't fall behind.
Stay awake. Stand if necessary.
Review all the assignments before going to class; skim for major points then
read for details.
Make sure you grasp basic concepts as you go along. Ask questions about
what you don't understand.
Participate in class. Don't let anything go by that you don't understand.
Learn from questions asked by others. Pay attention to what is going on.
Take good notes in class. Class notes help you understand what the
professor wants.
Be sure to copy down problem types and examples given in class.
Organize your notes as soon as possible after class. Fill in the blanks.
Arrange for extra instruction (EI) if you start falling behind or, as you
become confused. Go at the first sign of difficulty.
Study and review with others. Begin your review for exams at least one
week before the exam date.
Study subjects you like later than the ones you don't.
Technical/Problem Solving Courses
• Calculus, Chemistry, Physics, Statics,
Dynamics, EE, Boats, Steam, Weapons,
Navigation….
• Rule 1: Always do your class assignments
• Rule 2: Be an active Participant during class
When all else fails, see Rule 1
Non-Technical Courses
• History, Poly Sci, English, Leadership, Ethics,
Naval Science
• SQ3R System
– Survey
– Question
– Read
– Recite
– Review
Repeat
Questions about Study Skills
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•
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•
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How much should I study?
Where should I study?
What about group study?
Should I take notes? How?
How do I get EI?
How should I prepare for EI?
How should I prepare for tests?
What if I need help?
• Getting in trouble
• Getting back out
from http://www.slideshare.net/Launchyourgenius/16-ideas-on-creativity-and-life-from-dr-seuss
Academic Deficiency
At USNA, an Academic Deficiency is when a midshipman …
• has a semester QPR below 1.50
• fails two or more courses in one semester
• fails any course after having failed two or more courses previously.
• fails to earn a 2.00 in summer school
• fails to remove probation.
• fails to fulfill any condition as prescribed by the Academic Board as the
result of a previous deficiency
• fails to successfully complete all requirements for graduation by the
end of that semester in which you are scheduled to graduate
• falls two or more courses behind the number of courses required by
the end of a given semester according to that major's matrix.
• fails to achieve the required standards in prescribed summer training
• is deficient in physical education at the end of a semester or receives
failing grades in conduct and military performance
• fails a remedial course such as HE101, SM005 or HE344
Any one of these conditions triggers an Academic Board (“AcBoard”)
Getting Help
• START EARLY — as soon as you think you need it.
• EI — The first resort! Call, email or visit your professor.
• Ask other mids — But don’t just copy their work.
• Department Resources:
– Chemistry Resource Center: MI100
– Math Lab: CH130
• Academic Center
– Learning Skills Program
– “Supplemental Instruction” Classes
(Math, Chemistry, Physics)
– Evening Tutoring
– MGSP — Group Study led by a mid. A process, not a quick fix.
– Writing Center: Nimitz Library
• Chaplains, MDC, Medical
What’s Next?
• Classes Begin: 24 Aug
• Pre-registration: 12 – 19 Sep
– You must meet with your advisor first to get
approval for your spring courses
– We’ll be sending you email and arranging
meetings
• You will have time throughout the next few
months to learn about
– our majors and
– other special academic opportunities
Closing Thoughts
• This is your college education
• You will need to work hard but you can
succeed
• Your instructors are pulling for you
• Get organized, challenge yourself and have
some fun!
USNA Majors
Division of Engineering and
Weapons
Division of Mathematics and
Science
Division of Humanities
and Social Sciences
EAS: Aerospace Engineering
SCH: Chemistry
FLA: Arabic
EEE: Electrical Engineering
SCS: Computer Science
FLC: Chinese
ECE: Computer Engineering
SCY: Cyber Operations
FEQ: Economics
EGE: General Engineering
SGS: General Science
FPS: Political Science
EME: Mechanical Engineering
SIT: Information Technology
HEG: English
ENM: Naval Arch & Marine Eng
SMA: Mathematics
HHS: History
ENR: Nuclear Engineering
SMO: Operations Research
EOE: Ocean Engineering
SOC: Oceanography
ESE: System Engineering
SPH: Physics
SQE: Quantitative Economics
Course Numbering
Division:
E – Engineering
S – Math & Science
H – History / English
F – Poly Sci / Econ /
Languages
N – Pro Dev /
Officer Dev
P – Phys Ed
Nominal Year:
1 – 4/c
2 – 3/c
3 – 2/c
4 – 1/c
SM221P
Engineering:
A – Aero/Astro
C – Computer
E – Electrical
M – Mechanical
N – Naval/Ocean
R – Nuclear
S – Systems
Typical Variants:
P – Plebe
A – Additional help
S – Honors
V – Validators
X – International Mids
Unique Course Identifier
Math & Science:
C – Checmistry
I – Computer Sci
M – Math
O – Oceanography
P – Physics
Hum & Soc Sci:
E – Econ or English
H – History
P – Political Science
X – Arabic, Chinese,
French, German,
Japanese, Russian
or Spanish
Typical Plebe Year
SPRING
FALL
Calculus I
SM121
4-0-4
(4 cr)
Calculus II
SM122
4-0-4
(4 cr)
Chemistry I
SC111
3-2-4
(4 cr)
Chemistry II
SC112
3-2-4
(4 cr)
English I
HE111
3-0-3
(3 cr)
English II
HE112
3-0-3
(3 cr)
U.S. Government
FP130
3-0-3
(3 cr)
U.S. Naval History
HH104
3-0-3
(3 cr)
Seamanship
NS101
1-2-2
(2 cr)
NL110
2-0-2
(2 cr)
SI110
Leadership
Cyber I
2-2-3
(3 cr)
P.E.
PE101/
PE111
1-0-0
(0 cr)
P.E.
PE102
1-0-0
(0 cr)
6 Courses + PE
18 Credits
20 Contact Hrs
5 Courses + PE
17 Credits
19 Contact Hrs
Mathematics (SM)
FALL
SPRING
Pre-Calculus
SM005
4-1-4
(4 cr)
Calculus I
SM121
4-0-4
(4 cr)
Calculus I
SM121
4-0-4
(4 cr)
Calculus II
SM122
4-0-4
(4 cr)
Calculus I
SM131
3-0-3
(3 cr)
Calculus II
SM122
4-0-4
(4 cr)
Calculus II
SM122
4-0-4
(4 cr)
Calc III w/ Vector Fields
SM221
4-0-4
(4 cr)
Calculus II
SM122S
4-0-4
(4 cr)
Calc III w/ Vector Fields
SM221S
4-0-4
(4 cr)
Multivar Calc w/
Review
SM122X
4-0-4
(4 cr)
Multivar Calc w/
Inf Series
SM221X
4-0-4
(4 cr)
Calc III w/ Vector Fields
SM221P
4-0-4
(4 cr)
Differential Equations
SM212P
4-0-4
(4 cr)
Languages
We offer courses in
seven (7) languages:
• Arabic
• Chinese
• Japanese
• Russian
• French
• German
• Spanish
Midshipmen can major in
Arabic and Chinese
Midshipmen can minor in
any of our 7 languages
Language validation
exams will occur during
the fall and spring
semesters.
Some optional language validation
exams will be available on
28-29 July
for those midshipmen with
several other (e.g., SM, HE, etc.)
validations who wish to be
placed in a higher-level language
course during 4/C year.
Grades
Grades
A=Excellent
90-100
4 Quality Points
B=Good
80-89
3 Quality Points
C=Satisfactory
70-79
2 Quality Points
D=Marginally Passing
60-69
1 Quality Point
F=Failing
Below 60
0 Quality Points
EXAMPLE
GRADE
COURSE
QPTs
HOURS
A
SC111
4
4
16
B
SM121
3
4
12
A
FP130
4
3
12
A
HE111
4
3
12
C
SI110
2
3
6
TOTAL
17
58
Progress Reports:
6 weeks and 12 weeks
End of Semester:
QPR and CQPR assigned;
PRT & PE Grades,
Aptitude & Conduct Grades.
QPR= 58/17= 3.41
Credits
CREDIT HOURS PER SEMESTER
MINIMUM = 15 HOURS
MAXIMUM = APPROXIMATELY 22 HOURS
AVERAGE = 17 HOURS
Lectures per Week
Lab Hours
Credits
Chemistry Course -SC111
3
2
4
Calculus I - SM121
4
0
4
Seamanship - NS101
1
2
2