GEN S 100A Section 10 USEM: TOLTECATL PREMARC
Life and Physical Sciences Seminar, Fall 2014
Mondays, 2:00-2:50pm, Physics 149
Instructor:
Cathie Atkins, Ph.D. (619 594-5732; GMCS 604)
Co-Instructor: Estralita Martin, Ph.D. (GMCS 321)
catkins@mail.sdsu.edu
esmartin@sciences.sdsu.edu
Office Hours: TBD
Reading Materials:
All reading material will be provided. Regular use of Blackboard is required.
Class Goals:
To explore the various professions in the life and physical sciences, to learn about research and graduate school,
and to familiarize students with university operations.
Objectives:
Assist with ensuring academic success
Discuss university academic policies and procedures
Introduce each student to resource departments on campus as well as the College of Sciences
Provide awareness of physical sciences careers (STEM majors), opportunities, and teamwork
Introduce students to the ideas of research and graduate school
Provide information regarding balancing academic, social and personal aspect of students’ lives
Facilitate activities that incorporate hands-on projects that reinforce concepts and teamwork
Learning Outcomes:
At the end of the semester students will:
(1) be able to use and further explore resources on campus
(2) understand and articulate important university policies and procedures
(3) understand and articulate their particular learning style
(4) be able to articulate different areas of research emphasis in the life and physical sciences
(5) be able to understand and articulate the requirements for a major in his/her physical science discipline
(6) be able to explore the best graduate school for his/her area of interest
Date
August 25
September 1
September 8
September 15
September 22
Topic/Activity
Welcome: Dr. Atkins
Icebreaker
Syllabus review/class expectations/
Mentorship Program with IRACDA Fellows
Pretest
NO CLASS
College Advice
Class Activity: MARC Scholar Panel
Time management skills
Academic policies & procedures
Class Activity: Who wants to be a scientist
Assignment
Time Diary
SDSU General Catalog
Holiday: Labor Day
TypeFocus Interest Survey
Learning Styles Questionnaire
Time Diary Review & Discussion
Who wants to be a scientist worksheet
(1)
(2)
Due
9/8
9/8
(4)
9/15
9/15
(5)
9/29
(3)
September 29
October 6
October 13
October 20
October 27
November 3
November 10
November 17
November 24
December 1
December 8
December 15
Key to success & what is your learning style?
Guest Speaker: Heather LaPerle, Career Serv.
Your first semester in college
What is science? Different fields in science &
career paths
Class Activity: Career Panel
Intro to research & how to select a mentor
Guest Speaker: Dr. Nicole Rubin, IRACDA Fellow
Campus resources
Activity: Scavenger Hunt
GPA seminar
Academic plan
Student Organizations
Lab tour
Lab tour
Summer research programs
Guest Speaker: Chris Murphy, UCSD & IRACDA
Fellows
Final presentation: in-class work
Final group presentations
Posttest
Grading System:
Credit is >70%
CREDIT >448 points
NO CREDIT < 448 points
4B
Presentation Evaluation
(6)
10/6
Presentation Evaluation
Career Panel Evaluation
(7)
10/13
10/20
(8)
Presentation evaluation
Finding a Research Mentor
(9)
(10)
GPA Worksheet
Individual Academic Plan
Networking Presentation Evaluation
Lab write up
Lab write up
Presentation Evaluation
(11)
(12)
(13)
(14)
1:00 – 3:00pm
Total Points Possible
Attendance
= 160 (16 x 10 pts per day)
Assignments = 280 (14 x 20 pts per assign)
Lab Write Ups = 100 (2 x 50 pts per write up)
Research Final Presentation/Paper = 100
-----------------------------------------------Total Pts
= 640
10/27
10/27
11/10
11/17
11/17
11/24
12/1
12/8
12/16
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Extra Credit:
TBD
Important:
Late assignments will not be accepted. Being absent does not excuse you from turning in an assignment. Since you have access to the instructors’
office, email and the course Blackboard page; you will be held responsible for submitting all work on time. Remember the grading policy stated
above. You have no excuse for not knowing what or when assignments are due. They are all on your syllabus, however, should we give an assignment that is
not listed and you are absent, you are responsible for contacting your instructor or a classmate to find out what you missed.
Additional Notes: Do not bring food or drink to class and please turn off cell phones.
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